Quistococha Tourist Park, with its beautiful white-sand beaches, is the main entertainment destination in Iquitos, Peru, set within 369 hectares of pristine Amazonian forest.
Quistococha Tourist Park is Iquitos’s premier leisure and nature destination, combining the lush beauty of the Amazon rainforest with a unique artificial beach experience. Located about 13 kilometers south of the city, this sprawling complex covers 369 hectares of natural Amazonian forest and is considered one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region.
As the only official tourist park in Loreto, Quistococha holds the status of a National Tourist Park and is part of Peru’s National System of Tourist Reserves, recognized for its outstanding landscape and recreational offerings. The complex is surrounded by natural vegetation dominated by towering palm trees, making the Amazonian flora itself one of the park’s most impressive features.
Quistococha is a favorite weekend getaway for locals and visitors alike, popular for picnics, boating, and relaxing amidst nature. The site, situated near the Quistococha lagoon, also serves as a center for scientific research, reforestation, and conservation.
The Complex
The complex covers 369 hectares of Amazonian forest that surrounds the Quistococha lagoon. At its heart lies the artificial white-sand beach Tunchi Playa, where visitors can swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the serene natural setting. Paddleboats are available for exploring the lagoon, offering a gentle way to take in the surrounding vegetation of tall palms and rich Amazonian flora.
Quistococha is primarily a family destination where local families gather on weekends. The complex’s attractions include:
- Picnic areas set among the trees
- Rowboats and paddleboats for exploring the lagoon
- An aquarium featuring Amazonian fish
- A nature trail around the lagoon
- A zoo housing exotic animals and fish native to the jungle
- A serpentarium with Amazonian snake species
- An aviary with regional bird species
- A pond inhabited by the famous paiche — the second-largest freshwater fish in the world
- Restaurants within the park and food stalls at the entrance
The site has also been used for important scientific research, conservation work, reforestation, and botanical horticulture. It houses a natural nursery and a museum with collections of Amazonian fauna.
The Legend of Quistococha
According to local indigenous legend, long ago there was a mysterious island in the middle of a beautiful lagoon. This enchanted island was inhabited by evil spirits and many brightly colored macaws. Whenever something bad happened in a nearby village, a macaw would begin to screech and a powerful spirit-induced earthquake would shake the island.
Frightened by the trembling, the villagers summoned a priest to perform an exorcism to rid the island of the evil spirits. After completing the ritual, the priest threw his cross into the lake. The normally calm waters of the lagoon suddenly churned as the villagers watched, shaking the entire island.
The people cried out “Cristo Cocha” — meaning “Lake of Christ” — and fled as an enormous black serpent emerged from the lagoon and swam away. The villagers could hear the serpent hissing as if wounded. The exorcism had been successful, and the departure of the serpent meant the evil spirits of the island had been banished forever.
How to Get There
Lima to Iquitos: Flight — approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
Iquitos to Quistococha Tourist Complex: Bus — approximately 30 minutes
Hours
- Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- (Reference hours — verify before visiting)
Admission Price
- Adults: S/6.00 soles
- Children: S/2.00 soles
- Foreigners: S/9.00 soles
- (Reference prices — verify before visiting)
