The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve lies in the Loreto region of Peru, with Iquitos as the nearest city and the usual gateway for visitors. It is known in Spanish as the Reserva Nacional Pacaya-Samiria, and it is the largest protected area in Peru. Locals and guides often call it the Mirror of the Sky, a name that fits its landscape of flooded forests, where water reflects the light and the canopy.
What you can see
The reserve is noted for its wildlife. Visitors who come here most often hope to spot pink dolphins and manatees, both of which are among the animals that make the area's biodiversity so striking. Because the forests flood for much of the year, the reserve is best experienced from the water, by boat, moving slowly along channels and lagoons.
What kind of visit it makes
A trip here is a nature visit rather than a city outing. It suits travellers who enjoy quiet waterways, wildlife watching and time spent away from crowds. Plan for it as a journey into the wider Amazon region, not a short stop.
- Setting: flooded forest and river systems in Loreto, Peru
- Gateway: Iquitos, the main city of the area
- Wildlife: pink dolphins and manatees, among other species
- Contact: +51-65-236-402
Around the reserve
Iquitos is the base most visitors use, offering services, accommodation and tour arrangements before heading out into the reserve. Because the details of access and tours vary, it is sensible to confirm arrangements directly with the reserve by phone before you travel.