Tarapoto

Tarapoto is a city in the San Martín region of northern Peru, characterized by Amazonian cloud forest and abundant palm trees. It's known for the many jungle waterfalls in its surrounding areas, including Ahuashiyacu, Huacamaíllo and Shapaja. Southeast of the city, the clear waters of Lindo Lake and the larger Sauce Lagoon (also called Blue Lagoon) are ringed by dense green forests teeming with birdlife.
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3-Day Tarapoto Itinerary
Most popular travel itinerary
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Wanderlog
Picture of Guía de Viaje a Tarapoto – Perú
J Mario Rodriguez's Guía de Viaje a Tarapoto – Perú
Popular guide by a Wanderlog community member

Top places to visit

Mentioned on 
San Martin is a captivating region in northern Peru, home to the beautiful city of Tarapoto. The area is renowned for its verdant scenery, breathtaking waterfalls, and rich local traditions. When it comes to lodging options in Tarapoto, there are numerous areas that offer convenience and a range of amenities for visitors to enjoy.
4.6
(3142)
4.4
(909)
Mentioned on 
Nature & Parks
Tourist information center
Waterfalls
Ahuashiyacu Waterfall is a stunning natural attraction located near Tarapoto, offering a refreshing escape into nature. Visitors can hike through lush rainforests, take a dip in the crystal-clear waters, and enjoy breathtaking views. The area also features nearby lodge accommodations and other attractions like Blue Lake and Sauce Lagoon for an unforgettable experience in the midst of nature. Activities such as hiking, boating, and wildlife watching are available for visitors to enjoy unparalleled adventures.
Beautiful place to visit, you can go swimming once you reach the top, nice, cold but refreshing water. The prices are cheap, Kids 6 soles, wich is around 1.5 USD and 10 soles, around 2.60 USD
Jorge F — Google review
Nice place to visit. Very relaxing. The water is a little on the cold side but feels good after the long hike to the falls. Be sure to ask prices from the venders before ordering. The food in the park was reasonable and good. The snack at the bottom before entering was extremely expensive. But souvenirs were reasonable
Mitch R — Google review
Amazing spot, simple and easy access, the water was refreshing.
Jordy S — Google review
It was cool mountain water, wonderfully refreshing!
Gerry N — Google review
Go early if you want to stay clear of crowds. 9am, 10 am most, at 11 is already full with people and you have to queue to take pictures.
Diana V — Google review
Wonderful! Water is cold but refreshing :)
Chris D — Google review
Pay for the big waterfall it's worth the hike.
Symon — Google review
Beautiful waterfall! Go in the morning to avoid middle day tourist growd. Touristy but nice to see.
Jenni K — Google review
4.5
(401)
4.3
(103)
Mentioned on 
Non-profit organization
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Amazon, Centro Urku is a remarkable conservation center dedicated to rescuing and protecting wildlife. Visitors can immerse themselves in the natural beauty surrounding this haven, which includes stunning sites like the Blue Lagoon Willow and Waterfall Carpishuyacu. The center focuses on rehabilitating animals such as monkeys and birds while educating guests about their behaviors and the threats they face from human activities like poaching and deforestation.
Amazing place where they rescue and save many different jungle animals. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. The tour takes about 45mins and is a very reasonable price.
James M — Google review
A very nice rescue center for animals. It also doubles as a teaching center. Inside e got a tour with explanation in English. Highly recommend visiting. Maybe in combination with the museum and orchid/ plant center which are within walking distance
Jeroen.Henrieke — Google review
Wow…an incredible experience and place. The employees and volunteers truly care about the work they’re doing and the animals in their care. They prioritize rehabilitation and balance respecting and understanding the animals, their preferences & behaviors, while recognizing the human-made threats (poaching/trafficking, deforestation/degradation) in their natural environments they face while roaming free. They’ve built a center that blends in with the surrounding environment, so much so that neighboring monos (monkeys) swing around above (you’ll know it’s them when the trees start moving). Make sure to use DEET-free natural bug spray, so you don’t hurt the butterflies :-) Muchísimas gracias a todos en El centro urku!
