Good morning,
I'm going to be backpacking through Bolivia and then Peru for a month or two starting at the end of March or beginning of April. I'm still working on my itinerary and a lot will probably depend on the weather but one of the main questions I have right now is where I'm going to be sleeping. The only people I know who have traveled through either country have just stayed in hostels but I was wondering if it is possible and feasible to just pack a tent or hammock and camp in some areas. While in Bolivia one of the things I would really like to do is spend some time in the jungle. More specifically I'm going to be trying to fish for dorado (if anyone knows anything about that I would appreciate any advice as well) so I may be going to some more rural or remote areas. If I do intend to do a lot of camping are there any big concerns I need to be aware of? Or is it fairly safe and easy to do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I have no experience in the region at all.1
fieldgate
Hostels are cheap, from US$ 10, so sleeping in a tent isn't a good value if you compare. You'll have less to carry if you opt for hostels.
2
muteki
Most hostels I stayed in were around US$6, so I doubt camping would be good value unless you're doing jungle trips. Most of the jungle trips will provide food and such, so you don't necessarily need to bring your own.
3
lucapal
AS above...hostels are cheap,there are few (or no) ''campsites'' (though places where you can string up a hammock exist for sure).....and if you are going into the jungle you will be on a guided trip,not wandering around on your own.
I wouldn't bother with the hassle of carrying around a tent and all the other equipment you need......
5
mhutchinson
Thanks for the advice everyone, I really appreciate it. It sounds like hostels are the way to go in most places however I do intend to do some trekking through the Andes and in the jungles, and I was hoping to do some on my own without a guided excursion since that is my preference. I was looking at a map of Bolivia and it looks like there is a decent amount of national parks or other similar areas. Do most people just go with guides if they intend to go into the more remote areas? Is it even feasible to go into these places on my own or is that just not a good idea?
6
fieldgate
I was looking at a map of Bolivia and it looks like there is a decent amount of national parks or other similar areas.
Depending on you skills and trekking experience, there're many ways you can do it. If you want to be on your own and trek independently, there will be no problem. Although, you can do treks, in quite desolate areas and land in a tiny community, or just find a very basic hospedaje in the middle of nowhere.
If independent trekking is your thing then you'll enjoy it more with your own gear.
Otoh, going with guides on small tours and trekking, 4-6 people, is common too, and it's cheap.
7
willemspie
In the mountains, you can trek alone and camp.
I have no personal experience of doing similar things in the jungle.
8
xinloi
Lot of places for $5 a night, e.g. In Rurre the Army Hotel has rooms with private bano and TV for $5.
When I was in Rurre in May, I could not find any locals with a boat who would take me out as they all seemed to be affiliated with tour groups. Met a few guys with fishing gear who were going out fishing for a week with tour agency. Think they said they were paying $100 per day.
Heard that you can go out with local boats in nearby villages and that best fishing was up river of Rurre.
In La Paz, Potosi, Sucre, I was surprised to find stores selling fishing gear. The store in Potosi has pictures of lot of BIG trout caught in mountains.
I went fishing near Rurre but only caught Pirahna.
Last year I was fishing in the Urabamba beneath Machu Picchu.
Maybe you should check out the tour that takes a boat for 4 days down to Rurre? Only $250--going to try it next year.
9
jeremydear
there is a lovely new campsite near la paz which allows you to be surrounded by amazing scenery and nature but pretty near the city. we've been helping build the site, it will open at the start of March.
you can see what it looks like at www.colibricamping.com
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