Discovering Tarapoto! - Part 1: Location

Tarapoto is one of the largest settlement in San Martin, department of Peru, and it's located in the high jungle plateau to the east of what is known as "selva baja" (low jungle). Tarapoto is the region's largest city and is linked to the upper amazon and the historic city of Yurimaguas by a relatively well-maintained transandean highway.

The town itself has a population of approximately 66,000 and is the main commercial and transport hub in San Martin since the town's foundation in 1782.

Main Square of Tarapoto

HOW TO GET TO TARAPOTO?

There are three or four scheduled flights between Tarapoto and Lima each day, some of which go via Pucallpa. LATAM (formerly LAN) and StarPeru also have regular flight to Iquitos.

The bus trip to Lima is an epic 28-hour voyage (in good conditions). From Lima, buses head up the coast to Trujillo and onto Chiclayo before cutting inland to Pedro Ruiz (get out here for buses to Chachapoyas), Moyobamba and then Tarapoto. Movil Tours, TEPSA and Civa are the best bus companies operating along the Chiclayo to Tarapoto route (they also have direct departures from Lima to Tarapoto). The road south from Tarapoto heads down to Tingo Maria – the buses along this route are not recommended, so consider going with a shared taxi company such as Pizana Express (daily departures, 12-14 hours).

If you want to head to Iquitos by boat (4 days approx), first make the two-hour trip by land to Yurimaguas. Here you can arrange passage along the Río Huallaga, which connects with the Río Marañón before heading all the way to Iquitos.

WHERE TO STAY?

In the city of Tarapoto you can find accommodation services of various categories.

4 Star Hotels

• Tucan Suites Aparthotel

Tucan Suites Aparthotel

3 Star Hotels

• Sumaj Casa Hotel
• Hotel Rio Dulce
• Cumbaza Hotel & Convenciones
• Hotel Lago Azul
• Hotel Nilas
• Hotel Suisui
• Rio Sol Tarapoto Hotel
• Hotel Puerto Palmeras Tarapoto Resort
• Dm Hoteles Tarapoto
• Rio Cumbaza Hotel
• Fatima Camila Inn
• Hotel San Marino – Tarapoto
• La Ramada Resort

Sumaj Casa Hotel

Hostels

• El Mural Hostel
• Yuntawasi Hostel
• Bambu Backpackers Hostel
• Greenland Tarapoto
• In-Dios
• Sachahuasca Backpacker
• La Floresta Tarapoto Hostel

El Mural Hostel

Lodges

• Shimiyacu Amazon Lodge
• La Musa Verde
• Canto del Río Lodge
• Los Huingos Eco Lodge
• Pumanrini Amazon Lodge
• Cordillera Escalera Lodge
• Bubinzana Magical Lodge
• Ecolodge Yacuwasi
• HuasaiWasi Ecolodge
• Finca Alemana Lodge

Shimiyacu Amazon Lodge

WHAT TO DO?

Starting in the City Center

Normally the first thing to do is visiting the Plaza de Armas when arriving in a city, Tarapoto is small but it is surrounded by restaurants, a handicraft market, many motorcycles and the Cathedral, although it is simple, it has a lot of charm.

Where to eat?

Quite close to the city center are two restaurants that are considered the richest. Opposite the Plaza de Armas is Doña Zully and about 6 blocks from there is La Collpa. Here you can not miss the Tacacho with Cecina, Chonta Salad, Juane, Paiche, even the Venado, accompanied by a Camu Camu juice, a typical fruit of this region of the country, which is delicious.

Let the adventure begin!

to Take a bath in the river, to jump of a waterfall, to visit tourist places, to go out to walk at night, to go dancing, to breathe pure air and to connect with oneself, are some of the activities that must be carried out in Tarapoto.

WHERE TO GO?

Visitors can enjoy a landscape blessed with a wide variety of flora and fauna, numerous waterfalls and opportunities for adventure tourism (such as white water rafting on the Mayo River, abseiling, jungle expeditions and treks).

Museo Regional Universidad Nacional de San Martín

Tarapoto’s small and slightly peculiar museum is located just off the main square on Jr. Maynas 177 (underneath the Universidad Nacional building). The displays are eclectic and worth a visit, especially considering the S/2.00 (soles) entrance fee.

Ahuashiyacu Waterfalls

There are plenty of waterfalls in the hills surrounding Tarapoto, but none are as well-publicised as the Ahuashiyacu Waterfalls. A standard tourist destination, the impressive waterfall sits up in the hills above Tarapoto, a short ride from town. A picturesque jungle trail leads from the roadside to the fall – take a dip in the chilly plunge pool to cool down after the walk.

Ahuashiyacu Waterfalls

Petroglyphs of Polish

The petroglyphs of Polish are located about five miles from Tarapoto. Tucked away at the side of a bumpy road, this fascinating archaeological site receives surprisingly few visitors. The site’s “caretaker” doubles as a guide of sorts; there is no entrance fee, but a tip is customary.

Petroglyphs of Polish