The Amazonas department consists of regions covered by rainforests and mountain ranges well known for their humid microclimate favorizing a rich flora and in particular orchids and Bromeliads, as well as a unique fauna including the small Andean bear and the Peruvian rock rooster.

The capital city, named San Juan de la Frontera de los Chachapoyas, was first established near La Jalca, and then near Levanto. The location of the city changed several times, until it was settled in the place that it now occupies at 2334 m.a.s.l. At first the date of settlement had not been specified. It is believed that the Spanish colonials moved the city to its present location in 1545.
The city still preserves its wide colonial casonas (large colonial-style homes ) of big courts and lounges, with roofs made of tiles. Its Plaza de Armas is located to the West of the city and it is a perfect quadrilateral shape. Located on the South side of the plaza is a monument to the Hero of Arica, colonel Francisco Bolognesi.
From this point, leave numerous excursions towards the spectacular citadel of Kuélap, built by the Chachapoyas, a hardened village that resisted the Inca colonization for years. Located above the rocky hills and protected by the gigantic protective wall, Kuélap offers interesting circular rooms ornate with frescos.

Tourist interests

Independence Square. To the east of the city is the Independence Square. In this square there is a monument to the Chachapoyas heroes of the Higos Urcos battle of June 6th, 1821. It is said that Saint Anna’s Square was the first square in the city. Here the first church of Chachapoyas was built. People used to celebrate the San Juan de los Indios’ Festival in this square with eight days of bullfighting.

Cerro Luya Urco. Luya Urco is a hill located to the west of the city. In this place stands the Well of Yanayacu, originally known as the Fuente Cuyana (Cuyana fountain). The well was constructed in the same place in which, according to legend, Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo brought forth water from a rock, ending the drought that was plaguing the region. The legend of the well is that any man who drinks from its waters will be forever attracted by the charm of the city’s women.

Cuyana Fountain. This fountain of legend was in the skirt of Luya Urco hill and had two jets, one of good and one of evil. According to the legend, when a person drank water from the first jet, love was born, but from the second one hate or negligence was produced. In the city, it was said that the foreigner who drank from this "fountain of love", would be forever captivated by its beautiful women and its wonderful grounds that are full of delight.

The Lagoon. At one time there was a lagoon surrounded with totora (a type of bulrush and palm tree. From these plants, wood was extracted to build the temples of the city. The Keluap stadium is now in this location.

Legón Hill. Legón Hill is located in the town of Higos Urcos, at 2 km from the city of Chachapoyas. In this place the famous battle against the Spanish royalists occurred.

The Lagoon of the condors and Museum of Leymebamba. Also known as the Lagoon of the mummies as in 1996, an important cache of around 200 mummies was discovered in a group of burial chambers in a rock overhang high above the Laguna near Leymebamba in northern Peru. Among the mummies, textiles, pottery and other artifacts were 32 khipu. The word khipu comes from the Quechua word for “knot". They were artifacts made out of camelid fiber and used as a mathematic tool. Mummies and objects found on the site are exhibited in the Museum of Leymebamba.