Yurimaguas is the city where the road ends – from here on, all the traveling is done by boat. Located in northern Peru, in the Loreto Region, Yurimaguas is the gateway to the Amazon River and the last town connected by road to the rest of the country. As you venture into this remote corner of the world, your journey starts at La Boca port in Yurimaguas. This bustling riverfront hub is a hive of activity, with cargo boats of all sizes loading and unloading goods bound for distant Amazonian communities. It’s a place where the rhythm of life is dictated by the ebb and flow of the river.
Here is the map of Northern Peru
The Peruvian Amazon has been calling me for a long time. I have always wanted to experience the real Amazonian jungle and the might of the longest river in the world. However, commercial tours, expeditions, and jungle retreats never fascinated me as I wanted to have a direct and personal experience. So as soon as I found out that there are cargo boats shuttling up and down the river, offering a slow and intimate Amazon river experience when sharing the deck with the locals, I knew that was exactly what I was looking for.
La Boca Port, Yurimaguas
Moto taxis in La Boca port, Yurimaguas
Eduardo 7 departs on a journey from Yurimaguas to Iquitos
The journey from Yurimaguas to Iquitos, a major city deep in the heart of the Amazon, is the best thing I did during my three months in Peru. If you are planning on going to Iquitos, which you should, don’t deprive yourself of the pleasure of spending three days on a cargo boat loaded with pigs and chickens and slowly cruising along the Amazonian waterways and getting a glimpse of life in remote Amazonian villages. The cargo boats, though not luxurious by any means, offer an authentic experience of river travel. You’ll share deck space with locals and possibly fellow travelers, and the days will be filled with the mesmerizing sights and sounds of the Amazon rainforest.
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