Belén Market & Floating Village
Mercado de Belén
The largest open-air market in the Amazon, with spices, medicinal herbs, rainforest fish and fruit in abundance. Next to it lies the stilt-house and floating-house water village of the Belén slums.
Belén Market sits at the southern end of the old town and stretches across several blocks. It sells arapaima, grilled suri (palm weevil larvae), Amazonian fruits and a wide range of medicinal herbs. Pasaje Paquito is known for herbal remedies and traditional tonic wines. Below the market lies the Belén lowlands, a district of stilt houses and floating homes that can be explored by small boat when the water is high. The market is busiest in the early morning and is open all day. It is crowded, so keep an eye on your belongings, and consider hiring a local guide if you want to enter the lowlands.
Opening hours
Approx. 05:00–14:00; busiest then
Nearby sights
- Malecón Tarapacá
- Museo Amazónico
- Museum of Indigenous Amazonian Cultures
- Casa de Fierro
- Plaza de Armas & Iquitos Cathedral
- Casa Morey
- Ayapua Historic Ship Museum
- Puerto Bellavista Nanay