Why Visit Oxapampa? Check Out The Local Coffee, Culture & Adventures!

The cloud forest at sunrise

Green hills roll on as if the Amazon created waves that were frozen in place, and clouds seem to emanate from them with the sunrise. You watch this while sipping local coffee at your Bavarian-inspired ecolodge. You thank yourself for deciding to visit Oxapampa and wonder what adventure to do today.

A hike through tropical climates that ends at a mythical cave? Walking the canopy bridges with an over-enthusiastic and incredibly entertaining group of birders? Ziplining past tree lines and over valleys?

Maybe you just decide to chill at a bar, sipping local micro-brews and admiring the springlike weather and Alpine-like geography.

Oxapampa was populated by German immigrants in the mid-1800s. Native communities such as the Tsachopen and Ashaninka have kept their presence, too. So here you’ll sip local (delicious) coffee and look out the window to spot Bavarian architecture among tropical scenery. And your menu might be in Spanish and German.

Sunset hitting the verdant hillsides just outside town

What to Do

The Popular Options

The cultural experiences

Walking on the main plaza
  • La Merced coffee tours. All bias aside, this region has the BEST coffee in Peru!! If you like strong, earthy coffees, this is your place. La Merced is 2 hours from Oxapampa and buses leave regularly. Price should not be more than S/ 25 a person.
  • Main Plaza. Stroll around the large, shady plaza. Some of the best food is found in the restaurants and cafes here.
  • Pozuzo, the original German settlement. Here everything is just a little more German. Pozuzo is smaller and warmer than Oxapampa and hosts an Oktoberfest every year. It’s 2 hours from Oxapampa and buses leave regularly. The trip is S/ 25 a person.

Note: The route to Pozuzo is a swerving, curving dirt road which can be unsafe during times of rain. Consult with a local before jumping on the bus.

  • El Wharapo: Check out the old-fashioned way of making cane sugar and get some samples too! This is about 2 miles (3.3 km) from Oxapampa. This is close to Tunqui Cueva so you can make a half day trip of Tunqui and El Wharapo.
El Wharapo. Notice the sugar cane branches in the truck.

outdoors adventures

Searching for large mammals on the nighttime hanging bridges tour!
  • Hanging Bridges Tour. So good we did it twice! The 40-foot high bridges put you right in the forest canopy at Ulcumano Ecolodge. You can do this as part of your stay (one activity a day is included) or as an independent activity. If you can, go at night.

Ulcumano is a top-ranked place to stay in Oxapampa and is a local leader in ecotourism. It was a surprising highlight during our 2022 trip to Peru.

  • Rio Tigre waterfall: Get in some walking, work up a sweat, and soak off in the falls!! This is a good half-day option. The waterfall is over 60 feet (20 meters) tall. Any taxi or mototaxi (tuk-tuk) can take you here. Try to go first thing in the morning.
  • Tunqui Cueva: This cave is only 3 miles (5k) from Oxapampa. You only need about 30 minutes to explore and see rock figures such as “La Bruja” (the witch). Creepy. Bring a flashlight. 
  • Yanachaga Chemillen National Reserve. Here you’ll be among hundreds of Cock-of-the-Rocks, who flock near the campsite around 4pm. The park guides are friendly and informative. You can do a half-day visit or camp (bring your own gear). The easiest way to arrive is to take a car from “Oxa” towards Pozuzo. Just tell the driver you are going to the park.

What to Eat

View from Cafe Heidinger
Every self-respecting “Oxapampino” knows the process for making coffee, from bean to pour!
Coffee beans!

Oxapamapa has a unique mix of culture, history and geography. Because of that you’ll find an eclectic gastronomy to enjoy!

This includes German-inspired dishes (including secret-recipe German beer!) and typical jungle dishes. My personal favorite is tacacho, made of plantain and pieces of fried pork.

Oxapampinos are most proud of the region’s coffee. You can have a great cup anywhere and buy bags of local beans to bring home. I recommend going to to the cafe at Hotel Heidinger (a 10 minute walk from the main plaza).

This is a rarity- a specialty coffee shop in the same area where the coffee is grown!

Where to Stay

Our cabin at Carolina Egg. That’s an avocado tree in front of it!
Monkey! Peeking at us from that same avocado tree.

The best eco and adventure option is Ulcumano (see Outdoors Adventures above).

Also, family-run and sustainability-minded Carolina Egg Gesthaus is $45 a night for a room (includes breakfast). We stayed here in 2019 and 2022 and loved it both times.

They have a bonfire every night, and during the day it’s warm enough to dip in the pool. The buildings are traditional log cabins set around tropical vegetation. This is the spot to stay in town.

False Bird-of-Paradise flowers in Carolina Egg’s garden.
Misty sunrise from our cabin at Ulcumano Ecolodge
Later that day, sunset at Ulcumano

When to Visit Oxapampa (Including Weather)

Clucksters

The rainy season is from November through March. Try to avoid those months. Torrential rains can make transportation to Oxapampa difficult.

