Iquitos
 

A friend is going to Iquitos at the end of March. Is there anything to see beyond pink dolphins, macaws at clay licks, and the mosquitoes ?

Macaws at clay licks are not in Iquitos. Would your friend be interested in Belen market? Recommended to go with an escort.

Usually people go to Iquitos for the Amazon and the jungle. I hope that is why they're going.

He's going because it practically the only place in Peru that he doesn't know. He lives in Argentina and is fluent in Spanish. No need for a guide for the market. Is the market the only site to see there ?

The issue is safety, as it's a black market of sorts. If he won't carry anything of value and just wants to wander around that's an option.

There are a few old rubber baron buildings but you haven't given a clue as to what he might like. Is he into ayahuasca or nightlife as in music and meeting girls?

Has he been to Cajamarca, Celendin, the Maranon canyon, Leymabamba and Chachapoyas? Or Ayacucho, Huanvelica and Huancayo?

Thanks, mlgb. Not sure where he's been, but he did spend 4 mos. there. Is a 70 yo viejo verde so he'll find the music and girls on his own. Isn't interested in the hippie stuff. Is spending time at a lodge and then 3 days in Iquitos. I've heard that it is pretty much a sh$thole so was wondering if there's anything to see. Maybe the rubber baron places but not much else. Thanks !

I'd agree with NOT a whole lot to see in Iquitos...I would advise adding another day to the lodge package if he can, since they normally only like to transfer on the Amazon in the morning due to hazards and/or traffic later in the day. ..so you lose nearly two days in transit. Although the journey is interesting.

I'd concur that three days in Iquitos is two too many.

I wouldn't describe it as you did, but there is about one day's worth of interesting things to see.