Puerto Maldonado travel guide

Puerto Maldonado is an important starting point for visiting the southeastern jungles of the Tambopata Reserve, or for departing to Brazil or Bolivia. Most visitors do not see much of the place because they are whisked through town on their way to a lodge on the Río Madre de Dios or the Río Tambopata. The city dwellers haven’t been too pleased about this, preferring tourists to spend some time in town, which is a major timber, gold mining, Brazil nut and tourism centre. Its expansion is bound to continue as a bridge, part of the Interoceánica highway, is being built across the Río Madre de Dios. When the road is complete (2009, or 2011, forecasts vary), the town’s isolation will diminish. It’s a safe place, with chicha music blaring out from most street corners. There is a tourist office at the airport.