Ribereños in The Amazon Basin

Peruvians in the Amazon are mostly a mix of one or more native populations with some Spanish ancestry. Ribereños, as they're called, live simple lives close to the land and water, much like their native ancestors. They depend on fish and crops for their survival. A visit to a Ribereño community is unforgettable, educational, and often the highlight of a tour of the region. Also, not far from Iquitos are numerous small communities of Amazon peoples. They include the Yagua, Bora, Huitoto, Ticuna, and Cocama groups, whose people generally don't speak Spanish. If you do visit a native village, be sure to take small bills (nuevo soles or dollars) to buy artisan items.