Belen Neighborhood

Located on the left bank of the Itaya River, southeast of Iquitos. Morning visits are recommended. Its origins date back to the beginning of the twentieth century, and it is composed of homes built on top of balsa wood rafts that float on the waters during the flood season. It is a traditional regional style. With the passage of time and the increase in population, the style has changed and more houses are built on a fixed construction on top of wooden pillars, some of them of two stories. During the dry season, people use both floors, but during the flood season, only the second floor is used; since the entire lower zone of Belen remains under water, the population uses boats and canoes for transport, which is why it is considered the “Venice of Loreto”. Belen has two districts: the upper zone where the Belen market and main warehouse are and the lower zone, an informal port and lively commercial center for jungle goods. Today, there are buildings of high quality materials. It is possible to take boat rides on the Amazon and Itaya Rivers. (PromPeru)

Belen - Iquitos	Belen - Iquitos	Belen - Iquitos	Belen - Iquitos
Belen - Iquitos	Belen - Iquitos	Belen - floating market	Belen - floating market
Belen - floating market	Belen - Iquitos	Belen - Iquitos	Belen - Iquitos
Belen - Iquitos	Belen - The poor Venice	Belen - Iquitos	Belen - Iquitos

Photos © J. Mazzotti

Our gratitude to Paseos Amazonicos that allowed us to obtain these photos