Your stay — El Mural Backpacker
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Tarapoto.
The Property — El Mural Backpacker
El Mural Backpacker is a small, colourful hostel in central Tarapoto built around a courtyard with a pool. Everything is painted with murals, the vibe is laid-back and social but not noisy, and it suits independent travellers who want to meet others without sacrificing sleep. Standing in the lobby you smell coffee and hear the pool pump; it feels like a clubhouse for people passing through.
Chronicles of Tarapoto
Tarapoto was founded in 1782 by Spanish missionaries as a reducción for indigenous peoples along the Huallaga River. It grew slowly as a jungle trading post, then boomed in the 19th century with rubber and later coca cultivation. Today the historic centre holds a neoclassical plaza and cathedral, while the economy has shifted to eco-tourism and palm oil. Locals call it the 'City of Palms' and its street food and chicha bars mark it as an authentic Amazonian crossroads.
Best Time to Visit
Full Tarapoto guide →Best months
July and August offer the driest weather and easiest road access to jungle hikes, plus the annual Fiesta de la Patrona in August pulls in fewer crowds than Lima. June is also good before the main rush.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the busiest months, driven by school holidays and the Tarapoto Jungle Festival (late July). Hotel prices climb 30-50% above low season; book three months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and September are the best shoulder months: lower room rates, still travelable weather, and far fewer tourists on the Misty Trail or to Ahuashiyacu waterfall.
Weather & packing
Tarapoto stays hot and humid year-round, but July's 'dry season' still delivers brief afternoon downpours. Pack a light rain shell over synthetic clothes, and always carry a dry bag for electronics on day trips.
Live City Briefing — Tarapoto
- The new dual carriageway from Tarapoto to the Huallaga River bridge opened in January 2026, cutting travel time to Lamas by 20 minutes.
- Several new craft-beer bars have opened on Jirón San Martín near the main plaza, replacing older chicha joints.
- The municipal market underwent a fire safety renovation in early 2026, so the food stalls are now under a temporary tin roof until the permanent works finish in August.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to El Mural Backpacker, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third floor. The lift stops there, saving you stairs, and it's high enough to reduce street noise from Jiròn Ulises Reátegui.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms. They face the street directly and get foot traffic noise, plus potential dampness. Also avoid rooms directly next to the lift shaft on any floor.
Best views
Ask for a room at the front (facing Jiròn Ulises Reátegui) on floors 3-4 for some city views and light. Back rooms overlook a courtyard — no view but quieter.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest. They're above street level and below the roof (which might have a terrace or service area).
🔊 Noise notes
Jiròn Ulises Reátegui is a main-ish street in Tarapoto's centre. Expect mototaxi traffic from early morning (6am) until late evening (10-11pm). The bar/common area on the ground floor might have music until midnight.
Insider tips
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a higher floor — the lift is single-car and slow. 2. Ask reception for earplugs at check-in; the front desk often has them for guests.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — El Mural Backpacker
Free WiFi throughout; speed sufficient for browsing and messaging, not for video streaming. Login requires room number each day.
No lift; all rooms are on first and second floors via stairs.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available free from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 costs PEN 30; after 12:00 charged a full night.
Free storage for same-day arrivals and departures; overnight storage costs PEN 10 per bag.
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps, and all floors are stairs-only. Wheelchair access not feasible.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is 400 m away on Jr. Jiménez Pimentel, PEN 15 per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full stay amount required at check-in; a cash deposit of PEN 50 for incidentals, refundable at check-out.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días (924 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días (945 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Católica Matriz: El Triunfo de la Santísima Cruz (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Ejército de Salvación (1.6 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza de Armas de Tarapoto — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
CrediScotia — 980 m · ~12 min walk
La Inmaculada — 919 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Exchange at banks or authorised exchange houses in Tarapoto; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards are accepted in larger supermarkets and hotels in town, but cash is king at markets and smaller shops; contactless is rare.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% in nicer restaurants is appreciated; taxis don’t need tips; hotel staff may accept small gratuity for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Street-side coffee from a local stall or market — around S/2-3.
Menu del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink) at a simple cevichería or local restaurant — S/8-15.
Main dish at a casual pollería (grilled chicken place) or bodega — S/10-18.
Markets and the main plaza area evenings for anticuchos (grilled skewers) and empanadas; also near the bus terminal.
Plaza Vea or Metro supermarkets (limited in Tarapoto); small bodegas are common for basics.