Yumi K — Google review
Very interesting conservation center focused on rescuing and protecting Amazonian wildlife. You can see different animals like monkeys, birds and other species, all in a natural environment where they are cared for with respect. The guides explain very well about the animals and the importance of conservation. A great place to learn more about the jungle and support a good cause. Totally recommended!
Adrian H — Google review
I went for the day tour and came back for the night tour. I was alone and they did their best to march me with a group. The night tour was one of the best experiences I had in Tarapoto, the guide was very knowledgeable and passionate. I highly recommend it to anyone passing by this beautiful city.
Willi — Google review
Insightful visit, lots of information and we were given extra time, as well as free access to the butterfly garden. Pilár, our guide, was friendly and knowledgeable. We learnt a lot. Don't miss this place with an important mission to rescue wild animals and rehabilitate them for release into the wild. Thank you for your service!
Eugenio C — Google review
A great place to get to know the wildlife of Tarapoto in a humane way! The center does daily tours every half hour (s/10) and also night tours which shows a whole different type of wildlife (which we booked with Tierra Verde tours). Make sure to pack your bug spray!
Camila B — Google review
A unique opportunity to see endangered animals up close, highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.
Niek — Google review
Prolongación Alerta Km 2,3 carretera a la Bocatoma del río Shilcayo, Tarapoto 22200, Peruhttps://www.centrourku.org/+51 980 375 156Tips and more reviews for Centro Urku
4.1
(12178)
Mentioned on 
Park
Plaza de Armas de Tarapoto is the vibrant heart of the city, surrounded by colonial-style buildings, shops, and eateries. It's a bustling hub where you can easily access key attractions like the Cathedral of Tarapoto and the Municipal Theater. The plaza offers a tranquil and secure environment with friendly locals, making it an ideal spot to relax or mingle with residents. Renovated to create more open space, it features striking monuments and fountains that add to its charm.
Beautiful central square. Very popular with locals.
Be B — Google review
Nice plaza to enjoy with family and friends alot stores and restaurants to enjoy in the day or night Time🇵🇪😎🙌🏽
Fisher P — Google review
It’s heart of the city. You can find almost everything near here like supermarkets, restaurants or tour companies. It’s good even for chilling or enjoying with the local people.
I ( — Google review
Good place to relax for free. Beautiful plants and lots of people.
Andrea S — Google review
In my opinion, it is a great place to spend some time, it's quite, secured, people is kind, there are many different banks so, you won't have problems to get your money and exchangers are everywhere/ en mi opinion, es un buen lugar para pasar un tiempo, es tranquilo, seguro, Las personas son amables, hay diferentes banvor para sacar dolares y cambistas por todos lados.
Zullis M — Google review
It's a beautiful plaza bustling with activity and family's eating ice cream and other snacks late at night.
Jeffrey P — Google review
Big deception. Nothing to see here. Abandoned central plaza needing repair and maintenance.
Luc P — Google review
Happy place!
Eugenio C — Google review
Mentioned on 
La Banda de Shilcayo District, situated near Tarapoto in Peru, is a favored spot for nature enthusiasts. It offers numerous eco-lodges and resorts, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a tranquil retreat surrounded by natural beauty.

Top places to eat

4.3
(2755)
4.2
(976)
Mentioned on 
affordable
Restaurant
La Patarashca Restaurante - Comida Amazónica is housed in a beautiful building and attracts many tourists. It offers regional cuisine, including dishes like tacacho con cecina and pollos de chacra a las brasas. The restaurant also introduces innovative recipes created by Dona Elia, such as patacones con cecina en salsa de chocolate.
Great restaurant. Went with the family and everyone loved the food as well as the service. The food was delicious and everyone loved it. Would 100% recommend to stop by and enjoy their food. The atmosphere was great as well. They had a pool and it felt like you were in the Amazonia. They had a great vibe.
