Last updated on February 16, 2025
In March we traveled to Lima to visit JC’s family and escape the cold of Berlin. JC and I always try to take mini trips while visiting his family in Peru to discover new destinations, for example Cusco, Ica, Mancora, etc. This time I really wanted to go to the Amazon jungle. We originally planned to go to Madre de Dios. However, due to the protests in that part of Peru, we decided it was too dangerous to travel and rebooked our travel plans for Tarapoto instead. Tarapoto is a city north of Lima, located on the border of the Amazon rainforest. It is known for the Blue Lagoon, but also for the many waterfalls and natural wildlife that are all nearby. JC and I knew that for this trip we wanted to escape the city and immerse ourselves in the jungle. Find out below how to plan a trip to the Amazon jungle in Peru, as well as our 2-night Tarapoto itinerary.
Read more: How to plan your trip to Mancora and Vichayito | Peru
How to get to Tarapoto from Lima?
Tarapoto is an easy 1 hour and 20 minute flight from Lima. Flights depart every day with LATAM. Tarapoto Airport is located in the city of Tarapoto. If you are staying in the jungle like us, you will have to drive more than 1 hour from the airport to reach your accommodation.
Where to stay in Tarapoto; How to plan your trip to the Amazon jungle
When we traveled to Tarapoto we stayed in the Bosque Guardian Lodge which is almost an hour’s drive from Tarapoto airport. We chose this lodge based on its relative proximity to the airport and also its proximity to some of the most popular waterfalls in the area. It was also the only lodge we could find that was actually within the protected area. Other lodges or hotels are located in Tarapoto town or near the town Blue Lagoonwhich is more than a 2-hour drive from the airport. The lodge is beautiful. You really feel like you’ve gotten away from it all. We didn’t see many other visitors during our stay. We loved our jungle bungalow. We had a four-poster bed with fly net, a large balcony with hammock and a beautiful outdoor bathroom and shower. It was exactly the kind of secluded setting we were looking for, with luxurious amenities at an affordable price.
What to do at Bosque Guardian Lodge in Tarapoto; How to plan your trip to the Amazon jungle
Bosque Guardian offers many different excursions and activities that are all included in the price of your stay. On their website you can view the many different excursions that are offered here. Our first excursion was an afternoon walk to discover “los árboles Guardianes” or the large guardian trees of the jungle. I would highly recommend this excursion as the huge trees were remarkable and it was an easy walk and a reasonable duration. We followed this activity with an excursion to discover a hidden pond, or “poza sescondida,” complete with waterfalls. This was also very nice, because we could bathe in the pond. That evening, after dinner, we took a night walk, “caminata de fauna nocturna” and spotted poisonous frogs, snakes and even a tarantula. This was my favorite excursion, as well as JC’s, because we enjoy looking for animals.
The next morning we woke up at 5 am to look for (and listen to) jungle birds during the walk “despertar de la selva”. We heard some birds but saw none, making it a disappointing morning. I wouldn’t recommend this excursion, especially since you have to wake up so early. After breakfast we continued with a guide to discover several waterfalls of the ‘Cataratas El Progreso’. This was another highlight. We had the falls all to ourselves and were allowed to bathe in all three waterfalls.
In addition to the free excursions, Bosque Guardian also offers services such as massages for a surcharge. JC and I both had a one hour massage; it was a really great way to unwind and relax in the jungle. I can only recommend it!
The food at Bosque Guardian
Bosque Guardian has its own restaurant in the middle of the jungle, called “Callampa”. I had never eaten jungle food before, but I can definitely say that Bosque Guardian’s cuisine exceeded all my expectations. The food was fantastic. For breakfast we had fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, French toast and cheeses. For lunch and dinner we had everything from ceviche to fried rice with vegetables to steamed fish served in large banana leaves with a side of banana chips. With every meal we were always served delicious fresh juices, made from fruit from the Bosque Guardian gardens. A gastronomic dining experience in the heart of the jungle, using all local ingredients, you couldn’t ask for anything more. Being in the middle of the jungle you don’t really have any other options for dining, but I can say that even if you had more options you wouldn’t want to eat anywhere else.
Overall, we had a fantastic stay at Bosque Guardian, and I would highly recommend it to anyone traveling to Tarapoto. The quality of the bungalows, the food, the excursions included in the price of the accommodation, it really is fantastic value. The ethos of the establishment, with its focus on conservation, makes it a very special place.
We hope this post helps you plan your trip to the Amazon jungle in Peru! Have you traveled to Tarapoto before? Let us know what you did and enjoyed! Have you traveled to other parts of the Peruvian Amazon? Let us know about your experiences and where we should go next!
