Iquitos in Peru
The largest city in the Peruvian rain forest, with a population of just under 400,000, Iquitos holds the claim to fame as the largest city that cannot be reached by road. This unique and very developed city can only be accessed by boat or airplane with the exception of a small road that leads to the town of Nuata, located about 60 miles south.
Situated on the Amazon River in the northeastern portion of the country, Iquitos was originally established in the mid 18th century as a Jesuit mission and is now the capital of the Loreto Region, which is the most sparsely populated area of Peru due to the presence of the rain forest. Once the center for the rubber industry in South America, especially in the late 19th and early 20th century, the town is full of stately mansions from that era, which belonged to wealthy rubber barons. These homes include Casa de Fierro, designed by Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame.
Today, most Iquitos residents make their money in the lumber, rum, oil, and beer industries. Tourism is also on the rise in this unique town, with more and more foreign visitors choosing to make the flight to Iquitos and staying a few days to explore the city. Eco-tourists have become particularly interested in making a stop in Iquitos, which is home to Cornell University’s Amazon Field Laboratory as well as Project Amazonas, a Peruvian conservation research organization that dedicates itself to caring for the Amazon River, the rain forest, and other areas around them. Visitors can travel by boat to the project’s research stations.
Visitors can also head to the local zoological park, check out a few spas, explore small museums, or visit Belen, dubbed the Venice of South America complete with unique floating houses. There are plenty of modern hotels within the city limits and a vibrant shopping district called Prospero Street. Exploring the various unique neighborhoods is fun and interesting as well.
The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, also in Iquitos,
is the largest National Reserve in Peru and is a joy to explore as well. One
of the most bio-diverse areas on Earth, this reserve boasts some
449 species of tropical bird, 102 species of mammals, 256 known
species of freshwater fish, 69 types of reptiles, and more than 1000
varieties of plants.
Life in Iquitos, a truly charming city, is much as it would be in other mid-sized cities, save the fact that residents can’t just drive off when they feel like it. There are good schools for the children of the community, four universities (one state university and three private facilities), and plenty of things to do.
Residents and guests make their way around town by motorized tricycle, bus, motorcycle, or automobile. Visitors may also rent cars or motorcycles once they reach the city.
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