Mercado de Belen

Welcome to the vibrant and chaotic heart of the Peruvian Amazon. We are standing at the threshold of the Mercado de Belen, the sprawling and legendary market located in the city of Iquitos. …

We begin our exploration at the precarious, shifting edge of the Belen neighborhood, a place often referred to colloquially as the Amazon Venice. As you look out over the murky water, you will notice a sprawling network of rustic…

Stepping away from the riverbanks and onto the muddy, solid ground, we immediately enter the dense, smoke-filled corridors of the prepared foods section. The heavy, metallic scent of the polluted river is quickly overpowered by…

Continuing deeper into the labyrinth, the ambient temperature seems to drop slightly as we enter the damp, glistening domain of the aquatic market. The ground beneath us becomes noticeably slicker, coated in the melted ice and…

As we traverse further down the narrow, chaotic aisles, the atmosphere shifts palpably. The familiar scent of river fish is suddenly replaced by a heavier, intensely musky odor. …

We now transition into an area where the air hangs heavy with the distinct, acrid scent of charcoal and woodsmoke. Welcome to the terrestrial bushmeat corridors, arguably the most culturally complex and legally ambiguous sector…

Leaving the heavy, smoky atmosphere of the mammalian bushmeat behind, we step into a sector that challenges western dietary boundaries in an entirely different manner. Welcome to the entomological stalls of the market, where…

Our final specialized stop within the Mercado de Belen is perhaps its most mystifying and culturally profound. We have entered Pasaje Paquito, colloquially and universally known as the witches' aisle. …

As we emerge from the dense, fragrant corridors of Pasaje Paquito and step back out toward the bustling periphery of the city, take a moment to draw in a deep breath. Let the sensory overload of the past few hours begin to settle…