Belen Market and La Venecia Loretana Tour With A Local Guide
Description
Join us on this unique and adventurous experience! The tour begins when your local guide, Marlon, meets you in front of Restaurante Fitzcarraldo in Iquitos (2 short blocks from the Plaza de Armas). You will then take a motokar to the Belen Market where you will explore many stalls of regional foods, drinks, spices, medicines and craft goods. The tour is designed so you can see hidden corners of the market and taste local fruits and delicacies. Ask questions along the way because Marlon is very knowledgeable and can help you negotiate! To further this cultural experience, you’ll then take a boat ride along the Venice of Iquitos and see the daily life of the Belén neighborhood and people. Be sure to bring your camera and wear closed toe shoes! Tour includes bottled water, transportation between attractions (motokar and boat) and select tastings within the market.
Tour Options
Itinerary
For the second portion of the experience, you’ll then take a boat ride along the "Venice of Iquitos" (Venecia Loretana) and see the daily life of the Belén neighborhood and people. You'll learn all about day to day life on the Amazon, and be encouraged to ask questions along the way. Be sure to bring your camera and wear closed toe shoes!
After meeting with your local tour guide, we will provide a Motokar to the Belen Market where you will explore many stalls of regional foods, drinks, spices, medicines and craft goods. The tour is designed so you can see hidden corners of the market and taste local fruits and delicacies. Ask questions along the way because Marlon is very knowledgeable and can help you negotiate!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(104)
We went on a brilliant tour of Marlon’s neighbourhood – Belén. The tour included the Upper Market, the Lower Market and a boat trip past the floating houses along the river. Marlon has lived there for a long time and knows his way round. He showed us all the products on offer at the market. The Shaman Market, with all its natural remedies, was particularly interesting. We always felt very safe with Marlon. All the journeys to and from the boulevard by motorbike taxi were superbly organised. Highly recommended.
Be open-minded and enjoy the ride. Macron was very knowledgeble local guide originally from the amazon. Highly recommend
Amazing tour, guide was very knowledgeable. I highly recommend this tour.
Marlon is a great guy, we did 2 tours together one in July 2023 the other one is August 2025. Both of them were great he gave us a great guidance and great times both in Belen and the Amazon's. Definetely reccomended.
Marlon is reliable, accommodating, and exceedingly kind hearted. I felt like I could trust him instantly. I am a solo female traveller but he made me feel very safe. My luggage was missing the day before our trip, and Marlon helped me to pick up the luggage from the airport so we could start the tour without worrying about the bag. Now, about the experience itself: Belen is incredibly interesting as an ethnographic experience, it is a market that is actually used by communities, as opposed to a touristy experience. You see produce, some of which may seem obscene and exotic to western eyes, but many are also banal and quotidian, Marlon can show you a good mixture of both. With him being there you can focus on exploring the market without being concerned about pickpockets. He may suggest to take you to some places to buy things, but you can also say no if you aren’t interested. There are also some animal products on display that are against Peruvian laws, seeing them gives you an understanding of the challenges faced by conservation efforts as the locals are genuinely consuming these animals and selling them in broad daylight. One thing I must add is that he is incredibly knowledgeable about plant medicine. If you speak Spanish, it will be a huge plus as Marlon can show you what each plant is for. Marlon can also show you the water neighbourhood of Belen. I wish I had the time to go on a jungle tour with him. Next time!
Our Belen Market tour was one of the highlights of our trip to Peru. The market is fascinating, vibrant, and full of local culture. Our guide, Marlon, was outstanding—knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing the history and traditions of the area. He made the experience both informative and enjoyable, helping us discover parts of the market we would never have appreciated on our own. Highly recommended!
A big thank you to our guide for showing us around Belén Market in Iquitos! Your knowledge of the local culture, food, medicinal plants, and unique traditions made the experience fascinating and unforgettable. You explained everything clearly, answered all our questions, and helped us feel comfortable exploring a place that can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. Because of you, we were able to experience the real spirit of the Amazon and Belén Market beyond what we could have seen on our own. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Iquitos!
Great experience and very informative! Marlon is from the area and made me feel very comfortable!!!!
Marlon was an excellent guide throughout the tour. He was very knowledgeable about the products at the market. I would not have wanted to go without him.
Booked last minute and no regrets. Was an afternoon tour so most likely missed most of the action but unfortunately I was restricted with timing. Markets were a bit of an eye opener for a foreigner but that’s why we travel. Marlon was great. Kept it interesting and gave plenty of explanations. Kids swimming in the rain next to the guy piranha fishing whilst parked up under a church to wait out the rain - definitely don’t find that at home 🤩
