Iquitos weather in January

Forum posters describe February as squarely within Iquitos's wet, high-water season (November-April, versus a drier May-October stretch), with daily highs around 90F, roughly 8.9 inches of rain a month, and a real chance of rain both overnight and in the afternoon on most days. Posters are split on whether that's a downside: some rate February as unappealing unless you specifically enjoy hot, humid conditions, while a lodge staffer specifically called it one of the best months, since high water lets boats reach further into the flooded forest, wildlife often comes closer to lodges along the tributaries, and it's a strong month for orchids. Posters generally rate February as hot, humid and genuinely wet, but a real trade-off in Iquitos's favor for wildlife viewing and deeper jungle access via boat.

August is the pit of the low-water season on this stretch of the Amazon — low water runs July to November, high water December to June — and that is the trade-off to understand before booking. Low water means some channels are restricted, so getting from Iquitos out to a lodge can simply take longer, and regulars advise asking the operator directly how it affects a specific itinerary. It is also the middle of the dry season by regional standards, though "dry" here still means seventeen rain-days, against 30°C by day and 23 overnight. The opposite trade applies upriver in Brazil, where it is the high water of April to July that puts animals up in the treetops.