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Tarapoto

Tarapoto straddles the base of the Andean foothills, providing an unlikely entry ticket into the vast jungles of eastern Peru. A sweltering rainforest metropolis, it dips its toe into the Amazon Basin while managing to cling to the rest of Peru by the umbilical cord of a long paved road back to civilization. People come here more for the sights that surround the town than the town itself – although it's by no means an unpleasant place. From Tarapoto you can take the plunge deeper into the Amazon, or just enjoy the easily accessible jungle-lite, with plenty of places to stay and eat, and reliable connections to the coast. There’s a bunch of natural sights to explore nearby, from waterfalls to lagoons, while river-running opportunities will entertain the adventure-seeking contingent.

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Tarapoto.

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