Roaming South America

Calzada, Perú

July 22, 2025

Calzada is a very small "town" west of Moyobamba, in the northcentral region of Perú, on the east sidd of the mountains. When I say very small, I'm not exagerating, it's tiny. The town and the surrounding district includes about 5300 people. The native population of the area has become practically extinct, and their few descendants have been assimilated in the process of cultural development. No effort has been made to rescue their traditions or innate cultural contributions that would strengthen their local education and culture. All rather sad, but that is how this town has developed.

The town is quite poor and has many infrastructure problems. The local government has been stretched to its limits and can't provide the services, the upgrades, needed to meet the local people's needs. The vast majority of streets are dirt, the water system is deteriorated and the water undrinkable.

Near Calzada is "El Morrow" or the mountain Calzado, which stands alone in the middle of the valley. Its peak is 550 meters (1800 ft) above the city level. There's a trail that leads to the top, and a small visitors center, mostly a convenience store, at the trailhead. Due to my limited time left in Perú, I didn't take the day necessary to get to the mountain, hike it up and down, and return to Moyobamba. I'll be visiting here again, maybe living here, so I'll have more chances for that.

Calzada isn't so much a town as it is a community, a bedroom community to Moyobamba. Calzada doesn't even have the official status as a town, it's a district. Mostly residential with a few small businesses around the plaza, and out on the highway that runs past nearby.