The Amazon rainforest of Puerto Maldonado is warm, vibrant, and deeply alive. Every sound, every scent, and every movement through the trees reminds you that you are in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. If you are searching for the best things to do in Puerto Maldonado, here is a complete guide, updated to 2026, to help you plan your trip.
Is Puerto Maldonado worth visiting?
Puerto Maldonado is absolutely worth visiting, not only as the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon, but also because it offers a natural experience unlike any other region in the country. It’s one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, with records exceeding 600 bird species, more than 1,200 butterfly species, and a density of wildlife that surprises even seasoned travelers.
- It’s more accessible and less crowded than Iquitos or Manu because it receives fewer tourists and has direct flights from Lima and Cusco that take just one hour.
- It boasts high-quality lodges offering authentic experiences, from family-run eco-lodges to accommodations within the Tambopata National Reserve
- The tours are incredibly varied: wildlife viewing, adventure, culture, Amazonian cuisine, canopy tours, kayaking, excursions to lakes like Sandoval, and in-depth expeditions that reach remote and difficult-to-access areas.
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9 Best things to do in Puerto Maldonado
If you’re planning your trip to the best place in the jungle, we recommend 9 Best things to do in Puerto Maldonado, even if you take the full day Puerto Maldonado because these activities will allow you to make the most of every moment among lakes, wildlife, and Amazonian landscapes.
1. Visit the nature reserves
The Tambopata National Reserve is the crown jewel of Puerto Maldonado and one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Covering more than 274,000 hectares (677,000 acres) of pristine rainforest, Tambopata is home to an astonishing variety of wildlife: over 1,200 species of butterflies, more than 600 species of birds, 100 species of mammals, and nearly 10,000 plant species.
This is one of the few places on Earth where travelers still experience true primary Amazon rainforest, untouched, immense, and full of life. The reserve protects ecosystems that shelter jaguars, tapirs, harpy eagles, giant river otters, black caimans, and at least seven species of monkeys.
What makes it so special?
It hosts one of the world’s largest macaw clay licks (the Chuncho Clay Lick), where dozens of scarlet, blue-and-yellow, and red-and-green macaws gather each morning.
- The concentration of wildlife is so high that researchers consider Tambopata a “global biodiversity hotspot.”
- Lodges inside the reserve offer a deep-immersion jungle experience, far from noise and crowds.
- Night walks canopy towers, river excursions, and guided hikes make every day different and full of wildlife sightings.
Visit the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick
Watch more than 100 parrots and macaws gather at a natural clay wall during sunrise. This phenomenon, considered one of the most impressive wildlife spectacles in South America, lets you observe their colorful plumage, interactions, and natural behavior in a completely wild setting.
Explore Lake Sandoval
Navigate the calm waters of this protected oxbow lake, home to giant river otters, red howler monkeys, hoatzins, black caimans, and hundreds of bird species. It’s one of the best places in the Peruvian Amazon to see wildlife in its natural habitat.
Guided Jungle walks
Walk through the rainforest with an expert naturalist who will teach you about medicinal plants, insects, camouflaged species, and the fascinating nocturnal life that awakens after sunset. Each walk reveals a different side of the Amazon ecosystem.
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2. Take the tour to Lake Sandoval
Lake Sandoval tour is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Amazon. Surrounded by ancient palm trees, it is home to giant otters, black caimans, monkeys, and birds like hoatzins.
The tour includes a boat ride, a hike through flooded forests, and a canoe trip on calm waters where the Amazonian sky is reflected.
3. Admire the Chuncho Clay Lick
If there’s one experience you won’t soon forget, it’s the Chuncho Clay Lick tour, one of the most remarkable things to do in Puerto Maldonado. Located within Bahuaja Sonene National Park, it’s recognized as one of the largest and most active macaw clay licks in the world. Every morning, between 70 and 150 macaws and parrots of up to 10 different species gather to feed on the mineral-rich clay, creating a spectacle of breathtaking colors: scarlet red, electric blue, vibrant green, and golden yellow.
The tour begins around 5:30 a.m., and observation takes place from a safe viewpoint located just a few meters from the cliff edge. This allows you to closely observe the birds feeding, interacting, and ascending in flocks.
The clay lick is also a prime spot for spotting hawks, toucans, and howler monkeys, which sometimes frequent the area in search of food. The tour lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours, and is usually combined with guided walks through the jungle.
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4. Canopy walk
Seeing the rainforest from above is a whole different experience. Canopy walkways, installed at various lodges and conservation centers, allow you to walk 20, 25, and even 30 meters high, connecting platforms among the tallest trees in the jungle. From here, the landscape changes completely: you’re no longer in the shade of the forest, but atop a green ocean that stretches as far as the eye can see.
During the upper Tambopata tour with canopy it’s common to encounter capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and tamarins moving through the branches, along with toucans, harpy eagles, hawks, and many other diurnal bird species visible only from the treetops. At dawn, a soft mist forms a white blanket over the rainforest, creating an unforgettable postcard-like scene.
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5. Kayaking on the Madre de Dios river
Kayaking on the Madre de Dios River, one of the Amazon’s most important tributaries, is a relaxing and exciting experience that immerses you in the silence of the rainforest. The waters are calm for most of the year, allowing you to glide effortlessly while listening to the sounds of nature: insects, river birds, and branches rustling as a monkey leaps through the trees.