When you go, bring sunblock, a hat, and repellant. The average temperature in Oxapampa is in the high-60s all year (17-18 C), so bring layers for cool nights and warm afternoons.

Festivals

  • The Festival of San Juan on June 23rd is the biggest party in the Central Jungle.
  • Selvamanos is an increasingly popular music festival. Every year they have it in June or July.
  • Octoberfest in Pozuzo is celebrated in September or October (date varies).

How to Get There

Dirt bikes, called “motos”, are THE mode of transportation in Oxapampa

Movil Tours and Cruz del Sur provide transportation from Lima to Oxapampa. Depending on the seat and when you buy it costs S/ 40 to 85. The ride takes about 10 hours.

I recommend getting a seat that reclines at least 160 degrees on an overnight bus, so you can sleep and don’t lose a day traveling!

Conclusion

The bright full moon over Oxapampa

The central jungle’s biggest city is a cool cultural tourism spot with tons of outdoor adventure options. I fell in love with an Oxapampina, then fell in love with “Oxa”.

I cannot recommended enough going to this slightly off-the-beaten path spot, as it might be the unexpected highlight of your trip.

Check out this 10-day off-the-beaten path Peru itinerary to get started.

Peru Sample Itinerary: The Ultimate Off-The Beaten Path Adventure

man on the hike to the mountain Apu Pariacaca
The hike to Pariacaca from Tanta (Yauyos, Lima Department)

Tourists to Peru often wonder if the regions outside of Machu Picchu and Cusco are worth visiting. As someone who once lived far off the Gringo Trail, my answer to this is OF COURSE! There are countless destinations that offer memorable adventures in this incredibly diverse, colorful country. For off the beaten path adventures -after much discussion- we chose the Central region for a Peru sample itinerary.

The region of Central Peru is especially overlooked by international tourists. But here you can zipline in the jungle, hike ancient Incan trails, and whitewater raft for the fraction of the cost in other areas. Just like the North and South, Central Peru is divided by coast, mountains, and jungle. And this itinerary takes you to all three.

Feel free to use this sample itinerary for a trip to Central Peru. Or, mix-and-match experiences; pick one of the destinations below and add it to an itinerary for Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Sample Itinerary: Central Peru

Day 1- Play, Eat & Learn Lima

Lima is overcast and grey 8 months of the year. But being home to 1/3 of Peru’s population, the city offers museums, surfboard and bike rentals, and a world-class gastronomy. Get your ceviche on, check out Museo Larco to learn about Peru’s long history, and walk around the Bohemian Barranco neighborhood.

At night take a fully-reclining seat on a buscama to Oxapampa. This trip will take 10 hours.

Where to stay

Consider Kaminu Backpackers in Barranco. They follow sustainable water practices (Lima’s located in a giant desert) and offer bike rentals. For hotels, I like Casa Andina in Miraflores.

Top experiences in lima

  • Surfing the costa verde
  • Renting a bike on the malecon (boardwalk) in Miraflores
  • Parasailing in Miraflores
  • Visiting the creepy catacombs at San Francisco Cathedral
  • Getting your history on at Museo Larco
  • Eating the local fruits and dishes at Mercado Surquillo in Miraflores
  • Ceviche…. always ceviche
woman holding surfboard

Day 2-4: Extreme Sports in The Central Jungle

Peru sample itinerary: man rappelling down waterfalls in Oxapampa, Peru

Now you’re in the Central Jungle. This area is known for the German settlements of Pozuzo and Oxapampa. It’s my favorite area in Peru; the weather is warm, the architecture Austrian, and the coffee and beer local and tasty. The weather is warm but not hot, and it gets slightly chilly at night.

clouds parting in central jungle of peru

Day 2: Stay a night at Ulcumano Ecolodge, a beautiful ecolodge on the outskirts of Oxapampa. Take advantage of the ziplines, rappelling, and hiking opportunities.

peru sample itinerary: photo of two hammocks at Ulcumano Ecolodge

Day3: Check out Rio Tigre waterfall near Oxapampa. Take a taxi ride and make the short hike and get soaked under the falls. After lunch take a combi mini-bus to Yanachaga Chemillen National Park. You can take a guided hike (free) and finish searching for Peru’s national bird, the Cock of the Rock. Hundreds of them come out at 4pm every day!

The park rangers can also show you where to camp. You’ll need your own tent, however. Otherwise catch the next combi back to Oxapampa or continue on to the old German settlement of Pozuzo for the night.

cock of the rock bird
Cock of the Rock. Yup, it’s a real, actual name

Day 4: Take time to check out the German architecture in the plaza. If you’re looking for something to do, there is a cave near Oxapampa called Tunqui which makes for a good short adventure. After lunch head to Huancayo, a 6 hour trip.

Where to stay

I recommend Carolina Egg Gesthuas in Oxapampa. The wooden cabins are big and comfy, and they have a pool and bonfire area.

