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Voykit pocket guide · Peru
Santa Rosa Island
Spend a single day on Santa Rosa Island to see the floating market and Amazon River; overnight only if you need a rest before a boat transfer.
Santa Rosa is a tiny Peruvian settlement on an Amazon island, reachable by boat from Iquitos (fast 10 h, slow 2–3 days) or by crossing the river to Leticia or Tabatinga. The village is walkable, with basic hostels and a floating market. One day covers the main sights; longer stays are only for boat schedule flexibility.
- Country
- Peru
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (higher rain, slower boats)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PEN
- Money
- Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants in Lima and Cusco; markets, small towns, taxis and entrance fees in villages need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget S/20–30 excl. bed (hostel, meals, boat ticket) · Mid S/40–60 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.
- Emergency
- Police 105 · Fire 116 · SAMU ambulance 106
- Plugs
- Types A, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US devices need to be dual-voltage (most chargers are).
- Tipping
- Restaurants: About 10% if service is not included.; Inca Trail porters and cooks: Per the operator's guidance; pooled at the end.; Guides: S/ 20–50 per person for a day tour.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at Brisas de Amazonas | S/15–25 |
| Boat ticket (fast) to Iquitos | US$75 (~S/300) |
| Boat ticket (slow) to Iquitos | US$25 (~S/100) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LET · Alfredo Vásquez Cobo International Airport
- In Leticia, Colombia; 15 min by ferry from Santa Rosa. Flights to Bogotá.
- TBT · Tabatinga International Airport
- In Tabatinga, Brazil; 20 min by ferry. Flights to Manaus.
Typical fares
- Fast boat Iquitos ↔ Santa Rosa
- about US$75 (~S/300), 10 h
- Slow boat Iquitos ↔ Santa Rosa
- about US$25 (~S/100), 2–3 days
- River ferry to Leticia/Tabatinga
- about US$5 (~S/20) per crossing
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Language, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The settlement is compact; walk everywhere. Small motor‑taxi boats cross the river to Leticia (Colombia) and Tabatinga (Brazil).
See and do
Known for
- Floating market
- Amazon River
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Leticia, Colombia | Ferry from Santa Rosa dock, 5–10 min | 15 min |
| Tabatinga, Brazil | Ferry from Santa Rosa dock, 10–15 min | 20 min |
Sleep
- Hostal Las Brisas
- Basic rooms, toilet, 2 h electricity nightly; 20,000 COP (~S/20) per night; 400 m from dock.
- Hostal Yautino
- Simple accommodation near the dock.
- Hospedaje Amazonas
- Budget lodging close to the port.
Language
Spanish is the main language. Quechua is spoken by millions in the southern Andes and Aymara around Lake Titicaca. English works in Cusco and Miraflores tourism, not much beyond.
- 'Allillanchu' (Quechua hello), 'sulpayki' (thank you).
- WhatsApp for hotels and agencies.
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; one cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Food pride: Ask about local dishes; avoid: Comparing pisco or ceviche unfavourably with Chile's
- Photos: Ask and pay if asked; avoid: Photographing people without asking
- Politics: Listen; avoid: Taking sides in protests
Scams and watch-outs
- Immigration stamps: limit entries/exits to avoid officer irritation.
- Boat schedules can change with river level; confirm times before departure.
Generally safe; stay aware of river currents and keep valuables secure during boat trips.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Santa Rosa Island yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Floating market
- Amazon River
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Santa Rosa Island coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Santa Rosa Island (Peru), revision 5101382 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5101382
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/santa-rosa-island-peru). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.