Parque Nacional Tingo María
Just south of Tingo María, in the midst of the Huallaga Valley, you'll find this small but verdant bio-reserve, which in recent years has seen a growing influx of eco-travelers from all over the world. The 47-square-km (18-square-mile) park is home to numerous highland and rainforest species, including parrots, primates, and bats, but its star residents are the guácharos (oilbirds), who inhabit a huge system of limestone caverns known as La Cueva de las Lechuzas (Owl Cave). The rare, nocturnal guácharo is a black-and-brown, owl-like bird with a hooked beak and a 1-meter (3-foot) wingspan. The best time to see them is at dusk when they take flight toward the cave's mouth. The cavern also has abundant stalactites and stalagmites for geology aficionados, as well as a network of platforms to facilitate viewing.
In addition to its subterranean charms, the reserve boasts numerous waterfalls, swimming holes, and hiking trails. Locals swear by the therapeutic qualities of the Jacintillo sulfur springs, and there are campgrounds where visitors can pitch tents or rent one of the park's bungalows.
