Bolivia Pampas & Jungle Tours Guide 2018 – Everything you need to plan & arrange your Bolivian Amazon Tour

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A visit to the Bolivian Amazon is a highlight for many traveler’s that visit the country.

A large percentage of Bolivia is jungle or pampas wetlands and these tropical rainforests are home to an incredible amount of wildlife.

Rurrenabaque is the starting point for most Bolivian Amazon trips and offers a variety of tours from the most popular 3 Day Pampas Tours, multi day Madidi National Park Jungle tours or combination tours including both.

The town is easily accessible by several daily flights from La Paz and being a small town is a nice place to relax for a few days offering a completely different vibe to highlands.

We have a variety of different tour options for both the pampas and the jungle , ranging from the best budget options through to the world famous Chalalan Ecolodge.

We are also official agents for selling Amazonas Flight tickets (same price as the airline and issued using the airlines own system) and arrange hotel booking for a few recommended places in Rurrenabaque.

Not only can you can book everything you need in one place through us we also have some incredible value discounted tour + flights bundles that are the cheapest possible way to get these combinations anywhere!

Read through our guide below and compare Pampas versus the Jungle tours to see which you would most like to do.Of course many people choose to do both as they offer different experiences.

Last Updated 3rd August 2018

PAMPAS TOURS

The most popular Amazon tour options in Bolivia are the 3 Day Pampas Tours and this is because it is the best place to easily spot wildlife.

The Pampas are open tropical wetlands which are home such animals as pink river dolphins, alligators, caiman, anacondas, turtles, capybaras, piranhas, monkeys, lots of birds and many others.

You can see more info on the animals you might see in the Wildlife Pampas & Jungle Section

Because it is not as dense as the jungle rainforest the animals are much easier to see and as you explore the river, canals and lagoons in a motor-powered canoe you are often able to get very close to them without startling them.

It is a great way to see wildlife in its natural habitat and get some amazing photos.

Most pampas tours are 3 days in duration which is the ideal length as any longer you would need to report some same activities and in 2 days you would spend over half the time jus traveling.

The first day you travel by road from Rurrenabaque to the town of Santa Rosa where, after lunch, you will board the boat and start the river trip towards your lodge.

The wildlife spotting starts here though, and you often see dolphins right by the boat port. Along the way your guide will be using his well-trained eyes to spot animals of interest and point them out to you, often stopping the boat to allow you to get a better look.

To time it takes to the lodge depends on which operator you are with as each has their own lodge in different areas but is commonly around 1 or 2 hours. After arriving you are shown to your room and given refreshments.

The lodges you stay in are rustic but adequate and will include bed & sheets/pillows, mosquito nets, electric lighting and probably a few sockets for charging things. Bathrooms are usually separate and shared although there are private bathroom options with some operators.

There will be a dining area and usually places with hammocks to relax. The buildings are usually of wooden construction, raised off the floor and have mosquito screens (no glass windows).

The activities during the tour usually include swimming with dolphins, piranha fishing, night time alligator & caiman spotting, looking for anacondas and more exploration by boat to spot animals.

Whilst there are no guarantees with wildlife most visitors get to see dolphins, monkeys, turtles, alligators, caimans, capybaras and lots of birds. It is common that someone catches a piranha during the fishing activity but not always and you will certainly need luck to find an anaconda although during dry season your chances are better.

It is not uncommon to see a sloth on the drive to Santa Rosa on the first morning as they hang about in the trees along the road.

So if you want to see lots of wildlife the Pampas Tours are the best option and because they are so popular there are daily group departures for most tour options.

You can see all the tour options by browsing ALL TOURS

JUNGLE TOURS - MADIDI NATIONAL PARK

Jungle Tours in Rurrenabaque offer a different experience to the pampas and most take place inside the world famous Madidi National Park.

These tours take you into the thick, dense tropical rainforest that most people imagine when they think of the Amazon jungle.

Madidi jungle is considered the most bio diverse environment on the planet and at 18958km2 is one of the largest national parks in the world.

Every year there are new species discovered in the Madidi and a 3 year survey started in 2015 that recently concluded managed to identify 1362 new species in that period alone! Check out this New York Times article all about the study.

There was even a new species of monkey identified in 2004 called the Madidi Titi.

It is said to contain over 1100 species of bird which is about 11% of the species in the world.

