San Martin

Tarapoto, located in the heart of the San Martín department, is an Amazonian city full of natural charm. It lies in a fertile valley where the Cumbaza and Shilcayo rivers converge, creating a privileged environment of life, freshness, and biodiversity.

The name Tarapoto comes from the abundance of a native palm tree known as “taraputus,” which is why it is proudly recognized as the “City of Palms.” This natural symbol is part of its identity and unique landscape.

Thanks to its strategic geographical location, Tarapoto is an ideal destination for nature and adventure lovers. The city offers crystal clear water sources, impressive waterfalls, dense Amazonian forests, and unparalleled biodiversity, making it a perfect gateway to the Peruvian Amazon.

Tarapoto invites you to discover authentic experiences, enjoy its warm climate, regional cuisine, and the hospitality of its people, making each visit an unforgettable experience for travelers from around the world.

Good to know

Location

Located in the northeast of the country. It is bordered to the north by Ecuador and Colombia, to the east by Brazil, to the south by the department of Ucayali and to the west by the departments of San Martin and Amazonas.
Altitude

350 meters above sea level.
Climate

Tropical humid
Seasons

Summer (July, August and September) and winter (January to April).
Indispensable to bring

Light clothing for hiking, warm clothes for the night, bathing suit, change of clothes, hat, sunglasses, trekking shoes, umbrella, insect repellent, sun block, identification document and cash.
Distance to other cities

Lima-Tarapoto (963.9 km). Tarapoto - Amazonas (245 km). Tarapoto - Huanuco (599.4 km).
Fun fact

Tarapoto is also known for its numerous waterfalls, such as Ahuashiyacu, Huacamaíllo and Shapaja.

Main tourist attractions

Ahuashiyacu Waterfall

The Ahuashiyacu Waterfalls are located 14 km from the city of Tarapoto, in the district of Banda de Shilcayo, department of San Martin, northeastern Peru.
Its name comes from the Quechua language and means “singing water”.
It has a spectacular waterfall of approximately 40 meters high.

Lamas Castle

The Lamas Castle is a building located in the city of Lamas.
The castle was made of hand carved stone in 2005 by the Italian Nicola Felice. Its large halls and stained glass windows make it a real castle.
The interior of the Lamas Castle has Renaissance features and is decorated with replicas of paintings and other works of art.
Currently the Lamas Castle has become a tourist attraction for national and international tourists.

Blue Lagoon

It is a spectacular freshwater lake, located in the town of Sauce, about 54 kilometers south of the capital of San Martin.
It is a huge mirror of water 5 kilometers long and 2.5 kilometers wide.
The Blue Lagoon is the habitat of fish such as tilapia, catfish, carachamas, mojarras and bujurqui. You can also find the tucunaré, gamitana, acarahuasú and the famous paiche.

Punta del Gallinazo Viewpoint

A spectacular viewpoint, located 60 kilometers from the city of Tarapoto, on the way to the Sauce district. This viewpoint gives us spectacular views of the Huallaga river valley. Simply an unmissable stop to enjoy the landscape and take epic photos.