Tarapoto

[Jack Jericho]

I'm going to check Tarapoto on my next trip. How did you get there? Was it by plane or bus?

Depending on the dates and how much in advance you reserve your flight, a round trip to Tarapoto in Latam may cost you less than 100 US dollars. I wouldn't consider travelling by bus if I were you.

Not to mention that between January and March (actually from mid-December to mid-April) it is rain season in Peruvian's mountains and jungle, and there is a high probability of being caught by a "huayco" (landslide). Huaycos are frequent in summer in the mountains; you can be stranded for a day or two if a huayco takes out the road. Go to youtube, search for "huayco en Peru" and you'll get an idea. The rest of the year, on the other hand, the trip by bus through the amazing landscape is a breathtaking experience, and the roads are good, safe and relatively new (we rebuild them every other year because of the huaycos ha ha ha).

J. J.

[DownUnderMonger]

Looking at redbus. Pe it's 22-30 hours. I'd be flying at that length haha.

While a bus cama for 5-10 hours up the coast (mostly spent asleep mind you) isn't too bad, but that doesn't sound like fun.

Watch "From Rio to Lima Transocenica" on youtube. That gives you an insight into long-distance travel that looks like some real pain that I'd pass on.

I'm going to check Tarapoto on my next trip. How did you get there? Was it by plane or bus?

[Slick Rich33]

Arrived in Tarapoto yesterday. Anyone got any advice on where to go? I'm kind of tired of the chongo thing. It's a very very cold and mechanical experience. Is there any other option?

If not, what's the most relevant chongo in Tarapoto right now?

I'm going to check Tarapoto on my next trip. How did you get there? Was it by plane or bus?

[Joe100]

Thanks for posting Jack. My spanish is weak so didn't bother with the disco thing in the end. Might give it a go when I get to Iquitos later in the week. No longer inspired by chongos so didn't bother taking the moto taxi ride out.

P4P scene, other than the chongos, is very poor in Tarapoto but it is not needed, not really, you can easily pick up a girl at a disco.

Another option is the hotel guy, the doorman / night man at any medium priced hotel will get you girls if asked, but the risk of not getting quite what you expected is high.

There are two chongos in Tarapoto, Pykaras and Via Rosa, both in Morales in the outskirts of Tarapoto, Pycaras seems to be the best option by far these days.

I hope it helps.

.

[Jack Jericho]

Arrived in Tarapoto yesterday. Anyone got any advice on where to go? I'm kind of tired of the chongo thing. It's a very very cold and mechanical experience. Is there any other option?

If not, what's the most relevant chongo in Tarapoto right now?

P4P scene, other than the chongos, is very poor in Tarapoto but it is not needed, not really, you can easily pick up a girl at a disco.

Another option is the hotel guy, the doorman / night man at any medium priced hotel will get you girls if asked, but the risk of not getting quite what you expected is high.

There are two chongos in Tarapoto, Pykaras and Via Rosa, both in Morales in the outskirts of Tarapoto, Pycaras seems to be the best option by far these days.

I hope it helps.

[Joe100]

Arrived in Tarapoto yesterday. Anyone got any advice on where to go? I'm kind of tired of the chongo thing. It's a very very cold and mechanical experience. Is there any other option?

If not, what's the most relevant chongo in Tarapoto right now?

[Parkour King]

Was in Tarapoto few days ago. Local friend showed me chongo, because I asked him. It is located in Morales, its kinda neighbor district. Mototaxi at late evening cost was 10 soles. The place is called Pykaras, from outside looks like old fashion mansion. Inside it has 2 floors, rooms with girls on both floors. Was dark, all visitors there were locals, most of them drunk as shit. Entrance is 10 or 15 soles I think, don't remember. Price is 30 soles for 20 minutes. The girl I choose were from Selva, she looked pretty but very cold. No kisses to body possible, no contact, everything mechanically. Cannot say anything about other girls, but they didn't smile like girls do in Cucardas. For the way back mototaxer asked 15 soles, LOL. But that was after midnight. Also there is a bar, but only beer available.

