The Bolivian Amazon holidays
The Bolivian Amazon holidays at a glance
This is one of the wildest corners of the continent. What sets the Bolivian Amazon apart is its range: Madidi National Park tumbles from Andean peaks near 6,000m down to steamy lowland jungle at under 200m, folding cloud forest, foothills and rainforest into a single protected area. That span of altitudes is why scientists rank it among the most biodiverse places on the planet, with more than 1,000 bird species alone and mammals from jaguar and puma to tapir and spectacled bear.
Trips start at Rurrenabaque, a laid-back river town reached on a short, scenic flight from La Paz over the peaks of the Cordillera Real. From there you travel by motorised canoe up the Beni and Tuichi rivers to a lodge deep in the forest, many of them run by the local indigenous communities who guide you through it.
There’s a choice to make here. Jungle trips into the forest of Madidi are best for dense rainforest, towering trees and the thrill of tracking wildlife under cover. Pampas trips, out on the open wetlands of the Beni, put you closer to the water and its animals, with caiman, capybara, pink river dolphins and countless birds easier to see in the open.
Don’t come for polish. This is somewhere to swap comfort for genuine wilderness, where the reward is falling asleep to the sound of the forest and waking to birdsong. A few nights is enough to feel a world away from the altiplano, and it combines beautifully with the salt flats and Lake Titicaca for a trip that swings from high desert to deep jungle.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to The Bolivian Amazon
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Decide early whether you want jungle or pampas, or build in time for both. They’re different experiences, and the wildlife you’ll see depends on which you choose.
When to visit The Bolivian Amazon
The rainforest is warm and humid year-round, with temperatures around 30°C whatever the month, so the choice is really between the drier and wetter halves of the year.
By May, the Amazonian climate has transitioned into the hotter dry season which continues through to October. The weather is sunnier with clear skies and less rain. This is the best time of year for hiking and wildlife-spotting from jungle trails. The Fiesta de Trinidad in the first week of June features bullfighting and traditional street dances in the province of Beni. Or to see the extravagant plumed costumes and Macheteto dance of the Moxo people, visit San Ignacio de Moxos in late July for the Folklore Festival.
This is the wet season in the Amazon, with significantly more rainfall and temperatures around 30°C. Increased cloud cover means fewer blue skies but also provides protection from the strong sun. Though many roads and some hiking trails become impassable, it is easier to get around by boat in the swollen rivers.
Top Things to do in The Bolivian Amazon
This is a region for slowing down and letting the wildlife come to you. Here’s what we recommend.
Explore the forested trails and waterways of a pristine national park alive with birds, animals and tropical plants.
Accommodation in The Bolivian Amazon
Accommodation here is about location, not luxury. Lodges sit deep in the forest or out on the pampas, reached only by boat, and we hand-pick each one for its setting, wildlife access and guiding. Many are owned and run by local indigenous communities, so a stay supports the people protecting the forest. Expect simple, comfortable rooms, shared meals and expert guides who know the wildlife intimately.
Remote, authentic jungle lodge in an area of extraordinary biodiversity, with proceeds helping conservation and the indigenous community.
Friendly modern, mid-range hotel on the banks of Rio Bení with well furnished rooms and a lovely pool.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
FAQs about visiting The Bolivian Amazon
The Bolivian Amazon is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When's the best time to visit the Bolivian Amazon?
The weather is hot and humid all year round, the heat only occasionally mitigated by a cold snap (surazo) coming up from Patagonia. The daytime temperature typically varies from 28°C (May-Jul) to 32°C (Sep-Dec). During the rainy season Nov-Apr many roads are impassible. Jun-Jul is usually the best time to visit with clear skies and little rain.
Visit this fascinating area soon: the region will undergo great changes if the planned hydroelectric power stations on the River Beni go ahead.For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What's the official language of the Bolivian Amazon?
Spanish, Indigenous languages.
- How do I get local currency in the Bolivian Amazon?
Peso boliviano. Obtain local currency before you go to the region. Cash can be exchanged in travel agencies in Rurrenabaque but at a poor rate: the ATMs here are unreliable and not recommended.
Notes in local currency can be withdrawn from several ATMs in major cities (ie outside the Amazon basin region); there are many money exchanges (casas de cambio) and banks which exchange US dollars. (a few accept euros or sterling but the rate may be poor). - What's the time difference between Bolivian Amazon and UK?
GMT -4 hours.
- What places combine well with the Bolivian Amazon?
A visit to peaceful Sun Island on Lake Titicaca at the border with Peru; Sucre, Bolivia’s southern colonial second city accessible by air from La Paz in an hour; the silver and tin mines of Potosí, prosperous key city in imperial times, 2-3 hrs drive from Sucre; the salt lakes of Uyuni, close to the Chilean border.
- How do I get to the Bolivian Amazon?
There are frequent short (somewhat unreliably timed) flights between La Paz and Trinidad and Rurrenabaque, the entry main towns and bases for visits to the region. Some flights go via the Oriente city of Santa Cruz. There are a number of unpaved roads into the region but journeys are long and challenging.
- What are the festivals and cultural events in the Bolivian Amazon?
Fiesta de Trinidad, 1st week of Jun. Dates vary. In celebration of their city, there are traditional street dances and bullfighting. The most important festival of the year in the province of Beni.
Folklore Festival, San Ignacio de Moxos, 28-31 Jul. Festival for the Patron Saint of the Moxos region with festivities and traditional dancing throughout the night. The indigenous Moxo population wear extravagant plumed costumes and play instruments reminiscent of those introduced to the by the Jesuits. The Macheteto dance tells the story of the Moxos’ resistance to Spanish subjugation.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.