Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The caves are about 6km away from Tingo María; taxis can take you there. There is a
S5 national-park fee and guides can show you around. The best times to visit the park are
in the morning, when sunlight shines into the cave mouth, or dusk, when the oilbirds
emerge. Don't be tempted to use your flashlight to see the birds, as it disturbs their sleep-
ing and breeding patterns.
There are myriad great
bathing spots
in and around the park. Recommended are the
San Jacintillo Medicinal Springs
, 1km before the Cave of the Owls;
Velo de las Ninfas
and
Cueva de los Tambos
, 9km south of Tingo; and the
Laguna el Milagro
, 35km
north of town. There is a nominal entrance fee of S3 to S5 at each spot.
For information on the dangers and annoyances unfortunately associated with the park,
please
Click here
.
The Cave of the Owls has police protection, but the road there is still
risky, as are more remote destinations.
Sleeping & Eating
Villa Jennifer $$
( 96-260-3509, 79-4714;
www.villajennifer.net
; Castillo Grande Km 3.4; dm
S50, s/d S100/120; )
Located north of the airport is this peaceful tropical hacienda
and lodge, run by a Danish-Peruvian couple. They have done wonders out of a lush ex-
panse of tropical bushland bounded by rivers on two sides. Suave rustic accommodations
range from simple rooms with shared bathrooms to airy minihomes that can sleep up to 10
people. You can also play table tennis, darts or table soccer, catch a movie in the DVD
lounge or go see the resident animals, including crocodiles, tortoises, a sloth and some
monkeys. There's also camping space (per person S20) and backpackers rooms (per per-
son S50, two-person minimum): a cut above your average dorm. In the excellent
restaur-
ant
( 10:30am-6pm)
, be sure to try the local fruit
anonas
− or custard apples - which
are delectable. There are also two swimming pools and minigolf.
LODGE
Hostal Palacio $
( 56-2319;
www.hostal-palacio.com
; Raimondi 158; s/d S20/30)
A good budget option
in the center of town, with four floors of rooms around a plant-filled courtyard. Cable TV
is S5 extra per night, but all rooms have telephones, which can dial internationally!
GUESTHOUSE
