Things to do in Iquitos
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Nikoro
A chic bar that goes through spates of being really popular or really dead. If it’s lively, there’s nowhere better for a beer to watch sunset on the river. Go down the left-hand set of steps from Pevas to get there.
reviewed
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Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm
A visit to the fascinating Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm is highly recommended. Ostensibly this is a conservatorium and breeding center for Amazonian butterflies. Butterflies aplenty there certainly are, including the striking blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) and the fearsome-looking owl butterfly (Caligo eurilochus), which has a big owl-like eye on its wing. But it’s the farm’s exotic animals that steal the show. Raised as orphans and protected within the property are several mischievous monkeys, Lolita the tapir and Pedro Bello, a majestic orphaned jaguar, who has his own enclosure. You’ll also meet capricious Rosa, a giant anteater who wanders around freely looking for ants…
reviewed
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Dawn on the Amazon Tours & Cruises
This small outfit offers the best deal for independent travelers. The Amazon I is a beautiful 33ft wooden craft with modern furnishings, available for either day trips or longer river cruises up to two weeks. Included are a bilingual guide, all meals and transfers. You can travel with host Bill Grimes and his experienced crew along the Amazon, or along its quieter tributaries (larger cruise ships will necessarily stick to the main waterways). Dawn on the Amazon has exclusive permission to go twice as far into Pacaya-Samiria reserve as any other tour company. The beauty of these cruises is in their flexibility: many cruise operators have fixed departures and itineraries bu…
reviewed
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Amazon Golf Club
Amazing as it may seem, you can play a round or two on the nine holes of the wonderful Amazon Golf Club, the only course in the entire Amazon. Founded in 2004 by a bunch of nostalgic expats, the 2140m course was built on virgin bushland and it boasts, apart from its nine greens, a wooden clubhouse. Hole 4 is a beauty: you tee onto an island surrounded by piranha-infested waters. Don’t go fishing for lost balls! When fully completed the clubhouse will also include a bar (it already has a fridge full of beer) and the grounds will feature a swimming pool and a tennis court. Meantime see cofounder Bill Grimes at the course city office for information on how to get some swingi…
reviewed
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Casa de Fierro
Every guidebook tells of the 'majestic' Casa de Fierro (Iron House) designed by Eiffel (of Tower fame). It was made in Paris in 1860 and imported piece by piece into Iquitos around 1890, during the opulent rubber-boom days, to beautify the city. Although three different iron houses were imported, only one, at the southeast corner of the Plaza de Armas, survives.
It looks like a bunch of scrap-metal sheets bolted together, and was once a store and the Iquitos Club. There is now a store on the ground floor. There are plans afoot to open an upstairs restaurant and bar. Stay tuned.
reviewed
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La Noche
The friendliest service in Iquitos, the best location, a cool sophisticated vibe and oodles of tasty food: no wonder La Noche is the number one traveler choice for a relaxed Malecón meal. There’s real espresso, a host of gourmet sandwiches (the vegetarian triple can’t be beaten) for lunch, and river fish and crisp salads grace the dinner menu. There is street-front or balcony dining and a chill-out lounge-bar upstairs with sofas.
reviewed
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Ari’s Burger
On the corner of the Plaza de Armas, this clean, chirpy and brightly lit joint is known locally as ‘gringolandia.’ Two walls are open to the street, allowing great plaza- and people-watching. It’s almost always open, serves American-style food as well as local plates and ice creams, changes US dollars and is popular with tourists and locals alike. Desserts in Iquitos don’t get gooier.
reviewed
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Taberna del Cauchero
This place pays homage to the city’s rubber-boom days with intriguing memorabilia on the walls. The only Cordon Bleu chef in Iquitos serves up innovative modern takes on Amazon cuisine (such as river langostinos with chorizo and avocado stuffed into a Mexican-style tortilla) in a spacious, stylishly rustic eating area. It even does sushi, and there’s a pool. A traveler hangout in the making.
reviewed
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Gran Maloka
Enter the bygone world of the rubber-boom glory days at this atmospheric Amazonian restaurant. It’s an elegant tiled mansion with silk tablecloths, wall-length mirrors and imaginative regional delicacies such as chupín de pollo, Amazon venison with toasted coconut and the scrumptious Loretan omelet with jungle leaves. Locals consider this to be the town’s best restaurant.