Hans T — Google review
It was an amazing experience tonight having a delish supper in a faboulous place full of nice people , kind staff and superb food ! Highly recommended !🫰
Caridad M — Google review
We had an amazing experience at dinner tonight. The restaurant is upstairs, the bar side facing the street (very sleek bar!) and the dining area at the back, overlooking the hotel's leafy courtyard and swimming pool. Big fans cool down the air. The atmosphere is elegant and inspired by the Amazon rainforest: leafy, wood finishes, high rafters... like a house on stilts. You literally forget you're in the middle of Tarapoto! Our waiter, Júlio, was a real star (just like his tattoo): warm, helpful with recommendations and extremely patient as we tried to translate all the ingredients on the menu. We ordered the paiche with yucca purée and another whole fish "a la hoja", meaning grilled and served on a banana leaf. We also ordered the yucca bread with cheese and some patacones. All washed down by a lime & mandarin lemonade... and a pisco sour for me. All of this was very reasonably priced at 170 Soles. We can't wait to go back!!
Eugenio C — Google review
A missed opportunity to shine. Beautiful setting and decor, charming indoor landscaping, and great service. The kitchen, however, fails to deliver reasonable tasting dishes. We had a cuchi platter, a pork combination that read fabulous on the menu. Except for the sausage, the rest was overcooked, dry, and hard to chew. The pork chop was so hard; it was the kind of dry that shows on the plate. The cev/biche was neatly plated and colorful. But, chewy with a gummy texture. The place was busy, large tables too. Service was friendly and kind. No, I would not return or recommend. Consider other options for Amazonian food. Maybe the bar delivers good beverages, but the cocktails I saw didn't look special for their price-point. Expect to pay about 80 soles per person without alcohol or dessert.
Indy V — Google review
This place is beautiful and comfortable. The service was perfect and the food was very delicious. The chicha morada was amazing. The best my wife and I have had in awhile.
James M — Google review
We tried different dishes including some recommendations by the waiter. The service is great as well as the venue. However, the food is really bad. This is not authentic tasty jungle food by any means. If you are in search for authentic regional food, better make friends with some locals and ask them where are the traditional places. You’ll save a lot of money and enjoy better food.
Emilio G — Google review
This was my first selva restaurant in Tarapoto. The food was delicious. I tried paiche and tacachos for the first time. So good! I highly recommend it.
Carolina B — Google review
Absolutely amazed by the nice treatment and delighted by the food. All sort of local dishes and beverages, well explained, reliable. All of it surrounded by a comfortable ornamentation and furniture. A must-know experience when heading into Peruvian rainforest
Alejandro P — Google review
4.5
(750)
4.9
(489)
Mentioned on 
affordable
Italian restaurant
The Italian restaurant Café d' Mundo boasts a stunning ambiance with exquisite and enchanting decor, making it an ideal destination for a romantic evening. The delectable cuisine and refreshing sangria served here are simply delightful. For those seeking an intimate dining experience, it is advisable to make prior arrangements by calling ahead to reserve the special romantic table. In addition to its charming atmosphere, this establishment also offers polite and attentive service.
Delicious food. Nice atmosphere. Good music, fair prices.
Regina N — Google review
Beautiful outdoor setting and authentic decor. The night I visited, they had a piano player- very charming with a repertoire of Coldplay mostly. The pizza was very good, the cheese abundant but did not taste like Fior di latte or had that creaminess either. A good lasagna that was a good sharable. The frozen lemonade was a total miss, commercial with no natural flavor or lemon. A slushy more or less that did not match the rest of the meal. Very nice staff, friendly and welcoming. Mid-range price, they do little charges for some basics- like parmesan cheese shaving for the pasta.
Indy V — Google review
the food is okay, service was one of the best I had in Peru! The most amazing thing is the live piano music!! I came back twice in a row! price-performance ratio Is unbeatable. Pasta 5€, beer 2€. Can highly recommend overall.
Future. M — Google review
Everything about this place is great. The piano live music complete a wonderful experience in Tarapoto
Daniel N — Google review
Strong drinks and quick service, what else are you looking for...
Milky W — Google review
Very nice place. Great food. Service is polite.
Chris D — Google review
Been here two times. Italian owner but am not sure if he eats in his own restaurant often. I found the food mediocre. Pizza was undercooked. Pastas are either underseasoned or salty. Bit of hit and miss. They do have a traditional pizza oven and the atmosphere is excellent.
