Iquitos can be explored through clearly distinct cultural themes: Plaza de Armas represents the city’s history and public events, Casa Morey combines a historic mansion with exhibitions on the rubber-boom era, and the Museo de Culturas Indígenas Amazónicas showcases collections from Indigenous Amazonian communities. This lets you choose what to focus on during your time in the city according to your interests.

Plaza de Armas and City History

Plaza de Armas de Iquitos has been the city’s oldest and most significant urban space since it was established in 1764. The current layout was created on July 28, 1898. The two dates mark different stages: the establishment of the square and the creation of its current layout. Concerts and craft markets are held in the plaza. As the program may vary, check the dates if you are planning to come specifically for an event.

From Plaza de Armas, you can arrange trips into the Amazon rainforest, to Indigenous communities, and to tributaries connected to the Amazon River. In addition to its connection to the city’s history, the plaza also offers a starting point for planning these regional excursions.

Buildings from the Rubber-Boom Era

Casa Morey is a historic mansion in the heart of Iquitos. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century during the region’s rubber boom and serves as a museum. It displays artifacts and exhibitions about the rubber-boom era and the history of Iquitos. The building’s history and the museum’s subject matter thus come together in one place.

Casa de Fierro, also known as Casa Eiffel or Casa de Hierro, offers a different architectural perspective. This historic prefabricated iron building is located in the historic center between Avenues Próspero and Putumayo. Its central location makes it easy for visitors to reach. While Casa Morey is particularly associated with the rubber boom and the city’s history, Casa de Fierro draws attention to its iron construction.

Collections of Indigenous Cultures

The Museo de Culturas Indígenas Amazónicas has five exhibition rooms. Items on display include Indigenous jewelry, millennia-old everyday objects, pre-Columbian musical instruments, feather artworks, and objects used in the religious ceremonies of Amazonian communities. The collection thus offers a different thematic perspective from the historic buildings and exhibitions on the rubber-boom era.

When choosing cultural stops in Iquitos, you can weigh these different focuses against one another: the plaza and Casa Morey offer different connections to the city’s history, Casa de Fierro turns attention to prefabricated iron architecture, and the museum is dedicated to the listed collection items from Indigenous Amazonian communities. If events at the plaza are part of your plans, keep in mind that their dates may vary.

For the broader travel overview: Iquitos.