As we continue down the hill from the Belen (Bethlehem) Market, we start exploring the lower section of the district. In the rainy season the 1st floor of many of these buildings will be underwater with the lower level stores moving upstairs. Shopper shop via boat ...

Note the waterline on the buildings from previous years flood...

 

Frommers states of  Belen:  http://www.frommers.com/destinations/iquitos/attractions/721644

Known for its sprawling, colorful, and odiferous open-air market, Belén's unusual residential district is a seedy and extremely poor but endlessly fascinating shantytown. Houses are constructed above the waters of the Amazon, and when the river is high, transportation is by canoe. Visitors are free to walk about in dry season (or, for much of the year, to take a locally arranged canoe trip) and see the houses -- some on stilts, others floating during the rainy season; for safety's sake, though, go in a group and during the day only. It's an atmospheric and photogenic place, akin to Calcutta -- you'll see scrappy kids tumbling out of clapboard houses and playing with pet monkeys, and a few houses proudly outfitted with cable TV and other modern conveniences. Most residents of the neighborhood are more than approachable for photos, if you ask respectfully. The animated market, which extends over several blocks, is itself a wild place to visit, with all sorts of extraordinary exotic items for sale, including potions used by faith healers, paiche fish, and yummy Amazonian fruits. Look for the stands set up with blenders, cranking out fruit juices and smoothies (refrigerios and jugos).

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/iquitos/attractions/721644#ixzz2kxQalQlz

Last Christmas a Belen fire destroyed 150 houses:  Video at this link:

http://peru21.pe/actualidad/iquitos-incendio-belen-destruye-al-menos-40-viviendas-2108840

Some 150 homes were destroyed by a fire that occurred this afternoon at the Bethlehem neighborhood in Iquitos ( Loreto ), reported General Jose Cespedes, director of the National Police of East region.

The fire quickly controlled because a Christmas fair hawkers blocking the way of the fire, so people resorted to Itaya river water to douse the flames.

The work of the men in red also difficult because of the lower streets of Bethlehem are narrow.

The National Police had to protect loretanos belongings by theft.

The chief said police told Canal N that no deaths and only five people Ansar who inhaled toxic gases.