Puerto Maldonado Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Puerto Maldonado tours and things to do in Peru’s gateway to the southern Amazon: stay at a jungle lodge in the Tambopata National Reserve, canoe on mirror-still Lake Sandoval, watch hundreds of macaws at a clay lick, spot caimans, monkeys and giant otters, and cross a rainforest canopy walkway. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Puerto Maldonado by interest
Whatever brings you to Puerto Maldonado — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Tambopata Reserve
Protected jungle.
ExploreLake Sandoval
Otters & caimans.
ExploreJungle lodge
Sleep in the forest.
ExploreMacaw clay lick
Dawn spectacle.
ExploreWildlife walks
Day & night.
ExploreCanopy walkway
Treetop views.
ExploreMulti-day trips
Deeper jungle.
ExploreAmazon highlights
Jungle & lakes.
ExploreTop attractions in Puerto Maldonado
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Tambopata Reserve
Protected jungle.
Lake Sandoval
Otters & caimans.
Jungle Lodge
Sleep in the forest.
Macaw Clay Lick
Dawn spectacle.
Wildlife Walks
Day & night.
Canopy Walkway
Treetop views.
Eco Jungle Tour
Rainforest days.
Amazon Highlights
Jungle & lakes.
Day trip awayLake Sandoval
Otters & caimans.
Dawn awayMacaw Clay Lick
Hundreds of parrots.
Multi-day awayTambopata Reserve
Protected jungle.
Multi-day awayJungle Lodge
Sleep in the forest.
Half day awayCanopy Walkway
Treetop views.
Day & night awayWildlife Walk
Monkeys & caimans.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Puerto Maldonado visitor asks before booking.
Dry (May–Oct)
Less rain and easier trails — the best time.
Peak
June to August is busiest and driest.
Wet (Nov–Apr)
Hot, lush and rainy, with high rivers.
For clay licks
The dry season brings the biggest macaw gatherings.
For wildlife
Dry-season low water concentrates animals.
Best overall
May to October for drier, easier jungle days.
One day
A Lake Sandoval canoe trip.
Two–three days
A lodge stay with a clay lick.
Four+ days
Deeper Tambopata expeditions.
For the reserve
Multi-day lodge stays in Tambopata.
For birdwatching
Early starts for the macaw clay licks.
For the lakes
Lake Sandoval canoe trips.
By river
Motorised canoes reach the jungle lodges.
By road
Transfers link town, the airport and river ports.
On foot
Guided trails explore the rainforest.
By moto-taxi
Three-wheel taxis buzz around town.
Where to stay
Stay at a jungle lodge for the full experience.
Peruvian sol
Peru uses the sol; carry cash for the jungle.
Lodges
Book a lodge package — it includes all activities.
Clay licks
Start before dawn to catch the macaws.
Lake Sandoval
Go early for the calmest water and wildlife.
What to bring
Insect repellent, long sleeves and a rain layer.
Malaria & yellow fever
Ask your doctor about vaccines and tablets.
Reserve fee
Tambopata entry is often included in tours.
Jungle lodges
Lodges fill up in dry season — book ahead.
Clay lick tours
Dawn tours fill up — reserve early.
Lake Sandoval
Day trips fill up — book ahead.
Canopy walkway
Popular slots fill up — reserve early.
Multi-day trips
Longer expeditions fill up — book ahead.
Dry-season peak
June to August is busiest — book far ahead.
Lake Sandoval
Around €55 for a full-day trip.
Clay lick
About €90 for a macaw clay lick tour.
Jungle lodge
Roughly €240 for a 3-day, 2-night stay.
Canopy walkway
Around €62 for a half-day canopy tour.
Multi-day
From €255 for a deeper Tambopata expedition.
How to save
Join a group lodge tour rather than a private one.
Puerto Maldonado through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Best wildlife.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
- Best for
- Warm & drier.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great.
- Best for
- Lush & green.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Rainy.
- Best for
- High rivers.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Humid.