Tarapoto: The Gateway to the Peruvian Amazon You Need to Experience

Nestled in the San Martín region of northern Peru, Tarapoto is one of the country’s most vibrant entries into the Amazon. Known as the City of Palms, it blends jungle adventure, warm hospitality, waterfalls straight out of postcards, and a culinary scene rooted in ancestral flavors. 

If you are looking to explore a tropical destination that’s both accessible and culturally rich, Tarapoto is the getaway that feels both remote and surprisingly easy to reach.

Where Tarapoto Is

Tarapoto sits at the edge of the Amazon rainforest, approximately 860 kilometers northeast of Lima. The city lies in a transition zone between the high jungle (ceja de selva) and the deeper Amazon basin, giving it lush landscapes, year-round warmth, and biodiversity you can feel from the moment you land. 

The elevation, around 350 meters above sea level, keeps the climate tropical but not overwhelmingly humid, ideal for outdoor exploration.

How to Get There

Thanks to frequent domestic connections, Tarapoto is one of the Amazon’s most accessible destinations. Daily nonstop flights operate from Lima (approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes), and there are also direct seasonal or regular flights from cities like Chiclayo and Trujillo. Travelers coming from abroad can connect easily via Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport. And from Tarapoto, you can drive to various destinations in the Amazon.

How to Enjoy Tarapoto

Tarapoto invites visitors to slow down, explore nature, and savor flavors deeply tied to the Amazon. Here’s how to make the most of your stay:

Go Chasing Waterfalls

The region is dotted with refreshing natural escapes. Catarata de Ahuashiyacu is the most iconic waterfall, a 35-meter cascade surrounded by dense vegetation and just a short drive from the city. Other favorites include Pucayaquillo Waterfall, Carpishuyacu, and the thermal waters of Pumarinri.

Located in the nearby town of Sauce, Laguna Azul (Blue Lagoon) is a dreamy freshwater lake ideal for kayaking, swimming, and sunset boat rides. Small lodges and lakeside restaurants make it a perfect day trip.

Discover Local Culture

Tarapoto is a cultural crossroads of Indigenous Quechua-Lamista heritage, Amazonian customs, and Andean migration. Lamas, just 45 minutes away, offers you the chance to discover traditional handicrafts, colorful murals, and the castle-like Castillo de Lamas.

Just an hour distance, Chazuta feels like stepping into a different rhythm of the Amazon—slower, and deeply rooted in ancestral traditions. This riverside community is known for its vibrant ceramics, crafted by women who preserve centuries-old techniques inherited from the Quechua-Lamista culture. 

You can visit the Wasichay Cultural Center to learn about the symbolic patterns painted on clay and even try shaping your own pieces. Beyond its artistry, Chazuta is also home to cacao growers producing some of Peru’s finest organic chocolate, making it a delicious stop for tastings and tours.

And of course, no visit to Tarapoto is complete without exploring its rich Amazonian cuisine. Classic dishes like juane, inchicapi, tacacho with cecina, and river fish define the region’s flavors, but one name stands above the rest:La Patarashca, a culinary institution helped put Tarapoto on Peru’s gastronomic map. Its restaurant and boutique hotel embody the warmth, traditions, and biodiversity of San Martín, and deserve a story of their own.