About
Pucallpa is a river port city in eastern Peru and the capital of the Ucayali region. Set in the Amazon lowlands, it works as a commercial centre for the surrounding area, and it is sometimes called the Forest Capital, a nod to the rainforest that surrounds it.
What the city is like
Pucallpa is first and foremost a working river town. Its position on the water has long made it a place where goods and people move between the forest and the rest of the country. Visitors arriving here tend to notice the activity of a port city rather than a city built around sightseeing, which gives the place an unpolished, practical character.
Getting there
The city is connected to Lima by the Trans-Amazonian Highway, which is one of the main overland routes linking the Peruvian coast with the Amazon. For travellers coming from the capital, this road is the defining feature of the journey, bringing a clear sense of moving from the Andes and the coast into the lowland forest.
Who it suits
- Travellers interested in Peru beyond its Andean and coastal highlights
- Visitors curious about river life and commerce in the Amazon
- Those using Pucallpa as a base for exploring the Ucayali region and its forests
Pucallpa may suit a visitor who values place and context over polished attractions. Plan the trip around its role as a port and gateway, and allow time to see how the city fits into the wider Amazon region before deciding how long to stay.
