Air connections
There are good flight connections between Iquitos and Lima and Tarapoto. TANS Peru (Próspero 215, T 223581) and AeroContinente (Próspero 232, T 243489) fly to both these cities. Grupo 42 (Jr. Sargento Lores 127, T 234632), an army airline, has flights to Santa Rosa on the Brazilian and Colombian border. Flights leave on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 8am, take 1.45 hours and cost $50. Flights return to Iquitos on the same days in the afternoons.
Aerotaxi Transservice (Jr. Arica 960, T 223277) offers an air taxi service.
The airport is a few kilometres south of the city. Mototaxis charge around $1 to get to or from the airport, and there are also taxis available for a bit more. There is a tourist information booth at the airport with information on the city and jungle tours.
Bus connections
There are no bus connections to Iquitos from the rest of Peru, although there are a few roads going to nearby towns. Combis to Nauta leave from the corner of Jr. Próspero and Jr. José Gálvez when it has not rained. When it rains the road becomes impassable. If it has not rained the journey takes about 3 hours and costs $3.
River connections
The main port in Iquitos is Puerto Masusa, from where large passenger boats leave. Take a mototaxi from the centre for $1. There is also a smaller port from where speedboats leave at Embarcadero El Huequito.
Large boats are slow, taking passengers and cargo. They provide you with a space to sling a hammock and basic food (but not water) for the journey. Most boats also have bunks in cabins available for a few dollars more, although these are not necessarily any more comfortable. Boats get very full and travel slowly, and the journey should only be undertaken by anyone looking for an adventure and not afraid of discomfort. Be prepared for delays, as boats often take a long time loading and unloading at intermediate stops. Make sure you bring a hammock to sleep in and ropes to hang it from. Bring food, as what is provided is unlikely to satisfy. Bring lots of water, as there is little for sale onboard. It is possible to buy drinks and food when the boat stops at small ports, although this can be infrequent. Watch your belongings carefully on the boat, as there is nowhere to leave them safely. Tie up rucksacks in your hammock during the day, and bring a padlock to keep bags closed.
To buy a ticket, just turn up at the port and find a boat leaving for your destination. All paperwork is handled directly by the captain. Boats tend to leave around 4pm and it is possible to buy a ticket right up until the boat leaves, although bunks fill up long before, and by 4pm there is very little room to hang a hammock.
Speedboats are available to the border with Brazil and Colombia only, and the journey is much quicker and more comfortable this way, although it is also much more expensive.
There are also luxury cruise services to some destinations. Information on these services is included in the jungle tours section.
Brazil/Colombia border
Large passenger and cargo boats leave from Puerto Masusa for Islandia, on the Peruvian side of the border. The journey takes 3 days and costs $14.
Speedboats (Yates) leave from the Embarcadero El Huequito. These charge $50 to Tabatinga on the Brazilian side of the border. The journey takes 8 hours and boats leave at 6am every day except Monday. Boats seat 18 people and the price includes lunch. Speedboats stop at Santa Rosa, the last town on the Peruvian side of the border, to sort out papers. There are two companies operating speedboat services, both with offices on the 3rd block of Jr. Raymondi, 3 blocks up from the Plaza de Armas. Trans Acuatico Rápido Mayco (Raymondi 384, T 233157) has boats on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Transportes Amazónicos de Turismo, (Raymondi 344, T 231278) has boats on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Boats return to Iquitos on every day except Tuesday, and the return journey takes 9 hours.
Pucallpa
The only passenger services to Pucallpa are in large passenger and cargo boats leaving from Puerto Masusa. The journey takes five to six days and costs $17.
Yurimaguas/Lagunas
The only passenger services to Yurimaguas are in large passenger and cargo boats leaving from Puerto Masusa. The journey takes three days and costs $10. Boats pass Lagunas after two days, and the journey to Lagunas costs $7.
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