The area is also home to 46 indigenous communities from six different tribes who live within the national park, many of who use traditional techniques to survive in the rainforest.

Jungle Tours to Madidi start from Rurrenabaque and after a boat ride up the Beni River you take a short walk to your jungle lodge that will be used as the base for excursions into the jungle areas around.

Most people take jungle tours of 2 or 3 days but there are options for 4, 5, 6 or even more days that enable you to trek deeper into the jungle and camp. These longer options can provide a better change of finding the more elusive animals like the jaguar that will often keep their distance from the areas inhabited by humans.

During a typical tour you will embark on a series of short hikes with your guide returning to the lodge for rests and meals after each. These hikes are not difficult, but the hot and humid atmosphere of the jungle can be quite tiring in itself.

Although you will try to find jungle animals such as wild pigs, monkeys and others but being thick and dense it is harder to spot them than in the pampas, but you usually get to see something.

You will also be exploring and learning about the rainforest environment, its medicinal plants, strange trees, finding weird and wonderful insects & arachnids such as the tarantula. Your guide might explain traditional hunting techniques or show you jungle fruits that can be eaten or used to make handicrafts.

A popular activity during the jungle trips is to go to where the wonderfully brightly colored macaws nest and observe them. The macaws nest in cliff faces and from this viewpoint you have a wonderful panorama of the surrounding jungle.

At night time the sounds of the jungle really come alive and it is then that the sheer quantity of living creatures that inhabit the jungle become most apparent. Taking a walk in the jungle at night time you get to experience a whole different side of the rainforest and for many this is an unforgettable experience.

The jungle tours offer an alternative experience to the Pampas tours and it completely depends on what your own interests are, the amount of time you have and your budget as to which you choose to.

Most people that take a jungle tour also do a pampas tours to ensure they have the complete amazon experience and a popular way to do this is with a tours that combines both.

You can see all options by browsing ALL TOURS

COMBO PAMPAS & JUNGLE TOURS

It is possible to book separate pampas and jungle tours but that will require that you spend a night in Rurrenabaque in between.

The pampas area is located about 2.5 -3 hours drive north east from Rurrenabaque and the Jungle lodges are accessed by boat boarded directly in Rurre and are located in a more south to south-west direction, so a return to Rurrenabaque is unavoidable.

If you book a combination Pampas and Jungle Tour then you will be transferred straight to the Jungle lodge after you return from you Pampas tour meaning you do not have to have a night in a hotel separately.

Combo Jungle & Pampas Tours are usually 5 Days which consist of 3 days in the Pampas followed by 2 days jungle tour. There are also 4 day combo tours that include 2 day pampas tour and 2 day jungle tour and a 6 day option with 3 days in each.

GETTING TO RURRENABAQUE

To get to Rurrenabaque you can either take a flight or go by road. Most people choose to take a plane as the prospect of an 18 hour or longer bus journey on what is the continuation for the “Worlds Most Dangerous Road” is usually not a popular idea.

Whilst it is possible to fly to Rurrenabaque on an early flight and start a tour the same day it is better if you can get there the day before as flights can be delayed sometimes.

For the flights returning to La Paz it is possible with some tours to get a flight back on the last day (last flights are usually around 5.30-6.00pm) but we advise people to allow time for possible delays especially if you have an international flight to catch same or next day. During rainy season it is not uncommon for people booked on the last flight of the day to have to wait until the following morning for a departure if backlogs occur.

FLIGHTS TO RURRENABAQUE

The airline Amaszonas fly from La Paz to Rurrenabaque from 2 to 6 times a day depending on the season and day of the week (weekends flights are less frequent) and the flight time is about 45 minutes.

See Details for Rurrenabaque Flights

*We sell flights at the same price as Amazonas and issue the tickets using the same system.

The airline TAM is the only other airline that schedules flights to Rurrenabaque but have in general not been running flights for some time now so we cannot offer this.

BY LAND / BUS TO RURRENABAQUE

For those looking to save money or simply wanting the experience of traveling by road to Rurrenabaque buses from La Paz depart from the Minasa Bus terminal near to the District of Villa Fatima in La Paz each morning around 11am (times change slightly sometimes so check)

The scheduled time for the journey is about 18 hours but it can often take longer and in rainy season there can be significant delays due to landslides and destroyed sections of road meaning trips of 40 hours plus are not unheard of.

If it also possible to rent 4x4s to drive you down to Rurrenabaque and it takes about 12 -14 hours usually but this is not a cheap option and not often done any more.

