Home
Peru
PLAN MY VISIT
Peru Destinations HotelsThings to do Transport Maps Vacations Team
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Peru
  3. Destinations
  4. Northern Highlands

Tarapoto, Peru

Tarapoto is a large town in Peru’s Northern Highlands. Tarapoto acts as a gateway to the northeastern high jungle and is a short, one-hour flight from Lima. This area has good food, lovely landscapes, and unique birds.

HOTELS
Similar places: Cloud Forest  Lake  Nature  Off the Beaten Path  Waterfall 
Tarapoto Peru
←→

Known as the “City of Palms,” Tarapoto was founded in 1782 in the lower Mayo River watershed along the Cumbaza River. The surrounding cloud forest descends into the lower Amazon rainforest, creating pristine ecosystems that harbor all sorts of plants and animals. Nearby farms grow cocoa, bananas, corn, coffee, palm oil, fruits, and tobacco. Due to its large size, fertile agricultural land, and access to the Marginal Highway, Tarapoto is something of a commercial hub in the area.

In the 1970s, coca production thrived in this area and Tarapoto acted as the home base for numerous drug traffickers. The territory was also dominated by the left-wing terrorist organization Movimiento Revolucionario Túpac Amaru (MRTA). Fortunately, both the drug lords and the MRTA were jailed and defeated by the 1990s, and today Tarapoto is a safe place to visit.

Tarapoto is a short flight from Lima and acts as a convenient jumping off point for adventures into the Amazon. Tarapoto is part of the Área Regional de Conservación Cordillera Escalera, which protects huge swaths of cloud forest and several indigenous communities. A few attractions are worth visiting in this area.

Set about 9 miles (14 km) outside Tarapoto, the Aguashiyacu Waterfalls cascade through the jungle into a chilly pool below. Birds have nests behind the falls and can sometime be seen flying in and out of the waterfall—the best time to spot these birds is around dawn or dusk. You can swim in the pool beneath the falls, and the whole place is generally just a good spot to take pictures and enjoying the scenery.

13 miles north of Tarapoto is the isolated village of Lamas. The people here are known as the Lamistas, and they speak a mixture of Quechua and jungle dialects. Their unique sense of identity is palpable and can be explored in some depth at their small museum.

The Orquídea Chocolate Factory is known throughout Peru for its delicious organic chocolate. The factory is set just outside town and allows travelers to see demos and learn how cacao is made into chocolate. You’ll also walk away with some mouth-watering chocolate bars.

Travelers can visit Lago Lindo, a 13,100-acre (5,300-ha) private reserve that’s about two hours south of Tarapoto. Mahogany trees and water channels make this peaceful place ideal for birding. Rafting can also be enjoyed on the nearby Mayo and Huallaga Rivers.

There are a number of hotels in and around Tarapoto that offer travelers a comfortable place to rest their heads. There are several good eateries in town that serve up camarones, pork dishes, Italian pizza, and a variety of local dishes. There are also a few lively bars and discos where you can drink, dance, and enjoy music. What’s more, Tarapoto has a growing community of artists and there are stores around town where you can peek into galleries and buy paintings and other art.



Excellent!
Trustpilot Rating
Based on 705 reviews
Trustpilot
One of the best I have ever used
Having traveled a lot, I have used many travel companies. The responsiveness and efforts to meet our needs were unmatche...
Dec 08, 2022
– A. Hershe.
Trustpilot Rating
Top Travel Agent for Peru
Anywhere in Peru was amazing! They did everything and more for myself, my mom, and sister while we were in Cusco and Lim...
Nov 21, 2022
– Mandy D.
Trustpilot Rating
Without a Doubt the Best Service Ever!
Peru was beyond beautiful and every journey and experience was tailored to make sure we were safe, happy, and taken care...
Sep 05, 2022
– Cindy Val.
Trustpilot Rating
A PERFECT vacation experience in Peru!
I keep raving about Anywhere.com, especially in Peru. Cesar customized our trip based on the attractions we wanted to se...
Aug 29, 2021
– Raisa S.
Trustpilot Rating
5 nights in Peru
This is the second time we have used Anywhere (Costa Rica last year). The Peru team guided by Cesar was superb. Always o...
Mar 10, 2020
– Steve & P.
Trustpilot Rating
Excellent choice for our trip through…
Excellent choice for our trip through Peru. Lima/Cusco/machu Picchu/back to Cusco then onward to Chile. Good hotels, exc...
Mar 02, 2020
– Anne
Trustpilot Rating
Highly recommend Anywhere Travel
Anywhere does a fantastic job of really building the perfect trip for you. Just tell them dates, general budget, and wha...
Feb 29, 2020
– Ben Gurtn.
Trustpilot Rating
Wouldn't travel any where without Anywhere
Thank you for making this a perfect trip for us. All arrangements worked like clockwork and we never missed a beat as we...
Jan 21, 2020
– IcameIsaw
Trustpilot Rating
I would recommend Anywhere.com Peru to…
I would recommend Anywhere.com Peru to anyone! They did an excellent job coordinating our itinerary and transportation. ...
Oct 25, 2019
– Eddie A.
Trustpilot Rating
Thank you Anywhere.com
I used Anywhere.com to plan a trip to Peru. The trip they organized for me and my mom was amazing. The agent, Sara, was ...
Aug 16, 2019
– Rori
Trustpilot Rating
Outstanding Job!
Anywhere.com did an OUTSTANDING job with helping be coordinate and facilitate the best adventure that I have ever had in...
Aug 06, 2019
– Adam
Trustpilot Rating
Our 2nd time with Anywhere and HAPPY!
We love Anywhere! We just have to pack and we are taken care of basically during our whole stay. Everything is nicely ar...
Jul 18, 2019
– Valery
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere.com provided us excellent…
Anywhere.com provided us excellent service during our Costa Rica trip in 2016 and Peru trip in 2018.From planning,bookin...
Jun 22, 2019
– Sunil
Trustpilot Rating
Peru June 2019
Anywhere.com planned every step of our trip perfectly. We are very happy with their service.
Jun 21, 2019
– Lata
Trustpilot Rating
Our experience with Anywhere travel in…Peru
Our experience with Anywhere travel in Peru was, in a word, remarkable. The sights, experiences, and accommodations wer...
Jun 14, 2019
– Stuart
Trustpilot Rating

Let's Dream Together

Share your bucketlist to get inspiration and local connections.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.

Peru Vacations
  • Adventure
  • Family
  • Luxury
  • Romantic
  • Trekking
Highlights
  • Unique & Authentic
  • Coasts
  • Mountains
  • Beaches
  • Cloudforests
  • Lakes
  • Surfing
  • Spiritual
  • Culinary
PLACES TO GO
  • Machu Picchu
  • Nazca Lines
  • Cusco
  • Lima
  • Aguas Calientes
  • Puno
  • Arequipa
  • Iquitos
  • Sacred Valley
  • Nazca
  • Amazon
THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
  • Get a Guide
  • Ruins
  • Archeology
  • Culinary
  • Train Rides
  • Hiking
  • Museums
  • History
  • Boating
  • Birdwatching
  • Cooking Lessons
Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
Trustpilot "Excellent"
Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

© 2023 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy