SAN MATEO HOT SPRING MOYOBAMBA – PERU

SouthAmerica February 1, 2017October 10, 2019 Andes, Baños Termales San Mateo, Hostal Albricias, Hotel Puerto Mirador, James M. Wise, La Casa de Seizo Hospedaje Rumipata, Moyobamba, Peru, south america, South America Hot Springs, south america to the world, southamericatotheworld, Yanira K. Wise

BAÑOS TERMALES DE SAN MATEO

Our February featured hot spring San Mateo is set within lowland mountain jungle of the upper Amazon basin, the Baños Termales de San Mateo is a large developed complex set amongst the trees. The hot springs are 5-km south of the city of Moyobamba in the northern part of the San Martin department, of northern Peru, which more or less ENE of Cajamarca. The fastest way into Moyobamba and to these springs are flights from Lima to the city of Tarapoto, followed by a two-hour drive to Moyobamba. The town lies in at the base of the Andean foothills at an elevation of 940 meters, and is decidedly surrounded by jungle. The springs are located at about -6.073993, -76.970472. The hot springs are issuing from sandstone that belong to the Early Cretaceous Cushabatay Formation, and are probably related to a minor displacement northeast-striking fault.

To get to the springs from Moyobamba, one can take a moto-taxi which frequently run from the town to the springs, costing between S/. 6.00 and S/. 10.00 Nuevos Soles. Entrance to the hot springs is only S/. 1.50 Nuevos Soles. The two best pool for soaking have temperatures at 42 and 43 degrees, it can fit over ten people, and have water depths at about 1 meter. Several of the stone and concrete pools are for adults only. The pools are rather sunken so they provide little in the way of a view. The bottoms have coarse gravel and stream pebbles. Water is clear and free of odor. In addition, they have a cool water Olympic-sized swimming pool and a smaller pool for kids. The hot springs facility has a basic restaurant. We recommend eating in town instead, and make sure to try the typical jungle dish of Cecina (cured ham made of wild boar) commonly known as Cecina de la Selva, and their other typical dish Tacacho (hash of fried plantain and pork rind).

Nearby the springs is the ecolodge called Hostal Rumipata (cell: 51-(042) 9951603, that has basic bungalows, you can find them in Facebook as La Casa de Seizo Hospedaje Rumipata. This location is well off the foreign tourist circuits, providing an undiluted dose of Peruvian relaxation. In Moyobamba town, one can find the Hostal Albricias where simple rooms start at S/. 30.00 Nuevos Soles (51-42-56-1092, Alonso de Alvarado 1066). High-end accommodation at the ex-tourist hotel called Puerto Mirador is probably the best choice. They have a large property with bungalows in a garden setting, and a very jungle-themed bar with a pool table.