San Martin, Peru

San Martín is a region in northern Peru. Most of the region is located in the upper part of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. Its capital is Moyobamba and the largest city in the region is Tarapoto. San Martin region is a diverse environment with rough terrain, wide valleys, the continuation of the Blue Mountain chain and a small zone of jungle.

Tarapoto is known as the 'Land of the Waterfalls' due to the abundance of falls in the area. The falls, meaning 'the laughing waters' is ideal for swimming, and Huacamaillo falls is considered the most outstanding example in the region.

In Moyoamba visitors can explore the mouth of the Tioyacu River and even the underground river of the Cueva de los Huacharos cave. One can also take a dip in the natural hot springs at San Mateo, take a ride across the lake called Laguna Azul and climb up to the thundering Ahuashiyacu waterfall, deep in the heart of the jungle, or the Gera waterfall, which drops 120 meters down three separate falls.

Things to See & Do

* Waterfalls
* San Martin Museum - Moyoamba
* Thermal baths - Moyoamba
* Cueva de los Huacharos cave
* Laguna Azul - lake

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - Nuevo Sol (S/)
Language - Spanish
Land Area - 51,253.31 km²
Population - 200,000 approx
Electricity -2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT minus five hours
International Country Telephone Code - +51

Travel Links - Tarapoto has an airport, which can be flown to directly from Lima. Both LAN and Star Peru fly from Lima to Tarapoto. There are also bus services from Lima, which roughly take 26 hours via Trujillo & Chiclayo to Tarapoto.

Since the airport is not in use, the only way to get into Moyobamba is by road. Your best option is to use a bus company. There are buses from Lima, which take 24 hours to get to Moyobamba and travel during the night.