By Luis Zuta DávilaPeru's admired biodiversity is expressed in its flora, with the orchid as one of its most important ambassadors, a flower of sublime beauty that grows in nurseries and wild in various parts of the country.
Which Peruvian city is the Orchid City, and when is the Orchid Festival? How many varieties does it have, and where can you appreciate the varieties of this beautiful ornamental flower? These are questions every Peruvian should know.
Peru’s floral treasures
Orchids are among the world’s most admired ornamental plants, celebrated for their incredible variety of shapes and their showy flowers, which range in color from deep red to almost black, with some featuring multiple hues on a single blossom.
All orchids belong to the Orchidaceae family, one of the most diverse plant families on the whole world. These plants are characterized by three sepals and three petals, one of which is modified into a striking lip or labellum. Their fruit forms in capsules containing thousands of tiny seeds, each smaller than a grain of sand.
Globally, around 30,000 orchid species have been identified and more than 3,000 of them grow in Peru. Due to their diversity, colors, and rarity, orchids have inspired research, cultivation, and passionate collectors worldwide.
The City of Orchids
Moyobamba, the capital of the San Martín region in northern Peru, which is just an hour and 20 minutes away from Lima by airplane, is renowned as the City of Orchids.
Its lush flora includes more than 3,500 species of these tropical ornamental flowers —many of them endemic— representing nearly 10% of all known orchid species in the world.
Visitors can explore nurseries that exhibit a wide variety of conserved orchids or observe them growing naturally in the forests surrounding the city.
Orchid Festival 2025
From October 30 to November 2, Moyobamba amazonian city will host the 29th Orchid Festival 2025, one of the most emblematic celebrations in the San Martín region.
The event aims to highlight the orchid as a natural and cultural treasure of the Peruvian Amazon.
For four days, the city will become a hub of activity featuring workshops, exhibitions, training sessions, and cultural performances that promote environmental education, sustainable tourism, and the protection of native species; reaffirming Moyobamba’s title as the City of Orchids.
The festival is organized in coordination with public institutions, orchid associations, and cultural organizations, reflecting the region’s commitment to conservation, sustainability, and Amazonian identity — strengthening ties between art, nature, and community.
Where to see orchids in Moyobamba
Moyobamba’s geographical location and warm, humid climate provide ideal conditions for orchids to flourish. The combination of abundant rainfall and year-round tropical temperatures fosters their growth in cloud forests and transitional zones between the high and low jungle.
A prime site for orchid observation is the Alto Mayo Protected Forest, a state-managed conservation area.
Among the most emblematic native species are Phragmipedium peruvianum, notable for its petals in shades of fuchsia, red, and pink. Other remarkable species include Acineta superba, Ackermania palorae, Ada peruviana, Arundina graminifolia, Bletia catelunata, Bletia patula, Cattleya luteola, Cattleya maxima, Cattleya rex, Cochlioda noezlana, Comparetia speciosa, Dichaea anchoraelabia, Epistephium duckei, and Eriopsis biloba, among many others.
This extraordinary floral wealth has become one of Moyobamba’s main tourist attractions and the inspiration behind its traditional Orchid Festival.
Conservation and sustainable tourism
Preserving Moyobamba’s orchids is a major concern. These floral jewels face threats such as habitat loss caused by agricultural expansion and illegal logging, as well as ongoing illegal trade.
To ensure their survival, protected areas like the Alto Mayo Protected Forest have been established to safeguard biodiversity and promote responsible tourism.
Tourism in Moyobamba offers visitors a unique opportunity to admire orchids in their natural environment. Responsible travel practices are essential, avoiding illegal collection and respecting natural habitats.
Guided tours led by local experts allow travelers to appreciate the region’s orchid diversity while learning about their ecological importance.
Orchids are an invaluable treasure of Peruvian flora. Their dazzling variety and adaptability to the country’s unique ecosystems make them a true natural wonder that deserves to be appreciated and preserved.
Through responsible conservation and sustainable tourism, these exquisite flowers will continue to enchant future generations and remain a vital part of the rich biodiversity of Moyobamba and Peru as a whole.
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(END) LZD / MAO / JMP / DMV
Publicado: 21/10/2025