The department of San Martin has the potential to develop ecotourism and outdoor recreation, due to the Amazon, its forests and the magical wildlife that lives there.
Natural Potential
San Martin is located in the northern jungle of Peru, bordering Loreto, La Libertad, Amazonas, Huanuco and Ucayali, and is one of the 15 departments with forests.
It also has a wide variety of ecosystems and species, due to its location, tropical climate and altitudinal levels (140 – 4350 m.a.s.l.) and is a transition zone between the Andes and the Amazon.
In addition, it forms the zone of influence of the Northeast Corridor of the Tropical Andes Hotspot, which is recognized as the most diverse in the world.
Source: Hotspot Andes Tropicales (2020)
Connectivity and ecotourism services
Tarapoto is easily accessible via regular flights from Lima and an extensive road network.
These routes provide access tounique natural sceneries, such as the Alto Mayo wetlands and the Cordillera Escalera, Â in route to Yurimaguas.
Consequently, as access has improved, tourism activities like wildlife observation and educational walks have also become more professional and refined.
Several notable examples of this progress are presented below:
-
First, excursions in dedicated conservation areas, such as Alto Shilcayo (within the Cordillera Escalera ACR), the Alto Mayo Protected Forest, and the Tingana and Santa Elena Reserves.
-
Furthermore, the adaptation of rural properties for specialized birdwatching, including sites like Aconabikh, the Morro de Calzada Amazon Center, Arena Blanca Reserve, LlanterÃa, Fundo Alto Nieva, and Sendero Royal.
-
Finally, a focus on innovation regarding the design and operation of ecotourism products specifically tailored for wildlife expeditions.
In this sense, in San Martin there is an offer of quality ecotourism with high value, which can be a great attraction for the citizens of Peru and the world.
Keys to identifying ecotourism experiences in San Martin
-
Experiences are designed based on flora and fauna monitoring and the traveler’s knowledge of wildlife.
-
Personalized activities are offered, with a high degree of professionalism and the use of specialized equipment and materials.
-
The company has experience in research and conservation projects.
-
The excursion groups are small and generate low impact.
-
Excursions are conducted under a code of ethics.
-
There is an effective conservation management at the sites visited.
-
Essential tourism services are available at the visitor sites.
