Tarapoto Waterfall Tour: Salto de las Brujas & Turquoise Pools

Swim in three waterfalls and turquoise pools after a jungle hike through the Yurimaguas region.

A full-day tour from Tarapoto ventures into the jungle to Salto de las Brujas, La Playa and Turquoise Pools, with a 25-minute hike, swimming stops, lunch in the local community of San José, and return by mid-afternoon. Hotel pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle are included. A Spanish-speaking guide leads the group through the Yurimaguas region's waterfalls and natural pools.

Step-by-step itinerary

Jungle tour and waterfall visit

• Hotel pickup at 9:00 a.m.
• Travel 45 minutes toward Yurimaguas
• 25-minute jungle hike
• Visit Salto de las Brujas waterfall
• Visit La Playa waterfall
• Swim at Turquoise Pools
• Lunch at San José community
• Return to Tarapoto by 4:30 p.m.

The experience

Hotel pickup starts at 9:00 a.m., followed by a 45-minute drive toward Yurimaguas. The day centers on a 25-minute jungle hike where you'll move through local vegetation and watch for wildlife before reaching Salto de las Brujas and La Playa, two waterfalls with natural pools for swimming. The route then continues to the Turquoise Pools, where the water's color is the main draw. You can swim and photograph before the group moves on.

Lunch happens at the local community of San José, breaking up the day before the return journey. The full outing runs roughly eight hours from start to finish, with the drive back to Tarapoto timed to arrive around 4:30 p.m. Air-conditioned transport handles the road sections, so the physical effort stays concentrated on the hiking and water time rather than on travel fatigue.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Tarapoto at 9:00 a.m.
• air-conditioned transportation to and from the Yurimaguas region.
• a Spanish-speaking guide for the full day.
• lunch at San José.
• access to swim at Salto de las Brujas, La Playa and Turquoise Pools.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 18

Live guideSpanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Machupicchu Holiday

Is this one for you?The 25-minute jungle hike and multiple water stops mean this tour suits someone with moderate fitness who wants to move through the forest and swim rather than sit on a bus. The early 9:00 a.m. start and 4:30 p.m. return fit a full day without eating into evening plans.

Top questions

What's the hike like on this Tarapoto waterfall tour?

The jungle hike lasts 25 minutes and moves through local vegetation with chances to spot wildlife. Moderate physical fitness is recommended, and the pace is built around reaching the waterfalls and pools rather than covering distance.

Can I swim at Salto de las Brujas and the other waterfalls?

Yes. Both Salto de las Brujas and La Playa have natural pools for swimming, and the Turquoise Pools offer another water stop where you can swim and take photos before lunch.

What time does the tour end and return to Tarapoto?

The tour arrives back in Tarapoto around 4:30 p.m., making it roughly an eight-hour outing from the 9:00 a.m. hotel pickup.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch is included at the local community of San José, positioned in the middle of the day between the waterfall visits and the return drive to Tarapoto.

How far is Yurimaguas from Tarapoto, and how long is the drive?

Yurimaguas is approximately 45 minutes from Tarapoto by air-conditioned vehicle, which is where the jungle hike and waterfall stops begin.