Is Iquitos Safe in January 2026?

Touts in Plaza de Armas sell "lodge packages" for cash discounts (200-400 USD) that are either for non-existent lodges or for stays that never get arranged once you pay. Your receipt is handwritten and the "office" closes after you hand over cash.

How to avoid: Book lodges only through verified operators (Explorama, Muyuna, Heliconia, Tahuayo Lodge) via their official websites or Tripadvisor. Pay by credit card for chargeback protection; never hand cash to a street tout.

Moto-taxi drivers at Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta Airport quote 30-50 soles for the 6 km ride into the city when the real fare is 10-15 soles. Some "forget" your bags and charge extra "luggage fees."

How to avoid: Agree the fare in soles before getting in. Use the fixed-rate airport taxi desk inside the terminal for a flat 25-30 sole fare into the center.

The Belén floating-slum market is a major tourist draw but also pickpocket central — phones, wallets, and shoulder bags are lifted in the tight aisles. Organized teams use distraction (a dropped item, a request for directions) while an accomplice lifts the valuable.

How to avoid: Go only with a licensed guide or on a small-group tour. Leave your phone at the hotel, carry only small cash in a front pocket, and keep bags in front of your body at all times.

Restaurants facing the Plaza de Armas in Iquitos, the main tourist dining area, present one menu to tourists and a different lower-priced menu to locals, or add undisclosed charges such as cover fees per person, charges for bread placed automatically on the table, and inflated service taxes not shown on the menu. The total bill can be 50% above what the displayed menu suggests.

How to avoid: Ask to see the full menu with prices before sitting down. Confirm whether service charge and tax are included in the listed price. Check each line of the bill against what you ordered and the stated menu price before paying.

The ATMs at Aeropuerto Internacional Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta and some standalone machines near Plaza de Armas dispense fewer bills than the transaction records, or the machine jams mid-dispense. In some cases the machine has been tampered to retain bills while still completing the transaction charge. Standalone ATMs outside bank branches are the highest-risk machines.

How to avoid: Use ATMs inside bank branches during opening hours where security guards are present (BanBif and Scotiabank have branches near Plaza de Armas). Withdraw during business hours. If a machine jams, report it to the bank immediately and do not leave until you have a reference number. Check your balance against what you received before leaving the ATM.