Moyobamba, Colonial city in San Martín Region, Peru
Moyobamba is a city in the San Martín region of northeastern Peru, located at roughly 860 meters (2,820 feet) above sea level. Its houses spread across a high ridge above the Mayo River, while cloud forests cover the slopes around it.
Spanish conquistadors founded the settlement in 1540, making it the first Spanish town in the Peruvian Amazon. The town served for centuries as a bridge between the highlands and the rainforest regions farther east.
The name comes from Quechua words meaning round plain, reflecting the shape of the valley where this settlement sits. Locals still practice traditional medicine using plants from the nearby rainforest, and many homes have small orchid gardens tended with care.
Roads connect the town with Tarapoto to the south and Bagua to the north, with routes continuing westward toward the Pacific coast. The rainy season from November through April brings heavy downpours, while drier months offer better conditions for exploring the surrounding forests.
The surrounding cloud forests hold more than 3,500 native orchid species, and an annual orchid festival takes place during the first week of November. Local growers open their gardens to visitors who want to see rare blooms up close.
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