Best Places to Visit in Peru – Tingo Maria
Travel to Peru and Visit a Special Peru Destination
Jun 22, 2009
One of the lesser known places to visit in Peru, Tingo Maria is the ideal escape from either the hustle and bustle of Lima, the cold of the upper Andes, or the more well-trodden and tourist laden gringo trail.
Located in the Huanuco department of Peru, Tingo Maria lies at the foot of the Andean range but is distinctly a jungle town. Warm and humid with a friendly population of approximately 60,000, this tropical university town is a fine place to take a break while visiting the nearby Tingo Maria National Park with its waterfalls, rivers and caves. It is also a great town to visit during the festival of San Juan on June 24th.
Best Places to Visit in Peru – Tingo Maria and Tingo Maria National Park
Tingo Maria is surrounded by densely vegetated mountains in the midst of which run numerous tributaries of the Rio Huallaga which, over time, have formed various waterfalls and caves.
To the south of town lies the beautiful and easily accessible Parque Nacional Tingo Maria, home to the Bella Dormiente (Sleeping Beauty), a range of hills which from the city have the appearance of a sleeping woman.
Also within the Tingo Maria National Park is La Cueva de Las Lechuzas (Cave of the Owls), home to a colony of ‘guácharos’ or oilbirds. The oilbirds, alongside bats and parrots, swoop amongst the fascinating formations of stalactites and stalagmites in the darkness of the cave (a flashlight is a good idea but only use it to see where you are stepping; pointing it directly at the nesting birds disturbs the colony).
Popular destinations outside the Tingo Maria National Park but still easily accessible from Tingo Maria include La Cueva de Las Pavas, a ravine where families gather to spend the day beside the crystalline waters, and the Velo de Las Ninfaswaterfall. Many other caves, waterfalls and swimming spots can be found nearby: ask the friendly locals for advice.
What to Do in Tingo Maria, Huanuco, Peru – Travel Destinations
Tingo Maria is small and easily navigated on foot. The Rio Huallaga cuts through the eastern side of the town and provides a good reference point. Day and night the main street (Alameda Peru) is a hive of activity where students stroll and traditional music and dance can be heard and seen in the main square (Plaza Leoncido Prado). The two floors of the market are also worth visiting.
There are many places to eat ranging from market stalls, cevicherías (seafood, best for lunch), and chifas (Chinese). The best place in town for traditional regional dishes is El Carbón.
For drinking and dancing try La Cabaña or Happy World.
Where to Stay in Tingo Maria: Hotels and Resorts
A decent spread of budget hotels gives the new arrival a degree of choice. Don’t expect hot water, but some budget options will have cable TV. Hotel Palacio is a good budget option with cool, clean rooms. One block down on the same street (Avenida Raimondi) is Hotel Internacional, a slight step up in quality and cost but very secure with attentive staff.
A higher end option is the Hotel Oro Verde resort, a short mototaxi ride from the town centre, which has its own well kept swimming pool. If not staying at the hotel itself, this pool can be used for a small fee, and is a refreshing escape from the heat.
Places to Visit in Peru from Tingo Maria: Buses To and From Lima, Huanuco, Pucallpa and Tarapoto
Tingo Maria is well connected to Lima by frequent buses (12 hours approx.) which also serve destinations in between such as Huanuco. Onward travel is possible to Pucallpa in bus or shared taxi, or further north to Tarapoto. Both these routes have at times been slightly risky due to drug trafficking and robberies but are currently relatively secure. Check the latest situation before you leave.
The best option for visiting the sites around Tingo Maria itself and in the Tingo Maria National Park is to hop into a mototaxi, the three-wheeled motorbikes seen throughout town. If more information is needed while in Tingo Maria, ask at the hotel reception, or perhaps pay a visit to one of the English Language Institutes where they are always more than willing to help.
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