The town of Rurrenabaque was founded in 1844 on the banks of the Beni River. This absolutely quiet, safe and tropical town is located in a beautiful region in the tropical lowlands, with two very important ecosystems, namely the evergreen rainforest or jungle and the Moxos flood plains or “Pampas" at 260 masl. Rurrenabaque is the gateway to the Pampas and the Madidi National Park, both of which protected areas with a variety of ecological layers harboring a great diversity of plants and animals. The latter is considered one of the most important parks of Bolivia and the world.

Rurrenabaque has all attractions which any tourist may want, since it is one of the most beautiful natural reserves in the world. This magnificent place in the department of Beni is located at 229 meters above sea level and is the home to various ethnic groups such as the Chimanes, Mosenetes, Chamas and Tacanas. The tacana language is still used today on this place. Rurrenabaque is a tacana word meaning “duck lagoon”.

Tropical climate: The area has a wet and hot climate, with an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. In this tropical area, the rainy season starts in October and lasts until April. Directions: You can travel to this marvelous place by road and by air. By road: Various bus companies travel to Rurrenabaque from La Paz. The trip takes approximately 18 to 20 hours. By air: Daily flights from La Paz and Santa Cruz to the airport of Rurrenabaque. Hiking: Beware of unauthorized guides offering their services. Only accredited operators can enter the Madidi park.

Culture: Different ethnical groups coexist in the area: mosetenes, tacanas, tsimanes and esse-ejja, all natives from the Amazon, together with aymaras and quechuas from the higher regions. Economic activities are mainly based on tourism, which involves 75% of the population, followed by agriculture and trade.

Money: Remember that there are no ATMs in Rurrenabaque, even though some places accept credit cards.

Tourist attractions

Yacuma River pampas: The pampas are lowlands with scarce vegetation which have traditionally been used for extensive cattle breeding. The forest along the Yacuma River at a few kilometers from Santa Rosa del Yacuma and at three hours by car from Rurrenabaque harbors an important diversity of birds, mammals and reptiles. In a boat trip along the Yacuma River, you will have a chance to see the pink dolphins that are found only in the rivers of the Amazon basin, crocodiles, turtles and capybaras, capuchin and howler monkeys. The nearby swamps are home to the anaconda or sicurí. The scene is completed with birds: jabiru storks, herons and roseate spoonbills, who come to the river to fish. The Bravo lagoon offers the possibility of fishing pompano and a variety of piranhas for dinner.

Madidi park: One of the world’s most important natural reserves that houses more than 1,000 bird species, 300 species of mammals, reptiles and a large extension covered with plants. The Madidi National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area is a protected area that was created on 21 September 1995. The park covers 1,895,750 hectares, with a range of ecological layers housing a fantastic diversity of plants and animals. The park has been catalogued by National Geographic as one of the 20 most important tourist destinations in the world with the greatest ecological and biographic relevance. It is one of the world’s vastest reserves of biodiversity.

It is a living environment where countless mammals and a great diversity of plants live together, besides being home to many amphibians and reptiles. This park houses one of the richest forests of Bolivia. Moreover, 988 bird species have been found in this park, besides the ones also found in other protected areas, though this quantification is not yet complete. Take advantage of this opportunity to visit this enormous reserve and breathe in its untouched nature. Bolivia offers charming landscapes for all visitors, among which this large area that will captivate anyone who enjoys nature.

You can also visit the Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve and Indigenous Territory, and the Beni River, where the beauty of the forests and landscape will seduce you.

Every year, around 37,000 foreigners visit Rurrenabaque, fascinated by the area and the friendly people. An ideal place for ecological tourism, adventure tourism and extreme sports. That is why the local people call this place “The tourist pearl of Beni". Rurrenabaque has restaurants, pizzerias, karaoke bars, hotels and discos so that visitors would enjoy an unforgettable experience.