Travel Answers

Hello,

I have 4 days in the Amazon. I am wondering if it is worth it to spend a day and a night in Iquitos and then have 3 days at a lodge or is it more worthwhile to go directly to the lodge and spend my short 4 days there?

Ok, I'm assuming this is an awful idea, and would almost certainly result in altitude sickness without being able to acclimatize first, but has anyone done it/have any input? The only reason I'm asking is that I wish to be in Iquitos on particular dates for the festivals there, but am going at such a time that visiting everywhere I want to in southern and central Peru will result in arriving at dates after this. So, I was wondering in a kind of hectic panic would going straight to Iquitos from Lima be such a bad idea? I've heard from someone (not sure how reliable) that it's not a good idea, but from what I've seen Iquitos isn't at the same altitudes as say Cuzco. Input on this would be greatly appreciated.

How is this part of the Peruvian Amazon vs Puerto Maldonado? Some sources state for Iquitos, you need anti Malarial or Yellow Fever prevention. Though that may be outdated data. I am investigating this for 2014.

Anyone interested in forming a 4 person team for the Iquitos raft race? Sounds like a hoot! http://www.grarr.org/

Hello Hello. My wife and I are in our mid-fifties, and are experienced international travellers. I am finalizing our plans for Peru, and have a question on which lodge to use in Iquitos for the Amazon portion of our trip. I can't decide between the Explorama, which will really let us experience the Amazon, both day and nite, or the Ceiba Tops, isolated from the Amazon by 4 walls, but complete with air conditioning. Can anyone tell me how it is possible to sleep in 95% humidity, 95 degree temperatures of the Explorama ?? My wife and I are not fussy travellers. We've slept in a tent in the Sahara and rustic accomodations in Northern Thailand. We're not looking for a ritzy place. I am just curious if the air conditioned room is worth the separation from the Amazon? Also, while I'm at it - I may be 53 years old, but (like many of you men out there), I'm a kid at heart. I'm looking forward to the experience meeting the Yagua tribe. I've read that it is possible to barter or purchase blow guns from the folks in the tribes? Has anyone done this? If bartered - what did you barter? If purchased, what was the cost? Finally, was there any problems bringing the blow gun onto your home-bound plane? Thanx for all of your input !! joearena99@hotmail.com

We are going to Amazon River (on Iquitos side) and Manchu Picchu in May next year. Do we need to take any vaccination? Will there be much mosquitos or insect bites? My husband is very allergic to those bites.

we are going to do a cruise on the MV Aqua in June 2011. Can you book direct or do you have to go through a travel agent...has anyone been on this???

We will go to Amazon River in April 2011 and spend about 3 days there. We like to see the scenery and the wildlife in/along the river. We are not sure whether we should choose Iquitos, Peru or Manaus, Brazil. Can any VT members advise us on the difference in cost, crowdness and things to be seen? All advice is appreciated in advance.

Hi there! I'm heading to Iquitos in the next few days and I'm wondering if anyone wants to meet up to travel together, or just to hang out? Right now I'm in Arequipa, and either tomorrow or Tuesday I'll get a bus to Lima, and then hopefully the day after I arrive I'll get a flight to Iquitos. I'm a 36 year old Australian guy, have been in Latin America for two years, and will spend I don't know how much time in and around Iquitos (depends on how much I like it!) before heading down river into Brazil for the next six months. Let me know if our plans match up at all. Cheers, Nev

Will anyone be in Iquitos in June? I am planning to be there for at least a week sometime between June 11-26. I've went 5-6 times from 2005-2006, but it's been almost 2½ years since my last visit and I am REALLY excited. My tentative plans are to visit a jungle lodge for 3-4 days (probably Explorama since it was great on my first visit back in May, 2005) and maybe a couple of days in a small village outside of the city or down the river. (Depends on how adventurous I want to get!) I know the city pretty well and would love to share some of this with anyone who'd like to tag along -- assuming you can stand my great enthusiasm for the place. I'm a high school teacher and plan to hit most of the tourist spots near the city -- Quistococha, Belen, the Butterfly Farm, etc. -- to take videos with my HD camera to show my students. Besides visiting friends, that's the main reason why I'm going. If anyone wants to meet up and see some sights, I'd be glad to show them around. I am quite comfortable traveling like a local. I'm not looking to be a paid tour guide -- heck, I'll pay for the transportation if we go very far (like Quistococha) -- but since I'll be there for awhile, it would be nice to make some new friends to hang out with. I absolutely love the city (except for the weather!) and can't wait to be there. Phil

Hello I wonder if someone could give me a quick advise how long it takes to travel from Iquitos to Manaus or from Yurimaguas to Manaus. I have time from the 27th of october to the 9th of November when i have to be able to fly back from Lima to Amsterdam. Very thankful for anyfeedback. Regards Carlos

I will be in Iquitos in late September and wish to take the "fast boat" to Leticia. Does anyone have really current info on which days of the week this boat might run, and how much it costs, and what time of the day it leaves? (I say "fast boat" because there is also a slower boat that take a lot longer than the 9 or so hours that the "fast boat" takes.) Thanks !!

