Tarapoto enjoys an excellent geographical location, a modern airport and well-maintained highways, with which you can connect to all destinations in the north-east of Peru, and that will make your trip a pleasure.
From bathing in one of its natural pools formed by waterfalls to visiting an animal rescue center. The City of Palm Trees offers you various activities.
Established on Aug 20, 1782, Tarapoto celebrates its founding annually with a week-long fiesta.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the city grappled with a challenging phase, attracting terrorists and drug traffickers, earning a precarious reputation.
Fujimori's presidency in the 1990s marked a turning point, bringing a swift resolution to these issues. Nowadays, the biggest challenge might just be navigating through the swarm of mototaxis crowding the central streets!
San Martin Province (San Martin Region, Peru)
You can get to Tarapoto by plane, from Lima airport (1 hour) and Iquitos (45 minutes), or by road, with buses leaving from the city of Lima (20 hours) and Chiclayo (14 hours).
Tarapoto's Plaza de Armas buzzes with activity, making it an unmissable hotspot in the city. The best time to visit is around 6:00 pm when the entire city seems to converge here. Witness local artists painting, sketching, and live singers performing right in the heart of the plaza. If hunger strikes, indulge in some traditional snacks available around the area. These treats include chifles (thinly sliced and fried plantains), mani confitado (sweetened peanuts), and cotton candy (a classic favorite). If none of these tempt your taste buds, fret not! There's an array of other options to choose from. Among all the activities in Tarapoto, this experience stands out as a must-try.
Make it a point to explore eateries serving authentic jungle cuisine! Food takes center stage in our discussions because jungle delicacies are truly one-of-a-kind and incredibly flavorful! A comprehensive list of things to do in Tarapoto wouldn't be complete without savoring the local dishes, and no Tarapoto excursion is fulfilling without experiencing the jungle's culinary delights. You won't find many formal restaurants dishing out traditional fare; instead, look for bustling food stalls offering a taste of the region. These local treats feature delights like anticucho (skewered meat and vegetables), cecina, and chorizo (smoked pork specialties). While dining in the jungle, you'll encounter an abundance of fresh barbecued delicacies and, trust me, the barbecued bananas are a must-try! And here's the cherry on top: it's all incredibly affordable!
Merely 20 minutes away from the city, the Ahuashiyacu waterfall stands as the most renowned and frequented cascade in the entire San Martín region. Seeking a serene and nature-infused day excursion? This spot is an absolute gem. Discover a tranquil natural pool blessed with crystal-clear, refreshing waters. Don't rush; take a moment to marvel at the array of exotic birds and flora surrounding the area – it's an experience worth savoring!
In the jungle, iconic drinks reign supreme, boasting alluring names and widespread popularity. Among these, 7 raíces stands out, a blend of local roots infused with aguardiente. Historically consumed for its health benefits akin to emoliente, nowadays it's mostly savored for its enjoyable effects! Another must-try is uvachado, a renowned sweet wine cherished as the jungle's signature drink. Caution is advised – these beverages wield considerable potency; a single shot sets the stage for your evening! Crafted from a blend of aguardiente (an alcohol distilled from natural roots and local fruits), these concoctions are available at select bars, adding an adventurous twist to your jungle experience.
For nature enthusiasts seeking an immersive wildlife experience, here's a treat. Birdwatching, a relatively recent addition to Tarapoto's activities, involves observing and studying the diverse avian species thriving in the region. Numerous bird-watching routes sprawl near the city, offering enthusiasts various options to explore. Among the most frequented routes are the Circuito Ecoturístico Alto Shilcayo and Bosques Secos de Juan Guerra, yet there's an array of choices awaiting discovery. Don't fret, as there are guides available to enhance your birding experience. This is yet another fantastic and cost-free activity to indulge in while in Tarapoto. Don't forget to pack a pair of binoculars to heighten your chances of spotting these magnificent creatures!
Crafted by a wealthy Italian individual, this medieval fortress stands as a testament to exquisite craftsmanship. Utilizing the region's natural stones, the builder painstakingly shaped and molded each stone by hand, as recounted in his memoirs. Rising majestically to five floors, each level offers breathtaking panoramas of the surroundings, notably the Rio Mayo valley. Here, a captivating intersection of two worlds unfolds—the fusion of European influences melding seamlessly with the rich heritage of Native American culture.
For thrill-seekers craving extreme adventures, this one's a winner. Brace yourself for an incredible escapade along the Mayo River—a perfect activity to share with friends and family. This thrilling experience immerses you in nature, offering glimpses of diverse avian life and the nearby riverbank communities. Get ready for an adrenaline surge while navigating the rapids, creating an unforgettable blend of excitement and natural beauty!