Steven N — Google review
Beautiful place, the decor is just amazing and romantic. Loved it! Plus the food and sangria were delicious. If you plan on going there for a romantic diner, make sure to call ahead and ask for the special romantic table... :)
Marie-Hélène C — Google review
Jr. Alegría Arias de Morey 177-193, Tarapoto 22202, Peruhttp://www.facebook.com/cafedmundooficial+51 993 450 351Tips and more reviews for Café d' Mundo
4.3
(964)
4.2
(457)
Mentioned on 
affordable
Restaurant
Cocina Amazónica Doña Zully is a highly recommended restaurant that offers delicious food in a lovely environment. The staff is focused on providing excellent service, and the prices are well-compensated for the quality of food and drinks offered. Visitors praise the homemade juices, particularly the "uba" or grape juice served ice-cold. The menu features tasty regional dishes at reasonable prices, with friendly and quick service.
I had a fantastic lunch at this Amazonian restaurant, where I tried "paiche," a traditional fish from the region. It was served with perfectly grilled vegetables and accompanied by three different sauces, each bursting with flavor. The seasoning was exceptional, and you could tell the spices were carefully balanced. The staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive, making the experience even more enjoyable. The location itself is also impressive, with a true Amazonian vibe - plenty of greenery and wooden furniture, which adds to the natural atmosphere. If you're ever in Tarapoto, I highly recommend visiting this place!
Miguel M — Google review
The meat was tough and the knifes were dull. Service was slow but the staff was really nice. The bathroom had no running water which was very surprising. It's hard to understand how I can't wash my hands. The price wasn't bad. Over all I would rate this restaurant at a 6 out of 10 with 10 being the best.
Sam P — Google review
What looked promised turned out sad. Nice location and at glance good service. The drink I ordered die not arrived even after asking for 4 times. We ordered house special grill mix and despite us confirming twice, the order of food was double which was visible only on the bill. The chicken was and meats were undercooked and in parts raw. While the waiter asked how we want our meat, I wasn't expecting that the chicken would be cooked medium 🤣 who does that? The rest of the meat was just meh Edit, as I'm sitting on the toilet with explosive outcome of this visit, felt right to change to one star. Good thing having Incafarm close bye.
Larry R — Google review
The food was ok. The restaurant is a bit of a disorganised mess, particularly as you enter. The kitchen is open but all that shows is the kitchen needs a deep clean. It has more pleasant seating at the back.
Gregor S — Google review
Good food average service. Medium prices 20 to 50 sole a plate. Regional food
Mitch R — Google review
Good place in the middle of the city. The dishes were tasty
Teobaldo N — Google review
Good traditional food at reasonable prices with friendly and quick service
Martín C — Google review
Mom and me love this place , we feel there loved and very well treated , food is amazing , drinks and fruit juices as well , staff is kind and very focused in serving . Qualify and prices are very well compensed ! Highly recommended
Caridad M — Google review
Jr. Antonio Raymondi 300, Tarapoto 22201, Peru+51 999 839 391Tips and more reviews for Cocina Amazónica Doña Zully
4.3
(2933)
3.9
(359)
Mentioned on 
affordable
Restaurant
La Collpa is a restaurant located in Tarapoto that offers a delightful selection of à la carte dishes such as patarashca de paiche, tacacho con cecina, and tilapia a la hoja. The restaurant's convenient location, just 10 minutes from the city's main square, makes it easily accessible for visitors. Its pleasant and welcoming atmosphere adds to the overall dining experience.
This Restaurant has a variety of local, regional and international food. I went for the G(C)ordon Blue and was not disappointed. Great and correct taste, loved it. Two of us chose the Lomo Saltado and loved it. And the chicken salad was convincing as well. A very friendly and comfortable restaurant with great food for every taste. We will definitely be back often.
Alexander H — Google review
La Collpa Restaurant is a gem in Tarapoto! The food is absolutely delicious, with a great mix of local flavors and fresh ingredients. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the staff is friendly and attentive. But what truly sets this place apart is the stunning view—it’s worth visiting just for that! Whether you’re craving traditional Peruvian dishes or something new, this place won’t disappoint. Highly recommended!