During the trip, it’s common to see cormorants, herons, kingfishers, monkeys on the banks, and even young caimans basking in the sun. Many tours include stops at sandy areas for rest or taking photos.
6. Visit Monkey Island
Monkey Island, located on the Madre de Dios River, is a natural sanctuary home to several species, including capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, tamarins, woolly monkeys, and occasionally howler monkeys. This area serves as a conservation and reintroduction zone for monkeys rescued from illegal trafficking or participating in protection programs.
The tour includes a short hike along trails surrounded by lush vegetation, where guides explain the characteristics of each species, their diet, social behavior, and role in the ecosystem. Unlike other destinations, here the monkeys live in complete freedom and move among the trees just a few meters from visitors.
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7. Take a night safari
In the Amazon, more than 60% of the animals are nocturnal, making a night safari practically a must and one of the most exciting things to do in Puerto Maldonado. During the boat trip, guided only by powerful flashlights, you can spot black and white caimans, whose eyes glow like two red dots on the water’s surface.
It’s also common to see owls, tree snakes, giant frogs, bioluminescent insects, fishing bats, and birds roosting on low branches. The sounds change completely: crickets become more active, night monkeys emit deep calls, and the jungle seems to come alive.
8. Visit Ese Eja native communities
Visiting an Ese Eja native community is an invaluable opportunity to understand the profound connection between Amazonian peoples and the rainforest. This ethnic group, considered one of the oldest in the Amazon basin, maintains traditions such as harpoon fishing, gathering wild fruits, crafting utensils from plant fibers, and the medicinal use of more than 50 Amazonian plants.
Visits often include practical demonstrations: how to make crafts with sustainable seeds, how to prepare natural dyes, how to make their traditional tools, and how they transmit their stories orally. It is also common to visit cultivated areas and small family farms.
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9. Visit the local market and downtown
Beyond the rainforest, Puerto Maldonado boasts a small but vibrant urban life. Its main market offers unique Amazonian products such as cupuaçu, camu camu, aguaje, sachaculantro, charapita chili peppers, cupuaçu butter, essential oils, medicinal herbs, and handicrafts made from sustainable materials.
Along the waterfront, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll while watching boats cross the Madre de Dios River. At sunset, the sky is painted in shades of orange and pink, creating one of the city’s most beautiful scenes.
Many travelers take the opportunity to sample typical dishes like Amazonian juane, tacacho with cecina, chonta salad, and local fruit drinks, all at very affordable prices.
Nature and wildlife
Puerto Maldonado is one of the best wildlife destinations in South America, thanks to its location at the intersection of several biodiverse ecosystems. The region shelters an extraordinary variety of species, many rarely seen in other Amazonian areas, making wildlife exploration one of the top things to do in Puerto Maldonado for nature lovers and adventure travelers alike.
Wildlife highlights
- 650+ bird species, including macaws, toucans, harpy eagles and hummingbirds.
- 7 species of monkeys, such as red howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, tamarins, spider monkeys and capuchins.
- Giant river otters, often seen at Lake Sandoval.
- Black and white caimans along the riverbanks.
- 10,000+ plant species, including medicinal plants used by local communities.
- 1,200 butterfly species, making it one of the most diverse places on Earth for insects.
Best ways to experience nature
- Sunrise clay lick visits to see macaws and parrots.
- Night safaris to observe caimans, owls, snakes and nocturnal mammals.
- Canopy towers for panoramic views and birdwatching.
- Canoe or kayak tours on calm Amazonian waters.
- Guided hikes that reveal animal tracks, medicinal plants and hidden species.
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In Puerto Maldonado safe?
Puerto Maldonado is considered a safe destination for most travelers. The city is small, people are friendly, and the areas visited by tourists, such as lodges, river ports, markets and nearby nature reserves are routinely supervised by local authorities and certified tour operators. Travelers who stay in recognized lodges and join organized excursions usually experience a smooth and secure trip.
Safety in Puerto Maldonado also depends on following basic travel habits. Moving around with official transportation provided by your lodge, keeping your belongings close in crowded areas and avoiding isolated streets late at night are enough to stay comfortable and protected.
Safety tips for travelers
- Travel with certified tour operators when entering Tambopata or Bahuaja Sonene National Park.
- Avoid walking alone at night in remote urban areas, stick to main streets and your lodge’s transportation.
- Keep valuables secure, as in any travel destination.
- Follow your guide’s instructions, especially during wildlife encounters or nighttime activities.
- Use insect repellent, long sleeves and proper footwear to avoid bites and protect against jungle hazards.
- Stay hydrated and avoid drinking river water.
- Weather awareness: sudden rain is normal, so always carry a poncho or waterproof bag.
Live the best things to do in Puerto Maldonado with us
Live the best experiences in Puerto Maldonado with us and take home far more than photographs. Every moment in this Amazonian city becomes a story that stays with you long after you’ve returned home. We know the rainforest better than anyone, and our passion is helping you explore it safely and deeply. Trust us with your next adventure, and let the Amazon show you something unforgettable.
