Puerto Maldonado: An Amazonian city full of natural charms

Puerto Maldonado is a Peruvian city located in the southeastern part of the country, in the Amazon rainforest, 55 kilometers west of the border with Bolivia. It serves as the capital of the Tambopata District, the homonymous province, and the Madre de Dios Department. The city was founded in 1902 by the rubber entrepreneur Carlos Fermín Fitzcarrald, who named it in honor of the explorer Faustino Maldonado, who died in the Madera River in 1861. Puerto Maldonado was designated as the departmental capital in 1912 and currently has a population of 78,996 inhabitants according to the 2017 census.

Puerto Maldonado is one of the main commercial hubs in the Peruvian Amazon and is connected to the rest of the country as well as Bolivia and Brazil through the Interoceanic Highway. Moreover, it is a highly attractive tourist destination due to its natural richness and biodiversity. From Puerto Maldonado, visitors can access several places of interest, including:

• The Tambopata National Reserve, which covers over 270,000 hectares of tropical forest and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna species, such as macaws, river otters, monkeys, jaguars, and giant otters. Within this reserve, visitors can explore the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, where hundreds of macaws gather to feed on clay rich in beneficial minerals for their health. Tambopata National Reserve
• Lake Sandoval, a mirror-like water body surrounded by aguajales (swampy areas) and palm trees, where visitors can observe wildlife and go canoeing. In this lake, one can see caimans, turtles, waterfowl, and fish like the paiche, the largest freshwater fish in the Amazon.Lake Sandoval
• The Monkey Island, a refuge for primates rescued from illegal trafficking or abandonment. On this island, various monkey species can be observed, such as the maquisapa, the squirrel monkey, the titi monkey, and the capuchin monkey.
• The Billinghurst Bridge, a suspension bridge over the Madre de Dios River, measuring over 700 meters long, connecting the regions of Madre de Dios and Puno. Constructed in 1909 by the American engineer Arthur E. Billinghurst, it is considered a masterpiece of engineering.
• The Tambopata Butterfly House, a conservation and research center dedicated to butterflies. This place showcases more than 50 species of these colorful insects, while also providing insights into their life cycle and ecological significance.

Puerto Maldonado offers a unique and unforgettable experience for nature and adventure enthusiasts. It serves as a gateway to the Amazon rainforest, where visitors can enjoy its beauty, diversity, and culture.