Iquitos: Riverside Promenade, Museums and Rubber Boom History

Explore Iquitos through a range of experiences and sights: Plaza de Armas as a landmark, the riverside promenade along the Amazon, historic buildings and museums. You can plan your stay around your interests, with public square life, views of the water, architecture or collections as different focal points.

Plaza de Armas and the Amazon Riverfront

Concerts, festivals, craft fairs, outdoor activities and walks take place at Plaza de Armas de Iquitos. As the event schedule may change over time, it is worth checking dates for planned events in advance. The square is also an important landmark for visitors; from here, you can arrange trips to other sights in the region.

The Malecón Tarapacá offers a different perspective: it is an urban riverside promenade in Iquitos along the Amazon. Boat trips on the river can be booked from there. Providers and availability may change, so check the current options in advance if you plan to take a trip. The square, with its events, and the riverside promenade represent different aspects of a stay: public activities and a point of orientation on the one hand, the riverfront and trips on the water on the other.

Architecture, views and local cuisine

Casa de Fierro is a historic prefabricated iron structure in the historic centre of Iquitos. It houses a restaurant on the second floor, where visitors can enjoy local cuisine and take in views of the city. If you plan to visit the restaurant, check its current operating details before you go.

Ex Hotel Palace is an Art Nouveau building in the centre of Iquitos. The top floor has a viewpoint offering panoramic views of the Río Itaya. This gives the city two different connections to the water: the Malecón is on the Amazon, while the view from Ex Hotel Palace looks out over the Río Itaya. Casona Fitzcarraldo, a house from the rubber boom era in the Iquitos district, adds a culinary offering to the architectural experience: its cuisine combines traditional Peruvian dishes with international influences.

Church and museums in Iquitos

Iglesia Matriz de Iquitos is a Catholic place of worship of historical and architectural significance in the Peruvian Amazon. Masses, religious celebrations, weddings, baptisms and Catholic festivities take place there throughout the year; dates may vary. If you would like to combine your visit with a particular service or celebration, check the relevant schedule.

The museums cover different subjects. Museo Amazónico houses 32 fiberglass sculptures of Indigenous people from the Peruvian jungle, as well as archaeological artefacts. Museo de Culturas Indígenas Amazónicas displays Indigenous jewellery, old household objects, pre-Columbian musical instruments, featherwork and ceremonial objects.

Museo Histórico Barco Ayapua is located on the banks of the Río Itaya at Plaza Ramón Castilla. Its ten exhibition rooms feature historical objects such as naval uniforms, telescopes, compasses and furniture. Casa Morey also serves as a museum, with artefacts and exhibitions about the rubber boom era and the history of Iquitos. From the second-floor balcony, you can see the Río Itaya and Plaza Ramón Castilla; access is subject to the house’s visitor conditions. Admission conditions may change, so check them before a planned visit.

When planning, you can weigh up the different options: events and orientation at the square, a possible boat trip from the Malecón, or the various collections and buildings. When choosing a hotel for your stay, base your plans on the visits that matter most to you.

Discover more destinations: Iquitos, Maynas.

For the regional travel overview: Loreto.