[Sly One]

Yes, it is still a good option to stay and girl friendly and very central.

Make sure you get a Peruvian to make the booking else you will get the gringo rate and get them to confirm the price in writing via internet. They will also do a deal if you say well this is my budget.

They also tried to charge to me the same rate but in dollars when I left.

I fixed that by then saying well "I'm now paying Nothing."After walking a little distance and loading 3/4s of my stuff in the taxi" and they realized I never signed the guest bookthey soon agreed to take previously agreed sole rate.

Also as reported the guy on the night shift security. Milco? Well starts with a "M"

Just ask the night shift guy where to find some company and offer a tip for good advice.

Mr "M" tried to supply with some girls. And tried the Old bait and switch trick on me.

The two who turned up were pigs 4/10. Didn't even offer to pay for their taxi money home.

So tell him to set you up with something very pretty 8+/10 else he and she will get nothing.

He has the pictures in his cell phone but unfortunately the 2 he sent me were very different to what I was shown.

Sly

[Alpha Cyte]

Hey forum, Anyone know if hotel Nila is still the place to stay? I will be in Tarapoto at end of week and will post my report.

[Doc Bill]

My advice would be to pay the extra and take LAN. Star Peru is notorious for delaying and cancelling flights at the last minute. Everyone I know has a nightmare story about Star Peru. Here's mine:

Coming back from Tarapoto the other day, after waiting on the check-in line for about an hour a Spanish speaking friend that I was lucky to have along went up and asked what was up. We were told first that the flight was delayed. Then they said that anyone who checked in online would go on the already-delayed flight. "What about the rest of us?" I asked. I was told that I would have to take the following flight out. "What time?" I asked. They said that they didn't know - Could be in two hours, five hours, or tomorrow night. Not willing to spend the night at Tarapoto airport for a flight that may not even exist I went over and bit the bullet, paying $170 for a one-way LAN flight leaving in 30 minutes. Star Peru never again.

[Member #4351]

The owner invited me to stay there and bring a chica or chicas, so I don´t think that it would be a problem.

[Tomasb]

Noticed today that Star Peru has about a $100 ida/vuelta fare to Tarapoto. They have great price deals to other parts of the country too, including tourist starved Cusco. Lan Peru price I believe is $300 to $400 round trip.

I know that walk of shame and will probably opt for the Hotel Nilas and Mickey's services. Thanks Doc.

There was a time that you could fly to Talara with other Peruvian airlines in order to access Mancora. However, I read on Wikipedia site that the airport was closed indefinitely. Anyone know why? Sounds like a safety issue.

[Doc Bill]

Tomasb - Puerto Palmeras is a lovely resort, but it is, as David says, some distance from the town. They will also arrange tours. I would think it is not "chica friendly" since it is a family place, but I don't know for sure. If it is consider the possibility of the "walk of shame."

I am very happy with Hotel Nilas. Every comfort for 80 soles per night. Yes, Mickey is the man to speak with there. He will show you pictures on his cellphone. When you make your pick just tell him what time you want to see her (late night is ok), and she will be there. Most of the girls come from Morales, about a 15 minute taxi ride. The cost (in soles): 100 to the girl plus 10 for taxi, 10 to Mickey. Total = $120 soles or approximately $40. Not bad for a luxury (sort of) hotel.

(and btw, thanks for your support, D-33)

[Member #4351]

I think that Puerto Palmeras is out of the city and more a resort than a place to spend the night...but it`s GF.

[Tomasb]

Coming to Lima next Tuesday and will spend the weekend there but wanted to check out Tarapoto after that. Hotel Nilas seems like the place to stay and thanks to Doc Bill comments about it. Is Mickey the guy to talk with at the front desk or is it another guy? Had thought about Puerto Palermes (sp?) but not sure if that is all that gfriendly to the board's way of thinking. Could not agree more about LAN. They flat out suck.

Going to finally break down and pay the $20? Entry fee so I can PM David too.