River sunset
An orange sky.
Estados Unidos de América del Sur — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gabymuaa — Public domain · EdwinJs — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Håkan Svensson (Xauxa) — CC BY 2.5 · EdwinJs — CC BY-SA 4.0
The riverfront promenade of Iquitos, a wide walkway running several blocks along the Itaya River, a tributary of the Amazon, built in the late nineteenth century during the rubber era and named in memory of those who fell in the war with Chile. It is the city's best-known meeting place for locals and visitors. Along it are benches, gardens and small squares, overlooked by old rubber-era houses whose façades are decorated with coloured tiles brought from Europe by wealthy rubber traders. From the edge you see the broad river, the green forest on the far bank and wooden boats passing by. The best time is sunset, when the sky over the river turns orange and pink; then in the evening the promenade fills with families, vendors and street performers at the southern end known as the «Boulevard». Riverside restaurants serve grilled river fish and juices from Amazon fruits. It is very hot and humid by day, so evening suits a walk best. Watch for pickpockets in crowds, and do not stray from lit areas at night. Health authorities recommend a yellow fever vaccine for Peru's Amazon, and the Loreto region carries a malaria risk, so see your doctor before travelling and bring strong insect repellent.
An orange sky.
Rubber-era façades.
Evening shows.
On the bank of the Itaya River, one block east of the main square in Iquitos
At sunset, when the heat eases and the sky colours over the river; then it fills with families and shows. Stay in lit areas at night.
