Pucallpa is a fast growing town in the lowland jungle and is the
capital of the department of Ucayali. After Iquitos, Pucallpa is the second
important jungle town in Peru with a population of about 200,000.
Unless Iquitos, which lies totally isolated in the Peruvian selva, Pucallpa can be reached directly by road
from Lima although it is a trip that can last several days by car or
bus. The closest nearby town is Tingo
María at 250 km. Pucallpa lies on the shores of the Ucayali
river, together with the Marañon the main source river of the Amazon. It is a modern town,
without colonial buildings. It is a good starting point for making
river trips along the Ucayali or Amazon, or for jungle excursions.
Nearby is the beautiful lake Laguna Yarinacocha.