WILDLIFE IN THE PAMPAS AND JUNGLE

As Madidi National Park is known as the most ecologically diverse place on earth & the pampas protected area is teeming with mammals, birds, amphibians, fish and more we cannot attempt to list every kind of wildlife you might encounter in the region.

So you will find below a list of the most common or popular creatures that you might see during the Pampas or Jungle tours plus some interesting ones that you are less likely to see unless you are very lucky!

Please note though some are easier to see than others and being wildlife there are no guarantees you can spot them during a tour.

PAMPAS WILDLIFE

Click on an animal name to see more info

Pink River Dolphins

Pink River Dolphins - the slow-moving water of the Yacuma river is the preferred habitat of the rare freshwater pink river dolphin known locally as the Bufeo. It is a subspecies of the Amazon River Dolphin and is considered an endangered species. They are protected by Bolivian law and were declared a national treasure in 2012. These inquisitive creatures sometimes interact with swimmers during the tours, playfully nibbling their feet and poking them with their noses. The quieter and smaller the group the better the chances they will approach. Monkeys

There are a variety of types of monkey in the Pampas area including squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, Beni and Olalla titi monkeys, and capuchin monkeys. Of these you will almost certainly see squirrel monkeys during a pampas tours as they are extremely inquisitive and have unfortunately become accustomed to receiving food from tourists. The braver monkeys of a group will often even climb aboard the boat to try to get snacks. You shouldn’t give the monkeys food as they can become dependent on it and especially not snacks and processed food as it can be very bad for them. Spider monkeys & capuchin monkeys are quite often seen in the pampas also but howler monkeys are a little less common but still possible. The Beni and Olalla titi monkeys are endangered species and are seldom seen during tours. Caiman & 'Alligators'

Caiman (Caimaninae) are a subfamily of the alligator family (Alligatoridae) and there are a variety of types of which the Spectacled Caiman and the smaller Black Caiman are the most common to be seen in the Pampas area. Black Caiman are the largest species of caiman and can grow up to lengths of 5 meters and weigh more than 400kg.They are the largest predator in the whole amazon. Spectacled Caiman are smaller growing to a maximum size of about 2.5 meters and around 60kg. They are also referred to as White Caiman or Common Caiman. Caiman are considered very aggressive and apart from humans have few natural predators they need to be aware of. Jaguars and anacondas have been known to prey on young caiman. There are only two kinds of Alligator proper and that is the American Alligator and the Chinese Alligator neither of which live in South America. There are no crocodiles in Bolivia. What are often referred to as alligators in the Pampas are in fact older adult Black Caiman as they are similar in size to the American Alligator when fully mature. Anacondas

The green anaconda, sometimes called the common anaconda, is the largest snake in the world by body mass. It is a constrictor that often lies submerged in water awaiting its prey. It can grow to be over 5 meters long but there are numerous myths of anacondas reaching much longer lengths giving birth to the mythical name “giant anaconda” but this has never been proven. The numbers of anacondas in the Pampas region have fallen drastically in the last decades partly due to the effects of tourism and also due to local development. You need a bit of luck to find one during a tour as you search through the swamp lands to try to find one lying in the water, but your chances are better in the dry season when there is less water for them to lie in. Capybaras

Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world and live in herds on the banks of rivers and lagoons. Being the size of a large dog people are often surprised to find out they are rodents but luckily they have the cuteness of their close relative the guinea pig so people don’t have the same repulsion of them as they do of rats and mice! Some people even keep capybaras as pets in the US and they are actually very friendly when domesticated. Piranhas

Native to South America and usually growing up to a maximum of 30cm in length the Piranha is well known around the world. One look at one in real life and most people decide they are pure evil in fish form. Razor sharp rows of teeth set in incredibly sharp jaws add to the myth that they can kill and strip a person of flesh in minutes. Whilst most of these stories are exaggerated and piranhas rarely attack humans there was a famous case in Bolivia in 2012 when a drunken 18 year old fell in a river in Rosario de Yata and was eaten alive by Piranhas, so the stories are not entirely without basis. During Pampas tours you fish for Piranhas using small chunks of meat or fish and can experience how fast they bite firsthand. Be careful with them if you catch one! Turtles

As you travel along the river during your Pampas tour you will see lots of turtles sunning themselves in rows on logs near the river banks.