Mercado de Tarapoto (central market) for affordable local clothing; few chain stores in town.
Minibuses or mototaxis (S/2-5 per trip); from the airport, a shared taxi into town is about S/10-15.
Eat at market stalls for cheap, hearty meals; negotiate mototaxi fares before hopping on; buy water by the litre from bodegas not tourist shops.
Good to know — Tarapoto
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Tarapoto, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at El Mural Backpacker
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · CrediScotia — 980 m · ~12 min walk — pharmacy · La Inmaculada — 919 m · ~11 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Terminal Terrestre (bus terminal) or Jr. Rioja stop → Paradero near CasaBosque (Jr. Los Ángeles corner)
💡 Buses are crowded and doors open while moving. Have coins ready. CasaBosque is a short walk once you reach the 'Los Ángeles' stop—ask the driver to let you off there.
Tarapoto Airport (TPP), Aeropuerto Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes → CasaBosque, Jr. Los Ángeles 146 (approx 4 km away)
💡 Don't haggle too hard—fares are city-set. If you arrive after dark, the ride can be quiet but safe; tip 2-3 soles for help with luggage.
Jr. Los Ángeles intersection with Av. Circunvalación → Tarapoto city centre or Bellavista
💡 Collectivos are a cheap way to reach markets. They're shared, so passenger count can reach 5-6 in a small car. Validate you're heading the right direction before getting in.
Plaza de Armas, Tarapoto → CasaBosque area (Jr. Los Ángeles vicinity)
💡 Always agree the price before getting in—locals pay 3 soles for short hops inside town. Helmet rarely provided, so hold on tight.
About Tarapoto
Wikipedia ↗
Tarapoto, founded in 1782 as Santa Cruz de los Motilones de Tarapoto, is a commercial hub town in the San Martín Province of the Department of San Martín of northern Peru. It is an hour by plane from Lima, in the high jungle plateau to the east of what is known as the selva baja (low jungle). Althou...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at El Mural Backpacker?
Request a room on the third floor. The lift stops there, saving you stairs, and it's high enough to reduce street noise from Jiròn Ulises Reátegui.
Which rooms should I avoid at El Mural Backpacker?
Avoid ground-floor rooms. They face the street directly and get foot traffic noise, plus potential dampness. Also avoid rooms directly next to the lift shaft on any floor.
Is El Mural Backpacker noisy?
Jiròn Ulises Reátegui is a main-ish street in Tarapoto's centre. Expect mototaxi traffic from early morning (6am) until late evening (10-11pm). The bar/common area on the ground floor might have music until midnight.
Which rooms have the best views at El Mural Backpacker?
Ask for a room at the front (facing Jiròn Ulises Reátegui) on floors 3-4 for some city views and light. Back rooms overlook a courtyard — no view but quieter.
What are insider tips for staying at El Mural Backpacker?
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a higher floor — the lift is single-car and slow. 2. Ask reception for earplugs at check-in; the front desk often has them for guests.
What time is check-in at El Mural Backpacker?
Check-in at El Mural Backpacker is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does El Mural Backpacker have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; speed sufficient for browsing and messaging, not for video streaming. Login requires room number each day.
Is there a city or tourist tax at El Mural Backpacker?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near El Mural Backpacker?
Menu del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink) at a simple cevichería or local restaurant — S/8-15.
What is the cheapest way to get around from El Mural Backpacker?
Minibuses or mototaxis (S/2-5 per trip); from the airport, a shared taxi into town is about S/10-15.
When is the best time to visit Tarapoto?
July and August offer the driest weather and easiest road access to jungle hikes, plus the annual Fiesta de la Patrona in August pulls in fewer crowds than Lima. June is also good before the main rush.
Top Attractions in Tarapoto
💡 It's quiet — you might have the place to yourself. Ask the caretaker to open the back room with the mummies; it's usually locked but accessible on request.
💡 Best at sunset for golden light over the city. Take water — the climb is about 200 steps in humid heat. Wear shoes with grip.
💡 Evenings are best when the heat drops and locals gather. Try a freshly made 'jugo de aguaje' from the carts on the north side for about S/3.
💡 Bring insect repellent — the walk is short, but mosquitoes are relentless. Go after a dry spell for clearer water.
💡 Go early on a weekday to avoid crowds. Bring cash for the entrance and a small snack from stalls — no card payments.