Tingo Maria: A Vibrant City in the High Jungle of Peru

Tingo Maria Description

Tingo Maria is a hot and humid city nestled in the selva alta, which refers to the high jungle zone where the eastern foothills of the Andes meet the dense jungles of the Amazon Basin. Despite the heat, this energetic city, home to about 60,000 residents, is always abuzz with activity. Locals navigate the streets in mototaxis or on foot, while street vendors and market stall owners engage passersby with lively cries and shouts. Moreover, university students inject a youthful vibrancy into the city’s atmosphere.

Historically, Tingo Maria has not been a favored destination for international travelers, primarily due to its isolation until the early 1940s and a tarnished reputation stemming from the Shining Path movement in the 1980s and 1990s. Although the city still grapples with the lingering effects of drug trafficking in the Upper Huallaga Valley, it is now attracting more Peruvian and international tourists, largely due to the lush flora, diverse fauna, and stunning landscapes of Tingo Maria National Park. While the city itself may not be captivating for everyone, the surrounding hills, adorned with dense vegetation and shrouded in clouds, offer plentiful opportunities for exploration.

Things to Do in Tingo Maria

Navigating Tingo Maria is easy, as the city is small enough to explore on foot. The Rio Huallaga forms the city’s western boundary, serving as a good point of reference.

The activities in the city are limited, contributing to the constant flow of pedestrians along La Alameda Perú, the main thoroughfare. Groups of friends, families, and couples frequent the street, especially during the evenings, enjoying conversations, laughter, and spontaneous encounters with acquaintances.

Occasionally, bands, dancers, and performers set up in or around the main square, located midway along Alameda. The city’s main market, situated at the southern end of the street, features a variety of goods, from socks to soups. Heading a bit further south, visitors will discover a botanical garden that boasts over 2,000 different types of tropical plants.

Eating, Drinking, and Dancing

For those in search of regional street food, a short walk north along Alameda will bring you to a collection of grills on the left side of the street, offering delectables like grilled chicken, local fish, and regional delicacies such as juanes, cecina, and tacacho.

While few restaurants stand out, there are some acceptable cevicherias (ceviche) and a couple of decent chifas (Chinese), alongside numerous unremarkable eateries serving traditional dishes and chicken. For superior grilled meats, visit El Carbón located at Av. Raymondi 435.

Nightlife in Tingo Maria can be explored along Alameda, where a few bars present varying atmospheres—some appear trendy while others seem uninviting. Fun and lively discotecas like La Cabaña and Happy World can be found on or near the main street, adding to the local charm.

Where to Stay

Tingo Maria offers a decent range of budget hotels, though hot water may not be guaranteed. Hostal Palacio, located at Av. Raymondi 158, provides an affordable and relatively secure option right in the city center, with many rooms surrounding a central courtyard. A block down the street lies Hotel Internacional at Av. Raymondi 232, slightly pricier, offering cleanliness and hot water but lacking charm.

For a more upscale stay, consider Hotel Oro Verde (Av. Iquitos Cuadra 10, Castillo Grande), which is just a short mototaxi ride from the city center. With amenities such as a pool and restaurant available to non-guests, Oro Verde serves as a serene retreat from the hustle of Tingo’s central streets.

Tingo Maria National Park and Other Surrounding Attractions

Just south of Tingo Maria, the picturesque Parque Nacional Tingo Maria (Tingo Maria National Park) awaits. This natural gem is home to the famous Bella Durmiente (Sleeping Beauty), a series of hills resembling a slumbering woman from the city’s vantage point.

The park also features La Cueva de Las Lechuzas (Cave of the Owls), which harbors a colony of nocturnal guácharos (oilbirds, or Steatornis caripensis). These fascinating birds, along with bats and parrots, glide through awe-inspiring formations of stalactites and stalagmites within the cave. If you carry a flashlight, remember to use it only to navigate your path; pointing it directly at the nesting birds disturbs the colony.

Numerous waterfalls and other natural attractions, such as La Cueva de Las Pavas, provide family-friendly spaces beside crystal-clear waters, while the Velo de Las Ninfas waterfall offers additional splendor. Visitors can hire official guides in the city center to help them explore the wealth of caves, waterfalls, and swimming spots scattered throughout the area.

Getting to Tingo Maria

Since October 2012, LCPerú, one of Peru’s smaller domestic airlines, has been providing daily flights between Lima and Tingo Maria. This service represents the sole scheduled passenger flight connecting Tingo with the capital.

Buses run frequently between Tingo Maria and Lima, with the journey taking approximately 12 hours. These buses typically traverse Huánuco (around two hours from Tingo) and the elevated city of Cerro de Pasco. Notably, top-tier bus companies like Cruz del Sur and Ormeño do not serve Tingo Maria directly, although companies such as Bahía Continental and Transportes León de Huánuco do operate the route, with Bahía generally preferred.

Travelers can continue eastward into the low jungle towards Pucallpa (about 5 to 6 hours by shared taxi, slightly longer by bus) or head north to the mountainous city of Tarapoto in San Martin (8 to 10 hours). Both routes carry potential concerns regarding drug trafficking and robberies, so it’s advisable to travel cautiously. Always opt for reputable transportation options for safety along these routes.