Oxapampa

Oxapampa is a small town in Peru's Pasco Region with a unique cultural blend: one-third of residents descend from 19th-century German-Austrian settlers who arrived in 1859. The town sits at 1,814 meters elevation on a fertile plain along the Río Huancabamba, offering access to waterfalls, orchid gardens, and jungle trails. Unlike crowded tourist destinations, Oxapampa feels authentic and uncrowded, making it ideal for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences in the Central Sierra.

Oxapampa is reached primarily by bus. The town is 81 km from La Merced, the nearest larger town with more frequent transport connections. Bus companies operating routes to Oxapampa include Empresa de Transporte Lobato (Av. 28 de Julio 2101-2117, La Victoria), Turismo Oxabus E.I.R.L. (Av. 28 de Julio 1575, La Victoria), Movil Bus (Av Nicolás Arriola 740, La Victoria; movilbus.pe), and Cruz del Sur (Av. Javier Prado 1109, La Victoria; cruzdelsur.com.pe).

Within Oxapampa, the primary local transport options are mototaxi and bus. Mototaxis are readily available for short trips around town and to nearby attractions. Buses also operate on main routes connecting different parts of the town and surrounding areas.

The Selvamonos Music and Arts Festival takes place in late June or early July at the foot of Chemillen Yanachaga Park, a protected area recognized as a biosphere reserve. A cultural week precedes the festival with arts, design, and environmental fairs. The dry season (May to October) generally offers better conditions for outdoor activities and waterfall visits.

Oxapampa offers budget accommodation at very reasonable rates. Hospedaje Frey (Av. San Martin Cercado 105, near Grifo Joar) and Hostal Arias (Jr. Bolognesi 238) both charge S/20-30 per person. Mid-range options include Hospedaje Esperanza (Jr. Bolivar 756) and Hospedaje El Trapiche (Jr. Mullembruck 1ra Cuadra, 100m from Estadio Municipal) at S/40-60 per person. Hospedaje D' Palma Lodge (Final de la Prolongación Thomas Schauss) offers higher-end rooms at S/50-70 per person.

Oxapampa is known for fresh organic products and German pastries, reflecting its Austrian heritage. Local specialties include fresh trout from nearby trout farms and local cheese (21 varieties are produced at La Floralp cheese factory). The town produces cane liquor called Aguardiente; El Wharapo distillery (5km SW in Chontabamba, established 1890) sells 1 liter for S/10. Otto's Bar serves the Oxapampa Sour made with local Aguardiente.

Waterfalls are major attractions: Catarata Rio Tigre (S/1 entry) has a pedestrian suspension bridge over the river; Catarata de Anana and Catarata Rayantambo are reached via the Pozuzo road through Huancabamba. La Floralp cheese factory offers tastings of 21 varieties with a viewing room overlooking production. Bio Westreicher is a small zoo with Australian emus. Pulgar Verde orchid garden opens daily in Las Palmeras. The Iglesia de Santa Rosa on the Plaza de Armas is a wooden church worth visiting. Near the Native Community of Tsachopen (north of town), artisans make pottery and jewelry from plant seeds.

From Oxapampa, you can continue to La Merced (81 km south), the main hub with better transport connections. Pozuzo (80 km north) is the original 1859 Austrian-German settlement site. Other nearby destinations include Pichanaki, San Ramon, Tarma (called the Pearl of the Andes), Villa Rica, and the Pozuzo region for deeper immersion in the colonial Austrian heritage.