Overview
Iquitos is the largest city in the world with no road access, reached only by air or river deep in the Peruvian Amazon. For UK travellers it's the usual gateway to jungle lodges, Amazon River cruises and rainforest wildlife, and every route from the UK connects through Lima before the short domestic hop north.
Best time to fly to Iquitos
Iquitos sits near the equator, so it stays warm and humid year-round, typically 24-33°C, with rain possible in any month. Rather than a simple wet/dry split, the Amazon has a high-water season (roughly December to May), better for canoeing flooded forest trails and dolphin-spotting, and a low-water season (roughly June to November), better for jungle walks and river beaches. There's no bad time to fly to Iquitos - check the When to book chart above for how fares move through the year.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Iquitos, so every trip connects through Lima. Airlines including British Airways, Iberia, KLM and Air France cover the UK-Lima leg, either direct or via a European hub, while LATAM Peru and Sky Airline operate the onward domestic flight to Iquitos, which takes under two hours. Total journey time from London is typically around 16-20 hours including connections.
Things to do in Iquitos
A few days in the city rewards exploring before or after any jungle lodge stay:
- Belén Market and floating neighbourhood: A sprawling riverside market and stilt-house district that floods seasonally, offering a genuine slice of Amazonian daily life.
- Amazon River cruises and jungle lodges: Multi-day boat trips and eco-lodges along the Amazon and its tributaries for wildlife, birdlife and community visits.
- Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm: A butterfly breeding centre and rescued-animal sanctuary a short boat ride away, home to jaguars, monkeys and manatees.
- Monkey Island (Isla de los Monos): A rescue reserve where several species of Amazonian monkeys roam semi-wild among the trees.
- Quistococha Regional Park: A lake, small zoo and botanical park popular with locals, good for an easy half-day out from the city.
At Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport (IQT)
Iquitos' airport sits around 7km from the city centre, roughly a 15-20 minute drive. Taxis and mototaxis wait at arrivals and are the simplest option, or many jungle lodges and tour operators include a private transfer as part of their package - worth arranging in advance if you're heading straight on to a river trip.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Iquitos
- Book your transatlantic and domestic legs together where possible, or leave a generous connection window in Lima to avoid missed-flight stress.
- Flying midweek and outside Peruvian and UK school holidays tends to bring fares down - use the price charts on this page to spot the cheapest days.
- Stay flexible on dates either side of your ideal week, since even a day or two's shift can make a noticeable difference to the fare.
- Compare full journeys rather than just the international leg, as LATAM Peru and Sky Airline pricing on the Lima-Iquitos hop varies by time of day and how far ahead you book.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders don't need a visa for tourist visits to Peru and are usually granted permission to stay for a set period on arrival - always check current entry requirements before you travel. The currency is the Peruvian Sol (PEN); pounds and cards aren't widely accepted outside hotels, so carry some local cash. Because Iquitos sits in the Amazon basin, speak to your GP or a travel health clinic well ahead of departure about yellow fever vaccination and antimalarial medication, both commonly recommended for this region.
