Puerto Maldonado at a glance
Puerto Maldonado sits on the Madre de Dios river in southeastern Peru. It is the base for lodges and day trips into the Tambopata National Reserve and the area around it. You fly in from Lima or drive in from Cusco, then continue by boat and on foot.
The reserve is managed by the Peruvian protected areas agency SERNANP. This site is an independent guide and has no link to the agency, to any lodge or to any tour operator. Fees and rules below come from the agency's pages, which carry no date, so confirm them before you travel.
Getting to Tambopata
The sector you choose decides how long you spend on the river.
| Sector | Travel from Puerto Maldonado | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Sandoval | About 30 minutes by boat plus a 3 km walk | The closest sector, so a short transfer |
| Medio Tambopata | About 3 hours by boat plus a walk | Longer transfer, more time in the forest |
| Alto Tambopata | About 5.5 hours by boat | The longest river trip of the three |
Access runs through authorized operators. The reserve lists visiting hours from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day and no free-entry days. You register at a control post and walk only on marked trails with a guide. Ask your operator which sector your package uses and how long the boat leg takes each way. A short transfer leaves more of the day for guided walks, and a long one can use up most of an arrival day.
Our picks: tours from Puerto Maldonado
Tambopata stays of three and four days, with notes on entry fees and meals.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
4-day Tambopata rainforest tour
Reserve entry, bilingual guides, water, meals and transfers from the main office. The listing does not spell out the accommodation or number of nights. Soft drinks, alcohol, tips, breakfast on day 1 and lunch on the last day are extra.
Check availability →Tambopata lodge stay, 3 days and 2 nights
Two lodge nights with two breakfasts, lunches and dinners, pickup from the airport or bus station, transport between activities, equipment and entry fees. Flights or buses to and from Puerto Maldonado are not included.
Check availability →
3-day Tambopata National Reserve tour
Two nights, a guide, airport or bus station transfers, and two breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Reserve entry and the zipline can be added at extra cost; tips are not included.
Check availability →Tambopata tours and lodge stays
Two- to four-day lodge packages from Puerto Maldonado, with live prices and availability.
Tambopata reserve fees
General fees in Peruvian soles, from the reserve page without a date.
| Stay | General visitor | National adult | National minor | Local resident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | 30 PEN | 15 PEN | 8 PEN | 8 PEN |
| 2 to 3 days | 60 PEN | 30 PEN | 15 PEN | 15 PEN |
| 4 to 30 days | 150 PEN | 75 PEN | 35 PEN | 35 PEN |
Children aged 5 to 16 count as minors in the national and local categories, and children under 5 enter free. Locals need a national ID. Package tours often include the fee, but the Tambopata 3-day offers on booking sites differ, so read the includes list. Some clay-lick (collpa) visits may carry extra charges, so ask your lodge.
A community lodge example
One operator's published terms, not a market average.
Posada Amazonas describes itself as a lodge on the land of the Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno, directly connected to Tambopata. A stay in this region does not automatically mean a stay inside the national reserve boundary, so ask where your lodge sits.
The operator lists transfers by road for about 1 hour and by boat for about 1 hour. A shared transfer runs daily for guests who arrive before 1 p.m. It suggests return flights from 11:30 a.m. onward, which is advice and not a flight-schedule guarantee. The advertised package of 3 days and 2 nights starts at $1,266 per person in a double room, as listed in October 2026. Room rates listed separately run from $844 to $1,237 per night on a different basis, so do not convert one into the other.
Season, health and rules
What the park agency and the CDC say.
When to go
The reserve recommends May to October for visits and lists the rainy season from December to March. April and November fall between the two seasons, so ask your operator about water levels on your dates.
Best time to visit →Malaria and yellow fever
The CDC lists malaria transmission in Puerto Maldonado and recommends yellow fever vaccination from 9 months of age for areas such as Madre de Dios. Peru does not require proof for entry according to the CDC. Ask a travel medicine clinic about your own plan. This site gives no medication details.
Travel tips →Entry to Peru
US citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa. German citizens can stay up to 90 days per half year and Austrians up to 90 days, although the granted stay can be shorter. Swiss citizens should ask the embassy for the current rule. German, Austrian and US sources ask for a passport valid for six months.
Respect the forest
Do not disturb animals, do not feed them and take your waste with you. Do not ask for photos with wild animals in your arms. A guide must accompany you on marked trails.
Plan the rest of your trip
Other places and topics.
Puerto Maldonado: frequently asked questions
How do I get to Puerto Maldonado?
Most visitors fly from Lima, a flight of about 1 hour 20 minutes. The road from Cusco is 465 km and takes about 10 hours. Check airline schedules for your dates.
Which Tambopata sector is best?
That depends on your time. Sandoval is about 30 minutes by boat plus a 3 km walk, Medio Tambopata about 3 hours and Alto Tambopata about 5.5 hours. Longer transfers mean less time at your lodge.
Do I need a guide?
Yes. The reserve limits access to authorized operators, and visitors walk marked trails with a guide after registering at a control post.
What does the reserve fee cost?
The general fee is 30 PEN for one day, 60 PEN for 2 to 3 days and 150 PEN for 4 to 30 days. Many packages include it, so check your includes list.
Is Tambopata a malaria area?
The CDC lists malaria transmission around Puerto Maldonado. Speak to a travel medicine clinic well before you leave.