Mercado Belén — Attraction in Belén

Belen market is an experience but not to be taken lightly by the tourist. It is extremely busy and offers all sorts of fruits and plants, but it is very dirty and pick pockets are checking you. Better pay a local guide 50 soles or 20 $ to take you round. Do not wear jewelry, expensive camera bags or expensive sunglasses. They specially target mobile phones and wallets. Apart from that, the whole area offers cheap merchandize and interesting smells colors and photo opportunities, but again, secure your camera. At the back is the meat and fish section, patrolled by 100's of small vultures. Below the rise is the barrio of Belen, which floods every year as the rivers rise annually. The porest of the poor are there and the drug trade flourishes too. Inside the markets is the famous "Pasaje Paquito", the witches' market. Anything you need for Hogwarts you can get there. Just be careful of friendly stall keepers who want to shake your hand, and stick a curse on you! From personal...

Sprawling and impressive market for everything you can imagine, and many things you couldn't. It's worth taking time to explore the various side streets and specialty markets packed within the larger market area. We'd heard stories of pickpockets and hard bargaining sellers, but veryone we met here was very friendly, and everyone allowed us to take photos when we asked. You'll need to watch your step around here, for the ground can be quite slippery and mucky, and you'll need to have a high tolerance for strong smells, dense crowds, and the sight of more than a few suffering animals.

For anyone coming to Iquitos for an ayahuasca retreat, I would highly recommend visiting this market before your retreat, and not after, as it's a quite intense...

Interesting market to check off your list while in the Amazon but not a place you want to go to without a local guide. I didn’t take many photos as I was told not to flash my camera around too much as someone was likely to snatch it from me. If you are an animal lover like me, the whole area of Belen and some parts of Iquitos will shock you with all the stray and sickly looking dogs and cats. You want to scoop them all up and take them home. And not to mention the poor people and children digging in the trash piles and drinking from the same water that people use as the sewer system. It’s dirty and it smells but you’ll see some interesting things. Again, go with a local and trusted guide if you’re going to venture...