Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ferent destinations depart from different areas, usually referred to by the name of the
nearest intersecting road.
Wherever the port is, riverboats sail the Río Ucayali from Pucallpa to Iquitos (S100,
slinging your own hammock and with basic meals, three to five days). Cabins with two or
four bunks and private bathrooms come with better food service and cost up to S400.
Boats announce their departure dates and destinations on chalkboards on the boats
themselves, but these can be unreliable. Talk to the captain or the cargo loadmaster for
greater dependability. They must present boat documents on the morning of their depar-
ture day at the
Capitanía
(M Castilla 754)
− come here to check for the latest reliable
sailing information. Many people work here, but only the official in charge of documents
knows the real scoop and can give you accurate sailing information. Passages are daily
when the river is high, but in the dry season low water levels result in slower, less fre-
quent passages.
The quality of the boats varies greatly both in size and comfort. Choose a boat that
looks good. The
Henry V,
when it is in port, is one of the better-equipped outfits, with a
250-passenger capacity.
This is not a trip for everyone;
Click here
f
or more details on boat travel. Come pre-
pared − the market in Pucallpa sells hammocks, but mosquito repellent may be of poor
quality. Bottled drinks are sold on board, but it's worth bringing some large bottles of wa-
ter or juice.
When negotiating prices for a riverboat passage, ask at any likely boat, but don't pay
until you and your luggage are aboard your boat of choice, then pay the captain and no
one else. Always get to the port well in advance of when you want to leave: it can take
hours hunting for a suitable vessel. Most boats leave either at first light, or in late after-
noon/evening.
The river journey to Iquitos (about S100, two to four days from Pucallpa) can be
broken at various communities, including Contamaná (S30, 15 to 20 hours) and Requena,
and continued on the next vessel coming through (although there's precious little to do in
these villages). Alternatively, ask around for speedboats to Contamaná (about S100, five
hours), which depart at 6am most days. The return trip (six to seven hours) goes against
the current.
Smaller boats occasionally head upriver toward Atalaya; ask at the Capitanía or the
town port.
Jungle 'guides' approaching you on the Pucallpa waterfront are not recommended. For
jungle excursions, look for a reliable service in Yarinacocha.
