Written & Fact-Checked by Vivian Blanco
"I have organized private and community-based eco-expeditions into Madidi National Park, the Tuichi River, and the Yacuma Pampas for over 15 years. All flight schedules from La Paz, river boat navigation protocols, park entrance fees, and vaccine guidelines below are verified monthly based on direct operations logs."
Before You Go
The six practical questions worth answering before venturing into the Bolivian Amazon.
Best Time to Visit
Dry season (May–Oct) is ideal for river safaris; animals gather along riverbanks for prime viewing.
Jungle vs. Pampas?
Jungle (Madidi): Dense rainforest, tall trees, primates. Pampas (Yacuma): Maximum wildlife density.
What to Pack
Long lightweight cotton shirts, insect repellent, rain poncho, headlamp, and dry bags for river boats.
Low Altitude Warmth
Rurrenabaque sits at 274m elevation. Perfect for recovering in tropical warmth after the high Altiplano.
Vaccines & Health
Yellow Fever vaccination is strongly recommended. Carry high-DEET repellent for mosquito protection.
Flight Weather Buffers
Tropical cloud cover can cause flight delays at Rurrenabaque Airport. Always keep a buffer day before flying home.
How to Get to Rurrenabaque & Madidi
Explore scenic 45-minute commercial flights over the Andes or overland adventure routes from La Paz.
By Air (RBQ)
45 Mins · $$$Daily direct flights from La Paz (LPB) to Rurrenabaque Airport (RBQ), descending from snow peaks into the green Amazon canopy.
Motorized Canoe
3–5 Hours · $$From Rurrenabaque port up the Beni and Tuichi rivers through the scenic Bala Canyon directly to jungle eco-lodges.
Overland Bus
12–16 Hours · $Overnight buses connect La Paz through the Yungas cloud forest to Rurrenabaque (only advised in the dry season).
Key Transit Routes & River Connections
Scenic commercial flight crossing the Royal Cordillera (45 mins).
Motorboat navigation up the Beni and Tuichi rivers (3 hrs).
Overland 4x4 drive (2.5 hrs) + riverboat safari on the Yacuma River.
Upstream boat ride along the Beni River to Tacana indigenous lodge (45 mins).
Deep primary rainforest journey via Tuichi River & foot trail (5.5 hrs).
Overland highway or regional connector flight deeper into the Moxos plains.
What to See
The world's most biologically diverse national park, flooded savannah wetlands, pink river dolphins, and ancient indigenous cultures.
Santa Ana de Yacuma
Santa Ana of Yacuma is known as the cattle capital of Beni, with green prairies suitable for agricultural activity and raising cattle. The suburban area is a tourist attraction because its rivers are ideal for sport fishing.
Santa Ana of Yacuma is known as the cattle capital of Beni, with green prairies suitable for agricultural activity and raising cattle. The suburban area is a tourist attraction because its rivers are ideal for sport fishing.
Guayaramerin
Guayaramerin is the main port of the Bolivian north. For a gastronomic delight, it is possible to taste delicious plates of fish.
Guayaramerin
Trinidad Cathedral
Built in 1931 in academic style. This church was mostly built with rubble, but it does have several valuable objects considered antiques and also because of their artistic characteristics. Some interesting pieces worth mentioning include paintings such as Nuestra Senora de Belen (Our Lady from Bethlehem), which was made by artisans from Cuzco and El Nacimiento del Nino Dios (The Birth of the Infant God), painted in Guamaga
Trinidad Cathedral
Noel Kempf Mercado National Park
The National Park Noel Kempf Mercado in Santa Cruz, Bolivia has been declared Natural Patrimony of the Humanity by UNESCO. The Noel Kempf Mercado park presents an exceptional scenic beauty thanks to large farallones and water falls of the Caparu plateau.
The National Park Noel Kempf Mercado has been declared Natural Patrimony of the Humanity by the UNESCO in 2000. It is part of Santa Cruz, (Velasco province) and of Beni. The municipalities involved are San Ignacio of Velasco in Santa Cruz and Baures in Beni. The park borders to the east with Brazil.
Madidi National Park
The National Park Madidi is located to the Northeast of La Paz, Bolivia. Madidi is the protected area with the most diversity of flora: 5,000 to 6,000 species.
Madidi National Park is the world's most biodiverse nature reserve. Spanning an impressive 19000 square kilometers (about 7336 square miles), it has cloud forests, lowland jungle, rivers, streams, swamps. It even has glaciers.
Choose Your Amazon Experience
Select between our signature Madidi primary jungle eco-lodge stay or the high-density Yacuma Pampas wildlife safari.
Madidi Primary Jungle vs. Yacuma Pampas Wildlife Safari?
Decide whether you prefer deep rainforest trekking and ancestral botany, or relaxed open-boat wildlife photography.
Madidi National Park Jungle Expedition
Immersion in deep primary Amazon rainforest canopy and pristine biodiversity.
- • 3-Day / 2-Night immersion in deep primary Amazon rainforest
- • Comfortable wooden cabins with private bathroom and mosquito netting
- • Guided canopy walks, 300-year-old Mapajo trees, and medicinal plant workshops
- • Night walks searching for tarantulas, tree frogs, and nocturnal mammals
Yacuma Pampas Wildlife River Safari
Relaxed boat navigation through flooded savannahs with extraordinary animal densities.
- • 3-Day / 2-Night open savannah wetland exploration near Santa Rosa
- • Motorized wooden canoe safaris along the peaceful Yacuma River
- • Close-up encounters with caimans, capybaras, monkeys, and hoatzin birds
- • Opportunity to observe and swim near Bolivian pink river dolphins
Madidi National Park Jungle Eco-Lodge
Motorboat transfer up Tuichi river, private eco-lodge stay, primary rainforest hikes, and night walks.
Yacuma Pampas & Pink Dolphin Safari
4x4 transport to Santa Rosa, riverboat safaris, pink dolphin swimming, and nocturnal caiman spotting.
Madidi Jungle & Pampas Combo
Combine 2 nights deep in Madidi rainforest with 2 nights riverside in the Yacuma Pampas wetlands.
Chalalán Indigenous Ecolodge
Community-owned lodge on Lake Chalalán, guided rainforest walks, birdwatching, and cultural evenings.
Practical Information
Park entrance tickets, health advice, climate details, and frequently asked questions for visiting the Bolivian Amazon.
Protected Area Entry Fees
Madidi National Park: 200 BOB (~$29 USD). Yacuma Pampas: 150 BOB (~$22 USD). Cash only at ranger posts.
Where to Stay
Riverside eco-lodges inside Madidi or wetland cabins in the Pampas with solar power and mosquito nets.
Domestic Flights (LPB ➔ RBQ)
Daily 45-minute commercial flights connecting El Alto (LPB) with Rurrenabaque Airport (RBQ).