Belén Market Tour – Iquitos

Belén Market

This is one of the most representative markets in the Amazon region, known for its vibrant atmosphere and unique local products. The market is famous for its rustic architecture and as a meeting point for locals and tourists.
A wide variety of typical Amazonian products are sold here, including exotic fruits, medicinal herbs, handicrafts, fresh river fish, and other jungle products.

Location

The Belén Market is located in the Belén district, on the banks of the Amazon River, in the city of Iquitos, in the Loreto region of Peru.

Altitude

The Belén Market in Iquitos is located at an altitude of approximately 106 meters above sea level.

What to do?

• Guided Market Tour
• With a local guide, you can explore the market aisles and discover typical Amazonian products: exotic fruits, fish, medicinal herbs, roots, traditional foods, and mystical items.
• Tasting of Traditional Foods
• Try dishes like juane, tacacho with cecina, inchicapi, and more. You can also sample juices made from native fruits such as aguaje, camu camu, or ungurahui.
• Visit to the Natural and Mystical Products Area
• Explore the section where brews, potions, roots, and plants used in traditional medicine and shamanic rituals are sold. Here, you can learn more about the Amazonian worldview.

The Belén Market Excursion in Iquitos is a unique experience that combines culture, tradition, and everyday Amazonian life. Known as the Venice of the Amazon, this market reflects the vibrant heart of the city, where floating houses, narrow passageways, and the warmth of its people showcase the essence of the Belén neighborhood. Wandering through its colorful, water-lined streets allows visitors to experience one of the most authentic expressions of the Peruvian Amazon.

The Belén Market in Iquitos

Is known for its stalls overflowing with exotic and traditional jungle products. There, you can sample typical dishes like juane and tacacho with cecina, as well as find unusual meats such as turtle, carachama, and the popular suri worm. The variety of Amazonian fruits, like cocona and aguaje, enriches the experience, allowing you to discover unique flavors that are part of the daily lives of local families.

A special attraction of this excursion is the section dedicated to medicinal plants and Amazonian amulets, which reflect the spiritual and ancestral connection of the local population with nature. This mystical corner offers healing herbs, traditional remedies, and objects imbued with cultural symbolism. A visit to the Belén Market is not just a tourist excursion, but also an immersion into the history, spirituality, and customs that make Iquitos a fascinating destination in the Amazon.

📝 Itinerary

The experience begins in downtown Iquitos, where we head to the boulevard, an iconic riverside location and the starting point for exploring the vibrant market area. From there, we make our way to the iconic Belén Market, a labyrinth teeming with life where the rainforest expresses itself through flavors, aromas, colors, and beliefs.

Upon arrival, we go straight to the busiest sales areas. We stroll through the meat and fish aisles, where exotic products reflecting the Amazon’s biodiversity are on display: the giant paiche (arapaima), caiman meat, turtle meat, and fish of unique shapes and colors that will surprise even the most seasoned traveler. Each stall is a window into Amazonian cuisine, where the traditional blends with the everyday.

Next, we enter the tropical fruit and spice section. Here, the intense aromas of camu camu, aguaje, taperibá, and local spices like sachaculantro and wild turmeric intertwine in a symphony of natural fragrances. It’s the perfect place to learn about the ingredients that make up jungle cuisine and their nutritional and medicinal value.

The visit becomes even more mystical upon arriving at the famous “Pasaje Paquito,” a fascinating gallery of esoteric items, aphrodisiac root concoctions, perfumes made from magical plants, incense, and amulets. This corner is an epicenter of the Amazonian worldview, where shamans, healers, and believers find what they need for rituals, spiritual cleansings, and natural remedies for the soul and body.

After this walk through stalls and ancient wisdom

we descend to the lower part of the market, where the ground gives way to water. There, we board a boat that takes us along the Itaya River. As we navigate, we enter San José de Río Italaya, a riverside community whose life unfolds on the water. The houses, schools, and shops float thanks to the river’s natural features.

to structures adapted to the rhythm of the river. This tour offers an intimate glimpse into a resilient way of life that respects the environment.

Throughout the journey, the guide shares information about the workings of these communities, their challenges, customs, and their profound relationship with nature.

It becomes a moment of reflection on the value of human adaptation and local wisdom in the face of an ecosystem as powerful as the Amazon.

At the end of the river trip, we return to the starting point with an enriched understanding of what Belén represents: not just a market, but a cultural universe where the jungle and the city embrace, where the mystical coexists with the everyday, and where every corner tells a story that deserves to be experienced.

