Most travelers aren’t in Peru long enough for a multi-day boat ride to Iquitos. But choosing this over the 1 hour, 40 minute flight from Lima could be the most transformative experience of your trip.
Frist, there’s a lot to like- picture viewing Amazonian sunsets with a beer in hand, swinging in your hammock while conversing with friends.
After arrival, you’ll get world-class wildlife viewing opportunities and visit nearby jungle communities and areas with intact Amazon forest.
There isn’t much to do on these boats. Because of that, you’ll get time to reflect on life, your trip, and maybe passions you want to pursue afterwards.
So are you planning your boat ride through the Amazon? It sounds sexy, exotic, and worthy of a few humble brags for the rest of your life.
These are all true, as this indeed is a unique experience that you’ll remember forever. But alas, you’ll need to plan and prep ahead of time.
Taking the Boat Ride to Iquitos
From Pucallpa (Peru)
Pucallpa, practically smack-dab in the middle of Peru, is only on the radar for most visitors because of the boats to Iquitos. The trip takes 4-7 days. This is a cargo boat, so the day and time of departure often change- stay on your toes.
While in Pucallpa check out lake Yarinacocha. There you can canoe, swim, and waterski.
At Parque Natural de Pucallpa you can spot toucans and monkeys. Who doesn’t love a good toucan?!
Movil Tours is a trustworthy bus company that offers the 18.5 hr route from Lima to Pucallpa.
From Yurimaguas (Peru)
Yurimaguas is much closer to Iquitos, being in the northern region of the country. But the boat trip will still take 3-4 days. This “slow” boat doesn’t leave until full and tends to depart daily.
There is a “fast boat” too, but this does not always go all the way to Iquitos and sometimes stops at Nauta instead.
To get to Yurimaguas, you can take a 2 hr bus ride from Tarapoto for S/ 10-15 ($3-5).
The fastest way to Tarapoto is by flying from Lima. But buses also arrive to Tarapoto from multiple cities including Trujillo and Lima. The ride from Lima takes almost 30 hours, so I recommend breaking the trip up and visiting towns along the route.
From Leticia (Colombia) or Tabatinga (Brasil)
First, take the boat to Santa Rosa (about a 10 minute ride). From Santa Rosa the fast boat leaves at 4am every day but Monday. The trip to Iquitos takes 11 hours.
The slow boat takes 2.5 days and leaves daily at 8pm except Thursdays.
From Manuas (Brazil)
You can fly or take a boat journey of 3-6 days in length to Tabatinga (see above).
Top Tips for Taking the Boat to Iquitos
Make sure you are ready for the trip.
See, the jungle is, well… The JUNGLE! Most of the boat journeys are actually cargo boats, so your living conditions will be basic. Have toilet paper, mosquito netting, a hammock (you can buy one in town), and plenty of water. Same goes for repellant, sunblock, flip flops, and a sunhat.
Also try to bring your own booze, since prices are much higher on board.
And bring a flexible attitude! Since these are cargo boats, they tend to have changing itineraries. This and the change in river flow throughout the year affect the trip’s length.
Make sure you know the dock from which your boat leaves- this can change at the last minute.
Prices are also subject to change.
Make sure you have consulted a doctor about malaria medication and the yellow fever vaccine.
Finally, one last note of caution: beware of pickpockets in the cramped spaces on board. This type of petty crime is fairly common in Iquitos too.
What to Do in Iquitos
- Belen Market: Iquitos’ main market is centuries old, partially floating, and features foods you won’t find anywhere else. Go in the morning to get the freshest choices. But avoid buying animal parts and very large fish, as these may be illegally obtained.
- Island of the Monkeys: This 450-hectare monkey rescue center is only 30km (18.6 miles) from Iquitos. You can adopt a monkey or make a donation on their website. It costs S/ 20 (about $7) to enter.
- Native Communities Tour: Take a (short) boat tour to one of several native communities for an unforgettable intercultural experience. Learn blow darts, see a traditional dance, and share a forest-provided meal.
- Pacaya Samiria National Reserve: Peru’s 2nd largest protected area is chock-full of jungle wildlife. You may even get a chance to swim with river dolphins!
Clothes to Pack for Iquitos
The temperature in Iquitos goes up to 90 F (32 C) and down to the low 70s F (22 C ) year round. It rains all year, with the rainiest months being December to March.
- Shorts
- Bathing suit
- Long pants for the evening (to avoid mosquitoes)
- Short sleeved shirts
- Long sleeved shirt for the evening (also to avoid mosquitos)
- Hat, sunglasses
- Good walking shoes or hiking shoes (at least water resistant)
- Rain Poncho
- Waterproof backpack
When to Go
Rainy season in this part of Peru is from October to June, with April the rainiest month. Try to avoid the middle of the rainy season, when rains are heaviest.
Conclusion
This post is meant to be an easy-to-read guide on how to take a boat to Iquitos.
Check out my Adventure Guide to Northern Peru to read about other places to visit in this part of Peru. Northern Peru is a backpacker’s dream because there is a TON to see and it’s far away from the tourist-packed “Gringo Trail”.
Have you made any of these trips, or are you interested in doing so? Then comment below. Stay cool and free!
