Amazon Basin

The Amazon Basin is one of Bolivia’s largest and most mesmerizing regions. The rainforest is raucous with wildlife, and spending a few days roaming the sweaty jungle is an experience you’re unlikely to forget. But it’s not only the forests that are enchanting: it’s also the richness of the indigenous cultures, traditions and languages that exist throughout the region.

Mossy hills peak around the town of Rurrenabaque, most people’s first point of entry into the region and the main base camp for visits to the fascinating Parque Nacional Madidi. This is home to a growing ethno-ecotourism industry established to help local communities. The village of San Ignacio de Moxos is famous for its wild July fiesta; Trinidad, the region’s cosmopolitan hub, is encased by buzzing wetlands and is the transit point toward Santa Cruz. North of here the frontier towns of Riberalta and Guayaramerín are in remote regions few travelers dare to tread.

Explore Amazon Basin

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Amazon Basin.

  • Nature Reserve

    Santuario Chuchini

    The Santuario Chuchini (Jaguar's Lair) is one of the few easily accessible Paitití sites. This wildlife sanctuary and camp sits on an 8-hectare loma …

  • Museum

    Museo Etnoarqueológico Kenneth Lee

    Named for the gringo querido del Beni, the beloved white man of the Beni, this small museum north of the center is considered the city's top cultural…

  • National Park

    Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado

    The wonderfully remote and globally important Noel Kempff Mercado National Park is home to a broad spectrum of Amazonian flora and fauna and has a wide…

  • Wildlife Reserve

    Reserva Barba Azul

    Thanks to the efforts of the conservation NGO Armonía, the endangered blue-throated macaw or barba azul has become something of a regional celebrity in…

  • Community

    Tumichucuá

    Tumichucuá is a small community about 25km south of town (B$30 by moto-taxi) toward ‘El Triángulo’ (the road junction to Cobija). There is a lake for…

  • Nature Reserve

    Area Protegida Municipal Aquicuana

    This lush jungle reserve 22km north of Riberalta (B$30 by moto-taxi) is a great spot for bird-watching, wildlife watching (particularly caimans and…

  • National Park

    Parque Nacional Carrasco

    Created in 1988, this 622,600ha park has some of Bolivia’s most easily explored cloud forest. It skirts a large portion of the road between Cochabamba and…

  • Lake

    Laguna Normandia

    This savanna lake, a 2km walk from El Porvenir, is the reserve’s most popular destination. The sight of one of the world’s largest populations of crawling…

  • Lake

    Laguna Isirere

    North of town at the large Laguna Isirere, you can go fishing and swimming, observe the profuse birdlife and watch the gorgeous sunset. It’s accessible on…

  • Village

    Totaizal

    A stone’s throw from the road and a 40-minute walk from El Porvenir is Totaizal. This friendly and well-organized village of 300 people is the closest to…

  • Wildlife Reserve

    Parque Machía

    This 37-hectare wildlife refuge houses more than 200 free-range poached or injured critters, and another 300 or so in enclosures. Those who run free …

  • Plaza

    Plaza Gral José Ballivián

    Trinidad’s loveliest feature is Plaza Gral José Ballivián, with its tall, tropical trees, lush gardens and community atmosphere. You can spend a pleasant…

  • Village

    San Buenaventura

    Sleepy San Buenaventura sits across the Río Beni from Rurrenabaque, watching all the busy goings-on, but content with its own slower pace. The Centro…

  • Nature Reserve

    Reserva Biosférica del Beni

    Created by Conservation International in 1982 as a loosely protected natural area, this 334,200-hectare park was recognized by Unesco in 1986 as a ‘Man &…

  • Park

    Parque Pantanal

    On the road to the airport, this wooded park no longer serves as a wildlife rehab center – the inmates got a bit feisty – but it's still a nice place to…

  • Church

    Iglesia Parroquial de S.I.

    The church on the plaza was restored and rebuilt from 1995 to 2003 and adopts the familiar Jesuit style with a wide roof supported by wooden columns,…

  • Park

    Paseo Turístico La Costanera

    This well-maintained walking path on Riberalta’s river bluff overlooks a broad, sweeping curve of the Río Beni and affords the standard Amazonian view…

  • Plaza

    Main Plaza

    In the main plaza is a monument to Chirípieru, El Machetero Ignaciano, with his crown of feathers and formidable-looking hatchet, a look that’s re-created…

  • Museum

    Museo Ictícola

    At the university 1.5km north of town along Cipriano Barace is the Museo Ictícola, an extensive aquarium featuring some of the 500 species of Amazonian…

  • Plaza

    Plazuela Natuch

    Worth a quick look for the colorful Beni wall murals and statues of native wildlife, including a prone jaguar and a family of capybara. There are usually…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Amazon Basin.

  • Activities