✅ What does the tour include?

• Pick-up from your hotel (in downtown Iquitos)
  We begin the experience with a transfer from your accommodation, if it is located in the city center, to ensure your comfortable and worry-free access.
• Land transfer to the Belén Market
  Private transportation in a tourist vehicle to the heart of the bustling market, located in one of the city’s most emblematic areas.
• Expert local guide specializing in Amazonian culture
  Throughout the tour, you will be accompanied by a professional guide who knows every corner of the market and the stories behind the products, rituals, and customs.
• Walking tour of the Belén Market
  Explore the areas with exotic meats, tropical fruits, giant fish, and unique Amazonian products. We will also visit the famous Pasaje Paquito, a space filled with traditional medicine, amulets, aphrodisiac potions, and ancestral beliefs.
• Boat trip through the lower Belén area
  We will board a safe boat to explore the floating community of San José de Río Itaya, where you will learn firsthand how the people live in houses built on the water.
• Return to the starting point or downtown Iquitos
• At the end of the tour, we return to the pier located on the boulevard so you can continue your day exploring Iquitos or return to your hotel.

• Personalized assistance throughout the tour
  Our team will be attentive to you at every stage of the tour so you can have an authentic, safe, and enriching experience.

❌ What’s not included?

Food and drinks during the tour

This tour does not include breakfast, lunch, or snacks. However, the guide can recommend nearby places to eat or drink after the tour.

Transfers from hotels outside downtown Iquitos

If your accommodation is located outside the city center (airport, highway area, or distant accommodations), pick-up and drop-off may have an additional cost or may not be available.

Tips for the guide or driver

Tips are not included and are entirely voluntary. If you enjoyed the service, a gesture of appreciation is always appreciated.

Personal Expenses or Market Purchases

If you wish to purchase handicrafts, natural products, fruits, or souvenirs, these are at your own expense.

Travel Insurance or Personal Medical Assistance

We recommend having travel insurance that covers any eventuality during your stay in Iquitos, as it is not included in the service.

🌟 Recommendations

• Wear light and comfortable clothing
  The climate in Iquitos is warm and humid year-round. We recommend wearing cool clothing, preferably cotton, and bringing a hat or cap to protect yourself from the sun.
• Appropriate footwear for walking
  The Belén Market and its surroundings may have uneven or wet floors, so it is ideal to wear comfortable, non-slip, closed-toe shoes.
• Bring your own water
  Stay hydrated during the tour by bringing your own water bottle. Although the tour is not physically demanding, the humidity of the jungle can feel intense.
• Insect Protection
  Apply insect repellent before the tour, especially for the boat portion where you’ll visit the lower part of Belén and be closer to the water.
• Avoid Carrying Valuables
  Since you’ll be in a public market and open areas, it’s recommended that you don’t wear jewelry or carry valuables. Keep your backpack or purse with you at all times.
• Respect Local Customs
  When walking through Pasaje Paquito and observing traditional medicines or rituals, please maintain a respectful attitude. The Amazonian worldview is rich in symbolism and deserves consideration.
• Prepare Your Camera
  There will be unique moments to capture: from exotic products to floating houses. Make sure your device has sufficient battery and free space.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes, the tour is suitable for the whole family, including children. It’s a great opportunity for them to learn about Amazonian customs, always under the supervision of parents or guardians.

Is it safe to visit the

Belén Market?

Yes, we conduct the tour with experienced local guides who know the area well. All necessary precautions are taken to ensure a safe and peaceful visit.

Can I buy products at the market?
Of course! You can purchase tropical fruits, handicrafts, natural drinks, and other local products. We recommend bringing some cash in Peruvian soles.

Does the tour operate year-round?

Yes, this tour operates year-round. However, the water level in the lower Belén area may vary depending on the season (rising or falling river levels).

Is food or drinks included?
No, the tour does not include food or drinks. However, afterward, you can enjoy lunch at a typical Iquitos restaurant along the boulevard.

Do I need to know how to swim for the boat portion?
Swimming is not required. The boat trip is calm, conducted in a safe boat with a guide. Life jackets are also provided.

How long is the tour?
The complete experience usually lasts between 3 and 4 hours, depending on the group’s pace and weather conditions.

What happens if it rains?
The tour proceeds even in light rain, as it is common in the jungle. If there is heavy rain that compromises safety, the tour will be rescheduled or canceled at no additional cost.