El Parayso, nature and history near to town

‘El Parayso’ is a place on the outskirts of Puerto Maldonado where the Balarezo family lives. This is one of the oldest families in the area, having settled in Tambopata during the ‘rubber boom’. They allow the traveler to take a look into the past of the region, through the stories and experiences they share. Francisco and Beatriz, parents of 10 children, are more than 80 years old, and still retain an admirable fitness. Sitting with them to share their experiences of decades, tasting the local food that Mrs. Beatriz prepares, is a very nice experience.

The main host is Percy, the youngest son of the family. Before El Parayso was opened to visitors, he was the one who had the idea of sharing its forest and culture. He found an opportunity to protect his heritage by sharing it with travelers from all over the world.

El Parayso has one of the best preserved forests around Puerto Maldonado, excellent for jungle walks and wildlife observation. This is the main activity here, with 3 km long trails along the forest, having both daytime and night walks. On the trails it is possible to find a wide variety of flora and fauna species, such as squirrel monkeys, toucans, armadillos and a variety of insects, arachnids, amphibians and reptiles.

To enjoy this place, the Balarezo Family has built two double cabins near the river. But if the traveler is looking for a closer contact with nature, there are also camping areas on the trails.

For more information about El Paraíso, visit www.tambopataecotours.com.