Puerto Maldonado · Madre de Dios · Peru
Puerto Maldonado Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Puerto Maldonado tours and things to do in Peru’s gateway to the southern Amazon: stay at a jungle lodge in the Tambopata National Reserve, canoe on mirror-still Lake Sandoval, watch hundreds of macaws at a clay lick, spot caimans, monkeys and giant otters, and cross a rainforest canopy walkway. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
126 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Good for families in Puerto Maldonado
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
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Explore Puerto Maldonado by interest
Whatever brings you to Puerto Maldonado — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Tambopata Reserve
Protected jungle.
ExploreLake Sandoval
Otters & caimans.
ExploreJungle lodge
Sleep in the forest.
ExploreMacaw clay lick
Dawn spectacle.
ExploreWildlife walks
Day & night.
ExploreCanopy walkway
Treetop views.
ExploreMulti-day trips
Deeper jungle.
ExploreAmazon highlights
Jungle & lakes.
ExploreWhat to see
Top attractions in Puerto Maldonado
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Tambopata Reserve
Protected jungle.
15 toursView tours
Lake Sandoval
Otters & caimans.
10 toursView tours
Jungle Lodge
Sleep in the forest.
15 toursView tours
Macaw Clay Lick
Dawn spectacle.
10 toursView tours
Wildlife Walks
Day & night.
10 toursView tours
Canopy Walkway
Treetop views.
10 toursView tours
Eco Jungle Tour
Rainforest days.
10 toursView tours
Amazon Highlights
Jungle & lakes.
15 toursView tours
Day trip awayLake Sandoval
Otters & caimans.
from €55View trips
Dawn awayMacaw Clay Lick
Hundreds of parrots.
from €90View trips
Multi-day awayTambopata Reserve
Protected jungle.
from €255View trips
Multi-day awayJungle Lodge
Sleep in the forest.
from €240View trips
Half day awayCanopy Walkway
Treetop views.
from €62View trips
Day & night awayWildlife Walk
Monkeys & caimans.
from €58View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Puerto Maldonado visitor asks before booking.
Dry (May–Oct)
Less rain and easier trails — the best time.
Peak
June to August is busiest and driest.
Wet (Nov–Apr)
Hot, lush and rainy, with high rivers.
For clay licks
The dry season brings the biggest macaw gatherings.
For wildlife
Dry-season low water concentrates animals.
Best overall
May to October for drier, easier jungle days.
One day
A Lake Sandoval canoe trip.
Two–three days
A lodge stay with a clay lick.
Four+ days
Deeper Tambopata expeditions.
For the reserve
Multi-day lodge stays in Tambopata.
For birdwatching
Early starts for the macaw clay licks.
For the lakes
Lake Sandoval canoe trips.
By river
Motorised canoes reach the jungle lodges.
By road
Transfers link town, the airport and river ports.
On foot
Guided trails explore the rainforest.
By moto-taxi
Three-wheel taxis buzz around town.
Where to stay
Stay at a jungle lodge for the full experience.
Peruvian sol
Peru uses the sol; carry cash for the jungle.
Lodges
Book a lodge package — it includes all activities.
Clay licks
Start before dawn to catch the macaws.
Lake Sandoval
Go early for the calmest water and wildlife.
What to bring
Insect repellent, long sleeves and a rain layer.
Malaria & yellow fever
Ask your doctor about vaccines and tablets.
Reserve fee
Tambopata entry is often included in tours.
Jungle lodges
Lodges fill up in dry season — book ahead.
Clay lick tours
Dawn tours fill up — reserve early.
Lake Sandoval
Day trips fill up — book ahead.
Canopy walkway
Popular slots fill up — reserve early.
Multi-day trips
Longer expeditions fill up — book ahead.
Dry-season peak
June to August is busiest — book far ahead.
Lake Sandoval
Around €55 for a full-day trip.
Clay lick
About €90 for a macaw clay lick tour.
Jungle lodge
Roughly €240 for a 3-day, 2-night stay.
Canopy walkway
Around €62 for a half-day canopy tour.
Multi-day
From €255 for a deeper Tambopata expedition.
How to save
Join a group lodge tour rather than a private one.
When to visit
Puerto Maldonado through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Dry (May–Aug)
May–Aug
- Best for
- Best wildlife.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
Dry (Sep–Oct)
Sep–Oct
- Best for
- Warm & drier.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great.
Wet (Nov–Feb)
Nov–Feb
- Best for
- Lush & green.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Rainy.
Wet (Mar–Apr)
Mar–Apr
- Best for
- High rivers.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Humid.
People also ask
Puerto Maldonado travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Puerto Maldonado?
The highest-rated experiences are a Tambopata jungle-lodge stay, a Lake Sandoval canoe trip, a macaw clay lick at dawn, and a rainforest wildlife walk.
What should I book in advance in Puerto Maldonado?
Reserve jungle lodges, clay lick tours and Lake Sandoval trips ahead, especially in the dry season from June to August.
How many days do I need in Puerto Maldonado?
One day covers a Lake Sandoval trip, while two to four days at a jungle lodge let you add clay licks and deeper Tambopata wildlife.
Is Puerto Maldonado worth visiting?
Yes — it is Peru’s easiest gateway to the southern Amazon, with the Tambopata reserve, Lake Sandoval and macaw clay licks all within reach.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Maldonado?
May to October, the dry season, brings easier trails and the biggest macaw gatherings at the clay licks.
How do you get to Puerto Maldonado?
Short flights connect it to Cusco and Lima, and most lodges arrange road and river transfers from the airport.
What is the Tambopata National Reserve?
A vast protected area of pristine Amazon rainforest, home to macaws, giant otters, monkeys and caimans.
126 Puerto Maldonado experiencesfrom €48 · free cancellation
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