Top Experiences in the Central Jungle

  • Outdoor activities at Ulcumano ecolodge
  • Hiking to the area’s waterfalls
  • Hiking, camping & birdwatching at Yanachaga Chemillen National Park
  • Drinking German beer and food at Dorcher brewery
  • Trying the self-proclaimed “best coffee in world” from nearby Villa Rica

Day 5: Rest Up In Huancayo

outside Park of Identity in Huancayo

Spend day 5 in Huancayo. Huancayo is a bustling, authentically Andean city and the jumping-off point to the North Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve. Take it easy today. You’ll probably need to adjust to the altitude (10,692 feet or 3,259 meters). So, have a coca tea and avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Huancayo does provide some adventure options. A day hike to the snowcapped Huaytapallana mountain is the most popular option. The city is also famous for its artisans and is the region’s cultural capital. Definitely go to an artisan market for souvenirs.

Where to stay

Since you’re only in Huancayo to pass through, stay at a convenient place downtown like Junco y Capuli.

top experiences in huancayo

  • View the city and Mantaro Valley at Cerro de la Libertad
  • Souvenir shopping at the artesian collective next to the main plaza
  • Learning about the Peruvian internal conflict at the art museum Yalpana Wasi
  • Visiting Parque de la Identidad (Wanka Identity Park). This small park pays tribute to local culture with stone structures, statues and native flora. Buy a chicha drink from the woman at the front door!

Days 6-8 YOLO in Yauyos!

mountain landscape in Yauyos, Peru
Sunset from Vitis, Yauyos province- my old home :)

Day 6: If you’re going to make a sample itinerary for Peru based on off-the-beaten path areas, the beautiful region of Yauyos must be considered!

Catch an early morning combi mini bus or shared taxi (collectivo) to the Nor-Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve. Here the weather will be cold at night and warm in the afternoon, much like Huancayo. Go to the centrally-located town of Alis to start your day.

You can stay at a local bed and breakfast-type of location (hospedaje) and make day trips to other villages. Or, you can spend the night at the other towns (which is easier). Either way, you have a few options:

Laraos

  • Take a bus or shared taxi to Laraos. Laraos has UNESCO world heritage-listed terraces, a famous disappearing lake, and impressive archaeological sites.

Miraflores

  • Take a bus or shared taxi to Miraflores. There you can hike for a couple of hours alongside a mountain to the old town of Miraflores, abandoned in 1912. The Central Mountain Range of Peru runs through Miraflores. So you’ll get even more excellent views of snowcapped peaks. You can hike down from the town to catch a car to Huancaya.

Huancaya

  • Take a bus or shared taxi to Huancaya. Huancaya is the most popular destination in the Reserve because of its blue cascades and turquoise lakes. Next door, Vitis offers a 3-hr hike to a pre-Incan site called Cochaswasi. Further past Huancaya (about 2 hours in car) is the village of Vilca, which has more lakes and an impressive Quenual forest. The trees are straight out of a fairy tale. You can camp in Huancaya next to the waterfalls or book a room at a locally-run spot like Hostal Huancaya.
cascades of Huancaya peru
Cascades in Huancaya

Days 7 & 8: Spend two days in the destination of choice or split your time among multiples places.

Day 9 & 10: Raft & Bike in Lunahuaná

people whitewater rafting

Day 9: Take one of the buses or shared cars that leave every morning for Lima. But, instead of getting off at the end of the line, stop at the weekend warrior spot of Lunahuaná. Here you can whitewater raft, mountain bike, and taste local wines and Pisco.

Lunahuaná is about 5 hours from the center of the Reserve downhill, so the weather is dry and warm. Lima is only 3 hours away.

Where To Stay in Lunahuaná

Hotel Quilla Wasi is reasonably priced and offers services that you’ll appreciate after being on the road for so long (HELLO, laundry service!!!)

Day 10: Finish up any activity you want to try in Lunahuaná, then take a shared car or bus to Lima.

If You Have More Time

  • Take a shared car or bus from Oxapampa to Villa Rica for a coffee tour, in arguably Peru’s best coffee town.
  • Hike in the Forest of Love (Bosque de Amor) in Vilca. This is 2 hours from Huancaya.
  • Further on from Vilca, visit the village of Tanta. The village provides guide and porters for a 2-day trek to the snow-capped mountain deity (Apu in Quechua) named Pariacaca. You’ll be on an ancient Incan path the entire time- a true Inca Trail.
  • Before ending your trip in Lima, get off the bus from Lunahuaná at the surfing hotspot Punta Hermosa. Here you can rent a board to catch some waves, or just enjoy the delicious seafood!

Best Time to Go to Central Peru

Try to avoid the rainy season from November through April. Especially avoid the rainiest months, January and February. Transportation can be dangerous, and towns in general shut down in these months. Of course, since the coast is a desert, this only applies to the Andes and jungle.

Conclusion

I hope this sample itinerary for Peru helps you in planning your adventure. Do you have questions or comments? Email us at GringoInca@gmail.com or comment below. Gracias!