KTtravel

Hello, I am trying to decide between going to Iquitos and staying at the Ceiba Tops Lodge (chosen primarily for its Air Conditioning) or going to Puerto Maldonado and staying at the Rufugio Amazonas or Posada Amazonas. The travel agent I've been corresponding with indicates there are better wildlife opportunities near Puerto Maldonado but I am concerned about wilting in the heat (I sound so delicate, I know!)
I've been reading various opinions about which area is better to visit and am getting confused. Both areas sound worthwhile. I don't need 5 star facilities but am concerned about being too hot to enjoy myself. Of course, the primary interest is observing wildlife. We will likely be traveling next September or October.
Any opinions? Thank you!

Amy

When I go to Iquitos I prefer to go to Explorama's more primitive (and further into the rainforest) lodges like Explornapo...which don't have air conditioning. But even though I really dislike heat and humidity, I find that the amount of time one spends on the water and the cooling effect of the breezes make the climate much more enjoyable. Ceiba Tops is great, but there's nothing like the experience of the other lodges for me.

I can't speak to Puerto Maldonado, but here are some pictures of the Iquitos area to give you some idea: https://missalg.smugmug.com/Travel/P...n-Amazon-2015/

sdtravels

I'm not sure, but it may depend on the season. We were supposed to spend a week at Tahuayo Lodge in August this year. It was so hot and humid that we couldn't stand it. We left after one day losing our full payment in the process. I would go for the AC so you can have some relief.

mlgb

If you really are a heat/humidity wimp, I would reconsider going at all.

I did one trip to Iquitos and haven't wanted to go back to the Amazon at all!

BTW it is really all about the humidity. In a dry climate, temps in the high 80's would be bearable.

I went in May, we were fortunate that a cold snap came thru mid month or I might have left too!

You can look at climate for Iquitos here
https://weatherspark.com/averages/33...os-Loreto-Peru

Puerto Maldonado here
https://weatherspark.com/averages/33...e-de-Dios-Peru

I would scroll down and look at Dew Point.

KTtravel

Thank you for all the info. I really would like to go but don't want to be miserable. Lots to think about!

If anyone else wants to chime in, I'd love your opinions!

pezzi686

Both are great destinations but totally different. If you are in cusco you may want to consider Puerto Maldonado. For me Iquitos was the best jungle experience but you need to stay at a lodge well outside of Iquitos. We stayed with Maniti Expeditions (www.manitiexpeditions.com) in Iquitos and they were wonderful. Saw lots of wildlife, beautiful eco-lodge, well priced. In Puerto Maldonado we stayed at Sandoval Lake Lodge in Puerto Maldonado, very nice and quiet lodge, but obviously it is not located on the main amazon river. You can book directly with both lodges so a travel agency is not necessary.