Puerto Maldonado
The Aeropuerto Internacional Padre Aldamiz Puerto Maldonado (tel. 082/571-531) is 8km (5 miles) outside of the city. Flights arrive daily from Cusco and Lima on LAN (tel. 01/213-8200; www.lan.com) and Star Perú (tel. 01/705-9000; www.starperu.com) starting from $105 one-way from Cusco, $135 one-way from Lima. Health Ministry nurses are on hand to vaccinate visitors against yellow fever (fiebra amarilla). To get from the airport to town, the best bet is a motocarro (a motorcycle rickshaw), which costs S/5 to S/7.
Adventurous budget travelers with bountiful patience and perseverance, particularly those looking for a new warrior experience and the bragging rights that go with it, can travel by truck to Puerto Maldonado from Cusco. The journey takes at least 3 days in the dry season and up to 10 days in wetter conditions, and the route traverses more than 500km (310 miles) with zero comfort to speak of; it's certainly one of the worst (if not the worst) roads in Peru connecting two points of obvious interest. It costs about $15 and will provide you with stories for months, but you will definitely suffer for the dubious privilege. Trucks leave from Plaza Tupac Amaru in Cusco and arrive in Puerto Maldonado at the Mercado Modelo on Calle Ernesto Rivero. Take the challenge at your own risk; though the scenery is said to be astounding, the trip is not something I can recommend.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
