Bolivia offers a budget-friendly alternative to exploring the Amazon, and it’s a great option if you’re looking for a more affordable, less crowded experience. Erin from Never Ending Voyage shares how you can experience the Amazon rainforest in Bolivia without breaking the bank.
The Amazon, the world’s largest tropical rainforest, stretches over 5.5 million square kilometers. It’s home to rare wildlife and unique ecosystems, making it a top destination for many travelers. While most people associate the Amazon with Brazil, the Amazon basin actually spans across nine South American countries, including Bolivia. So, if you’re looking to save money, Bolivia is an excellent, lesser-known gateway into the jungle.
Not only is it cheaper, but Bolivia’s part of the Amazon is just as biologically diverse as Brazil’s—and it’s less crowded, too. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your trip into the Bolivian Amazon!
Where to Start
Your adventure begins in Rurrenabaque, a small town that’s easy to navigate and where you can book tours for much less than if you were to book in La Paz. In Rurrenabaque, you’ll find guesthouses for as low as $5-10 USD per night, making it an affordable base to explore the jungle. From here, you have two main options for your Amazon experience:
1. Pampas Tours: The Budget-Friendly Wildlife Experience
Pampas tours are the cheapest way to experience the Amazon, and they offer plenty of wildlife sightings, including alligators, capybaras, and monkeys. The pampas are a wetland savannah at the edge of the Amazon, so it’s not the classic dense jungle, but the open landscape makes spotting animals much easier.
The journey starts with a bumpy three-hour jeep ride, followed by a motorized canoe ride along the river to your lodge. The river ride is the highlight, offering close encounters with wildlife like alligators, capybaras, and herons. The riverside camp offers shared wooden huts on stilts, with a peaceful atmosphere and plenty of wildlife around. It’s basic but comfortable, and you’ll wake up to the sounds of howler monkeys each morning.
While the pampas tours are affordable and wildlife-filled, it’s important to choose your tour operator carefully. Make sure they don’t interact with or feed the animals—especially dangerous species like anacondas.
2. Jungle Tours: The Classic Amazon Experience
If you’re looking for the more classic Amazon experience, a jungle tour is for you. These tours take you deep into the jungle, where you stay at eco-lodges and participate in activities like canoe trips, jungle treks, and piranha fishing. While jungle tours are pricier—ours cost $207 USD for a three-day, two-night trip with Madidi Travel—they offer an immersive experience in the heart of the Amazon. You’ll be surrounded by dense jungle, colorful insects, and a peaceful environment, though wildlife sightings are less frequent than in the pampas.
Jungle treks can be tough due to the heat and humidity, and there are more mosquitoes to contend with. However, for those seeking the full Amazon experience, it’s worth it. Plus, some of the money from your tour goes back into conservation efforts, which is a great bonus.
If you’re on a tight budget, there are also cheaper jungle tours with more basic accommodations, or you can hire a guide and go camping in the jungle. But be aware that conditions are challenging, so it’s not something to take lightly.
Which to Choose?
If you’re short on time or budget, prioritize wildlife sightings and go for a pampas tour. If you have more time and want to experience the classic jungle, then a jungle tour will give you that authentic Amazon feel. If possible, do both for a more complete experience!
8 Tips for Visiting the Bolivian Amazon
- Best time to visit: The dry season (May to October) is ideal, with more wildlife and fewer mosquitoes.
- Footwear: Good hiking boots are essential for the jungle trek.
- Clothing: Wear light, long-sleeve clothes to protect against mosquitoes.
- Cash: There are no reliable ATMs in Rurrenabaque, so bring cash with you.
- Travel: You can get to Rurrenabaque by bus (a rough 30-hour ride) or by plane (a scenic 35-minute flight).
- Avoid anaconda hunts: Don’t participate in tours that encourage touching or posing with animals.
- Wildlife safety: Always respect wildlife and keep your distance.
- Mosquitoes: Bring plenty of bug spray, especially for jungle tours.
Visiting the Amazon doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Bolivia offers an incredible and affordable alternative to Brazil’s pricey tours. If you’re heading to Bolivia, make sure to consider an Amazon tour—you won’t be disappointed!
