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Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport

About the Airport

Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport. Source: Kupi.com Binoculars

Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport (IATA: TPP) is more than just an air hub; it is a true gateway to the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. Located in the vibrant city of Tarapoto, it serves as a key transport hub for eco-tourism in Peru. From here, the most exciting routes through the San Martín region begin, full of adventures amidst tropical forests, picturesque waterfalls, and exotic nature. As the country's fourth-largest airport, it plays a vital role in connecting the region with the rest of the world.

IATA Code TPP
ICAO Code SPST
City Tarapoto
Distance to Centre About 3.5 km
Status Domestic
Annual Passengers Over 812,000 (based on 2022 data)
Popular Airlines LATAM Airlines, Sky Airline, JetSMART
Schedule online flight board "Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport"

The main advantage of Tarapoto Airport is its strategic location. It is the starting point for exploring famous sites such as the Blue Lagoon (Laguna Azul), the colourful town of Lamas, and numerous waterfalls. Despite its relatively modest size, the airport features simple and clear navigation, allowing passengers to complete all formalities quickly. The modern and functional terminal offers basic amenities: several cafes, souvenir shops featuring local coffee and chocolate, as well as travel agency desks and car rentals. Thanks to its compactness, exiting the terminal and boarding transport to the city takes mere minutes, which is especially valuable after a flight.

Contact Information

Below is the essential contact information for Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport (TPP), which will help you plan your trip and resolve any potential queries.

  • Official Website: The airport is managed by Aeropuertos del Perú (AdP). All official information, including flight status and passenger regulations, can be found on their corporate website: www.adp.com.pe.
  • Information Desk Phone: +51 (042) 52-2129.
  • Airport Address: Carretera Fernando Belaúnde Terry Km. 2.5, Distrito de Morales, Tarapoto, San Martín, Perú.
  • Email: For general inquiries, you can contact the AdP operator's customer support service at: atencionalcliente@adp.com.pe.
  • Social Media: Official news and updates are published on Aeropuertos del Perú social media pages (e.g., Facebook).
  • Lost Luggage Information: For issues related to lost or damaged luggage, you should primarily contact your airline's representative directly at the airport.
  • Passenger Support Contacts: For assistance and consultations, you can use the main airport phone number or write to the AdP operator's email.

How to Get to the Airport

Getting to Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport (TPP) from the city centre of Tarapoto is quite simple, as it is located very close to the city limits. The journey usually takes no more than 10-15 minutes. Travellers have access to several convenient transport options suitable for any budget and preference.

The main and most popular mode of public transport in Tarapoto is mototaxis — three-wheeled motorized rickshaws. This is the most authentic and inexpensive way to get to the airport. A ride on a mototaxi will give you unforgettable impressions and cost just a few Peruvian soles. They circulate throughout the city, and finding a vacant one will not be difficult in this colourful corner of Peru. However, it is worth noting that they may be cramped with large luggage.

A more comfortable option is to use taxi services or book a private transfer. Taxis can be hailed on the street or ordered by phone through local services. This is an ideal choice for those travelling with family or bulky luggage. We recommend agreeing on the fare in advance, as taximeters are rarely used. Many hotels also offer transfer services for their guests, ensuring maximum convenience.

If you plan to actively explore the surroundings of Tarapoto and the picturesque San Martín region, car rental will be an excellent solution. You can rent a car both in the city itself and directly at the airport, where rental company offices may be present. For those arriving at the airport in their own or rented vehicle, parking is available. It is suitable for both short-term and long-term parking.

In general, the choice of transport to the airport in Tarapoto depends on your priorities. For budget-friendly and quick movement, a mototaxi is ideal. If comfort and luggage space are priorities, it is better to choose a taxi or a pre-booked transfer. Thanks to the airport's proximity to the city, any of these methods will allow you to reach the terminal quickly and without unnecessary hassle.

Terminals and Map

Tarapoto Airport, officially known as Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport (TPP), features one compact passenger terminal that handles all domestic flights. Due to its small structure, the airport is very easy to navigate and convenient for travellers arriving in or departing from the San Martín region.

The terminal layout is intuitive. Departure and arrival areas are located in the same building, eliminating the need for long walks or shuttles. Upon entering the terminal, you immediately find yourself in the main hall, where airline check-in counters are located. After receiving a boarding pass and dropping off luggage, passengers proceed to the security screening area, which leads directly to a small waiting hall with boarding gates.

The arrival area is equally simple: after disembarking the aircraft, passengers enter the baggage claim hall with a single baggage belt. Immediately after this zone is the exit to the main hall, where you can meet family, find taxi stands, or hotel representatives. Since all operations take place in one building, transitions between zones take only a few minutes.

Check-in and security screening procedures at Tarapoto Airport usually proceed quite quickly compared to major international hubs. Nevertheless, it is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 1.5-2 hours before departure time to complete all formalities without rushing, especially during peak hours or the tourist season. The main navigation tip is simply to follow the signs and the general flow of passengers; getting lost here is practically impossible.

History of the Airport

The history of the airport in Tarapoto is the story of the exploration and development of the entire San Martín region in Peru. Its creation in the 1930s as a simple airstrip was a vital step in connecting this isolated part of the country with the rest of the world. The official name, Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport, was assigned in honour of a young pilot, a native of this region, who died heroically during a training flight. From the very beginning, the airfield played a key role not only in transporting passengers but also in delivering goods and mail.

