Protected Areas in Peru

Manú National Park and Biosphere Reserve is a world-renowned haven of biodiversity at the meeting point of the Tropical Andes and the Amazon Basin in southwestern Peru. A vast, isolated watershed, the still-roadless property has been spared from most human impacts. From its altitudinal diversity to the mysteries of Paititi, the 'Lost City of the Incas,' an intricate collage of ecosystems, wildlife, and indigenous communities call this sanctuary home.

The Oxapampa-Ashaninka-Yanesha Biosphere Reserve and Yanachaga-Chemillen National Park in central Peru comprise the last undisturbed ecosystems in the central jungle. Its location between the Amazon forest lowland and montane cloud forest results in a high diversity of flora and fauna.

The Paracas National Reserve is a protected area in Peru that protects desert and marine ecosystems, including the Paracas Peninsula and Paracas Bay. In addition, the Ballestas Islands are a group of small islands off the coast of the peninsula that are an essential sanctuary for marine fauna.

Nestled in the San Martín department of Peru, on the eastern slope of the tropical Peruvian Andes, lies Río Abiseo National Park, a World Heritage Site that seamlessly blends natural and cultural wonders. This unique protected area not only harbors a rich tapestry of biodiversity but also serves as a testament to the ancient civilizations that once thrived within its boundaries.

Serra del Divisor National Park is located in the Amazon rainforest of Peru, known as La Selva, along the border with Brazil. It borders the Serra do Divisor National Park in the Brazilian state of Acre, combining to make one of the largest contiguous blocks of protected areas in the Amazon.

Tambopata National Reserve of southeastern Peru is a massive subtropical rainforest with forested hills, plains, swamps, oxbow lakes, and meandering rivers. Its great wildlife diversity is due to its location at the confluence of the lowland Amazon forest with three other ecosystems.

Nestled in the northern reaches of Peru, the Alto Mayo Protection Forest stands as a verdant sanctuary, spanning an impressive expanse within the San Martín region. This protected forestland serves as a vital bulwark, safeguarding a portion of the Peruvian Yungas ecoregion and the upper Mayo River basin, shielding soil and water from the erosive impact of deforestation.

The Bosques de Paz Transboundary Biosphere Reserve straddles the border of Ecuador and Peru. It is a natural treasure and showcases the collaborative efforts of these two nations to protect a globally significant ecosystem. The reserve spans four regions in the two countries. It was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2018, following the countries' commitment to strengthening their ties and cooperation after a long-standing border dispute that ended in 1998.