Belén Street Market

Location:
Iquitos, Peru

Market

By Kris Dreessen

The Belén neighborhood in Iquitos is one of the poorest in this Amazon city but also the most colorful. During flood season, water reaches the doorsteps of simple homes and shacks that are built on stilts or float on rafts in the path of the Amazon River. Families get around in canoes or walk on elevated wooden walkways. The Belén market is on dry land and is the destination for rice and other staples, household goods and everything from dried frogs to whole largatos—caimans, which are a type of alligator—cut up into steaks.

You can find anything and everything in the chaotic street market, which goes nonstop from early morning until afternoon, when vendors and shoppers pack up shop and take a siesta. Late afternoon brings another round of haggling and sensory overload. Shops line the booth-filled streets and add to the jumble. In just one block, travelers can watch women roll tightly-packed cigarettes lickety-split behind a basketball-sized pile of tobacco and a stack of paper. Dried fish bake in the tropical sun, a hardware store sells sheets of plastic, and rolls of toilet tissue are stacked a dozen high. Black caimans are hacked into hunks, clawed-hands, tail and all. There may be freshly hunted turtles, large rodents and other animals for sale, and not all of them are legal.

It's okay to take pictures, but as a courtesy, ask permission at a vendor's stall or get a friendly nod. It's safe to meander around in daytime, but keep your money in a neck pouch or other secure place and leave your valuables at the hotel. Hire a local guide to paddle around the floating area for a few nuevo soles at the end of Ugarte at Puerto Itaya for a look at Belén life. The market is also a good place to find souvenirs or experience the culture of the street markets found all over South America. You can also try salted giant grubs as a snack.

Getting There
The market is south of the Plaza de Armas, along the river. Walk south on Próspero to 9 de Diciembre or Ugarte. A more scenic route is to head south on Malecón Tarapacá, alongside the river. You can't miss the market.

Open Hours from:early morning

Open Hours to:dusk

Days Closed:closed everyday during siesta hours