Often as the boat gets closer they will dive into the water as the noise of the engine startles them. These turtles are Yellow-Spotted river turtles and if you look closer you will see some yellow markings on the heads of the turtles that give it its name. The colors are brighter in the younger turtles than the older ones. Sloths

Seen hanging around lazily in the high branches of trees the 3 toed sloth might seem like it never moves but it can in fact change trees a couple of times per day. The reasons they are so slow moving is due to a very slow metabolism so moving very little conserves energy but also as a protection against some of their natural predators like big cats that hunt by sight and detection of movement. 3 toed sloths are in fact quite good swimmers, but this is rarely witnessed. Lots of Birds

The pampas area is home to many species of birds including herons, kingfishers,storks, hoactzins, macaws, chuvi and great black hawks. You never know what you will see exactly but you will certainly see a number of different birds during your tour.

JUNGLE WILDLIFE

Click on an animal name to see more info

Macaws

The jungle tours are the best place to go and see Macaws as there is a well-known nesting cliff that you can visit where it is easy to see these beautiful parrots. They are at their noisiest early morning or late afternoon Wild Pigs

These hairy black pigs roam in packs in the rainforest and seem to appear from no where very suddenly.

They are hunted by the indigenous people in the region and often kept as “pets” in the village until such time they are needed for a feast. They are not dangerous and will likely run away startled if they see you but you should not approach them if they have young with them as the mother can become protective. Tapirs

Yet another animal on the endangered list the Tapir which is the largest Amazonian mammal. You might hear it referred to as a “jungle cow” by some guides but its long bendy snout means it is very dissimilar to a cow. It might look sluggish but it can run and swim pretty quickly which is its main defense as it is a peaceful herbivore and feeds mostly on roots and leaves. Tarantulas

There are in fact different kinds, thought to number of 900 types, of tarantula spider in different parts of the world. They live in burrows with an entry hole on the surface so a common tactic that your guide might use to entice one out is to move a small stick near the entrance to fool it into thinking there is potential prey nearby. The tarantulas in the Bolivian jungle are covered in thick black hair which can cause irritation to the skin of touched and of course have a painful venomous bite. Giant Anteaters

Giant Anteaters, also called Ant Bears, live in jungles and in grassy plains and ,not surprisingly, live on a diet of ants and termites. The have a long tongue that is very sticky that they use to access crevices and holes to harvest the ants. It is not common to see them during a tour though but it has been known, more so on the longer jungle tour options. Giant Armadillos

The Giant Armadillo is another animal that likes to feast on ants and termites, but also worms and other insects, and it is yet another one of the animals in Madidi that is on the endangered list. Often growing up to 30kg in weight the giant armadillo is the largest of the armadillo species. It is nocturnal, lying dormant in a burrow during the day, and coming out to feed at night. Chances of spotting one on a tour are not very high but during your night walks it could be possible if you are lucky or the guide knows where one might be. Jaguar, Ocelot & Puma

The majestic Jaguar is the largest cat species in South America and mostly lives in the tropical jungles and marshlands areas but also inhabits the grassy lowland plains. It is an elusive animal and has for a long time been under threat due to cattle farmers seeing it as a menace or settlements seeing it as a danger. In the last few years though the threat to jaguars has increased dramatically as the influence of China grows in Bolivia with the arrival of many Chinese business and immigrants, and with them an sharp increase in the illegal trade of rare animal parts. Ocelots are much smaller and have a distinctive intricate pattern of dots and stripes in colors of black, white and orange. Its fur was once highly sort after but it now illegal which has gone a long way to ensure it is not an endangered species. Pumas are often considered more of a mountain cat but can in fact live in a variety of environments including the jungle. They are mostly solitary but recent evidence suggests that they do in fact socialize with other pumas at certain times. It is difficult to see a Jaguar, Ocelot or Puma during a jungle tour and even though your chances are better on the longer tours that go deeper into the jungle, it still requires a lot of luck.

RURRENABAQUE TOWN

The town of Rurrenabaque sits on the banks of the Beni River and is located about 250 miles (410km) from La Paz. It is part of the department of Beni and the municipality of Rurrenabaque of which it is the capital.

It has a small airport about 20 mins drive from the center and it mostly services flights to / from La Paz , although there are also sometimes scheduled flights to / from Santa Cruz.

Sitting at an altitude of about 300 meters it’s climate is sunny, hot and humid, usually averaging temperatures of around 30C up to about 35C.

