Iquitos is an ideal place for lovers of ecotourism and those who want to feel intimate contact with the virgin nature of the Amazon forest, the city may go into shelters in the middle of jungle, and for the more adventurous and daring can reach the parks and nature reserves, full and full of lush flora and fauna, with many still undiscovered, and many living species unknown to science. It is one of the most biodiverse in the world.
Iquitos is the capital of the department of Loreto, is located in the heart of the Peruvian jungle northeast, less than 4 C° south of the equator and along the left bank of the Amazon River. For the difficult geography Amazon, Iquitos has no roads, and their communication is by air or river.
Iquitos was a village inhabited by the tribe of jungle iquitos, who took the name when it was founded in 1864. During the Spanish colonial period and the gold rush caused by the legends of El Dorado and the Land of Cinnamon, Iquitos was never historical figuration.
In 1883 the city began in the era of boom and rubber latex exploitation of their trade and did reach some immense fortunes, brought prosperity to the city and began the construction of lavish homes, some with majolica tiles and brought from Portugal. Part of the trappings of that era was the acquisition of a house built by Gustave Eiffel in Paris and now located in the Plaza de Armas of Iquitos. The end of the rubber was reached in 1912.
At that time, Iquitos had better communications with Europe via the River Amazon, with the city of Lima, capital of Peru.
Iquitos since then has always been the main river port and Amazon of Peru, his business has focused on the marketing of its natural resources and exploitation of oil lately. Today is part of a major economic corridor with Brazil.
Near the city of Iquitos, there Quistococha of the zoo, which houses many species of fauna Amazon, you can also find spas and recreational lakes (ponds) and in the same city may know Bethlehem, the Venice of Peru, or stroll along the boardwalk and watch the world's largest river, the Amazon.
The population of Iquitos in the vast majority are descendants of natural jungle tribes and regional mix. His character is very noble and cheerful, fun-loving. Iquitos is also famous for the number of men who arrived in the city and lost their celibacy, for the love to their women they know. People have many myths and legends, some esoteric, there is widespread quackery and folk medicine based on the wealth of medicinal plants that exist.
In the city you will find crafts of the jungle tribes, and you can enjoy excellent cuisine, drinks and typical sessions using ayahuasca shamans.
The typical public transportation in the city is "mototaxi or Motoc," is a motorized tricycle to transport passengers with a very economical rate. There are taxis in conventional cars, which generally do not have air conditioning. In town you can rent a bike or car.
Visiting Iquitos
Ecotourism: The Amazon forest is the natural reserve of more extensive and varied life on earth, botanical and zoological species abundant in lewd landscapes where it can stay inside and staying in hostels or lodges, some close to parks and nature reserves. Or if you prefer a cruise down the Amazon, or a simple boat ride. In our area of "Vacation" you will find various options for ecotourism in the region of Iquitos, and may also request a special thematic trips conditioning as bird watching, flowers folk medicine, etc..
The City: The city's hub of social life the square, and around her house in the famous rubber boom, the plaza is very close to the Malecón Tarapaca, its commercial center in Próspero shred, and the traditional neighborhood of Bethlehem with their houseboats on the river at night has a number of fun options.
Museum: Located on the street T´vara Table 2, with small and modest museum of aboriginal crafts, ethnographic and regional fauna.
Periphery of the city: You can visit the resort of Quistococha for a first meeting with the regional flora and fauna and a picturesque village of St. Thomas.
For those who want to escape for a moment the concrete jungles and infernal noise and pollution of big cities and want to get in close contact and harmony with heavenly places in the virgin forests of the Amazon, no more noise than the birds, monkeys and insects, Iquitos is a great opportunity and an excellent choice.
