Villa Rica in Pasco is the capital of Peruvian specialty coffee, recognized for producing some of the world's finest organic coffees in the heart of the central jungle.
The district of Villa Rica is located in the eastern part of the Pasco province, 300 kilometers from Cerro Pasco (the provincial capital) and 377 kilometers from Lima. Situated at an altitude of 1,470 meters above sea level, with an average annual temperature of 21°C and covering 896 square kilometers, Villa Rica occupies the jungle slopes of the high Andes — a geography that makes it ideal for the cultivation of exceptional coffee.
Villa Rica is part of the province of Oxapampa in the Pasco region and was founded on November 27, 1944. Each year the town celebrates its “Fiesta Patronal” on October 12 in honor of the Virgen del Rosario. Villa Rica is known as “the home of the world’s best coffee”, a reputation earned through multiple international recognitions for the quality of its aromatic beans.
Thanks to its geographical setting, the territory of Villa Rica offers a variety of ecotourism resources, including waterfalls such as El Yeso, El Encanto — a beautiful 30-meter drop that ends in a natural pool — and El Leona, located just 5 kilometers from the city with a 15-meter cascade.
The town’s Plaza de Armas is notable for its original design: at its center stands a giant coffee pot, reputed to be the largest in the world, with a capacity — according to locals — of one thousand cups of coffee.
Each year, the Villa Rica Coffee Festival celebrates the region’s most famous product, featuring activities such as the Miss Villa Rica pageant, coffee exhibitions, seminars, academic conferences, and coffee route tours.
Yanesha Culture
Communities belonging to the Yanesha culture inhabit the basins of the Entáz, Ñagazú, Cacazú, Bocaz, Palcazú, Chorobamba, Huancabamba, and Chontabamba rivers. They are characterized by the preservation of community spirit, including cultural, medical, and artistic traditions; an extraordinary dedication to communal work; and a treasury of carefully maintained ancestral heritage.
European Settler Culture
The inhabitants of this cultural tradition are Germans (Tyroleans and Prussians) and their descendants, who entered through Huánuco, Panao, Chaglla, and Muña before reaching Pozuzo, and later established the colonies of Oxapampa and Villa Rica. These connections forged a brotherhood between the towns of Pozuzo, Oxapampa, and Villa Rica, all of which reflect a culture of hard work and progress.
Tourist Activities
El Encanto Waterfall
El Encanto waterfall is part of the extensive ecotourism resources of the Huancabamba district, Oxapampa province, Pasco region. The waterfall is just 12 kilometers from Villa Rica. It cascades down a 30-meter slope in three stages, with the water flowing over rocky ledges covered in lush vegetation. Visitors should note that this attraction lies within the Oxapampa–Asháninka–Yanesha Biosphere Reserve; all visitors are encouraged to help preserve the environment.
El León Waterfall
El León waterfall is located on the famous Coffee Route, a few kilometers from Villa Rica, within the Oxapampa–Asháninka–Yanesha Biosphere Reserve. The waterfall empties into deep natural swimming pools — ideal for swimming, cooling off, and even diving. The approach requires no more than a hundred meters of walking from the entrance, and a suspension bridge crossing offers a panoramic view of the falls.
Inca Juan Salt Mines
4 kilometers from the Paucartambo bridge on the road to Villa Rica, on the Carretera Marginal on the left bank of the river, lies a small village called Río La Sal. Near this village, an ancient deposit of dark salt extends for many kilometers — a remarkable geological feature that has been exploited since ancient times.
How to Get There
La Merced to Villa Rica: Bus — approximately 1 hour
Hours
- Depends on the operator
Admission Price
- Depends on the operator