A key stage in the airport's modernization was in 2006, when it was transferred under concession to the private operator Aeropuertos del Perú (AdP). This event marked the beginning of a large-scale reconstruction: the passenger terminal was significantly expanded and updated, the runway surface was improved, and modern navigation equipment was installed. These changes allowed the airport to accept more flights and serve the growing passenger flow at a higher level of comfort and safety, transforming it into a modern aviation hub.

Today, Tarapoto Airport is one of the busiest in the Peruvian Amazon and serves as the main "air gateway" to the high jungle region. It not only welcomes thousands of tourists eager to see the waterfalls, lakes, and exotic nature of northern Peru but also plays an important role in the economy. The export of local products, such as famous coffee and cocoa beans, is carried out through it. Thanks to its strategic importance, the airport continues to develop, maintaining the status of one of the country's most important transport hubs.

Services and Facilities

Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport (TPP) in Tarapoto offers passengers all necessary services for a comfortable wait for their flight. Despite its compact size, the terminal is well-equipped for the needs of travellers setting out to explore the beauties of Peru.

While waiting for departure, you can have a snack at one of the local cafes, which serve sandwiches, pastries, and drinks, including famous Peruvian coffee. Small shops are also operating in the airport, where you can purchase souvenirs, local handicrafts, and travel essentials.

For those who prefer enhanced comfort, the Caral VIP Lounge is available, where you can relax in a quiet atmosphere. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, and charging stations for electronic devices are installed in the waiting halls so you can always stay connected.

To resolve financial matters, there are ATMs in the airport where you can withdraw cash. Currency exchange points may be limited, so it is recommended to have local currency with you or use an ATM. In case of need, a medical point operates in the terminal to provide first aid.

The airport is equipped to serve passengers with reduced mobility — ramps and specially equipped restrooms are available. For assistance, such as a wheelchair, it is recommended to contact your airline in advance. Families with small children can use the mother and childcare rooms.

There are no hotels directly inside the airport building, but thanks to its proximity to the city, you will easily find many accommodation options just a few minutes' drive away. Business services, such as conference rooms, are also available in major hotels in Tarapoto, rather than in the terminal itself.

Dining Options

Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport (TPP) in Tarapoto is a regional air hub, so the choice of dining establishments here is quite compact and concentrated mainly in the public area of the main terminal, before security control. Nevertheless, passengers can find several options to have a snack before departure.

Mostly small cafes and snack bars operate here, rather than full-service restaurants. Their menus usually include standard offers: sandwiches, pastries, coffee, tea, and soft drinks. This is a great place to try some popular snacks in Peru, for example, empanadas (pastries with various fillings) or drink the world-famous soda Inca Kola. Sometimes the assortment includes juices from exotic Amazonian fruits, which will be a small gastronomic discovery.

For a quick snack, local cafes are ideal, where you can get coffee to go and some pastries. If you are counting on a full lunch, the best solution would be to eat at one of the numerous restaurants in the city before the trip to the airport, as the choice of dishes in the terminal itself is limited. Most establishments are located in the landside zone (before control), while in the departure zone (airside), only a small kiosk with drinks and packaged snacks may be operating.

Regarding special dietary needs, finding specific vegan, gluten-free, or Halal-certified meals here may be difficult. Passengers with strict dietary requirements are advised to bring food with them. Prices in the airport are generally higher than in the city. Opening hours of establishments depend directly on the flight schedule — they are open during peak hours and may be closed during quiet periods.

Travel Tips

Travelling through Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport in the city of Tarapoto can be a pleasant start to your adventure in the jungles of Peru. To ensure everything goes smoothly, use our tips.

Arrival Time: Tarapoto Airport is relatively small, so queues here are usually shorter than in capital hubs. However, it is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 1.5-2 hours before a domestic flight departure. This will give you enough time to check in, drop off luggage, and pass security control without rushing.

Check-in and Security: To save time, complete online check-in if your airline provides such an option. Keep your ID and boarding pass ready. During screening, be prepared to remove electronics and liquid containers from your hand luggage.

Seat Selection: If you are flying to or from Tarapoto, choose a window seat. The views of the Amazon rainforest and river bends from a bird's-eye view are simply mesmerizing. For greater comfort and legroom, choose seats by the emergency exit, although an extra fee is often required for them.

Hand Luggage: Standard rules apply here as well. Liquids can be carried in containers up to 100 ml, packed in a transparent bag. Sharp objects, weapons, and flammable substances are prohibited. Be sure to check your airline's rules, as they may differ slightly.

Transfers and Customs: Most flights from Tarapoto are domestic. If you have a transfer in Lima to an international flight, check with the airline if you need to collect and re-check your luggage. Customs control in Tarapoto usually concerns agricultural products, so do not transport unprocessed fruits or plants without special permission.

Saving Time and Money: Book a taxi or transfer in advance to avoid inflated prices at the airport. Prices for food and drinks in the departure zone can be high, so bring an empty water bottle with you, which can be filled after security, and light snacks.

Flight Delays: In case of a flight delay or cancellation, first contact your airline representative. Remain calm and clarify your rights to compensation, provision of meals, or accommodation. There are several cafes and souvenir shops in the airport where you can pass the time while waiting for departure.

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