Bruce — Google review
Beautiful spot surrounded by nature with a very relaxing view. The food is excellent, especially the patarashca de paiche and the traditional juane. Both dishes were full of flavor and very well prepared. Very recommended!
Adrian H — Google review
It’s on a hill with a panoramic view. Paiche the fish with different suggestions was so lovely. They have an open kitchen. Nice, warm staff. It’s one of the good option in the city.
I ( — Google review
This was the most beautiful restaurant. The view from the dining area is absolutely breathtaking. The menu is incredibly large and the waiter was an absolute pleasure.
Daniel B — Google review
Yes the place is more expensive than others... but come on, take into consideration the quality and level or service, the view which is unusual... and you have enough to say yes it deserves it! Also the portions are significant and more than enough, the taste is there and still authentic. -- The only thing that could disturb you is that they are not able to serve altogether. I ordered a tiradito, kind of ceviche, raw fish while my girlfriend went with a steam cooked fish. Well between 5 to 10 minutes between both plates... 🙄 -- Go, try... you will be happy to spend your money there and might even consider to come back to try another dish 😋
Jonatan L — Google review
The view was amazing. But there was no air conditioner, just fan. And also plates was a little bit pricey if we compare with the other local restaurants. They have almost every different kind of fish. You can try variety of sauces here
Hafize O — Google review
Great venue and tasty food.
Jordy S — Google review
GJ8V+JC5, Tarapoto 22202, Peru+51 42 532009Tips and more reviews for La Collpa
4.4
(886)
4.2
(301)
Mentioned on 
affordable
Italian restaurant
Peruvian restaurant
The Italian restaurant Chalet Venezia offers exceptionally delicious cuisine, along with warm and skilled customer service, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Their menu features a delectable 1A Filet Mignon dish priced at 37 Bolivianos, complemented by a generous Big Cusquena beverage for 9 Bolivianos. Additionally, they offer various other enticing dishes ranging between 20 and 40 Bolivianos.
Very tasty pizza! I personally recommend the bolognese. The friendly was very friendly and attentive. Beautiful terrace too.
Adrian H — Google review
Iconic restaurant in Tarapoto. Nice terrace with constant mototaxi traffic on the street but with acceptable noise level. The service was excellent for the jungle. I ordered a filet mignon and the steak came out cooked to my order and was tender and good; however, the food temperature was lower than it should have been as if it took a while to bring it to the table. The veggies were crispy and good but a bit oily and room temperature. I found the patato portion too big.
Luc P — Google review
Good friendly service. Food was a letdown - watery Alfredo sauce and moist fries. Nice atmosphere though
Rayner A — Google review
Great food. One of the best places for pizza.
John F — Google review
I had lunch at Chalet Venezia today with my wife and three friends. It was easy to book a table, though not necessary as the restaurant wasn't full at 13:00. The owner came over to greet my friend and recommended the paiche as it came fresh this morning. Luckily, it's exactly what we came for! Myself and my wife had the ceviche de paiche, while my friends had it grilled, with French fries and a side salad. I can only rate our ceviche and it was very tasty, with hot sauce on the side. My friends' French fries looked awful though... They had a beer, I had sparkling water with lime and a Corona Cero. The ceviche came at S.45. Service was fast and the ambience very nice. If I weren't leaving Tarapoto I'd go back forn sure, for more ceviche.
Eugenio C — Google review
The service here was absolutely amazing. The selection on the menu is great and the food is impeccable. I will definently be back here again! They have a decent kids menu for a good price. Desserts are to die for. Wish I was not leaving Tarapoto in 2 days. If I could rate then higher than a 5 star I would.
Ashley O — Google review
We had 🍕 and lasagna the 🍕 was really good and tasty but the lasagna is not worth to try, we had also peruvian wine which was really good. You should try pisco sour too really ammazing. The staff are profesionales.
Amin S — Google review
during my visits in Tarapoto, our retreat leaders chose this place to meet on our last day together.. lots of interesting menu items. i enjoyed the food. although all i had was a seafood salad and some yucca fries and a little bit of chicken from my friend's dish
Joe Z — Google review
Jr. Alegría Arias de Morey 298, Tarapoto 22202, Peru+51 42 522104Tips and more reviews for Chalet Venezia
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