Major city · Peru
Pucallpa
Go for 2 nights if you want a river port and Lake Yarinacocha; skip if you expect jungle wildlife — fly in, don't bus the Tingo María road.
Pucallpa is a working river port on the Ucayali, Peru's second Amazon port after Iquitos, and the gateway to Lake Yarinacocha 6 km north. There is little classic sightseeing: the draw is the lake, the boat traffic, the markets and the food. Two nights covers it; three lets you add a slow boat leg or a lodge. Most visitors fly in, because the overland road from Lima via Tingo María has a robbery history and is slow and fog-prone.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–Oct (drier, cooler)
- avoid Dec–Mar (heavy rain, and December has the worst robbery record)
- Airport
- PCL
- Nights
- 2
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.
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 Pucallpa105 ▾
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 Pucallpa, 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
- SafetyThe city is ordinary for a Peruvian river port; the real risk is the Tingo María–Pucallpa road, which has a robbery history — fly if you can…
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.
- AirportPCL FAP Captain David Abensur Rengifo International Airport (About 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of the centre; mototaxi to the Plaza de Armas, about 10 min).PCL FAP Captain David Abensur Rengifo International Airport (About 2.5 mi (4 km) northwest of the centre; mototaxi to the Plaza de Armas, about 10 min).
- Getting aroundMototaxis (motor-tricycle taxis) are the standard transport: about S/2 in the centre, S/3 from the outskirts, up to S/6 from the suburbs…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealVegetarian set breakfastS/6–9
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Mototaxi in the centreS/2
- Metro or bus rideBus Lima–Pucallpa18 h or more; checkAbout S/100
- Budget bedHostel bed near the Plaza de Armas, a night, per personPEN 10
- Mid-range bedDouble room, fan or aircon, a night, per roomPEN 70
- High-end bedDouble room, fan or aircon, a night, per roomPEN 160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 90 · Mid PEN 180 · High PEN 350
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
- PCL FAP Captain David Abensur Rengifo International Airport (About 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of the centre; mototaxi to the Plaza de Armas, about 10 min)PCL FAP Captain David Abensur Rengifo International Airport (About 2.5 mi (4 km) northwest of the centre; mototaxi to the Plaza de Armas, about 10 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jul (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pucallpa: 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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 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
Mototaxis (motor-tricycle taxis) are the standard transport: about S/2 in the centre, S/3 from the outskirts, up to S/6 from the suburbs, about S/4 to Yarinacocha. Colectivos (shared cars on fixed routes) cost about S/1, S/1.50 to Yarinacocha, and get crowded. Downtown is small enough to walk, but directions you are given are often invented — use a map.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lake Yarinacocha and La Isla de Amor
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Mototaxi or colectivo to Yarinacocha, then a short boat to the island
Boat about S/2; the lake is the reason most people come.
Parque Natural (Pucallpa zoo)
cautionDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Mototaxi, or a bus from near the Plaza de Armas
Small cages and close contact; skip if that bothers you. No need to buy it as a tour.
Atalaya
overnightDoor to door: A day or more
Boat upstream on the Ucayali
River transport, not a day return.
Door to door: Several days
Boat downstream on the Ucayali and Amazon
Slow cargo-passenger boats; check departures locally.
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.
Plaza de Armas and centre
Cheap hostels, banks, markets and restaurants on foot; mototaxis for everything else.
Yarinacocha
6 km (3.7 mi) north on the lake; quieter, few places to eat, best if the lake is your main plan.3.7 mi (6 km) north on the lake; quieter, few places to eat, best if the lake is your main plan.
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/80–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/140–260 excl. bed
- High
- S/260+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, fan or aircon1 × 2 nights × PEN 70 | PEN 140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × PEN 180 | PEN 720 |
| Mototaxi, centre trips, per day2 × PEN 15 · check | PEN 30 |
| Boat to La Isla de Amor, return2 × PEN 4 · check | PEN 8 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × PEN 40 | PEN 80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 98 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 269 per person per day, bed included | PEN 1,076 |
2026 estimate in soles; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Mototaxi in the centre | S/2 |
| Mototaxi to Yarinacocha | S/4 |
| Colectivo ride | S/1–1.50 |
| Quarter chicken with fries (pollo a la brasa)US$3 at 2026 rates; check | About S/11 |
| Vegetarian set breakfast | S/6–9 |
| Seafood lunch for two with a shared starter and drinkscheck | About S/100 |
| Hostel bed | From S/10 |
| Bus Lima–Pucallpa18 h or more; check | About S/100 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Do not travel the Tingo María–Pucallpa road at night; buses have been robbed by passengers who board as riders.
- December and event weeks are the worst for robberies; police corruption peaks then too.
- The road past Huánuco is foggy with almost no visibility, and landslides near Tingo María slow it to a crawl.
- Zoo animals at Parque Natural are in small cages and you can get close to big cats behind a single fence — keep your distance.
- Lake beaches have muddy sand and basic stalls; don't count on swimming-quality water.
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.
PucallpaPucallpa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- SAMU ambulance106
Embassy
No embassies in Pucallpa; the US, UK, Canada and Australia all run embassies in Lima. Consular help for the region comes from Lima.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Mototaxi airport → Plaza de Armas: about S/4–6, 10 min (check)
- Mototaxi centre → Yarinacocha: about S/4
- Colectivo Pucallpa → Yarinacocha: about S/1.50
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto a Yarinacocha? — How much to Yarinacocha? (KWAN-to a ya-ree-na-KO-cha)
- Pare aquí, por favor — Please stop here (PA-re a-KEE por fa-VOR)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- ¿Dónde está el mercado? — Where is the market? (DON-de es-TA el mer-KA-do)
- No quiero tour — I don't want a tour (no KYEH-ro tour)
Cash is king outside hotels; carry small soles notes for mototaxis and market stalls.
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 Pucallpa. 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 (drier, cooler) · avoid Dec–Mar (heavy rain, and December has the worst robbery record) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PCL: mototaxi fare bands, late-arrival fallback, first-night rung.
- Walking clusters: Plaza de Armas, Mercado 3 and the riverfront, Yarinacocha lakefront.
- Place pages for Lake Yarinacocha and Parque Natural with opening hours and boat fares checked.
- Road-risk fixture for the Tingo María corridor so the overland option can be shown as caution or skip.