City in Loreto, Peru
Iquitos for solo travelers
Is Iquitos good for solo travel?
The world's largest city with no road access, reached only by plane or river. A raw, humid gateway to Amazon lodges and river cruises; heat, mototaxi chaos and tropical diseases are the trade-offs.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Solo women travel here, but catcalling is frequent and unlicensed tours carry extra risk. Book registered lodges and avoid ayahuasca with unvetted shamans. |
How to meet people in Iquitos
Lodge-based group tours, hostel boards, boat trips to the Pacaya-Samiria reserve, and bars on the Malecón.
Good things to do alone
- Stay at a jungle lodge on the Amazon
- Walk the Malecón Tarapacá at sunset
- Visit Belén's floating market with a guide
- See river dolphins and Manatee Rescue Center
- Take a canoe trip in Pacaya-Samiria
Where to stay in Iquitos
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Centro and Malecón Tarapacá | River views, restaurants, tour offices; most visitors |
| Belén | Floating market district; visit with a guide only |
| Punchana | Quieter streets near the port, cheaper stays |
Solo travel across Peru
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cusco | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lima | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Machu Picchu | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Arequipa | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sacred Valley | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Máncora | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Huaraz | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Huacachina | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puno | 3/5 | Limited |
| Paracas | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Iquitos | 3/5 | Limited |
| Puerto Maldonado | 3/5 | Limited |
| Nazca | 2/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Iquitos good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). The world's largest city with no road access, reached only by plane or river.
How do you meet people in Iquitos?
Lodge-based group tours, hostel boards, boat trips to the Pacaya-Samiria reserve, and bars on the Malecón. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Iquitos?
Limited.
Is Iquitos safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women travel here, but catcalling is frequent and unlicensed tours carry extra risk. Book registered lodges and avoid ayahuasca with unvetted shamans.
More about Iquitos
Going to Iquitos solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Iquitos meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.