Iquitos Peru is the only city in South America on Lonely Planet’s list of Top 10 Cities to visit in 2011.

Ahhh Iquitos, our tropical Shangri la. Bordered and defined by three rivers. Hidden under the canopy of the Amazon rainforest, the culture of  Iquitos evolved isolated from the rest of Peru. There is no other place in the world like Iquitos.

This charming river port, jungle city on the fringe of civilization was a secret most travelers had not heard of. That all changed when the popular Lonely Planet Travel Guide announced they had “discovered” the wonders of Iquitos, and broadcast them around the world.

Lonely Planet says Iquitos Peru is…

“Pulsating with life, Iquitos’ latest boom is tourism: visitors may flock to reconnoitre the rainforest but taking time to imbibe Iquitos itself is imperative too. This is a sultry slice of Amazon life: Brazilian, Colombian, indigenous and expat. Clubs bounce to salsa and rock until the early hours with the vigour you’d expect of Peru’s jungle capital, but Iquitos is also a cultural hub: expect works by Peru’s top artists, opulent rubber-boom mansions and a museum on Amazon ethnography for starters. As a trading post for rainforest tribes, market mayhem and riverboat bustle are part of the package, all conspiring to fill the city with an addictive, round-the-clock energy.”

From Lonely Planet’s, Best In Travel 2011 Guide, the sixth annual compilation of best trends, destinations, journeys, and experiences for the upcoming year recommends, “The number one recommendation to do In 2011, is to hug a tree in the Amazon.”

A few other recommendations are;

• Rafting the Amazon River in the Great River Amazon Raft Race

• Playing a round of Amazon adventure golf at the Amazon Golf Course, with piranhas biting in the water hazards, caiman sunning in the sand traps, and boas constricting in the rough

• Iquitos is also known for its local beer, Iquiteña, considered by many to be one of Peru’s best brews

• The Iron House, designed and built by Gustav Eiffel

• Iquitos is blessed with great artists, such as Francisco Grippa, Cliver Flores, Felipe Letterston, Francisco Montes

• Shamans, ayahuasca, and ethno-medicinal botanical gardens

• Hot Latin bands, such as Explosión, Ilusion, and Miel de Abeja

• The Iquitos String Orchestra

• Warner Hertzog and Walter Saxer filmed Fitzcarraldo using Iquitos as their base of operations. Mr. Saxer still lives at La Casa Fitzcarraldo

• A Five Star Hotel

• Great restaurants, bars, and nightclubs

• Easy to use public transportation

• The best Iquitos has to offer are it’s smiling, laughing, warm, friendly, happy people

We’ve been telling the world Iquitos Peru is one of South Americas greatest attractions for years. It’s good to know the travel experts at Lonely Planet agree with us.

Iquitos Peru is the only city in South America on Lonely Planet’s list of Top 10 Cities to visit in 2011.

Bill Grimes is president of Dawn on the Amazon Tours and Cruises,… welcome to Iquitos Peru.

The Lonely Planet web site receives around 4.3 million visitors a month so this is a huge promotional boost for tourism in Iquitos. Let’s make the best of it and give them a reason to return in 2012.

Lonely Planet, Great River Amazon Raft Race One Of The Greatest Races To Watch Live;

Iquitos, One Of Lonely Planets Top Ten Best Value Destinations 2012;

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