Things to Do in Tarapoto
Top 14 Things to Do in Tarapoto/San Martin
The city of Tarapoto, founded as Santa Cruz de los Motilones de Tarapoto on August 20, 1782. It is a Peruvian city located at an altitude of 350 meters on the banks of the Shilcayo River and the Cumbaza River, tributaries of the Mayo River. It is one of the main tourist and commercial centers of the Peruvian Amazon. Tradition attributes, that the name “Tarapoto” comes from the pot-bellied huacrapona (Iriartea deltoidea); an exotic species of palm tree, that was found on the shores of the defunct oxbow lake of Suchiche, which the locals knew as tarapotus. In this blog article, we present you 20 incredible things to do in the city of Tarapoto /San Martin.
How to get to Tarapoto/San Martin ?
There are two ways to get to the city of palm trees:
- By plane, from Lima the trip lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- By land, from Lima the trip lasts approximately 21 hours and 15 minutes.
Where to sleep in Tarapoto/San Martin ?
In Tarapoto/San Martin you will find from really cheap hostels to much more comfortable hotels from 1 to 5 star. Most of the accommodations are located around or close its main square.
One of the most important things, if not the most important of the trips, is the lodging. Normally this represents 50% or more of your expense and can make your stay unforgettable, in a good or bad way.
To book a hotel always keep the following in mind:
- Location.
- Access to public transport.
- Cleaning.
- Breakfast.
- Free WIFI.
- Room size.
- Treatment of staff.
- Quality of service.
- Read reviews from other travelers.
Things to do in Tarapoto/San Martin ?
The city of Tarapoto is one of the Peruvian Amazonian tourist destinations, most desired by tourists, who want to be in contact with the jungle beauty.
If you would like to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu; click on the following link: Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu by train.
City of Tarapoto
One of the most beautiful cities in Peru. Its tropical climate and various natural attractions amaze everyone who visits it. In the city of Tarapoto you can visit: the main square, the Amazonian artisan center, Suchiche park and the Wasichay cultural center in Chazuta.
Centro Urku
It is a small rehabilitation center for wild animals; this place is located a few minutes from the main square of Tarapoto.
Tambo llusion
It is a private center for animal and plant conservation. An ideal place for nature lovers and for those seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle of big cities and technology.
Ecopark La Soñada
This eco-park is located on the shores of Laguna Sauce. It offers very interesting and educational workshops on cocoa and distillation, in addition to having personnel in charge of the preservation of hundreds of species of butterflies and orchids.
Laguna Sauce
Laguna Sauce, also called Laguna Azul, is a beautiful 350-hectare mirror of water. It is currently the most visited tourist destination in the city of Tarapoto and the department of San Martín. Located at a height of 700 meters, it has lodges and accommodations, that are located near its banks, which allows visitors to enjoy beautiful sunrises on the shores of the lake.
Lago Lindo
Private ecotourism reserve area located at the southern end of the Laguna Sauce. It is made up of two small lagoons: Sunicocha and Limon Cocha. While the first is characterized by the vegetation with a great variety of birds that surrounds it, the second is of salt water. The lagoons are a 2-hour walk from the town of Sauce, or 20 minutes by motor boat, from the Laguna Sauce.
Ahuashiyacu waterfall
It is a 40-meter waterfall, surrounded by ferns and orchids, which offers an impressive natural spectacle. An abundance of butterflies, insects and birds can be observed.
Its name comes from the Quechua words Ahuashi, which means sing; and Yacu, which is water: the translation would be “the water that sings.”
Pishurayacu waterfalls
These beautiful waterfalls have a height of 30 meters and are located 50 minutes by car from Tarapoto. The walk to reach the waterfalls is approximately one hour. During the journey you can see abundant animal and plant life.
Pucayaquillo waterfall
This beautiful place is located one hour by car from the city of Tarapoto. The walk to get to the waterfall is approximately 45 minutes. You can book an excursion with a travel agency to rappel into the falls.
Cordillera Escalera, Regional Conservation Area
Two sections are used to visit it:
Section 1: It is located 600 meters from the main square of Tarapoto, a 3-kilometer walk begins; visiting the Achual and Fondero springs, the Taki Wasi Medicinal Plant Center, the Tarapoto orchid garden, the Urku Rescue Center, the Hampichicuy center.
Section 2: Once you enter the Cordillera Escalera buffer area, the route begins along the trails flanked by trees with giant roots and stems; You can see different species of birds, frogs, ants, centipedes and other insects.
Lamas Province
It is located 30 minutes by car from the city of Tarapoto. It is an area of various attractions and traditions. Its ceramics and a medieval-style castle stand out, which is astonishing for its magnitude and architecture.
In Lamas you can visit: the medieval castle of Lamas, the native Quechua Wayku community, the Waska Waska Warmi Wasi artisan center, the Artesanal Waska Waska Warmi Wasi center, the Chapawanki waterfall, the town of San Roque de Cumbaza, and the Chanka museum.
City of Moyobamba
The city of Moyobamba is an hour and a half from Tarapoto; It is known as the city of hot springs, waterfalls and natural viewpoints. In addition, its spectacular dances and its typical food. In Moyobamba you can visit: the Punta de San Juan and Tahuishco viewpoint, the San Francisco botanical garden, the San Mateo thermal baths, the Oromina sulfur baths, the Paccha waterfall, the Lejiayacu waterfall, the San Martín departmental museum and the Tingana ecological reserve.}
Aguajales Renacal del Avisado Tingana
It is a wildlife refuge, that captivates with its impressive landscapes. Its humid ecosystem is unique in the world for its altitude. This protected refuge captivates by the beautiful natural landscape it has. Its area covers 1 737.37 hectares of forests. It is characterized by its abundant population of renaco trees (Ficus sp.) And aguaje palms (Mauritia flexuosa).
Morro de Calzada
This promontory shows a privileged view of the cities of Moyobamba and Rioja. In addition, it has dense vegetation and impressive landscape beauty. This hill with a 360 degree view, rises in the middle of the plain of the Mayo Valley, at a height of 575 meters above the surface.
What are the top attractions to visit in Tarapoto/San Martin ?
- Laguna Sauce
- Centro Urku
- Tambo llusion
- Ecopark La Soñada
- Ahuashiyacu waterfall
- Pishurayacu waterfalls
- Pucayaquillo waterfall
What are the most popular things to do in Tarapoto/San Martin with kids?
- Laguna Sauce
- Ahuashiyacu waterfall
- Ecopark La Soñada
- Centro Urku
If you would like to get to Machu Picchu hiking; click on the following link: Machu Picchu Treks.
5 typical and exotic dishes from Tarapoto/San Martin
