The Tingo Maria to Tarapoto road is slowly improving, but it’s still one of the more “adventurous” routes in Peru. A handful of buses creep along sections of the semi-asphalted road, winding through the humid but beautiful scenery of the selva alta, or high jungle. These buses, however, are neither comfortable nor reliable (and not particularly safe).
A much better -- and quicker -- option is to take a shared taxi.
A few taxi companies operate along the route, with various stops between Tingo Maria and Tarapoto (with some heading further north to Moyobamba and Yurimaguas).
From my experience, Pizana Express S.A.C. is the best option (with Tocache Express as a decent backup alternative). The cars are generally comfortable and most of the drivers are responsible. The trick to finding both a comfortable ride and a conscientious driver is to arrange your trip, when possible, with the driver of a modern-looking, dent-free car.
There seem to be two types of driver working for Pizana: choferes (“drivers,” those that drive cars owned by Pizana) and dueños (“owners,” those that own their cars but drive them for Pizana). The dueños tend to be more professional and take better care of their cars and their passengers.
Pizana Express offices/terminals are dotted along the route from Tingo Maria (in the Huánuco region) to Tarapoto and Moyobamba to the north (San Martin region). To arrange your journey, head to an office in one of the following towns:
Drivers leave from all of the above terminals whenever they have a full car (at least three people, more for larger vehicles). There are also early morning departures that leave from Tingo Maria to Tarapoto and vice versa as early as 4:00 am. These are often the only cars that go all the way between Tingo Maria and Tarapoto. For most other departures, you’ll probably have to change cars in Juanjui.
At some point, your driver will stop for lunch. Many Pizana drivers stop in the small town of Pizana, where the company was born. There are a few decent lunch options in town -- ask your driver for a recommendation.
Pay your driver when you arrive at your destination (or when you change to a different car). Prices fluctuate depending on the current condition of the route. Generally, however, expect to pay about S/.80 to S/.90 nuevos soles (US$31 to $34) for the eight- to ten-hour trip between Tingo Maria and Tarapoto (with an extra S/.10 to S/.20 if you want to carry on to Moyobamba).
A much better -- and quicker -- option is to take a shared taxi.
A few taxi companies operate along the route, with various stops between Tingo Maria and Tarapoto (with some heading further north to Moyobamba and Yurimaguas).
From my experience, Pizana Express S.A.C. is the best option (with Tocache Express as a decent backup alternative). The cars are generally comfortable and most of the drivers are responsible. The trick to finding both a comfortable ride and a conscientious driver is to arrange your trip, when possible, with the driver of a modern-looking, dent-free car.
There seem to be two types of driver working for Pizana: choferes (“drivers,” those that drive cars owned by Pizana) and dueños (“owners,” those that own their cars but drive them for Pizana). The dueños tend to be more professional and take better care of their cars and their passengers.
Pizana Express Offices
Pizana Express offices/terminals are dotted along the route from Tingo Maria (in the Huánuco region) to Tarapoto and Moyobamba to the north (San Martin region). To arrange your journey, head to an office in one of the following towns:
- Tingo Maria -- Av. Raymondi 128
- Tocache -- Jr. Jorge Chávez 421
- Pizana -- Carretera Fernando Belaunde
- Juanjui -- Jr. Huallaga 1142
- Bellavista -- Augusto B. Leguia 1173
- Saposoa -- Jr. Amazonas 230
- Tarapoto -- Jr. Jorge Chávez 1221
- Moyobamba -- Jr. Serafín Filomeno 279
Scheduling and Stops
Drivers leave from all of the above terminals whenever they have a full car (at least three people, more for larger vehicles). There are also early morning departures that leave from Tingo Maria to Tarapoto and vice versa as early as 4:00 am. These are often the only cars that go all the way between Tingo Maria and Tarapoto. For most other departures, you’ll probably have to change cars in Juanjui.
At some point, your driver will stop for lunch. Many Pizana drivers stop in the small town of Pizana, where the company was born. There are a few decent lunch options in town -- ask your driver for a recommendation.
Pay your driver when you arrive at your destination (or when you change to a different car). Prices fluctuate depending on the current condition of the route. Generally, however, expect to pay about S/.80 to S/.90 nuevos soles (US$31 to $34) for the eight- to ten-hour trip between Tingo Maria and Tarapoto (with an extra S/.10 to S/.20 if you want to carry on to Moyobamba).
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