How to Get to Puerto Maldonado. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel

Airport & Airlines

Padre Aldamiz International Airport (PEM) serves Puerto Maldonado. It is a small, regional airport.

Flight Information

LATAM Airlines Peru, Sky Airline Peru, and Star Peru offer flights from Lima (LIM) and/or Cusco (CUZ).
No direct international flights to PEM. All international travelers connect via Lima or Cusco.
Flight schedules vary seasonally. Prices higher during Peru's high season (June-August) and holidays.

Airport Services & Transfers

PEM has basic facilities: a small waiting area, snack stands, restrooms. No comprehensive shopping or dining.

Arrival & Departure

Most Amazon lodges include airport transfers. Representatives meet you and escort you for boat transfer.
Mototaxis are available outside the airport for a rides to town (PEN 5-10). Negotiate fare beforehand.
Arrive at least 1 to 1.5 hours before your domestic flight for check-in.

Flight Deals

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Global Search

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Car Rentals

Find choices at DiscoverCars.com.

Land Transportation

Bus Services & Routes

Regular bus services connect to Cusco (10-14 hours).
The journey uses the Interoceanic Highway, winding through the Andes.
Choose reputable bus companies like Expreso Lobato, Movil Tours, Cruz del Sur.
No direct bus service from Lima; multi-day journeys not generally advised.

Self-Driving & Road Conditions

Self-driving not generally advised for tourists; challenging road conditions.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) needed in addition to your driver's license from your home country.
Most attractions by riverboat or jungle trails, not by car.
Interoceanic Highway has mountainous sections prone to landslides.

Sea/River Arrivals

River Transportation

Riverboats, called "peque-peques," are the main way to reach Amazon lodges and attractions. They are wooden boats with outboard motors.

Public River Transport

Some a local vessels serve communities. These are mainly for local use, not designated tourist routes. Tourists usually go on boats arranged by their lodges or tour operators.

Connections

Riverboats arrive at docks along the Madre de Dios River. From these points, mototaxis transport travelers to the city center or airport.

Departure Information

Airport Procedures

Ensure a smooth departure from Padre Aldamiz International Airport (PEM).

Departure Details

No specific exit fees for international flights from Peruvian airports. Airport taxes usually included in ticket price.
Arrive no later THAN 1 to 1.FIVE hours before your domestic flight. Check-in procedures are quick.
If staying at an eco-lodge, they arrange your return boat transfer to the river port.

Airport Facilities

PEM has minimal facilities for departing travelers.

What to Expect

A small waiting area.
Possibly a basic snack vendor.
Do not expect extensive duty-free making purchases or dining options. Plan for any last-minute refreshments or drinks before heading to the airport.

Border Crossing

Information for overland travel to neighboring countries.

Brazil Border

Puerto Maldonado connects to Assis Brasil via the Interoceanic Highway.
Obtain your Peruvian exit stamp in Inambari (2.5 hours from Puerto Maldonado).
Then, get your Brazilian entry stamp in Assis Brasil.

Other Border Notes

Travel to Bolivia from Puerto Maldonado and train services.

Important Information

No direct, easy land crossing from Puerto Maldonado to Bolivia. Travelers usually go via Cusco or Lake Titicaca.
No train services operate to or from Puerto Maldonado. This region relies on air, bus, and river transport.
Immigration procedures at seaports not applicable; Puerto Maldonado is an inland river port.

Safety Warnings

Road conditions challenging for self-driving, especially in wet season.
Motorcycle and scooter rentals not recommended for tourists.
Roads outside town (Interoceanic Highway) prone to landslides.

Night bus travel on mountainous roads more risky.
Local traffic congested with mototaxis.
Always choose reputable bus companies.

Public Transportation

Mototaxis: Town Transport

Mototaxis are the main form of public transportation within Puerto Maldonado. These are three-wheeled motorized rickshaws.

Routes & Fares

Operate on demand throughout town; no fixed routes or central hubs.
Fares negotiated directly with the driver before the ride. Cash payments only, in Soles.
Short rides typically PEN 3-8 ($0.80-$2). Have small denominations.

Operating & Safety

Mototaxis are frequent and operate from early morning until late at night. They a quick and easy way to get around.

Efficiency & Safety Tips

Always agree on the fare before starting the ride.
Clearly state your destination or point it out located on a map.
Generally safe during the day. At night, take from well-lit, residential zones.

Walking

Town center, Plaza de Armas, Malecón Grau are walkable. Lodge trails are good in the jungle exploration with a guide.

Cycling

Minimal to non-existent bicycle infrastructure. Not recommended on main roads due to traffic and heat.

Accessibility

Accessibility services limited. Uneven trails and reliance on riverboats challenges for mobility impairments.

Specialized Transportation

Riverboats

"Peque-peques" are the most important mode of transport for reaching Amazon lodges and attractions. They are the to jungle exploration.

Usage & Arrangement

Used for navigating rivers to Sandoval Lake, macaw clay licks, and other sites.
Typically part of a lodge package or arranged as private charters through a tour operator.
Some lodges use faster, larger boats for transfers or excursions for quicker journeys.

Tour & Unique Options

Beyond standard modes, specialized transport serves specific tour purposes.

What Not to Expect

No tour buses or hop-on-hop-off services. Lodge operators use their own transportation for transfers.
No cable cars, funiculars, or unique local transports like that. The landscape is flat.
Accessibility services limited as a result of uneven jungle trails and reliance on riverboat transfers.

Rental Options

Car Rentals

Virtually non-existent for tourists. Not practical as most attractions are river or jungle-based. Roads outside town are gravel roads or inaccessible by car.

Motorcycle & Scooter

Limited availability. Not recommended for tourists due to area traffic, unfamiliar conditions, and safety concerns.

Bicycle Rentals

No formal bicycle sharing. Some local shops may rent. Cycling is not a common tourist pastimes due to heat and heavy traffic.

Travel Insight

For stress-free travel, coordinate all transfers with your lodge or a reputable tour operator.

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