Hi, I am currenlty beginning to plan my trip to South America and one of my big high lights is to go to see the rainforest in the amazon basin. So far I have come across two main places to do several day trip in - Iquitos, Peru and Manaus, Brazil. Could someone please advise me if there are any difference in what you get to see and do there? And what are the best ways to get there? Or are there other places as well? Thanks a million. Ulli

Hi All, Thank you for all your advice on my previous question. Im in a bit of a dilemna now as I just found out that by getting my yellow fever vaccine tomorrow, by the time I arrive Im short of the 10 day wait and will be in Iquitos for 2-3 days without coverage. The doctor was very alarmed and said it would be a big mistake to not change my ticket and go later because of the 50% chance of death if it is contracted. But my ticket is v expensive to change so Im wondering if anyone knows what the risks are at the moment and whether I should just go anyway? Thanks a tonne

Hi there, Im planning on Ttravelling in May, landing in Lima and travelling up to Iquutos to experience the Amazon and do a boat trip. Do you think its safe for a woman travelling on her own and apart from flying, what is the best way to travel to Iquitos from Lima? Thanks a lot

I am going to Iquitos in September and am especially interested in piranha fishing. Does anyone know of a good tour that does such a thing, and how far from Iquitos one must travel to do this in terms of time. Thank you.

Hi, I want to travel to Iquitos in beginning of dezember for around 10 days. What things I should do in and around Iquitos? Where is the best place to stay for not to much money? Also I would like to travel to Leticia and Tabatinga. What I have to be aware off or what I should think off before doing that? Where to stay in Tabatinga/Leticia? Many thanks in advance! Frank

Hi, Everyone, I have read in another forum that It is OK to arrive in Iquitos and arrange a tour right then and there because lodge representatives are present at the aiport. Is this true? I will be travelling in July and don't have any time to waste. If I fly into Iquitos early in the morning, can I still start the tour that same day? Thank you for taking the time to advice me on this.

I'm headed down to Iquitos for the first week in June, and want to spend about three days in the jungle. Should I book a place in advance, online, or would I get a better deal just going to the city and booking something there? I just don't want to get there and find they're all booked or charge more on short notice. And any recommendations for the best places on the less expensive end? Very grateful for any help. Sam

I'll be down there with my fiance (who lives there) and love meeting other visitors. I've spent a lot of time down there and love to help out newcomers. It's also nice to be able to speak English a little when I'm there since most of the time I'm speaking Spanish. It's a wonderful, frontier jungle city, but this is likely my last trip for awhile since my fiance's visa to come to the US was recently approved.

Im travelling through South America next year and high on my priorties list is a extensive tour of the rainforest. One of the higher priorites in touring the rainforest is to find a indigenous Indian tribe who offer Ayahuasca ceremonies as part of your visit. Its definately not your usual tourist request but if anyone has had this experience or know of where to go and who to speak to in order to enjoy this deeply spiritual experience it would be much appreciated to know. Cheers.

I'll be heading to Iquitos Nov. 9 or 10, from Lima, staying about a week, and then taking a boat as far west as I can and bussing it to Piura/Mancora. I'm 28, male, solo...any advice helpful too. Thanks Much.

Hi, I was wondering what the easiest way would be to get from Iquitos to Quito. Is there a flight, or some other form of transportation? Thanks

i am in ecuador right now and would like to go to iquitos then from iquitos to brazil, i heard that there are boats, but anyone know the routing and in which town to catch the boat? thanks

i'm gonna be in town and was hoping to explore the pacaya-samiria reserve, am looking for other travellers who may be doing the same or something else interesting

Trying to go from Iquitos(PE) to Belem (BR) anyway except on a cruise boat. Very little info I've been able to find, specially in the Iquitos-Manaus part of the trip. Wondering if there are any shipping boats or comercial boats that take on passengers? Thanks for the info Luis

Will anyone be in Iquitos around July 15-23? I'll be there that week and am looking for someone to perhaps do some exploring with. I've been several times before and know much of the city, but there is still much to experience there. My fiance will be in classes during the day so I will be solo and have time to get out a little. I'm certainly no tour guide for the city, but haven't spent a total of several weeks in the area I know enough to get around pretty easily and I'm very comfortable even in the areas gringos never go. I'm going with the intention of videoing a lot so going to tourist spots (or anywhere) that I've already visited in the past would be great and it would be fun to go with someone else -- maybe I could help you avoid getting ripped off the by the MANY people looking to take advantage of tourists.

I am traveling to Iquitos, Peru in August. It looks like a much shorter distance to go there from Quito, Ecuador than from Lima. Are there any flights from Quito to Iquitos? Does anyone know the cost difference or advantages/disadvantages between going from Quito or Lima? I hear there is a bus + boat option from Quito. Does this mean a long bus ride on scary roads? I have a terrible fear of heights. How long is the boat ride and from where does it go? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

I was planning on going to Iquitos at the end of December but am currently in Argentina and have just found out that the only malaria tablets available here are mefloquine which I am totally unwilling to take as I have heard terrible stories about the side effects. Does anybody know whether it is possible to buy malarone tablets in Peru? Thanks very much.

Hello all! I am planning to spend about 12 days in Iquitos in late June/early july, 9 of them spent at a location outside of the city. Before I go, however, I was planning on spending 2 days in the city by myself. How safe will it be for me to travel around the city alone (especially since I speak only rudimental spanish)? Would anyone recommend I be in before dark, etc? I'm not particularly afraid of being out at night(did some late night wandering alone in Shanghai and Hanzhou) but wanted some practical thoughts as safety is important. Also, I tend to like to wander off the beaten path and try to avoid tourist laden areas. If anyone knows of any nice local places or things to check out (food, sights, etc.) your thoughts will be much appreciated. Thanks! Chris