I visited the largest city in the world that you can’t drive to: 5 reasons why it’s worth the adventure

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Okay, folks. This is one where we undoubtedly live up to our name by using the last two words well:

Out. Path.

I had the adventure of a lifetime exploring the the world’s largest city not accessible by roadmeaning you can fly in or take a dizzying ride down the Amazon.

While I can’t say I recommend Star Peru as your carrier of choice, there are several options to get you here that actually serve refreshments and don’t have toddler-drawn scribbles on the fuselage.

Um, tight budget? Even Spirit can afford paint…

That said, every trip this deep has its hiccups, but I’m here to tell you that if Cancun doesn’t scratch your travel itch, the country I just came home to will certainly get the job done.

Stay with me as I revisit my journey from ‘A to Z’ through the Amazon, just like the popular brand that rules our lives.

We’re going to unpack 5 reasons for do’s and don’ts through lesser-known Iquitos, Peru – and why it will always have a special place in my heart, despite being a little rough around the edges.

But hey, aren’t we all?

Here are 5 reasons why Iquitos is worth the adventure: (in no particular order)

1) Overlap of urban life and wildlife

Ever sat by the river for a nice meal and watched bats fly overhead and exotic fish jump out of the water?

Me neither, until I sat down La Balsawho gave me a ‘you’re not in Kansas anymore’ welcome to the Amazon and a delicious meal.

At first glance, I won’t lie: Iquitos is quite run-down, especially on a gloomy rainy day that occurs intermittently during the current wet season.

But I must say that there was much more sunshine than downpour and that is when this full-fledged city of more than half a million inhabitants comes to life.

For starters, your North Star should be that in itself Plaza de Armasa lively square in the city center within walking distance of every worthwhile stop, be it waterfront restaurants, nice hotels, souvenir shops, guide offices, or a visit to Belen, which we will return to soon…

2) Uber, who? More than 500,000 tuktuks fuel daily life

It is important to understand Iquitos do there are indeed roads; they just end up on the edge of town.

Car owners import them via ferry, so the majority of locals own motorcycles instead. Tuk-tuks act like mototaxis – a common way to get around in Asia, but not so much in Peru.

No one has ever turned me down, so I guess you can go anywhere on land. The airport is a bit far but I still got a breezy ride across town for about $5, but if you’re hopping around closer to town the round trip from the Plaza to my boutique hotel was only about $1.50 per ride.

3) Safest gateway to the Amazon

If you’ve done your homework for epic Amazon escapades, then you’ve probably compared gateways between Iquitos, Leticia, and Manaus.

That’s not to say you have a death wish for any of these places, but speaking firsthand, I never felt unsafe or under extra surveillance in Iquitos.

There’s a high police presence everywhere (except Belen), and you can easily tell who’s a tourist by patchouli-masked BO and overheard crystal energy chats – yes, there is That crowd here…

As long as you are not traveling for the first time, you can easily see where to go. Since much of Iquitos is worn around the edges, the Plaza area is the smartest place to stay.

Moreover, there were very few scammers. The city center is loaded with official guides offering easy-to-purchase excursions – many of which stay open until 9pm, allowing you to book exciting last-minute excursions such as pink dolphin spotting, night jungle walks and even swimming in the Nantay River.

4) The floating village: enter Belen (if you dare)

Google ‘Belen’ and you’ll get a range of results, ranging from claiming it’s completely safe to saying it’s the most dangerous neighborhood in Peru.

Let’s call it an even split and say it’s completely safe as long as you have a guide. I hired my new friend Miguel, who speaks perfect English and runs Ronsoco accompanies Iquitos.

This guy was incredible! He taught me so much that I never would have learned if I had walked through it alone.

This constantly bustling neighborhood is truly enchanting.

He also took me piranha fishing through Belen’s famous canals, lined with stilt houses deliberately built this way to avoid seasonal flooding. What makes Belen even crazier is that some houses are not elevated, forcing residents to move all their belongings upstairs while Mother Nature takes her course.

At the not-for-the-weak-of-heart market with exotic jungle meats, Amazonian medicines and every conceivable locally produced product, prepare for sensory overload from tuk-tuk smog, rain puddles and invisible screams.

But Belen is a must visit if planned well. You’ll feel like Anthony Bourdain. There is simply no comparable place.

5) Off-grid authenticity

How rare is it to find a full-fledged city without Starbucks or McDonald’s ruining the allure of legendary facades?

Welcome to Iquitos.

Every place you eat or stay will be a new experience, with the exception of the DoubleTree Hotel on the square, but at least it overlooks a historic theater opposite Iquitos’ famous ‘blue building’, which I jokingly called the Dubai Building.

You know it when you see it…

But I can’t recommend it Hotel Fenix enough. This lovely boutique hotel is run by some of the nicest people I have met and interacted with on my travels hot showers And ice cold air conditioningnot always easy to find in the Amazon.

Bonus: 5 Things to Avoid in Iquitos:

1) Do extensive research before booking a wildlife tour. Some ‘shrines’ seem to miss the holiness part. I had dubious feelings about the circumstances of Pilipintuwasi during my visit, but you decide for yourself.

2) Cash is King: Don’t rely on your credit card for payments anywhere as payment systems often lose their signal due to rainy weather.

3) Visiting the Kukama tribe made me feel uneasy. It felt like forced labor to perform traditional dances. It was a gimmick at best: a classic tourist trap.

4) Don’t let taxi drivers (cars) fool you at the airport. Tuk tuks are much cheaper, as I said.

5) Just say no: you will encounter people who approach you and provide unsolicited information about Iquitos. This is a trick to get a tip for a walking tour.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.