The remote jungle region of Madre de Dios in the Peruvian Amazon calls itself the biodiversity capital of the world. This is no wonder, as the rainforests of the region host some of the most varied wildlife in the planet, including jaguars, river otters and a great variety of birds. Home to the frontier town of Puerto Maldonado, famous jungle reserves of Manú and Tambopata, indigenous tribes and a large number of exclusive jungle lodges, Madre de Dios is a great place to experience the Amazon jungle in all its splendor.
Madre de Dios province is located in the Amazon lowlands of southeastern Peru, bordering Brazil and Bolivia. The sparsely inhabited region is covered mainly by rainforests and has many rivers and several nature reserves, while the only notable town is Puerto Maldonado. The original inhabitants of the area are the indigenous Machiguenga, Mashco and Campa tribes. the first Spanish explorers arrived to the region in the late 1500s, but Madre de Dios was not fully explored until the late 1800s. Inhabited during the rubber boom of this era, Madre de Dios is today a region that produces gold, timber, coffee, Brazil nuts and palm oil. Ecotourism has also become an important source of employment and wealth in the region.
Puerto Maldonado, the capital of Madre de Dios province, is a small town that is mainly a starting point for jungle excursions, but it also has some interesting places to visit, such as the Monkey Island that hosts hundreds of monkeys, a lookout tower, a modest zoo and a marketplace.
Manú National Park in the western part of the province is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve that is home to an unrivalled variety of animal and plant species, including jaguars and some 850 species of birds. The large park hosts both lowland rainforests and alpine grassland, offering excellent wildlife and birdwatching. The Tambopata-Candamo Reserve along Tambopata River is another favorite jungle destination in Madre de Dios, also hosting an enormous biodiversity, but having easier access to from Puerto Maldonado. The third jungle region of interest is Bahuaja-Sonene National Park next to Tambopata.
Madre de Dios province is located in the Amazon lowlands of southeastern Peru, bordering Brazil and Bolivia. The sparsely inhabited region is covered mainly by rainforests and has many rivers and several nature reserves, while the only notable town is Puerto Maldonado. The original inhabitants of the area are the indigenous Machiguenga, Mashco and Campa tribes. the first Spanish explorers arrived to the region in the late 1500s, but Madre de Dios was not fully explored until the late 1800s. Inhabited during the rubber boom of this era, Madre de Dios is today a region that produces gold, timber, coffee, Brazil nuts and palm oil. Ecotourism has also become an important source of employment and wealth in the region.
Sights and activities in Madre de Dios: Amazon jungle, wildlife & guided tours
The main attraction in Madre de Dios province is its pristine nature and unique flora and fauna. The Amazon rainforests in the region are teeming with wildlife, and the jungle reserves such as Manú National Park and Tambopata Reserve are attracting people interested in wildlife and nature photography from around the world. The several rivers and small lakes in the region offer beautiful untouched landscapes. Local jungle lodges and guides offer a variety of tours in Madre de Dios region, where you can enjoy the wonders of the jungle safely, and practice activities from wildlife watching to kayaking, trekking and mountain biking.Puerto Maldonado, the capital of Madre de Dios province, is a small town that is mainly a starting point for jungle excursions, but it also has some interesting places to visit, such as the Monkey Island that hosts hundreds of monkeys, a lookout tower, a modest zoo and a marketplace.
Manú National Park in the western part of the province is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve that is home to an unrivalled variety of animal and plant species, including jaguars and some 850 species of birds. The large park hosts both lowland rainforests and alpine grassland, offering excellent wildlife and birdwatching. The Tambopata-Candamo Reserve along Tambopata River is another favorite jungle destination in Madre de Dios, also hosting an enormous biodiversity, but having easier access to from Puerto Maldonado. The third jungle region of interest is Bahuaja-Sonene National Park next to Tambopata.
Madre de Dios travel information and practical tips
The climate in Madre de Dios is tropically hot and humid, as elsewhere in Amazon region.
Photo: Traveling Lao, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
There is a major rainy season from December to March, with frequent flooding, making road travel impossible. There is as much as 3 meters of rain annually. august and September are the hottest months, while May to September is the driest time of the year. Occasional cold fronts from the south may result temperatures to drop to as low as 8°C.
How to get there. Traveling to Madre de Dios region is best to be done by air. There is an airport in Puerto Maldonado with daily domestic flights from Lima and Cusco. In addition to flights to Puerto Maldonado, you can also travel there by bus from Cusco during the drier season, but it is a very slow option. Yellow Fever Vaccination Card is required for visiting Madre de Dios.
Local transport in Madre de Dios region is available mainly by river boats. The few roads in the region are in poor condition, and often impassable during the rainy season. You can find taxis and motorcycle taxis in Puerto Maldonado for local transportation. Rental mopeds are also available.
Jungle lodges. Hotels in Madre de Dios region are normally rainforest lodges, often located in reserve areas, offering full board accommodation and tours. There are also a few more conventional hotels in Puerto Maldonado. Jungle lodges in the area have their own restaurants, and dining is usually included in lodging package, but there are also some restaurants in Puerto Maldonado to try. The only notable nightlife in the region is in Puerto Maldonado, where there are several nightclubs. English is spoken in the area mainly by people working in tourism professions.
Safety. Madre de Dios is a remote region with no large crime problems. However, in Puerto Maldonado it is best to use taxis instead of walking around alone at night. The rainforest areas are home to many potentially dangerous species, and you should never venture out in the jungle without a local guide.