It is a small town with a population of around 20,000 people but has plenty of facilities for tourists as it receives many visitors per year as it is the starting point or both Pampas and Jungle Tours.

The center of the two is made up of a few principal streets and a sleepy main plaza. You will find various hotels, hostels, agencies and tourist cafes dotted around as well as useful places like the Amaszonas office, a laundry, some banks and a small market all within easy walking distance of each other.

The bus station is just a few more blocks out of town and is also walkable.

Map of Rurrenabaque

“Rurre” as it is commonly referred to was put on the tourist map when an Israeli traveller called Yossi Ghinsberg was rescued by the locals from nearby San José de Uchupiamonas after an adventurous excursion went wrong in 1981.

He spent weeks lost in the jungle before being found and later returned to help them start the now world famous ecolodge Chalalan. His story attracted travellers to the area and the tourism industry in the town started to grow.

Yossi Ghinsberg turned his story into a book and in 2017 it was made into a film called Jungle staring Daniel Radcliffe.

MALARIA, YELLOW FEVER & DENGUE

Visitors to both the Jungle and Pampas should take care to protect themselves from mosquito bites and other insects both for their own comfort but also due to the possibility of contracting insect borne diseases.

Most tours and hotels supply mosquito nets in their accommodations, so you will just need to bring suitable clothing and insect repellent.

Whilst insect repellent is available in the pharmacies (drugstores) in Rurrenabaque it might not be possible to by good quality options and products such as high potency DEET based creams and sprays are not easy to get. You will a little more success in La Paz as there are some DEET products of up to 29% strength available, but you would be best to bring something from your home country for the best effectiveness.

N.B - DEET is extremely harmful to animals so whilst you should not be handling animals during your tour anyway be especially careful if you are wearing DEET. For example, if your group is successful in finding an anaconda do NOT under any circumstances touch the anaconda if you have DEET on your skin as snakes partly breathe through their skin and they are easily poisoned by the slightest contamination.

MALARIA

Whilst in theory malaria is a possibility the risk in Rurrenabaque, the pampas and the areas in the jungle visited by tourists is minimal. There has not be a recorded case of malaria being contracted in well over a decade. If you do want to take malarial medications then you should bring them with you as there will be limited types available.

YELLOW FEVER

Yellow fever is a potential risk in the area and you should have your yellow fever vaccination before traveling. It is in fact a requirement to enter Bolivia (even if it is not always enforced). Yellow fever tends to occur in outbreaks that are well publicized so it is quite easy to find out if there is a current risk when you are in the country.

DENGUE FEVER

Dengue fever is also a potential risk and, like yellow fever, outbreaks are usually reported and publicized when it is considered an issue. There tends to be a higher risk during rainy season when there is more stagnant water lying around making ideal breeding conditions for the mosquitoes.

WHAT TO TAKE ON AMAZON TOURS

Whilst Rurrenabaque is not a large town you can buy basics there no problem so no need to worry about running out of toothpaste, soap, ibuprofen etc. It is worth noting though that some things, due to the logistics of getting them there, are little bit more expensive.

Here are some things you should think about bringing with you:

Cash – there are a couple of ATMs in Rurre and they regular run out of cash and often do not work with foreign cards. Bring all the case you need with you for your trip – cards are not commonly accepted in restaurants and shops for payment.

Insect repellent & insect bite cream.

Any medications that you need / want. You can get things in Rurre but supplies are limited so best not to risk it for things that are essential.

A torch – jungle and pampas camps might use generator power, so useful for those late night trips to the bathroom if the lights are out. Also needed for the jungle night walks.

Good Quality Sun cream – you can get some in Rurre but again it might cost more and not be the kind you want.

CLOTHING

It is hot and humid so you will likely want to be wearing shorts and tshirt most of the time but you will also need some lightweight long sleeve shirts and long trousers to protect for the early morning and evenings when the mosquitoes come out to bite. Synthetic materials that are quick drying are the way to go. Cotton does not dry easily and leave you feeling damp and permanently sweaty.

SUMMARY

Hopefully our guide and info has inspired you visit Rurrenabaque and take one of the incredible Pampas or Jungle tours or one of the popular combo options.

Remember to check out our popular bundle options* with flights and tours as these are much cheaper than booking direct with the airline and operators themselves!

Last Updated 22nd August 2018