Piranha Fishing in Amazon

An August 1998 trip to Iquitos by mays9charles

Black PiranhaMore Photos

I TOOK THE 2 HOUR FLIGHT FROM LIMA TO IQUITOS ON AERO-PERU AND ARRIVED THAT MORNING. IQUITOS IS A UNIQUE CITY IN THAT IT CAN ONLY BE REACHED BY AIR OR BOAT. IT WAS FOUNDED IN 1750 AND FROM 1880-1917 PROSPERED DURING THE RUBBER BOOM . IN 1950 IT WAS A CITY OF ONLY 10,000 BUT WHEN OIL WAS DISCOVERED THERE IT BEGAN TO GROW AND TODAY HAS A POPULATION OVER 300,000. ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT IS LIKE BEING IN AN INDIANA JONES MOVIE. THE AIRPORT IS SMALL AND IS SURROUNDED BY JUNGLE. IF YOU ARRIVE IN THE MORNING YOU DO NOT IMMEDIALTEY FEEL THE INTENSE HEAT BUT JUST WAIT UNTIL THE AFETERNOON! HOTEL EUROPA HAS A VAN THAT PICKS UP PASSENGERS BUT IF YOU STAY SOMEWHERE ELSE YOU CAN GET AN INEXPENSIVE RIDE FROM THE AIRPORT BY TAXI-CHOLO. (THREE WHEELED MOTOR CYCLE WITH SEAT ON BACK THAT WILL CARRY TWO PASSENGERS) TAXI-CHOLO IS MAIN METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION HERE. FROM HOTEL EUROPA THE MALECON IS JUST SHORT WALK AND YOU CAN LOOK OUT TOWARD THE AMAZON RIVER FROM THERE. POST OFFICE AND SEVERAL RESTAURANTS ARE NEAR AND THERE IS INTERNET CAFE ACROSS THE STREET. BEST PLACE TO GO FISHING IS IN ONE OF THE MANY TRIBUTARIES OF THE AMAZON. NEVERTHELESS, I WOULD RECOMMEND AN EXCURSION ON THE AMAZON WHERE YOU SEE MILITARY BOATS, MISSIONARY BOATS, OCEAN LINERS AND SMALL CRAFT TAKING GOODS TO MARKET. YOU CAN ALSO TRAVEL BY RIVER TO SEVERAL JUNGLE VILLAGES AND TRADE WITH THE LOCALS FOR HAND MADE ITEMS. THE AMAZON NEAR IQUITOS IS NOT AS WILD AS THE LEGENDARY AND HISTORICAL AMAZON BUT THERE ARE STILL PRECAUTIONS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN. MALARIA IS STILL A DANGER AND IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO SWIM IN THE AMAZON SINCE THE WATER IS FULL OF DANGEROUS BACTERIA AND LEECHES. THE DANGER FROM PIRANHAS IS ALMOST NON EXISTENT AND THE MORE DANGEROUS ANIMALS SUCH AS THE JAGUAR AND ANACONDA HAVE RETREATED MUCH FARTHER INTO THE JUNGLE AS MAN HAS INVADED MORE OF THE RAINFOREST. DON'T EXPECT TO SEE MUCH WILDLIFE. THE ONLY CREATURES I SAW WERE IGUANAS AND SNAKES AND ONE MONKEY.

  • 4 reviews
  • 6 photos
Black Piranha
I stayed at Hotel Europa. It is located short distance from Malecon overlooking the Amazon River. I was eating at the restaurant in the hotel and told my waiter Carlos I wanted to go fishing. He told me that he was off work at 3pm and to meet him in the lobby and he would be my guide.

We took taxi to jungle village outside of town. We walked through the jungle for 30 minutes to the banks of the Nay Nay River. We took a small dugout canoe to the other side of the river.

I was actually hoping to catch a peacock bass and decided to use a five-inch plastic lure. We paddled near a small sandy beach and within 20 minutes, I had caught my first black piranha. This one was two pounds, but they get bigger.

With the sun setting, we walked back through the jungle to a chorus of birds singing. Carlos, my guide, said in Spanish, "It’s a symphony." And it sure was!!!

Quick Tips:

The best time to go is August because it is dry season. It’s much more comfortable and if you like fishing, it is also the best time. Mosquitoes don't bother you in daytime because it is too hot.

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way to get around town is by taxi-cholo. They are three-wheeled motorcycles converted with back seat.

Travel is very inexpensive. Hotel Europa will meet you at the airport with a van if you stay with them.

Hotel EuropaBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Jungle Produce
Hotel is air-conditioned with excellent service. No one speaks English, but the hotel clerks are very friendly. Rooms are extremely clean with cable TV and refrigerator. There is free continental breakfast in upstairs dining room where they have the most delicious orange juice you will ever taste.

Across the street is internet cafe and the post office is only 2 blocks away.

The hotel is within easy walking distance of the Malecon, where you can get an excellent view of the Amazon. Also along the Malecon are several restaurants and small shops.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mays9charles on June 30, 2001

Hotel Europa
JR Prospera 494 Iquitos, Peru
231-1123

El RanchoBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

El Rancho is a restaurant that specializes in delicious rotisserie chicken that is served with french fries and coleslaw.

It is always crowded and since there is no air-conditioning, it can get extremely hot inside.

The service is fast and the restaurant is extremely clean. The food is delicious and inexpensive.

This is my favorite place to dine in Iquitos.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mays9charles on June 30, 2001

El Rancho
Huallaga and Napo Iquitos, Peru
221-937

Quistococha
Quistococha is a small park with zoo and man made lake. It is 15km south of town near the airport.

Many of the endangered animals of the rainforest, such as the giant river otter and jaguar, are on view here. Sadly, the big cats are in small cages, but seem to be well cared for.

There also is an aquarium, outdoor restaurant, and nice beach area for swimming. Since it is a manmade lake, there are no piranhas here.

There is some fishing allowed and there are small boats and a pier although I never saw anyone fishing.

The park is surrounded by jungle and there is a pedestrian walk around the lake...but watch out for snakes. They are there!!!

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mays9charles on June 30, 2001

Laguna de Quistacocha
near airport Iquitos, Peru

About the Writer

mays9charles
mays9charles
Fort Worth, Texas

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