FAQ
❀ How to get to Rao Shobo?
Rao Shobo is located in the indigenous Community of Nueva Betania along the Alto Ucayali river in Peru. To go there you need to take a small boat (public transport) from the port of Pucallpa (Ex Capitania, behind market n°1).
The journey takes between 4 and 5 hours with traditionnal boat, and 1,5 hours with express boat. To go to Pucallpa, you can either fly from Lima or come by bus (18 hours) which will give you a beautiful opportunity to travel through the Andes and the Amazon.
No visa is required for citizens from the European Union, USA, Canada and South America. But you will need a passport with a six-months validity period beyond the date of return. A visa is required for the other nationalities.
❀ What is the best time of the year to go?
It depends on what you are looking for … if you fall under the spell and quietness of rainfalls and that you aren’t afraid of getting wet from time to time, the best months are from January to March. Don’t worry the sun will shine as well (between the rainfalls). If this is not what you are looking for, you can come and visit us outside the rain periods, from April to December.
❀ In what kind of accommodation will we be sleeping?
You will sleep in our traditional Shipibo houses (made of wood and palm trees leaves). All the beds are fitted with mosquito nets (simple or double). Comfort and cleanliness guaranteed!
❀ What should we bring with us?
Cameras, mosquito repulsive, sun lotion, hat, sunglasses, large and lightweight trousers (we don’t recommend jeans), long- sleeved shirts, shorts or bermuda, bathing suit, plastic sandals, torch, batteries, binoculars (up to you).
❀ Is it safe to go into the forest?
Yes, of course!! But you will always be accompanied each time you leave the community.
❀ What about the mosquitoes, spiders and snakes?
There are of course a lot of mosquitoes in the Amazon, mainly at night! But if you are well protected (with long sleeves,…), they won’t be a problem.
Spiders and snakes are also part of our lives, but you will get used to them ;-).
❀ Can we come to Nueva Betania with children?
Yes of course, they will love it! We will adapt our activities to their ages and interests.
❀ Is there electricity in the houses?
Yes but not permanently. Generally the community switches its generator on from 7 to 9 PM. You will then have the time to recharge all your electric devices.
If it is really necessary in the daytime, we can swith on our own personal generator.
Our voltage is 110/120 volts.
❀ Is it possible to make international phone calls?
There is a satellite phone in the community. You will be able to buy the phone cards in the community but it’s better to buy them in Pucallpa because they sometimes get out of stock in Betania.
Not in Nueva Betania but there are various in Pucallpa.
❀ What languague is spoken at Nueva Betania?
Shipibo but also Spanish.
