Major city · Peru
Pichanaki
Spend a half‑day in Pichanaki to see the nearby waterfalls; one night in town if you want a quiet base.
Pichanaki sits at 525 m on the Rio Perené between La Merced and Satipo. It offers easy access to several small waterfalls and a basic hostel, making it suitable for a short stopover or a quiet night before heading to the larger towns.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–Oct (check)
- avoid Jan–Mar (rainy season, check)
- Airports
- Francisco Carle Airport, Jauja (JAU) · Jorge Chávez International, Lima (LIM)
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Pichanaki105 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pichanaki, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
- TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe during daylight; watch for slippery rocks at waterfalls and occasional night noise in the plaza.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 SAMU ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportJAU Francisco Carle Airport, Jauja (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; road from Jauja via Tarma and La Merced, several hours…
- Getting aroundWalk or hire a local taxi for short trips to waterfalls; roads are unpaved, so allow extra time.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketCatarata de Bayoz entry (adult)Check for child rate S/.1.00S/.1.50
- Budget bedHospedaje Hower Ilich double, a night, per roomPEN 40
- Mid-range bedHospedaje Hower Ilich double, a night, per roomPEN 50
- High-end bedHospedaje Hower Ilich double, a night, per roomPEN 60
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 250 · Mid PEN 350 · High PEN 500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- JAU Francisco Carle Airport, Jauja (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; road from Jauja via Tarma and La Merced, several hours — check current schedules) · LIM Jorge Chávez International, Lima (Long road transfer via La Merced; most travellers arrive overland — check)
Map of Pichanaki
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Pichanaki
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Satipo · 45 km straight line
- Villa Rica · 48 km straight line
- La Merced · 52 km straight line
- Oxapampa · 67 km straight line
- Puerto Ocopa · 67 km straight line
- Tarma · 104 km straight line
- Jauja · 116 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest May (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pichanaki: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
20 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
18 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
15 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
16 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
19 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or hire a local taxi for short trips to waterfalls; roads are unpaved, so allow extra time.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Catarata de Bayoz
goDoor to door: ≈45 min each way
Drive 55 km (34 mi) from La Merced, turn left at bridge for Puerto Yurinaki; 30‑min road from PichanakiDrive 34 mi (55 km) from La Merced, turn left at bridge for Puerto Yurinaki; 30‑min road from Pichanaki
Small fee, good for a swim.
Velo de la Novia
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Follow same road downstream 600 m from Catarata de Bayoz
Butterfly spotting spot.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hospedaje Hower Ilich
Double room S/.50 (often S/.40 after bargaining); large rooms, private bath, no hot water, noisy during plaza fiestas.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- S/.250–350 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/.350–500 excl. bed
- High
- S/.500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hospedaje Hower Ilich double1 × 1 night × PEN 40 | PEN 40 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PEN 250 | PEN 500 |
| Taxi to Catarata de Bayoz (round trip)2 × PEN 30 · check | PEN 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 60 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 330 per person per day, bed included | PEN 660 |
Price after bargaining.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Catarata de Bayoz entry (adult)Check for child rate S/.1.00 | S/.1.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No hot water in most rooms; bring a towel.
- Waterfalls may be slippery after rain; wear sturdy shoes.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- SAMU ambulance
- 106
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
PichanakiPichanaki
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- SAMU ambulance106
Embassy
US consulate in Lima; nearest Peruvian police station in La Merced.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Pichanaki → Catarata de Bayoz: ≈ S/.30 round trip (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (ˈdonde esˈta el ˈβaɲo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pichanaki. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (check) · avoid Jan–Mar (rainy season, check) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in La Merced for more waterfall options.
- Combine with Satipo for a longer jungle trek.
Sources
Ask about Pichanaki
Loading…
Was this useful?