Iquitos Airport (IQT) – General Information and Transport Options
Iquitos International Airport, also known as Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport, serves the capital of the Loreto Region in Peru. The city of Iquitos is Peru’s fifth-most populous city and also the largest metropolitan area in the Peruvian Amazon.
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General Information
IATA: IQT
ICAO: SPQT
Passengers: around 1 million annually
Interestingly, Iquitos is the largest city in the world, and it cannot be reached by road, only by boat or air. For this reason, Francisco Secada Airport is even more important, as Iquitos is the “capital of the Peruvian Amazon” and the main hub for its exploration.
Getting from Iquitos Airport to Iquitos
The Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport is located 7 kilometres from the centre of Iquitos. A journey from there to the centre of Iquitos takes about 20-30 minutes by car. You’re as confused as we were? That’s no surprise. Getting from the IQT to downtown Iquitos or anywhere else in town is not a problem, but you cannot get to Iquitos from another city. There are no highways connecting the city to the rest of Peru.
Keep reading to find all the important information about getting from the airport to the city centre.
Bus
There is no information about public buses serving the Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta Airport. Because of this, be prepared to use other transportation options to reach your destination.
Taxi
Taxis are the most common and convenient way of getting around the cities of Peru, and Iquitos is no exception. However, taxi transportation in Iquitos is different from that in most cities.
That is because the main transportation options in Iquitos are Mototaxis, tuk-tuks, or “motocarros” as locals call them. Motocarros are three-wheeled vehicles, resembling a motorcycle with a passenger seat attached to it. Don’t worry, these cars are safe and comfortable, and they have luggage space for 3 or 4 suitcases.
Mototaxi fare is informally agreed on with your driver at the start of the ride, so you will have to use your bargaining skills!
If you wish to use the regular taxicab service, they are also available at the airport. Taxicab fare will be slightly more expensive than the moto-taxi fare.
Transfers
Another option for travelling from the airport is a private, door-to-door transfer directly to your destination. You can pre-book a transfer for a hassle-free experience. If you do, a professional driver will wait for you at the Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International airport and take you to your destination.
Car hire
For those who prefer to explore Iquitos and Peru on their own, the best option would be a car hire. At IQT Airport, there are no car rental agencies. However, you can rent a car online and come prepared.
Iquitos Airport Airlines
From IQT, you can fly to three destinations with three different airlines, all of which are domestic routes within Peru. The most frequent route connects Iquitos with the capital, Lima, followed by flights to Tarapoto and Pucallpa.
As in most Peruvian airports, LATAM Airlines is the largest carrier at the Airport. Sky Airline and Star Perú also operate regular flights from the airport, offering additional connectivity within the country.
Below is the list of all airlines operating at IQT.
- LATAM Airlines
- Sky Airline
- Star Perú
- SAETA Perú
- JetSmart Perú
- 21 Air
Iquitos Airport Facilities
Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta Airport is a small, but friendly airport that offers only basic facilities. The airport is open for 24 hours, in case you need to sleep at the location. However, we would recommend getting accommodation in the city. IQT offers several amenities to passengers who are on a layover or simply waiting for a flight.
Here is a list of services offered at the airport:
- ATMs
- Currency exchange
- Free Wi-Fi
- VIP Lounge
- Restaurants and cafés
- Shops and duty-free stores
- Tourist information desks (iPerú)
Accommodation at the Airport
The airport does not have an official hotel, but there are several accommodation options nearby. You can reach them on foot, even if carrying a lot of luggage.
Iquitos Airport FAQs
Iquitos Airport offers domestic flights to Lima, Tarapoto, and Pucallpa. These routes connect travelers to major cities within Peru, with Lima being the most frequent destination.
The main airlines operating at Iquitos Airport are LATAM Airlines, Sky Airline, and Star Perú. These carriers provide regular domestic service to the airport’s main destinations.
Iquitos Airport has a single terminal that handles both domestic and occasional international flights. The terminal is compact and easy to navigate.
Getting to the city from the airport shouldn’t be a problem. Taxi service is available at the airport and operates 24/7.
Yes, there are currency exchange services and ATMs available at Iquitos Airport. You can withdraw or exchange money in the arrivals area after landing.
Yes, free WiFi is available at Iquitos Airport. Passengers can connect in the terminal for basic browsing and communication.
Unfortunately, at the moment, there are no lockers and storage areas at the airport.
No, Uber does not operate in Iquitos. For transportation from the airport, you can use mototaxis, regular taxis, or pre-booked private transfers.
