Huayruro has the disadvantage of being in a city that I did not care for at all. Iquitos is a nescesary stop for people going on to Amazon lodges. I stayed for one night before being picked up for a 3-day lodge experience, and couldn’t get out of there fast enough. The room was air conditioned, which was a plus! The breakfast was also nice! The blocks around the hotel are a construction site and it was very difficult to get around. The man at the desk was nice enough, but somewhat pushy. He set me up with a “friend” of his that drives a tuk tuk and I went to the manatee rescue place and through the city. He charged a lot of money and it would’ve been a lot cheaper with any other driver, but the guy at the hotel said he’s safe! I would’ve just used any other driver for a fraction of the price, in hindsight! There are 100’s! Also, when I checked out, the desk guy wanted to take my photo for Facebook. I declined. It wasn’t that nice and I didn’t enjoy the town. Crowded, dirty, it even stunk. I’ve never felt ill in a town on vacation before, but driving through the market was horrible. Skinned animals in piles on tables. Animals I’m not used to seeing on tables for consumption, let alone skinned. They must eat everything! The manatee rescue place said they eat the manatees as well and that’s why they’re almost extinct. That, along with the heat, humidity, and no breeze at all, I literally told the driver to speed up out of the market because I felt ill!
