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Is Iquitos safe? 🇵🇪

Peru · Safety report last updated

As of October 2026, Iquitos scores 59/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Iquitos presents moderate safety risks for travelers, particularly concerning street crime and the need for caution in specific areas. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).

Safety Report

IsMyTripSafe.com

Iquitos 🇵🇪

Peru · Assessed 13 October 2026

59

/ 100

Mostly — take normal precautions

Safer than ~55% of countries

District map

What drives this score

Crime55/100FairCrime index 66.9 / 100
Sentiment58/100FairCautious
Advisories75Good
Stability58Fair
Health74Good

01 · Official Guidance

Advisories

Good

UK Foreign Office (FCDO)

Level 3

Advises against all travel to parts of the country

“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Within 20km south of the Peru-Colombia border FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km south of the Putumayo River and the border between Peru and Colombia (Loreto region) except for: the Amazon River the area of the triple border with Brazil and Colombia from and including the towns of Caballococha in Peru up to the actual triple border at Santa Rosa de Yavari town Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM) FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers, also known as the VRAEM region.”

Updated 2026-10-09T13:35:03Z

Full advisory →

Government of Canada

Level 2

Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)

“Canada's official risk level for Peru: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”

Updated 2026-10-09T15:20:27.9212675-04:00

Full advisory →

02 · Evidence Signals

Crime

Fair

Mugging & robbery risk

Moderate risk
62

City SignalCity Web Research

Pickpocketing & theft risk

Moderate risk
78

City SignalCity Web Research

Visitor safety sentiment

40 / 100 (Cautious)
40

City SignalCity Web Research

Urban scale factor

378k residents
78

City SignalCity Geocoding

Crime index (crowdsourced)

66.9 / 100
32

City SignalNumbeo Crime Index

Homicide rate

8.6 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Peru8.6Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
50

Country BaselineWorld Bank Open Data · 2021

Feel safe walking alone after dark

43.4%
40

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Physical assault (past year)

7.0%
68

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Robbery / mugging

Moderate

Risk of mugging and armed robbery exists, particularly in less-trafficked areas and at night. Recent reports mention armed assailants targeting tourists on boats.

Pickpocketing

Moderate

Pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in crowded areas such as markets and bus stations.

▸ 4 more indicators

Sexual violence (past year)

1.7%
80

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Detected human-trafficking victims

0.49 / 100k
85

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Bribery during public-official contact

2.7%
94

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2023

Crime seen as a major business constraint

5.4%
84

Country BaselineWorld Bank Enterprise Surveys · 2017

03 · Environment

Health & Air

Good

Air quality

US AQI 55 · Moderate

Open-Meteo Air Quality

Hospitals

16 beds / 10k · country avg

WHO Global Health Observatory

Weather

October: highs ~36°C · high heat, heavy rain / flooding

Open-Meteo

Road safety

12.7 / 100k

WHO Global Health Observatory

Natural hazards

No active alerts · 1 quake ≥M4.5 past yr
94

Country BaselineGDACS / USGS

CDC travel health notices · none for this destination

Worldwide notices (not specific to this trip): Polio, Dengue, Measles

04 · Institutions

Stability

Fair

Political stability & no terrorism

57/100
57

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Terrorism deaths (latest year)

0.58 / million
80

Country BaselineGlobal Terrorism Database · 2021

Rule of law

48/100
48

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Control of corruption

33/100
33

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

▸ 3 more indicators

Government effectiveness

49/100
49

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Regulatory quality

58/100
58

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Voice & accountability

57/100
57

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

05 · Field Research

Current Situation

Moderate

Traveller sentiment score

Cautious

58/100

Reported feel40Cautious
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk

Traveler sentiment indicates a need for vigilance, with reports of feeling unsafe walking alone after dark and concerns about crime impacting the travel experience.

Iquitos presents moderate safety risks for travelers, particularly concerning street crime and the need for caution in specific areas.

While Iquitos is a gateway to the Amazon and offers unique experiences, visitors should be aware of elevated crime rates compared to global averages. Official advisories recommend a high degree of caution, and recent incidents highlight risks of armed robbery and violence.

