WHAT TO DO IN TARAPOTO
PLACES TO EAT
La Patarashca
We love this restaurant. The food is a delicious blend of modern and local jungle cousine, in a relaxed atmosphere with great service. We recommend the paiche!
We love this restaurant. The food is a delicious blend of modern and local jungle cousine, in a relaxed atmosphere with great service. We recommend the paiche!
Mantra Alimentación Consciente
This is a great little "oasis" in the city. They have calm music and amazing smoothies. The food can be a hit and miss... but it's guaranteed always healthy and vegan!
This is a great little "oasis" in the city. They have calm music and amazing smoothies. The food can be a hit and miss... but it's guaranteed always healthy and vegan!
Suchiche Café & Bar
A really great café and lunch spot (even with fresh aircon!) Our favourite is the Suchiche Poke...
A really great café and lunch spot (even with fresh aircon!) Our favourite is the Suchiche Poke...
PLACES TO STAY
Green House Hotel
A small hotel run by Jorge and his family. We have known them for a long time and recommend their very clean and comfortable place to stay for a good price. This is also where we will pick you up at the morning of the retreat!
A small hotel run by Jorge and his family. We have known them for a long time and recommend their very clean and comfortable place to stay for a good price. This is also where we will pick you up at the morning of the retreat!
Tucan Suites Apartment Hotel
The most luxurious hotel on our list; with large rooms, laundry service, a pool and restaurant. Here you're guaranteed a good rest!
The most luxurious hotel on our list; with large rooms, laundry service, a pool and restaurant. Here you're guaranteed a good rest!
Los Huingos
A little bit outside the city centre. But worth the extra 15 min moto-taxi ride. Los Huingos is set in nature and right by a little water stream. You might even see some monkeys while in your hammock or cooking in the communal outdoor kitchen.
A little bit outside the city centre. But worth the extra 15 min moto-taxi ride. Los Huingos is set in nature and right by a little water stream. You might even see some monkeys while in your hammock or cooking in the communal outdoor kitchen.
Casa de Palos
A small and clean hotel with a garden, a block away from the main square (Placa de Armas). Upstairs there's a relaxing café for lazy days with an excellent wi-fi connection.
A small and clean hotel with a garden, a block away from the main square (Placa de Armas). Upstairs there's a relaxing café for lazy days with an excellent wi-fi connection.
PLACES TO SHOP
INTI
Tienda Conceptual Natural
A fun little store, perfect for gifts and things to take home. Lots of organic products, bohemian jewelries, incenses, clothes, hand-crafts, organic snacks and more...
A fun little store, perfect for gifts and things to take home. Lots of organic products, bohemian jewelries, incenses, clothes, hand-crafts, organic snacks and more...
JĀNE
Artisania
We love supporting this store. The JANE Project is dedicated to empower indigenous women from all around the many tribes of the Amazon; through education, social work and by selling their beautiful and unique hand-crafts.
We love supporting this store. The JANE Project is dedicated to empower indigenous women from all around the many tribes of the Amazon; through education, social work and by selling their beautiful and unique hand-crafts.
PLACES TO VISIT
URKU
Animal Rescue Center
This is a little hidden gem! It's pretty small, and only takes about an hour to explore, but some of the animals are absolutely amazing. A chance to see wildlife from the jungle and support this well maintained rehabilitation center. Entrance fee is less than 5 USD per person. Located just at the edge of Tarapoto proper and right next to the Orchid Garden, Ayahuasca Museum, and Los Huingos Eco-Lodge.
This is a little hidden gem! It's pretty small, and only takes about an hour to explore, but some of the animals are absolutely amazing. A chance to see wildlife from the jungle and support this well maintained rehabilitation center. Entrance fee is less than 5 USD per person. Located just at the edge of Tarapoto proper and right next to the Orchid Garden, Ayahuasca Museum, and Los Huingos Eco-Lodge.
Carpishuyacu Waterfall
and Thermal Baths
An absolutely amazing little place. You must hire a taxi to arrive here, but the entrance fee per person is only about 3 USD. To reach the thermal baths, natural swimming holes, and waterfall, you must hike for almost 20 minutes down into a valley. The climb down and up is steep and requires a moderate level of fitness, but the pathways are well maintained and extremely easy to follow. One of our favorite spots!
An absolutely amazing little place. You must hire a taxi to arrive here, but the entrance fee per person is only about 3 USD. To reach the thermal baths, natural swimming holes, and waterfall, you must hike for almost 20 minutes down into a valley. The climb down and up is steep and requires a moderate level of fitness, but the pathways are well maintained and extremely easy to follow. One of our favorite spots!
Orchid Garden
Another small, but worthwhile adventure. Orchids grow wild in Peru and this garden is part of a family-owned business that cultivates and exports hundreds of varieties of these and other ornamental plants. Stroll through the gardens, learn about the plants, and see how they are cultivated. Entrance fee is approximately 2 USD per person. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and located next to Urku Animal Sanctuary, the Ayahuasca Museum and Los Huingos Eco-Lodge. Orquideasamazonicas.com
Another small, but worthwhile adventure. Orchids grow wild in Peru and this garden is part of a family-owned business that cultivates and exports hundreds of varieties of these and other ornamental plants. Stroll through the gardens, learn about the plants, and see how they are cultivated. Entrance fee is approximately 2 USD per person. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and located next to Urku Animal Sanctuary, the Ayahuasca Museum and Los Huingos Eco-Lodge. Orquideasamazonicas.com
Ayahuasca Museum
A small but worthwhile glimpse into the Amazonian ayahuasca cultures and the history of this medicine. The museum is located at the edge of Tarapoto proper and just next to the Orchid Garden, Urku Animal Rescue Center and Los Huingos Eco-Lodge. Entrance fee of roughly 5 USD per person.
A small but worthwhile glimpse into the Amazonian ayahuasca cultures and the history of this medicine. The museum is located at the edge of Tarapoto proper and just next to the Orchid Garden, Urku Animal Rescue Center and Los Huingos Eco-Lodge. Entrance fee of roughly 5 USD per person.
MAJO
Chocolatería
Majo chocolate is simply the best! A family run little business with the most delicious, creative and exotic flavours. We highly recommend traveling back home with a box of their hand-made little jewels.
Majo chocolate is simply the best! A family run little business with the most delicious, creative and exotic flavours. We highly recommend traveling back home with a box of their hand-made little jewels.
Mercado Dos
Food Market
This is the main local food market. An excellent opportunity to see how the locals live, eat, and conduct their shopping. A place to find raw cacao, coffee, lunch, juice, and quite a few more surprises. Every taxi driver in town knows the place...just ask for "Mercado Dos"!
This is the main local food market. An excellent opportunity to see how the locals live, eat, and conduct their shopping. A place to find raw cacao, coffee, lunch, juice, and quite a few more surprises. Every taxi driver in town knows the place...just ask for "Mercado Dos"!
Supermercada
La Inmaculada
We've listed this here not as a sight to see, but as a location of convenience. This is a supermarket style shop that is easy to navigate, has a large selection, and is located just off the corner of the main plaza of Tarapoto (Plaza de Armas).
We've listed this here not as a sight to see, but as a location of convenience. This is a supermarket style shop that is easy to navigate, has a large selection, and is located just off the corner of the main plaza of Tarapoto (Plaza de Armas).