Rioja, Peru

Rioja is the capital of the Rioja Province in the San Martín Region in northern Peru. It is situated to the west of Moyobamba.

The town is 848 metres above sea level and has a semi-humid sub-tropical climate.

History

During the period of the Incas, the Rioja Province was inhabited by two tribes, the Uquihuas and the Chepenes.

At the end of the 16th century, one of the first Catholic missionaries arrived at Uquihua.

Rioja was founded in September, 1782 and was originally named "Santo Toribio de la Nueva Rioja".

Geography

Rioja is situated in the valley of the upper Mayo River in the north of the San Martín Region. Its coordinates are longitude 77°08’30” and latitude 06º03’00”.

The peaks surrounding Rioja exceed 1,000 metres above sea level.

The average temperature is 22.5°C. with actual temperatures varying between 16.5°C and 28.4ºC.

Communications and Transport

Rioja is connected to the rest of the country by land, air, and water.

Land

Connections via the "Carretera Marginal" (the main jungle highway). There are daily bus services as well as minibuses, collective taxis and lorries.

Air

The Rioja airport accommodates small and medium sized airplanes, both for passengers and cargo. The airline Aero Condor flies twice a week to Lima.

River

Motor boats, canoes and rafts use the rivers Mayo, Tonchima and Negro for small cargos.