We highly recommend dedicating an entire day to this splendid experience! The expansive Laguna Sauce, famously known as the Blue Lagoon or Laguna Azul, captivates with its mesmerizing azure waters. Rent a small boat or opt for guided tours to delve deeper into its most enchanting corners, offering encounters with exotic jungle wildlife. Along the shores, discover quaint rustic restaurants, perfect for a delightful lakeside lunch. Indulge in locally caught fresh fish paired with the delectable bellacos bananas—an exclusive jungle variety. And don't miss out on sampling the array of local beverages for a complete and satisfying exploration of this breathtaking locale.
Tarapoto boasts proximity to several nearby rivers, all conveniently situated within a short 10 to 15-minute drive from the city. If you're seeking a change from pool swimming but still yearn for aquatic adventures, seize this opportunity to explore something distinct. Relax by the riverbanks and relish the mountain-fresh waters, offering a refreshing respite. Consider packing a picnic and spend quality time with your friends in this serene setting. This activity offers priceless moments, an invaluable experience to cherish with your loved ones.
For a leisurely jungle jaunt, this trip is a fitting choice. Your escapade kicks off at Pucayaquillo waterfall, approximately 45 minutes away from the city. Revel in the opportunity to swim in the natural pool, carved by the cascading waterfall, and bask in the breathtaking scenery at your own pace. En route, be sure to include a visit to the Pumarinri Lodge, where an enticing jungle-themed lunch awaits to tantalize your taste buds.
The City of Palm Trees offers a wide variety of activities such as strolling through a large lake surrounded by vegetation to bathing in its waterfalls.
The Tarapoto destination is located at the foot of the Cordillera Escalera, a natural conservation area that is home to abundant dense tropical forests and countless imposing waterfalls, which are the home of happiness.
Tarapoto is the starting point to enter any destination in the Peruvian jungle, not only because it has an airport, but also because it acts as a node interconnecting the different San Martin destinations with the rest of the regions of Peru by road.
Once in Tarapoto, you will have realized that you are in the low jungle due to its sunny and hot climate, with temperatures around 38 degrees. From here, you can decide which course to take.
The city of Tarapoto differs from the others for being the commercial heart of the San Martín region, a fact that makes it the ideal place to enjoy the delicious and recognized Amazonian gastronomy, with national prestige, in its many and varied restaurants.
Here, you will not only be able to taste the main typical dishes of the jungle, such as smoked fish, such as patarashca; the chonta salad, the tacaco with cecina, etc., but also fusion dishes that are a real pleasure of sensations and that you cannot miss.
If you want to reduce the heat and you like adventure, just 15 minutes from the center of Tarapoto, start the Alto Shilcayo ecotourism circuit, in the Cordillera Escalera, where you will feel the immediate disconnection from the city to reconnect with the purest jungle that Tarapoto has for you.
A trek through one of the places where you can appreciate a large number of endemic amphibians, such as the typical colored frogs, and the greatest diversity of birds in the world, since Andean, Amazonian and Huallaga dry forest species converge here.
If you prefer another alternative route, you can travel to the town of San Antonio de Cumbaza and learn about the process of making different types of wines with regional grapes and do a tasting, together with the same local producers, and then bathe in one of its waterfalls. , such as the Huacamaillo Waterfall.
The Tarapoto destination has hotels, hostels and ecolodges equipped to receive tourists at all levels, both in the city itself and in the surroundings, so that your trip is pleasant and full of new experiences.
Discover Tarapoto and live an Amazonian experience!
It is located one hour from Tarapoto. Here people can swim in the green natural pool, which is formed due to the fall of the waterfall. If you want to splash in this place you must take a walk of approximately one hour.
A team of scientists, interns and volunteers are in charge of protecting and rescuing endangered species in the region. This center houses more than 1,000 animals, which you can see in their natural habitat. There are guided tours every 30 minutes and the entrance fee for children is S/3.00, adults S/12.00 and teenagers S/5.00.
When you arrive at the Venice lagoon you will be surrounded by a lot of vegetation and incredible landscapes. Here you can swim in the lagoon and perform a series of activities such as boating, fishing or doing a motocross circuit.
It is located in the Alto Mayo protection forest, 1 hour and a half from Tarapoto. Here you will see mysterious animals that live in the dark like bats and spiders. In addition, you will find limestone, stalagmite and stalactite formations.
It is located within the Cordillera Escalera regional conservation area in the San José hamlet. Once here you will be able to appreciate two six-meter falls, which form a natural pool where people can take a dip. Entrance price: adults S/ 5.00 and Children S/ 3.00.
It is located on the Yurimaguas highway within the Cordillera Escalera. Here the whole family can have fun, especially children, as they can be photographed next to the animal statues. Not only that, but there is an exhibition of paintings that tell various stories of the Peruvian Amazon.
La Cascada is south of the department of San Martin, in the province of El Dorado. If you are an adventurous person, this place is the one, because you can rappel. In order for you to be able to do this adventure sport, you must have a suitable shoe and light clothing.
It is located in the district of La Banda del Shilcayo in the province of San Martín. The name polish comes from the name "Clear Plain" and they are a set of engraved stones of animals and plants in low relief. They were discovered in 1966 by Professor Wilson León Bazán.
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
