Ucayali Department · Peru
Pucallpa travel guide
Pucallpa is a city in Ucayali Department, Peru, home to about 326,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- PCL3 km · Cap FAP David Abenzur Rengifo International Airport
- Currency
- PENNuevo sol
- Time zone
- America/Lima
- Language
- Aymara, Quechua, Spanish
About
About Pucallpa
Pucallpa (Spanish pronunciation: [pu'kalpa], Quechua: puka allpa, lit. 'red dirt'; Shipibo: May Ushin) is a city in eastern Peru located on the banks of the Ucayali River, a major tributary of the Amazon River. It is the capital of the Ucayali region, the Coronel Portillo Province and the Calleria District.
Most of the transport to Pucallpa is done on the Ucayali River. It is the second most important river port in the Amazon (behind Iquitos). The Federico Basadrees highway is the main center of land transportation, and connects the northwest of the city with the Captain Rolden International Airport.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Pucallpa
See
There is not very much in the way of sightseeing in Pucallpa. Most of its attractions are water-related: Pucallpa sits on the shores of the Ucayali River, and there is a lake near the city called Lake Yarinacocha. In the middle of the lake is an island called La Isla de Amor. This is a nice place for a day trip.
Do
- Recreation Center
- Parque Natural
- Animal Park
- Yarinacocha beaches
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Pucallpa to stay in
There are many cheap hostels around the Plaza de Armas, ranging from about S/10 per bed.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Pucallpa
Pucallpa has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; March is the wettest, with about 235 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Pucallpa: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Cap FAP David Abenzur Rengifo International Airport (PCL), about 2.8 km from the city centre in a straight line.
Getting around
Mototaxis are motor-tricycle taxis that are the standard mode of transportation for Pucallpa. Expect to pay about S/2 for a trip within downtown, S/3 for a trip in from the outskirts of town, and as much as S/6 for a trip from one of the suburbs (you might need to switch mototaxis). About S/4 to Yarinacocha. Collectivos are normal passenger cars that run set routes (like buses). They are a cheaper option for travel (especially if you are alone - S/1 per person). The colectivos can get crowded - two people in the front seat and four across the back seat. Pucallpa to Yarinacocha is S/1.50.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
PCL · Cap FAP David Abenzur Rengifo International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Pucallpa
Stay safe
The road between Tingo María and Pucallpa is infamous for robberies. Particularly buses are prone to suffer, as some of the robbers get on as paying passengers and then stop the bus while more robbers get on and strip the passengers of all valuables. If you have to use the road, try organizing a taxi or lorry from Huanuco. Avoid travelling when there are special events in Pucallpa (or Christmastime), as the robbers are known to be more active then. And don't ever travel this road at night. Pucallpa is particularly dangerous around Christmastime. Many robberies occur during December, and police corruption is at its worst then, too.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Pucallpa: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Pucallpa?
Pucallpa has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; March is the wettest, with about 235 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Pucallpa?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Cap FAP David Abenzur Rengifo International Airport (PCL), about 2.8 km from the city centre in a straight line.
What currency is used in Pucallpa?
Nuevo sol (PEN).
Nearby
Destinations near Pucallpa
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.