It is a safe, lively and easy place to live. The climate is hot and tropical, but Tarapoto's location in the mountainous jungle makes it more moderate than the deeper Amazon. The city is surrounded by mountains, rivers, streams and waterfalls, so there is always somewhere to explore or cool down.
At the same time, Tarapoto is a proper town. There are markets, supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, medical services and people from all over Peru and the world. Getting around is easy with the city's many motocars.
What makes Tarapoto special is its location in the Ceja de Selva, or high jungle — the place where the Andes meet the Amazon. It is around 350 metres above sea level, so altitude is not really a factor. Compared with Urubamba, there is no cold, the landscape is much more tropical and the biodiversity is incredible.

Tarapoto is our base. Families stay in the city while we regularly leave for excursions, sometimes for a full day and sometimes for several days.
Our main subjects include:
The idea is to learn something and then, whenever possible, go outside and experience it.

Monday — Hub Day
- History: the first Spanish expeditions into the Amazon
- Rope session: learn knots and introductory rappelling skills
- Amazonian ecosystems and conservation
- Chess lesson
Tuesday — Chazuta & Chocolate
Children learn about cacao production and how agricultural alternatives can create new opportunities for communities in the region.
Wednesday — Hub Day
- The history of Amazonian ecology
- Spanish: Games and conversation
- Geography: Exploring the Amazon through maps and place
- Outdoor skills
Thursday — Conservation in the Field
We visit the Tingana Reserve to experience conservation firsthand and explore the incredible flora and fauna of the Amazon.
Friday–Sunday — Family Time
Explore Tarapoto at your own pace, or join optional weekend activities with our community.
- It's a drop-off program. Parents are welcome to join excursions for an additional fee, but it’s completely optional.
- Sessions are in English. Your child doesn't need to speak Spanish.
- Lunch is available as an optional add-on.
- The weekly structure provides consistency, but the program isn’t rigid. We adapt each week to the children’s interests, local opportunities, and weather conditions.
Optional extension
Families who want to continue the adventure can add a fifth week in Chachapoyas after the four-week Tarapoto Hub.
This week is much more excursion-focused, with around an hour of learning before heading out each day. We will explore places such as:
Children will learn about the pre-Inca Chachapoyas civilization, cloud forests, the water cycle and the relationship between the Andes and Amazon. This is an incredible region to explore, and the giant waterfalls alone make the journey worthwhile.
The Chachapoyas week is optional and is not included in the $850 Tarapoto Hub price.
Before you decide
The Amazon is a tropical environment, so there are real risks, including mosquitoes, tropical diseases, rivers, waterfalls and uneven jungle trails.
I lived in Tarapoto for six years without getting sick, but I have known people who have. We recommend sensible precautions such as insect repellent, long pants, good food hygiene and checking current travel-health advice before coming. Families should discuss vaccines and malaria prevention with their own doctor or travel-health professional.
During excursions
I also have an emergency and evacuation protocol from my years working in adventure tourism in Tarapoto.
There will be mud, bugs, rain and situations that may push children outside their comfort zone. That's part of the experience — but we want families to know that before they come.
Getting ready for the jungle: what to pack and how to prepare →

Tell us about your family, your children, and what you hope they’ll get from their month with us. Fill out the application form and we’ll take it from there.
You, your children, and Rodrigo meet over a video call to get to know each other, ask questions, and make sure it feels like the right fit for everyone.
Ready to join us? Reserve your place with a $400 deposit, then we’ll help you get ready — from airport pickup to settling into life in Peru.
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