Recent developments

  • May 2025Armed assailants robbed tourists and drained bank accounts on a Peruvian Amazon boat trip.— CNN
  • May 2025Spanish tourists were robbed by armed ‘river pirates’ in the Peruvian Amazon.— The Guardian
  • May 2025A Peruvian journalist was gunned down by hitmen in the Amazon.— DW.com
  • Dec 2025Illegal mining operations involving mercury and dredges are ravaging the Nanay River, with associated crime.— news - Mongabay

Common scams

  • Overcharging by taxi drivers, especially from the airport
  • Distraction theft by individuals posing as helpful locals or authorities
Which areas are safe? District-by-district ratings are on the Safety Map→

Full briefing

Iquitos serves as a vital hub for Amazonian adventures, but travelers should maintain a heightened awareness of their surroundings. The city's crime index is notably higher than global averages, and official advisories from Canada and the UK recommend exercising a high degree of caution, with specific warnings for border regions.

Recent reports highlight significant safety concerns. In May 2025, both CNN and The Guardian documented incidents of armed assailants, described as 'river pirates,' robbing tourists on Amazonian boat trips, with one report detailing drained bank accounts. The same month saw a Peruvian journalist murdered in the Amazon, underscoring a climate of violence in the region according to DW.com. Furthermore, illegal mining activities along the Nanay River are linked to crime, as reported by Mongabay in December 2025.

Given these factors, travelers should be particularly vigilant against robbery and pickpocketing. While specific neighborhood crime data is limited, it is prudent to avoid walking alone after dark, especially in less populated areas. Be cautious of unsolicited offers of assistance and use reputable tour operators for any excursions. The presence of global health notices for Dengue and Measles, as well as Polio, also warrants attention to personal health precautions.

Was this Iquitos, Peru report helpful?

IsMyTripSafe.com

Not legal or medical advice

Report generated 13 October 2026

Sources: U.S. State Dept · UK FCDO · World Bank · WGI · UNODC · WHO · UN SDG · Global Terrorism Database · Numbeo · OpenStreetMap · Open-Meteo · CDC. Composite index recomputed at request time.

Links:

06 · Neighbourhoods

Safest areas and areas to avoid

6 districts

Our field research rated 6 Iquitos districts for visitors: 2 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Iquitos safety map.

BelenavoidHigh crime rates, particularly petty theft and drug-related activity; avoid after dark.

PunchanacautionCan be lively but has areas with higher crime; exercise caution, especially at night.

Iquitos Centro (Downtown)cautionBusy tourist area, but pickpocketing and scams are common; stay aware of surroundings.

Amazon RiverfrontcautionWhile scenic, be wary of opportunistic theft and scams targeting tourists, especially near docks.

QuintosaferGenerally considered a safer residential area, but standard precautions still apply.

San Juan BautistasaferA large district, with many parts being residential and relatively safe; exercise normal travel awareness.

2 safer3 caution1 avoidOpen the district map

07 · After Dark

Is Iquitos safe at night?

43% of people in Peru say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).

Risk of mugging and armed robbery exists, particularly in less-trafficked areas and at night. Recent reports mention armed assailants targeting tourists on boats.

After dark, be most careful around Belen, Punchana, Iquitos Centro (Downtown), Amazon Riverfront. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.

08 · Questions

Iquitos safety FAQ (2026)

Is Iquitos safe right now (2026)?

Iquitos presents moderate safety risks for travelers, particularly concerning street crime and the need for caution in specific areas. While Iquitos is a gateway to the Amazon and offers unique experiences, visitors should be aware of elevated crime rates compared to global averages. Official advisories recommend a high degree of caution, and recent incidents highlight risks of armed robbery and violence. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)

Is Iquitos safe for women, families and solo travelers?

Safety is not one number, and this Iquitos report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.

Which areas of Iquitos should tourists avoid?

Field research flags Belen as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.

What are the most common scams in Iquitos (2026)?

  • Overcharging by taxi drivers, especially from the airport
  • Distraction theft by individuals posing as helpful locals or authorities

How does Iquitos compare with other places in Peru (2026)?

Iquitos ranks #7 of 9 Peru destinations we've assessed, scoring 59/100. See the Peru safety overview for the full list.

How is this iquitos safety score calculated (2026)?

The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.

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