reviewed
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Antica
New in 2006, the Antica is the best Italian restaurant in town. Primarily a pizza place – there’s an impressive wood-fired pizza oven – pasta also takes a predominant spot on the menu with the lasagna being an excellent choice. Chow down at solid wooden tables and choose from the range of fine imported Italian wines; unparalleled for the Amazon.
reviewed
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Bucanero
For great river views in civilized air-conditioned environs, this restaurant with a fish-dominated menu is a great lunch stop. Pescado a la plancha (grilled river fish) with chicharrones (fried chunks of pork) goes down remarkably well with an icy Iquiteña (Iquitos beer).
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Fitzcarraldo Restaurant-Bar
The Fitzcarraldo anchors a whole block of riverside restaurants and is the most upscale of them, with good food and service. Dine indoors (the air-con can be extra chilly) or on the streetside patio. It does good pizzas (delivery available) and various local and international dishes.
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Ivalú
One of the most popular local spots for juice and cake in the city, this place does a handy sideline in tamales (chicken or fish in corn dough, wrapped in jungle leaves). It normally opens at 8am; go sooner rather than later if you want a seat.
reviewed
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Museo Etnográfico
Picturesquely located along the Malecón is an old building housing the small Museo Etnográfico, which includes life-sized fiberglass casts of members of various Amazon tribes. You'll find the Biblioteca Amazónica onsite as well.
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Chez Maggy
A wood-burning oven produces fresh pizzas, just like its sister restaurants in Cuzco and other Amazon cities. Across the street, they’ve now opened a second, yet more ambient venue, Parilladas Chez Maggy, for those preferring grills.
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Kikiriki
How does a Peruvian cock crow? ‘Kikiriki.’ This is the best place in town for grilled chicken. Have it served on a bed of fried banana, the jungle way, with a dash of the legendary hot green sauce. Delivery is possible.
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Mad Mick’s Trading Post
You can buy, rent or trade almost anything needed for a jungle expedition at Mad Mick’s Trading Post. Don’t need it afterwards? Mick will buy anything back (if it’s in good nick) for half-price.
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Amazon Café
You can sit here on the balcony at the top of the Casa de Fierro and enjoy premium plaza views and a varied if overpriced menu ranging from seafood to steak. There is a good selection of whiskies and cocktails.
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Parilladas El Zorrito
Food is cooked outside on a grill at this lively, ambient, immensely popular local joint. Juanes and river fish are the thing to go for here. Portions are huge. There is great live music at weekends.
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Agricobank
For dancing, the most locally popular venue is this, a huge outdoor place where hundreds of locals gather for drinking, dancing and socializing. It’s only open at weekends.
reviewed
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Huasai
Efficient service, a variety of dependable tasty meat and fish lunch specials and great juices are the cornerstones of this good-value, centrally located restaurant.
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3-Day Amazon Jungle Tour at Sinchicuy Lodge
3 days (Departs Iquitos, Peru)
by Viator
Explore the magnificent Amazon on this 3-day adventure from Iquitos! This all-inclusive 3-day tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the amazing lands…Not LP reviewed
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3-Day Iquitos Amazon Jungle Adventure at Ceiba Tops Luxury Lodge
3 days (Departs Iquitos, Peru)
by Viator
Embark on the journey of a lifetime through the Amazon Jungle and spend three days at the deluxe Ceiba Tops Luxury Amazon Lodge. Your adventure takes you into t…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$489.99 -
3-Day Iquitos Amazon Jungle Adventure at Heliconia Lodge
3 days (Departs Iquitos, Peru)
by Viator
Visit the spectacular Amazon Jungle on this 3-day adventure from Iquitos! Cruise along the Amazon River both during the day and at night and see native animals …
Not LP reviewed
from USD$339.99 -
3-Day Iquitos Jungle Adventure at Muyuna Lodge
3 days (Departs Iquitos, Peru)
by Viator
Spend three days in the Amazon Rainforest at the Muyuna Lodge! This action-packed jungle adventure takes you to some of the best spots in the Amazon. Admire a…Not LP reviewed
from USD$499.99
