Manú National Park

Pristine Amazon biodiversity wonderland

Manu National Park in Peru protects one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. The park covers areas from lowland rainforests to cloud forests, providing habitats for thousands of plant and animal species. Many birds, mammals and insects live here, including rare species such as macaws and giant otters. Rivers wind through the landscape, supporting fish and aquatic life. Visitors can experience guided hikes, boat trips and cultural visits with local communities while learning about conservation efforts in a region where nature remains largely untouched by development.

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National Park in Peru

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 4.5

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	1
Accessibility:	1
Tap water:	1

Read details

3/5

English proficiency varies widely in Manú. Professional guides working with established tour companies generally speak good English, while local staff at lodges may have basic communication skills. In remote areas and among indigenous communities, Spanish

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Last update: 29 Oct 2026

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Manú National Park Summary

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Outstanding for rainforest wildlife. Join guided jungle tours, spot monkeys and colorful birds, travel rivers by boat and experience one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.

Place score

7.3

Best at:

Forests

Secluded

Birdwatching

Less touristy

Natural sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 3

Families

🧓 2

Seniors

♻️ 8

Sustainability

👩 5

Solo

Peru – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Peruvian Sol (PEN) £1 ≈ PEN 4.59
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Peru, especially in larger cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Peru, with 10-15% being the usual amount in restaurants. Small tips are appreciated by taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited in Peru, and alcohol consumption is restricted to licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but smoking indoors in public spaces is generally prohibited.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 105 (Police), 106 (Ambulance), 116 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber
Other:	Peru is known for its ancient culture, including Inca ruins and the Amazon rainforest, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Manú National Park, Peru

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌦️

Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct. - Nov.
Crowdedness:	1 (Very few tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Reserved Zone is only accessible with licensed operators and permits, tours mostly run April to November

Manu Road is prone to landslides and closures during the rainy season, November to March

Cold surges (friajes) can drop temperatures sharply in the lowlands from May to August

Don't miss

🌿 Take a guided jungle trek through the Amazon rainforest
🦜 Spot macaws and toucans at a clay lick hide
🚤 Cruise down the Madre de Dios River at sunrise
🏡 Stay overnight in an eco-lodge deep in the jungle
🐊 Observe giant otters and caimans in Oxbow Lake

You've been here?

Why travel to Manú National Park?

Manú National Park offers what few places on Earth still can – a chance to experience nature in its purest, most undisturbed form. The park hosts over 1,000 bird species (more than the entire United States), 200 mammal species and countless plants, insects and amphibians. Wildlife encounters here feel genuine and unpredictable – from spotting colorful macaws gathering at clay licks to glimpsing elusive jaguars or playful river otters. The park's strict conservation policies mean wildlife behaves naturally, undisturbed by the habituation that occurs in more heavily trafficked destinations. Beyond wildlife, Manú provides a rare opportunity to disconnect completely from modern life and immerse yourself in the rhythms of the rainforest. The journey itself becomes part of the adventure, as you travel by boat along winding rivers, passing pristine landscapes few humans have ever seen. Some areas even offer the chance to learn about indigenous communities who maintain traditional lifestyles within the park's boundaries. Unlike more developed ecotourism destinations, Manú delivers an experience that feels like genuine exploration rather than a packaged tour.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Boca Manu

🎡Places for activities

1 Cocha Otorongo
2 Cocha Salvador

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Río Alto Madre de Dios
2 Río Manú
3 Mirador de Tres Cruces

🎈Events

Biodiversity Research Expeditions
Birdwatching Peak Season (June-August)
Macaw Breeding Season
Turtle Nesting Season
Dry Season Wildlife Gatherings
Indigenous Cultural Celebrations
Conservation Awareness Events
Rainforest Photography Workshops
Scientific Research Programs
Guided Specialist Expeditions

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Knowledge before you go

Book authorized tour; independent visits prohibited.
Access via Cusco by 4x4 and boat; multi-day trips required for remote zones.
Bring binoculars for 1,000+ bird species, giant otters, jaguars at oxbow lakes.
Park has core, reserved, cultural zones – highest wildlife sightings in permitted reserved area only.

How to travel to Manú National Park

Accessing Manú National Park typically begins in Cusco, with most visitors taking one of two routes. The most common approach is overland from Cusco, traveling through the Andes and cloud forest by vehicle (8-10 hours) to reach Atalaya or Shintuya, where you transfer to boats that take you into the park. This gradual descent allows for acclimatization and the chance to see multiple ecosystems. Alternatively, you can fly from Cusco to the small airstrip at Boca Manu (40 minutes), then continue by boat to your destination within the park. Some tour operators also offer access via Puerto Maldonado, using fast boats for the 4-6 hour journey upriver. All visits require advance booking with authorized tour operators who handle the necessary permits, as independent travel is not allowed in most zones of the park.

Access summary

From Cusco (CUZ): Full‑day drive to Atalaya, then river boat in.
From Cusco city: Tour vans via Paucartambo to river port, 8–12 hours.
From Puerto Maldonado: Drive along Interoceanic Highway, then 6–7 hour river boat.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Manú National Park

Accommodations in Manú range from basic to comfortable, but don't expect luxury. Most visitors stay in jungle lodges with varying levels of amenities - from rustic shelters with shared bathrooms to more comfortable private cabins with hot water and electricity for limited hours. Some tours include stays at research stations or specialized tree houses that offer unique perspectives of the forest. Camping is part of some expeditions, particularly in more remote areas. All accommodations focus on minimizing environmental impact, so be prepared for an authentic experience rather than resort-style comforts.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Glamping Eco Spirit

10.0

Del Pilar Ollantaytambo

Birds Hotel Molino

Vertical Sky Suites

9.5

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Manú National Park

Movement within Manú National Park is primarily by boat along the rivers, with motorized canoes being the main transportation method between lodges and wildlife viewing areas. Most tours include all transportation as part of the package. Guided hiking along established trails is the other main way to explore, always accompanied by experienced local guides who know how to navigate the rainforest safely. There are no roads within most of the protected areas, which helps preserve the pristine nature of the environment but also means you'll be dependent on your tour operator for all transportation needs. Independent travel within the park is not permitted in most zones - you must be part of an organized tour with proper permits.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-60 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 60% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+6 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to PEN) is 6% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now is more expensive compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Cusco, Peru - 187 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£31	£68	£187
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£38	£90
🍝 Food per day	£14	£25	£77
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£5	£20

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£10
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.60
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.70
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.70
☕ Cappuccino	£2.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.70

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.23
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£13
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.25

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.90
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£20
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£3.20

Safety information overview

General safety

Manú is generally safe regarding crime, but natural hazards exist. Always follow guide instructions regarding wildlife, river travel and jungle trekking. The remoteness means emergency evacuation can be difficult and time-consuming. Never wander off alone and respect safety briefings about poisonous plants and animals.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities within the park are extremely limited. Bring personal medications and a basic first aid kit. The nearest hospitals are in Cusco, potentially days away by boat and road. Malaria risk is low but present and other tropical diseases exist. Consult a travel doctor before visiting.

Accessibility

Manú presents significant challenges for those with mobility issues. Boat transfers require climbing in and out of vessels on riverbanks, trails are uneven and often muddy and accommodations lack accessibility features. The remote nature and basic infrastructure make this destination unsuitable for travelers with serious physical limitations.

Tap water

Do not drink tap water anywhere in Manú. Lodges typically provide filtered or bottled water for drinking. Stay well-hydrated in the humid climate, but only consume water from trusted sources. Some tours include water purification as part of their services.