Iquitos is known as the jungle city gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. And believe it or not, the only way to get there is by plane or boat. That’s because no roads lead to Iquitos as the city is much like an island surrounded by tributaries of the Amazon and the mighty Amazon River itself.
Why Go to Iquitos?
Besides being the jungle gateway to the largest rainforest on earth, Iquitos offers a variety of local experiences. This includes boat tours through Belen (Venice of Iquitos but with poverty and garbage), animal sanctuaries such as Monkey Island, jungle experiences in many of the surrounding lodges, and ayahuasca rituals.
Ayahuasca is used in ceremonies and administered by shamans. It is considered a spiritual medicine among the idigenous peoples of the Amazon basin, with increasing popularity in Western Society. It is traditionally brewed as a drink and is psychoactive and entheogenic. Shamans usually require a special diet that is low in fat, sugar, and salt to ensure better receptivity.
Boulevard 251 Riverside Apartments
Located on the Boulevard (sometimes called Malecon) on the Iquitos riverfront, Boulevard 251 Riverside Apartments is a hidden treasure for travelers to stay in a safe, secure, and scenic environment. This apartment hotel has a total of 15 units – 10 are for overnight and 5 are for extended stay. Units offer river views of the Itaya River – a tributary to the Amazon – with balconies that give birds eye views of spectacular sunrises and sunsets. However, be forewarned that below is a shanty village of about 10 families living in squalor. This is the reality of Peru.
Considered a 3-star hotel, they excel in exceptional service, ranging from booking popular tours and ayahuasca experiences, from a variety of trusted vendors. The owners are British and have been in the area for over 10 years. Consequently, you will find many of the guests speak English.
The reception provides 24-hour service and is bilingual. They are there to help you get the most from your stay in Iquitos. My experience with the entire Boulevard 251 team was outstanding from beginning to end.
A beautiful and well-groomed garden decorates the interior and attracts a variety of birds. Also, expect to see the resident turtle slowly strolling the grounds during his daily jaunts.
One of the most outstanding amenities is the communal balcony area where all guests can mingle while enjoying conversation and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. This is open air so be advised that application of insect repellant is necessary. Remember, the place is situated right on the river.
Location
The location of 251 Riverside Boulevard is excellent for overall sightseeing, recreation, dining, and getting around. Many local restaurants and cafes are close by with food ranging from ayahuasca diet, vegetarian, international to local Peruvian delights. Two of my favorite restaurants are Dawn on the Amazon (closed Sundays) and Fitzcarraldo. Both are within a couple blocks of Boulevard 251.
Of special note is the laundromat that is within walking distance. They charge by weighing the clothes and if you drop off in the morning, they are typically laundered, folded, and ready by the afternoon. Only cash is accepted. My laundry bill for a week for my husband and myself was around $10.00 USD.
The Room
All rooms are air-conditioned, an important feature as the jungle is hot and humid. Complementary WiFi is available, and is considered as the fastest in town.
The double bed is comfortable and two pillows are provided. However, reception is more than happy to provide extra pillows upon request. Other rooms are available with King and Queen-size beds. Management also advised me that they are replacing beds for all the apartments by the end of this year.
The Reservation
You can book directly with the apartment hotel, Booking.com, or your favorite online hotel booking site. I used Booking.com. Rates vary depending on season, day, and availability, but offer value for prime location. For the riverside room I stayed in with a double bed, rates typically start at $65 USD per night.
For other great hotel locations in Iquitos and the surrounding jungle area, check out this review in Hotel Scoop.
The author paid for 4 nights and received no discounts for purposes of this review. As always, all opinions are those of the author. All photos are by writer/photographer Karin Pezo.
