Santa Elena is located 8 km northwest of the city of Rioja (20 minutes by car/ 5 minutes on foot), located in the Pósic district. It constitutes a privileged place because it is located in an Ecosystem Conservation and Recovery Zone. It is characterized by being a swampy and floodable place (December - April), with a natural forest that has mirrors of water, with a predominance of aguaje species (Mauritia flexuosa) and renacals.
Admission: Adults: S/ 5.00 / Children: S/ 3.00
A genuine ecosystem in the middle of the Amazon forests, and known as the Alto Mayo wetlands, is the Santa Elena ecological reserve. Go canoeing along small rivers that cross it, experiencing a harmonious connection with nature, and surrounded by a setting of natural greenery and the sound of wildlife.
Upon arriving in Santa Elena, you will be welcomed by the community of residents who manage this tourist attraction, accompanying you throughout your journey and sharing your experience with them.
In the reception area you will find an interpretation center with the various species of flora and fauna that inhabit the reserve, an ideal space for families with children and students to visit.
From there, we will begin our journey on foot, walking along a wooden pier built on the dark waters of the Romero River, entering the swampy jungle, to meet our canoes.
You can choose between three different river tourist routes. Route 1 runs along the Romero River, to the El Abuelo resting place, and lasts 2 hours. This route is the only one that is also allowed to navigate at night, living a totally different experience.
Route 2 goes a little further than route 1, reaching the El Matorral resting place, with a duration of 4 hours.
Finally, route 3 runs along the Romero River, the Negro River and the Mayo River, until reaching the resting place of the Mayo River, with a duration of 6 hours, or to the El Edén port, shortening the route to 4 hours.
On any of its routes, the course of the rivers runs flanked by tall tropical trees, which form a natural roof with their leaves and partially block the sunlight, creating a mysterious atmosphere.
Along the way you will see a large number of trees, such as the renaco, the aguaje, the capirona, or the bijao.
Among the most common mammals you can find the river wolf, the small ferret, the achuni, the sloth, the majaz, and Fraile monkeys.
There are many types of monkeys that are hidden in the treetops.
Be amazed listening to the howler monkeys, with their imposing growl in the middle of the forest. The time when you will be able to see the most animals is first thing in the morning, around 6 or 7 am. We assure you that it is an authentic natural spectacle.
For bird watchers, Saint Helena is a true bird paradise. You can see the 4 species of Kingfishers: Large Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata), Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona), Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle Americana) and Rufous Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle inda).
You can also see the White Egret (Egretta thula), the Common Huaco Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), the Rufous-crowned Moorhen (Rufirallus viridis), the Common Moorhen (Gallinula galeata), the Oriolino Monkey or Corn Turpial (Gymnomystax). mexicanus), among others.
The Santa Elena ecological reserve, adjacent to the Tingana Reserve, is located within the "Wetland of Alto Mayo" Ecosystem Conservation and Recovery Zone (ZoCRE), 15 minutes from the city of Rioja, making it very accessible to anyone. person.
Santa Elena is a perfect place to go with children or people who do not want to walk, and be just as amazed as if you had entered the most inhospitable jungle.
Visit the Santa Elena ecological reserve, and you will be helping the community members continue to conserve this wonderful place.
The Santa Elena ecological reserve is located northwest of Tarapoto, very close to the town of Pósic. Tour operators in the capital of Saint Martin offer a full-day tour of the reserve, with round-trip transportation included.
It is also possible to arrive on your own, but it is necessary to make reservations directly with the reservation manager.
If you go by private vehicle: You will be arriving at your destination in approximately three hours by car from Tarapoto.
If you go by public transport: From Tarapoto you can take public transport to Rioja, by bus or van. If you decide on the first option, you can take one at the Empresa San Martín terminal, on Alfonso Ugarte Avenue. The trip costs 24 soles.
The vans leave from the Turismo Selva terminal, also on Alfonso Ugarte Avenue. The trip costs 14.50 soles, and takes around two and a half hours to travel the 135 kilometers between both cities. From Rioja you take a motorcycle taxi to Pósic, and from there to the entrance of the reserve. The total trip can cost between 10 and 15 additional soles per person.
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.