Tarapoto

The department of San Martin, in the Higher Jungle of northeastern Peru, is a colorful corner of the country, with unusual scenery and enormous contrasts, offering the visitor adventure without limit in exuberant forests, mythical lagoons, fantastic waterfalls and rolling rivers.

The history of the department of San Martin provides evidence of man's struggle against a rugged geography. Hundreds of years ago, the people of this region built unique citadels, such as the Gran Pajatén (Great Pajatén), in the Rio Abiseo National Park, an architectural monument considered to be the greatest and the boldest in architectural design in all Peru.

Founded September 14, 1906, the department of San Martin has Tarapoto as its tourist and trade center. The city lies between the valleys of the Cumbaza and Shilcayo rivers and is the converging point for all land and air systems in the three regions, sierra, coast and jungle, in this part of Peru.

Tarapoto, founded in 1782 by Baltazar Martínez Jiménez de Compañón, is surrounded by fascinating tourist attractions. The resort of Cumbaza; the petroglyphs and archeological remains of Polish, with plant and animal motifs; the falls of Ahuashiyacu and Venecia lagoon, are but a few of its magic spots.

The "Ciudad de las Palmeras" (the City of Palm Trees), Tarapoto is the starting point for all circuits leading to Moyobamba. Capital of the department, in the Valley of the Alto Mayo or "Valle de las Orquideas" (Valley of Orchids), in the province of Lama, Mayobamba is a town that has preserved immemorial traditions. The nearby Laguna Azul ("Blue Lagoon") and Lago Lindo ("Beautiful Lake") have surfaces as peaceful as mirrors, and are exceptionally beautiful.

Due to its strategic location, and its economic and tourist development, Tarapoto is also the entry point for excursions to the citadel of Kuelap, in the department of Amazonas; a huge fortress of stone, 584 meters long and 110 meters wide, built on the summit of a mountain.