How Many Days Do You Need In Puerto Maldonado?

Regardless if you are currently in Peru or are still planning your trip, you may have heard of Puerto Maldonado and the abundance of amazing things to do in this region of the Amazon Jungle.

However you may be wondering how long you’ll need to see and do everything here, as well as whether it’s worth adding extra time in case you see something extra to do whilst here.

In this guide we’ll explore how many days you need in Puerto Maldonado. This includes looking at our own different timeframes and itineraries, and why it’s a good idea to come here with a more open frame of mind.

Do You Need Many Days In Puerto Maldonado?

Quick Answer: Whilst there is lots to see and do both within the city and in the nearby jungle, it really depends on you.

If you’re looking to just see a few animals and perhaps the main market, then you may only need just a couple of days (although you’ll also want to factor in time needed to get to Puerto Maldonado).

However if you’re looking for a truly immersive experience exploring the darker depths of the Tambopata Rainforest, seeing rare animals like Jaguars and trying different kinds of activities, then we would recommend a week. This will give you plenty of time to fit in a multi-day jungle tour.

Our Recommended Puerto Maldonado Itineraries

Below we’ll now cover three of our best itineraries for those who have different amounts of days available to explore Puerto Maldonado and the surrounding jungle.

2 Day Puerto Maldonado Itinerary

Those who have very little time can still enjoy their days here. Most likely you will be in Cusco or Lima and want to see the jungle, so you will want to fly directly to Puerto Maldonado to save time.

On your first day it’s wise to explore the city, given most jungle day tours will leave early in the morning (and you may not have time to get to your hotel and prepare before the departure time). 

We recommend heading to the Tres de Mayo Market in the heart of the city, where we can try local foods, buy rich chocolate and also keep an eye out for other handicrafts. A photo next to the Puente Billinghurst is a must, whilst you can also head to the Amazon Shelter to see efforts from those who help to look after injured animals.

On your second day you can then head into the Amazon Jungle with a tour. There are many agencies within Puerto Maldonado that offer day trips, however you’ll want to know that these will be limited to nearby areas such as Sandoval Lake (you can’t go deep with just one day). Regardless, you can still see exotic animals such as Macaw, Giant River Otters and Caiman.

5 Day Puerto Maldonado Itinerary

Of the three different timeframes mentioned in this article, you will most likely have somewhere around 5 days when heading to Puerto Maldonado (which is usually the case with travelers heading here).

You can spend your first day in the same way as above in the 2 day itinerary, where you can also head out to Monkey Island to spot different types of monkeys hanging high above in the jungle canopy.

With 5 days available you will be able to head on a longer multi-day jungle tour, which is by far one of the main highlights when heading to the Tambopata Jungle region. Here you will be able to see rarer animals such as Capybara and even Jaguars if you’re lucky. On our 3 Day Jungle Tour you will get to explore both Sandoval Lake and the Collpa Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, whilst staying at our own jungle lodge.

7 Day Puerto Maldonado Itinerary

In our opinion, 1 week is the best amount of time to spend in this region of Peru. Firstly you won’t need to rush around or worry about missing your flight out, which tends to be a concern for those who want to pack everything in well during a trip here.

During your time here you can head on a longer 4 Day Jungle Tour, which will take you further out into the more remote areas of the Tambopata Rainforest. Here you’ll get further away from human civilization, where rare animals are easier to spot whilst also close to fantastic sites such as the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick.

When back in the city, you can also speak to locals and organize a private boat tour out along the Madre de Dios River. Here you can customize your trip and head to places like Monkey Island and also to do activities such as zip-lining through the jungle canopy. You can also visit other city highlights such as the Animal Shelter and Tambopata Research Center.

How Many Days Do You Need In Puerto Maldonado?

And that’s all for our guide on how many days you need for visiting Puerto Maldonado.

The main gateway for visiting the Tambopata Jungle in Southern Peru, there’s a lot to see and do when in this region. This is why it’s crucial to use your time wisely when here, and in this guide we’ve provided three different itineraries to help you plan your trip well here.

Still wondering if it’s worth visiting the Tambopata Jungle? Then be sure to read more about everything you can see and do in this unique region.