From Wikitravel

Pucallpa is a city in the Peruvian Amazon.

[edit] Get in

You can fly in on one of Peru's national airlines (which are often going in and out of business - Star Peru is currently your only option in this category), or you could fly on Lan, a more stable South American airline. Lan is more reliable as far as timing and service, but StarPeru is currently the only airline that offers daytime flights to and from Pucallpa (early afternoon, assuming that the flight is on time). You can book flights directly through the airlines, or you can use a Pucallpa-based travel agent, like Amazon World (011-51-61-57-5539). The advantage to using a travel agent (my only experience is with Amazon World) is that if a flight is delayed or canceled, they will go out of their way to notify you, or even to make arrangements if a cancellation causes you to miss another flight.

For the more adventurous, you could try coming in on a bus from Lima (expect a two-day drive!) Transmar runs direct buses from Lima.

[edit] Get around

Motocarros are odd, motor-tricycle taxis that are the standard mode of transportation for Pucallpa. Expect to pay about $.33 US for a trip within downtown, $1 US for a trip in from the outskirts of town, and as much as US $2 for a trip from one of the suburbs (you might need to switch motocarros).

Collectivos are midsized passenger cars that run set routes (like busses). They are a cheaper option for travel (especially if you are alone - US $.33 per person). Note that the collectivos can get crowded - 2 people in the front seat and four across the back seat.

On Foot: Downtown Pucallpa is small enough that you can get to many places just by walking. If you don't know where something is located, ask directions, but be aware that the directions you are given are not guaranteed to be correct. People feel compelled to give an informative answer, regardless of whether or not they know the right one.

[edit][add listing] See

There is not very much in the way of sightseeing in Pucallpa itself. That said, most attractions are water related. Pucallpa is situated 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. There is also a zoo, just outside the city of Pucallpa, on the highway.

[edit][add listing] Do

There is a recreation center about 15 miles from Pucallpa. At this center is a restaurant, a pool, and several waterslides. This is a relaxing way to spend a day, and the food won't break the bank. If you travel here when the weather is warm (as it often is) you may find that an ice cream from the stand there hits the spot.

Pucallpa's zoo is called the 'Parque Natural'. The tour operators will try to sell you a trip to the zoo with a trip to Lake Yarinachocha, but this is not necessary. Ask any motocarro operator and they will take you there. You can also take the bus from near the Plaza de Armas. Do not expect to see animals in enclosures like North American zoos. The animals are in small cages and in many cases, you can get quite close to the big cats with only a fence between you. You will be able to pet or feed some of the animals (please fruit only) and see animals you will not be able to see in the jungle. Make sure you see the historical part of the zoo as well.

[edit][add listing] Buy

There are a number of markets within Pucallpa. These markets are filled with booths that are manned by vendors selling all sorts of wares. Hammocks are best bought at the market nearest to the Ucayalli River (Mercado numero 3), and you can buy any number of artifacts/crafts from many of the surrounding indegenous tribes. There are also pharmacies, banks, travel agencies, and 3 grocery stores with imported projects. Los Andes market is a delight for anyone looking for European or North American products. Fisa is the smallest of the three, but carries some Asian products that can't be found elsewhere. Valdivia (Near the plaza de Armas) is your best bet for many other imports, and has a wide selection of liquors and wines. If you are looking for a specific product, and have some time on your hands, you can ask the proprietor of the store to order it for you. You can get inexpensive, custom made furniture from a place in town called "El Huecito".

[edit][add listing] Eat

Yarinacocha is the best place around to get good food. It is a couple of miles outside of Pucallpa, but worth the trip. Go to the restaurant Anakonda.

A hidden gem, a block off the plaza in Yarinacocha is "Parilladas Orlandos". They sell a wide selection of barbecued meats, and the quality and price is excellent.

If you're not up for the trip to Yarinacocha, you still have plenty of great options. On the Plaza de Armas in Pucallpa, is a gem of a restaurant called Portal Chicken. Their specialty is Pollo a la Braza, a Peruvian favorite. For $3 USD you can get a quarter chicken with french fries, and the food is excellent. Their frozen lemonade is also quite tasty. For the cost of round trip motocarro fare from the plaza to your location, they will deliver to you.

About 2 km from the airport, on Calle Alamedas, is a seafood place called Mijanos. It (like all other seafood places in Pucallpa) is only open for lunch (noon to 5 pm). It serves imaginative dishes with seafood that is as fresh as can be gotten in Pucallpa. Their chef had culinary training in Lima, and it shows. The biggest downside about Mijanos is that it is quite pricey by Pucallpa standards (nearly $30 USD for two people, including a shared appetizer and 2 beverages).

[edit] Stay

There are many cheap hostels around the Plaza de Armas, ranging from about 10 soles per bed.

• Hostal Richard, Calle San Martin, grotty dark singles from 10 soles.

[edit] Stay safe

The road between Tingo Maria 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. It is much safer to use a plane from Lima. 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.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!