The mammoth Amazon River flows across South America from west to east, depositing its watery load, the largest in the world, into the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast. Two major tributaries, the Mamoré River and the Beni River, drain into the Bolivian Amazon – also known as El Beni – which covers a third of the entire country and offers captivating nature and adventure opportunities. It’s slightly different from the rest of the Amazon, with vast areas covered by savannah lands which melt into the dense rainforest on the foothills of the Andes. Most visitors start their Amazon journey from the laid-back towns of Rurrenabaque (the gateway to the beautiful Madidi National Park) or Trinidad on the eastern edge of the basin.
Home to ancient traditions and cultures that are fast disappearing, Bolivia is the continent’s most indigenous country, with 60% of its inhabitants descended from Native Americans - a rich heritage that is evident in the local art, cuisine, music and traditions. Equally as fascinating is the incredibly diverse landscape, stretching from the central Andes to the Amazon Basin and encompassing a terrain that includes snowy peaks, the world’s highest navigable lake, rainforests, dry valleys, and volcanoes both active and extinct. Whether you are in search of colourful festivals, ancient remains or an outdoor adventure, Bolivia is a tourist’s treat waiting to be discovered.
Bolivia’s largest city and one of the world’s fastest growing urban centres, Santa Cruz is home to a diverse mix of people; from trendy yuppies and Japanese rice farmers to indigenous migrants from the Altiplano. Visitors to the eastern tropical city can play in Equipetrol - an old wealthy neighbourhood that has since become a vibrant nightlife hub - or relax in the town square with the cruceños (as the locals are known), or spend some time discovering the many cultural and historic sites.
