Bolivian Amazon: Pampas or Jungle? How to Visit Rurrenabaque from La Paz

Last updated: November 2026 · Written by the Andes 2 Amazon team in La Paz

The Andes are only half of our name. A short flight from La Paz, the mountains drop into the Bolivian Amazon, and the small river town of Rurrenabaque is the gateway to it. From there you choose between two very different trips: the pampas (wetlands full of animals) or the jungle of Madidi National Park. Here is how to choose, how to get there and how to plan it.

Quick answer

• Choose the pampas if you want to see a lot of wildlife easily from a boat: pink river dolphins, caimans, capybaras, monkeys and birds.
• Choose the jungle (Madidi) if you want real rainforest: trekking, giant trees, a night in a jungle camp, macaws and the sounds of the forest. You see fewer animals, but the experience is wilder.
• Do both if you have 5 days or more. It is the most complete way to experience the Bolivian Amazon.

Pampas vs jungle: the real differences

The pampas

The pampas are seasonal wetlands about three hours by road from Rurrenabaque, around the Yacuma River. Most of the trip is by boat, so it is easy for all ages and fitness levels. Wildlife is out in the open: pink river dolphins next to the boat, caimans on the banks, capybaras, turtles, squirrel and howler monkeys, and hundreds of birds. You sleep in a simple eco-lodge by the river.

The jungle (Madidi National Park)

Madidi is one of the most biodiverse protected areas on Earth, stretching from Andean cloud forest down to lowland rainforest. A jungle trip means boats up the Beni and Tuichi rivers, guided treks on forest trails, medicinal plants, macaw cliffs and, on our tours, a night in a jungle camp. Animals are harder to see in dense forest, but the feeling of being deep in the Amazon is unforgettable.

Side by side

• Wildlife: pampas — easy and abundant · jungle — harder to spot, more variety of plants and birds
• Activity level: pampas — easy, mostly by boat · jungle — moderate, treks of several hours
• Accommodation: pampas — river eco-lodge · jungle — eco-lodge plus a night camping
• Best for: pampas — families, photographers, first-timers · jungle — hikers and nature lovers

How to get from La Paz to Rurrenabaque

• By plane: the flight takes under an hour and is by far the most comfortable option. Schedules change often and flights can be delayed or cancelled by weather, so keep a buffer day before any international flight.
• By bus: it is much cheaper but long: usually 12 to 18 hours on mountain roads that drop from the Andes to the lowlands, and the road can be affected by rain and landslides.

Many travelers fly one way and take the bus the other way. We can book your flight or bus as part of the trip.

How many days do you need?

• 3 days for the pampas or the jungle.
• 5 days to combine both.
• Add 1 day in Rurrenabaque before or after, in case flights change.

When is the best time to go?

The dry season, roughly May to October, is the best time: animals gather around the remaining water in the pampas and jungle trails are easier to walk. The rainy season, roughly December to March, brings heat, mud, more mosquitoes and a higher chance of transport problems, although the forest is at its greenest. In June and July cold fronts called surazos can make a few days surprisingly cool.

Health and what to pack

• Yellow fever: the vaccine is recommended for the Bolivian Amazon. Get it at least 10 days before you travel. See our Bolivia travel requirements guide.
• Mosquito protection: strong repellent, long sleeves and long trousers in light colors.
• Clothes: light quick-dry clothes, a warm layer for cool nights, a rain jacket and a hat. Rubber boots are usually provided.
• Other: headlamp, sunscreen, binoculars, a dry bag for your phone and cash in bolivianos for park entrance fees.

Our Bolivian Amazon tours

All our Amazon tours start in Rurrenabaque, with an English-speaking local guide, eco-lodges with mosquito nets, meals and drinking water included.

• Pampas of Rurrenabaque — 3 Days / 2 Nights: boat trips on the Yacuma River, pink dolphins, caimans, capybaras and piranha fishing.
• Madidi Jungle — 3 Days / 2 Nights: indigenous community, jungle trekking, a night in a jungle camp and the macaw cliffs.
• Madidi Jungle & Pampas — 5 Days / 4 Nights: the best of both, from the Bala Canyon to the Yacuma River.

Prices are on request, because they depend on your dates and on how you travel from La Paz. Want the Amazon as part of a longer trip? See From Low to Highlands — 19 Days or our 7, 10 and 14-day Bolivia itineraries.

Frequently asked questions

Is the pampas or the jungle better?

For wildlife, the pampas. For a real rainforest experience, the jungle. If you can, do both: they feel like two different worlds.

Can I visit the Bolivian Amazon in one or two days?

Not really. Just getting from La Paz to Rurrenabaque takes a flight or a long overnight bus, and the pampas and jungle lodges are hours away by road or river. Plan at least 3 days on tour.

Is it safe?

Yes, with an established operator. Guides know the rivers and trails, boats carry life jackets and lodges have mosquito nets. Do not swim where your guide says no, and follow instructions near caimans.

Will the altitude affect me?

No — the opposite. Rurrenabaque is in the lowlands, so after La Paz many travelers feel full of energy again. Expect heat and humidity instead.

Sources and further reading: SERNAP, Bolivia's national protected areas service.

Plan your Amazon trip with a local team

Tell us your dates and whether you prefer the pampas, the jungle or both, and we will suggest the best way to fit the Amazon into your Bolivia trip. Contact us or write to us on WhatsApp at +591 71969465.