Puerto Maldonado
Go for guided rainforest walks, river wildlife and macaw clay licks, with most lodges reached by boat from town.
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Puerto Maldonado is a river town in Madre de Dios, the Amazon region of southeastern Peru, where the Madre de Dios and Tambopata rivers meet. Many travelers pass through it on the way to the rainforest. Boats and road transfers from the town reach lodges in the Tambopata National Reserve and nearby protected areas. The town has the airport, hotels and tour offices that make those trips possible.
Wildlife is the main reason to come, especially at the Tambopata clay lick, where macaws and parrots gather on riverbanks. The trip suits nature lovers who are comfortable with heat, humidity and simple lodges. The dry season, roughly May through October, is the best time: trails are easier to walk and river levels are lower. Many boat trips start early in the morning, so a room near the river helps. Plan at least three nights in the area, and more if you want a longer lodge stay.
Puerto Maldonado in five
- Book a licensed operator for the reservesTrips into the Tambopata reserve and to Lake Sandoval go with licensed guides and boat operators. Compare what each tour includes, such as the boat, meals and reserve fees, before you pay.Tours and tickets
- Carry soles in small notesPeru uses the sol (PEN). Many market stalls, boat drivers and mototaxi drivers may not be able to change a large note, so break bills at a shop or hotel early in the day.Money and costs
- Agree the mototaxi fare before you climb inMototaxis are the usual way around town. Settle the price with the driver first, and carry small notes for the ride.
- Pack repellent and long sleeves for the forestMosquitoes are active on the river trips and in the forest. Bring a repellent with DEET and light long sleeves for the boat and the trails.
- Check yellow fever and malaria advice before you flyMadre de Dios is a jungle region, and vaccine and prophylaxis advice differs by route and health history. Ask a travel clinic at least several weeks before you leave.Travel insurance
Things to do in Puerto Maldonado
See all attractions in Puerto Maldonado
Need to know
- Currency
- Sol (PEN)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports, up to 183 days; check the stay limit on Migraciones Read more
- Emergency
- 105 police, 116 fire, 106 ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected in markets; about 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added
- Time
- UTC-5, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Rainy seasonJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 412 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- FebruaryRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Rainy, high waterFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 419 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, high water
- MarchRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Rainy seasonMarchRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 338 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- AprilRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Rains easingAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 199 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains easing
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh29°Low20°Drier, humidMayRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, humid
- JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh29°Low20°Dry seasonJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low19°Dry, coolerJulyClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler
- AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh33°Low20°Dry, wildlifeAugustClear
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, wildlife
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh35°Low22°Dry, hotSeptemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- OctoberRain19 rainy daysHigh33°Low22°Hot, rains startOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 197 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rains start
- NovemberRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low22°Rains startNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 300 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rains start
- DecemberRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Rainy seasonDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 453 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
Average daily high and low in Puerto Maldonado, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Puerto Maldonado
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 35°
- Humidity
- 77%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 77%
Puerto Maldonado
05:41 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today33°23°77%Monday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 77%.
- Tue34°23°58%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 34°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Wed35°24°18%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 35°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Thu34°25°63%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 34°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Fri30°23°61%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Sat34°23°88%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 34°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Sun25°20°75%Sunday: Rain. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 75%.
Updated 04:53 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 3.467 PEN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Lake Sandovalby boat from townAn oxbow lake with a boardwalk and a good chance to see wildlife on a guided walk.Read the guide
- Tambopata research centreby boat from townA longer river trip to lodges and trails deep in the reserve, often with a clay lick nearby.Read the guide
- Colpa de Chuncho clay lickby boat from townA short boat trip to a clay lick where parrots and macaws gather in the morning.Read the guide
Before you go to Puerto Maldonado
Rules for Puerto Maldonado, checked
- Many passports enter Peru visa-free for a set stay; check your allowed stay length on the Migraciones site before you book.Source
- Access to the protected areas around Puerto Maldonado is managed by SERNANP; check current entry rules on its site before you travel.Source
- Do not buy animal parts, feathers or wild-caught animals; trade in protected species is illegal and can be confiscated.
- Dial 105 for police anywhere in Peru, and keep a photo of your passport and entry stamp with you.
Plan around Puerto Maldonado
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Peru trip
Read the guideGetting around PeruFlights, buses and transfers into and out of the Amazon
Read the guideVisas and entryStay limits and entry checks before you book a flight
Read the guideWhere to stayTown hotels and jungle lodges, with the trade-offs of each
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for food, rides and tours
Read the guideTours and ticketsHow to compare boat trips and guided reserve visits
Read the guidePuerto Maldonado FAQ
How do you get to Puerto Maldonado?
Most visitors fly into Padre Aldamiz airport from Lima or Cusco. The road from Cusco is a long bus journey of many hours, so book a flight unless you plan to travel overland.
How many days do you need in Puerto Maldonado?
Two to four days works well. One day covers the town, and the rest goes to boat trips into the reserves, which often start early in the morning.
Can you visit the Tambopata reserve without a guide?
Access to the reserves is normally through licensed operators, not independent trips. Check the current rules with SERNANP before you book a tour.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Maldonado?
June to August is the drier season, with fewer rain interruptions on the river trips. The rainy season from December to March brings higher water and more mud on the trails.
Is Puerto Maldonado worth visiting?
Yes if you want rainforest and wildlife. It is a practical base for boat trips, but the town itself is small and busy, so most time goes to the river and the forest.