City in Madre de Dios, Peru
Puerto Maldonado
Hot Amazon river city and the usual gateway to Tambopata lodges. Easy 1-hour flight from Cusco; basic, humid and hectic, with most visitors staying upriver in lodges.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$1,020–1,600Comfortable, one person · S/3,500–5,500Details
- Value for money60/100Better value than 59% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Sep, 33°CDetails
- Internet260 MbpsFixed broadband, Peru medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledNever drink tap water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$23–52Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundMototaxiWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashMostly cash; cards at a few hotels and restaurants.Details
Where to stay in Puerto Maldonado
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Centre (around Plaza de Armas) | Hotels, restaurants, tour agencies and the port |
| Near the airport road | Quiet guesthouses and lodges with transfers |
| Lodges upriver (Tambopata) | Rainforest stays, birdwatching and guided walks |
Apps that work in Puerto Maldonado
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- redBus: Compare and buy intercity bus tickets
- Taxis: Ride apps are unreliable here. Use mototaxis and registered taxis, agree the fare first, and let your lodge arrange transfers.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Peru.
- Mostly cash Mostly cash; cards at a few hotels and restaurants. ATMs exist in the centre but can run out; lodges often prepaid.
- Currency: Sol (PEN). US$1 ≈ S/3.44 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs charge foreign cards a flat fee per withdrawal, higher at airports; many also dispense US dollars.
- Tipping: Around 10% in sit-down restaurants without a service charge. Budget tips for trek guides, cooks and porters; taxis aren't tipped.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards and phone wallets work in cities; Yape and Plin QR payments need a Peruvian account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Pre-registering on MigraCheck (free) can let you use the immigration e-gates at Lima airport.
- No arrival card; entry is recorded digitally. Overstays are fined per day when you leave.
- Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for Amazon trips but is not required for entry.
Emergency numbers
Police 105 · Ambulance 106 · Fire 116
Plugs
Type A, C · 220 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Buy prepaid chips in official carrier stores with your passport, not from street sellers. Claro and Movistar cover the Andes best. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Peru
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.