Many of the residents of Belén are people who lived in the forest, but who came to Iquitos in search of work and formal education for themselves and their families.

Men might hunt, fish, or trade for their livelihood, while women resell small quantities of produce,[3] such as aguaje.

[3] Uphill of the river is Mercado Belén,[3] a large, open-air marketplace where vendors sell produce, meat, fish, spices, flowers, folk medicine, prepared foods, and manufactured goods.

Most homes either float or are built on stilts, as the river level rises 5–6 meters from February through July.

They are also affected by social problems of severe poverty, such as alcoholism, crime, prostitution, unemployment, domestic violence, and child abuse.