San Martín: Water, Cocoa and Culture

San Martín in Peru brings together a wide range of travel interests within the region: sweeping views, hikes, cave formations, bathing spots and thermal pools sit alongside cocoa and ceramics. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can start by thinking about which experiences you want to shape your stay.

Three tourist destinations to help you get your bearings

The Tarapoto Tourist Destination lies in the central part of the Department of San Martín and includes the provinces of San Martín and Lamas. The Alto Mayo Tourist Destination lies in the northern part of the department and includes the provinces of Moyobamba and Rioja. The Abiseo Tourist Destination is in the southern central part and includes the province of Mariscal Cáceres. This division offers a regional guide: you can compare the three destinations and then focus on the places whose experiences match your travel interests.

Panoramas, caves and water

Morro de Calzada is a natural viewpoint with 360-degree panoramic views and limestone formations in the Río Mayo valley. Visitors can hike there to observe the local flora and fauna. This combines views across the landscape with an activity that also puts the local natural environment at the forefront.

Cueva de Palestina reveals a different side of the landscape: it contains stalactites, stalagmites, columns and curtains, and extends for 3,416 metres. The cave formations are markedly different from the open panorama at Morro de Calzada. So, if you are comparing travel ideas, you will find two very different nature experiences here: an open-air panorama and the world of shapes inside a cave.

At the source of the Río Tío Yacu, crystal-clear waters form pools and small waterfalls where visitors can swim. Catarata El Breo offers a different experience: it cascades down in four stages over a total height of 140 metres. Aguas Termales de San Mateo also offers water-based experiences, but in a thermal bathing complex with seven pools. Temperatures range from approximately 32 °C to 40 °C. Before swimming, it is advisable to check current conditions; for San Mateo, you should also check opening hours and facilities in advance.

Cocoa, ceramics and regional collections

At the Museo Departamental San Martín, which is located within the Alto Mayo Tourist Destination, visitors can encounter regional cultural treasures such as La Gran Saposoa, El Gran Pajatén and the funerary urns of Chazuta. The museum also displays fossils of prehistoric animals, as well as collections of ceramics, stone objects, textiles and wood. Check current opening hours before visiting.

In Chazuta, visitors can take part in traditional ceramics workshops, make their own pieces and buy finished products. This offers an active way to engage with ceramics: you can create a piece yourself rather than simply looking at finished works. As workshop dates and prices may change, enquire in advance. For cocoa, there is the Ruta del Chocolate de Tocache: it shows the process from bean to the production of various chocolate products, connecting the raw ingredient with a range of finished products.

Santa Rosa Raymi, the Lamas Tourist Week, combines religious processions and masses with traditional dances, craft fairs and presentations of typical dishes. Cultural and religious elements come together here with crafts and food. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the dates and programme in advance.

Choosing a holiday rental to suit your travel interests

To plan together, it helps to first weigh up your priorities: are water and landscapes at the top of your list, or ceramics, cocoa and a museum visit? If you want to combine experiences in several places, compare their locations on a map before choosing where to stay in your holiday rental.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Tarapoto, Sauce, Cuñumbuque, Lamas, Moyobamba, Chazuta, Puerto Franco, La Florida, Leimebamba, Rioja Province, Picota Province, Moyobamba Province.

For the broader travel overview: Peru.