TARAPOTO

Known as the "City of Palms", is a thriving commercial hub in northern Peru, an hour by plane from Lima, situated in the San Martín Province of the San Martín Region, located in the high jungle plateau to the east of what is known as the selva baja (low jungle). 

HISTORY

Founded September 14, 1906, Tarapoto is the main tourist and commercial hub of this part of northeastern Peru. The city is located in the valleys of the Cumbaza and Shilcayo rivers, and is the center of the terrestrial networks and areas between the mountains, the coast and eastern Peru.

CLIMATE

ACCESS AND TRANSPORTATION

Tarapoto one hour by air from Lima and is served by the Cad.

FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport.  Nationally 

speaking, the Tarapoto-based airport is the third in 

importance in flow for passengers and cargo. It operates 

flights to and from Lima on a daily basis, as well as it is a 

stopover to other cities such as Iquitos and Pucallpa from 

Lima.

Lima can be reached by bus in approximately 28 hours. The 

route runs through Moyobamba and Pedro Ruiz before passing 

through the coastal city of Chiclayo.

Moto Taxis and motorized rickshaws are extremely prevalent as 

an inexpensive mode of transportation throughout Tarapoto. 

Due to the types of the engines used in many motor taxis, 

main intersections in Tarapoto are extremely noisy, 

especially in times of high traffic. Recently however, there 

has been a push to certify rickshaws which abide by noise 

pollution standards.

HOTEL INDUSTRY

HOTELS 

EL MIRADOR

Located 400 metres from Mayor Tarapoto main square and 500 metres from the commercial area, Alojamiento El Mirador offers free Wi-Fi and breakfast in Tarapoto. A lovely garden is featured and there is a terrace with scenic views.

Providing a tranquil environment, the rooms in Alojamiento El Mirador feature private bathrooms and cable TVs. Laundry and dry cleaning services are provided.

Alojamiento El Mirador is 1,5 km from Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport. Airport shuttles can be arranged upon request.

LODGES

GREEN LODGE

Surrounded by an extensive garden, Green Lodge is an eco-property that features a snack bar with organic food in Tarapoto. The lodge is located by the main square and financial area.

Providing a tranquil environment, the rooms in Green Lodge feature private bathrooms.

Guests at Green Lodge are provided 24-hour front desk assistance.

Green Lodge is 100 metres from the financial area and 1 km from Guillermo del Castillo Paredes airport.

TARAPOTO OFFERS :

TYPYCAL FOOD

In Tarapoto, as with anywhere in the Amazon Rainforest, what is available in restaurants depends on what is found locally in the jungle.  Tarapoto is largely an agricultural community, so many varieties of plants Fruits and vegetables, fish, chicken, beef, and pork are all readily available fresh each day. 

Besides an abundance of fresh fruits (aguaje, bananas, camu-camu, cocona, grapes, guava, papaya, passion fruit, taperiba) and vegetables, many dishes are also made of these.  Stuffed bananas (banana dough stuffed with beef and peanuts), tacacho (mashed grilled plantains).

Chicken dishes that are popular in Tarapoto are inchicapi (chicken soup), juanes de arroz (chicken and rice wrapped in Bijao leaves). 

Pork dishes include avispa juane (a tamale with pork), choncholi (pork intestines barbecued on a stick), sarajuane (pork in mashed corn and peanuts wrapped in banana leaves)

Fish dishes include carachama (fish soup); chontajuane (fish in mashed chonta wrapped in banana leaves); ceviche (similar to sushi you could say, except that the fish is "cooked"  in lemon juice); patarashca (fish wrapped in banana leaves cooked over an open fire).

There are restaurants, or in some cases food stands, in almost every block in Tarapoto.  If they are going to cook for the family, then they might as well cook enough for the neighbors and make a little cash in the process.  Many of these neighborhood restaurants have a place to sit, but there isn't any kitchen.  They cook in a grill out on the sidewalk.  Many of these places serve very delicious food, and the menu is easy, just point at the grill to indicate which items you want.

ATTRACTIONS

Ideal for entertainment and adventure, thedepartment of San Martin is one of the best places in Peru for both natural and archeological tourist attractions. With the city of Tarapoto as your "operating center", you will be able to visit Moyobamba, Rioja, Lamas and even the pre-Inca citadel of Kuelap in the neighboring department of Amazonas.

Tarapoto's night life will satisfy everyone, as you will have an enjoyable time in the discos and pubs to the rhythm of rock, salsa, Colombian "vallenatos" and Brazilian "sambas".

TARAPOTO

SURROUNDINGS

Laguna Azul (Blue Lac goon), also known as Lago de Sauce (Sauce Lake), is located in the district of El Sauce, 16 kilometers inland from the right margin of the Huallaga River.

Apart from being one of most beautiful places in the area; Laguna Azul is also ideal for water sports. Canoes, windsurfs, waterbikes, water skies and also the necessary equipment for angling, are all available at the lake.

Balneario de Cumbaza (Cumbaza River Resort), on the shores of the Cumbaza river, 5 kilometers from Tarapoto, has crystal-clear waters and an excellent climate. Well-known tourist centers are found in the area.

Petroglifos de Polish (The Petroglyphs of Polish) are extraordinary archeological remains, just 8.5 kilometers from Tarapoto. The site covers an area of one hectare, and has ancient animal and plant figures engraved in blocks of stone. 

Catarata de Ahuashiyacu (Ahuashiyacu Falls):This is a fascinating waterfall plunging 35 meters down. This cataract, the more famous and accessible in the region, is 14 kms. from Tarapoto. There is a pathway with carved stone steps and log bridges that allows access to the bottom of the falls for bathing in the small lake.

The waterfall serves as refuge for the "gallito de las rocas" ("rock hen"), a bird with red plumage and a flamboyant black crest, considered by many as the national bird of Peru. 

Laguna Venecia (Venecia Lagoon): This is a small lagoon surrounded by "aguajales", a plant native to the jungle, only 4 kms. from Tarapoto.

TRAVEL AGENCY

www.tinganatours.com

www.tourtarapotoperu.com

www.martinzamoratarapoto.com/

www.tourstarapotolaspalmeras.com