Iquitos

Riverbanks, dense rainforests and local culture are on tap in this jungle town, nestled deep in the Peruvian Amazon. Cut off from the road network, this jungle town is only accessible by plane or boat, which gives it a one-of-a-kind sense from the moment you arrive. The Amazon River flows nearby, and everything here feels tied to it, from transport to daily life. You can spend your time strolling through markets for some eye-catching trinkets like Amazonian handicrafts and exotic jungle products, heading into the rainforest, or adjusting to the slower, tropical-driven ways of the city.

1. Visit Belén Market and the riverside

Belén Market is one of the busiest parts of Iquitos. Stalls spill out along the riverbanks, selling fruit, fish, herbs and everyday goods. You’ll see unfamiliar ingredients alongside traditional remedies, while the nearby floating neighbourhood shifts with the river levels. It’s a place that gives you a clear sense of how closely life here is tied to the water.

2. Head into the Amazon rainforest

From Iquitos, you can travel by boat into the surrounding rainforest. Guided trips take you through dense jungle and along quiet waterways, where you might spot monkeys, sloths, pink river dolphins and a wide range of birds. The forest feels constant and alive, with sounds carrying through the trees and movement in every direction.

3. Tuck into some local Amazonian food

Food here reflects what grows in the rainforest. You can try juane, rice and meat wrapped in leaves, or tacacho con cecina, made from mashed plantain and smoked meat. River fish like paiche often appear on menus, and fresh fruit juices bring flavours that feel entirely local to the region.