Peru has no coastal ferry network of any consequence, but two very different kinds of boat travel matter here: short excursion boats across Lake Titicaca to its famous islands, and the slow cargo-and-passenger riverboats that remain, for large parts of the Peruvian Amazon, the only way in or out.
Lake Titicaca: boats from Puno
From the lakeside town of Puno, at over 3,800 m the gateway to the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, tour boats run daily to the lake's best-known islands. The closest and most visited are the Uros Islands, an extraordinary cluster of artificial islands built from layered totora reeds, home to communities who have lived this way for generations and now largely host day visitors. Boats reach the Uros in around 30–45 minutes from Puno's harbour.
Further out, Taquile and Amantaní are genuine islands rather than floating reed platforms, roughly 2.5–3.5 hours from Puno by boat. Both are known for traditional textile weaving — Taquile's knitting is UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage — and Amantaní in particular is popular for homestays, where visitors spend a night with a local family. Combined tours often visit the Uros in the morning and continue to Amantaní or Taquile for an overnight stay, returning to Puno the following day.
Boats are run by numerous small local operators and tour agencies rather than a single ferry company; booking a day ahead through a Puno agency or your accommodation is standard practice, and it is worth choosing an operator that visits a genuinely lived-in Uros island rather than only the most touristed platform closest to the harbour. See our Cusco to Puno guide for getting to Puno itself, by the scenic Andean Explorer train, tourist bus or direct coach.
The Amazon: Peru's river highways
In the Peruvian Amazon, roads simply don't reach most towns, and the river network functions as the region's real highway system. Three towns anchor most riverboat travel: Iquitos, the largest city in the world unreachable by road, reachable only by river or air; Pucallpa, connected to the rest of Peru by a long road from Lima and a major riverboat hub; and Yurimaguas, similarly linked to the coast by road and a jumping-off point for boats heading downriver toward Iquitos.
The classic riverboat journey — Yurimaguas or Pucallpa to Iquitos — takes several days aboard a cargo-and-passenger boat, with most travellers sleeping in hammocks slung in a communal deck area rather than in cabins, alongside sacks of produce, livestock and local passengers making the same journey as everyday transport. It is slow, basic and, for many travellers, one of the most memorable ways to experience the Amazon: hammock space is cheap, meals are typically included or bought from vendors who board at river stops, and the pace of the journey is the point rather than a drawback.
Cabins, where available, offer more privacy and security for your belongings at a higher price, though even these are basic by any standard. Departures are not run to a fixed international timetable — boats typically leave when reasonably full rather than at an advertised time, so build in flexibility and expect delays measured in hours rather than minutes.
Getting to the departure towns
Iquitos has no road link to the rest of Peru, so almost everyone arrives by air — regular domestic flights connect it to Lima in around two hours, and the city's airport is the practical gateway for anyone planning to travel onward by river. Pucallpa and Yurimaguas, by contrast, are both reachable overland: long-distance buses run from Lima and other coastal cities into the Amazon lowlands, a journey of well over 20 hours on mountain and jungle roads, covered in general terms in our guide to coaches in Peru. Most travellers heading for the riverboats fly into one Amazon town and take the boat onward, rather than bussing all the way in and then boating out as well.
Practical notes for the Amazon riverboats
- Bring your own hammock or buy one cheaply in the departure town — most operators expect passengers to supply their own rather than providing one.
- Secure your belongings. Communal hammock decks mean your bag isn't always in sight; a small padlock and keeping valuables on your person is standard practice.
- Bring water purification and insect repellent, since onboard facilities are basic and the boats pass through mosquito-heavy river environments.
- Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travel in the Amazon lowlands — check current World Health Organization guidance and your own government's travel health advice before you go.
Combining Titicaca and the Amazon in one trip
The two boat experiences sit at opposite ends of Peru and don't naturally combine into a single leg — Puno and the Amazon lowlands are separated by the length of the Andes — but both fit well into a wider Peru itinerary that also takes in Cusco and Machu Picchu. A common pattern is Lima to Cusco, on to Machu Picchu and then Cusco to Puno for Titicaca, with an Amazon add-on to Iquitos flown in separately from Lima. Travellers continuing into Bolivia from Puno should also check our Andean countries entry requirements guide before crossing at Kasani/Copacabana.
Which should you choose?
For most visitors, a Titicaca boat tour from Puno is a straightforward half- or full-day (or overnight, with a homestay) addition to a Peru itinerary, easily booked locally. The Amazon riverboats are a different proposition entirely — a multi-day, hammock-deck journey best suited to travellers with time to spare and an appetite for slow, unpolished travel rather than a scheduled service. Those short on time but still wanting an Amazon experience more often fly into Iquitos and arrange shorter river excursions from a jungle lodge instead.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to the Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca?
By tour boat from Puno's harbour, taking around 30–45 minutes each way. Boats are run by local operators and can be booked a day ahead through a Puno agency or your accommodation.
Can I take a boat all the way to Iquitos?
Yes — cargo-and-passenger riverboats run from Yurimaguas and Pucallpa to Iquitos, taking several days with most travellers sleeping in hammocks on a communal deck. Departures aren't fixed to a strict timetable, so allow for delays.
Is Iquitos really only reachable by boat or plane?
Yes. Iquitos has no road connection to the rest of Peru or the world — it is generally cited as the largest city on Earth unreachable by road, reached only by river or by air.
Do I need to book Amazon riverboat tickets in advance?
Not usually — tickets are typically bought at the port in the day or two before departure, since boats leave when reasonably full rather than on a fixed schedule. Turn up, ask around at the port, and expect some flexibility in timing.
Sources and further reading:
- UNESCO — Taquile Island textile art, intangible cultural heritage.
- World Health Organization — yellow fever and Amazon travel health guidance.
- Our guide to Cusco to Puno.