Travels in Bolivia – Jungle or Pampas Tour?
How to Choose Between a Jungle Trip and Pampas Trip in Rurrenabaque
May 13, 2009
Rurrenabaque, Bolivia is the gateway to the Amazon Basin. This part of Bolivia is difficult to get to, but rewarding once a traveler has arrived. Bolivia is one of the best places in South America to see the Amazon Basin because it is more remote and untouched than in other countries like Brazil or Peru.
All tours, both pampas and jungle, will be based out of Rurrenabaque. All of them can be booked the day before from a company in the city. The prices are the same for both the pampas and the jungle tours, but the entry fee into the national park is a little more for the pampas trip.
Transportation-wise, to reach the pampas is more difficult involving a three hour jeep ride followed by a three hour canoe ride, while to reach the jungle it is just a three hour canoe ride, but keep in mind that companies arrange all transportation.
Because they are so different, doing both is a great way to see different parts of the Amazon, but for travelers that are short on time, how do they decide between the popular pampas or jungle tours?
The Highlights of the Pampas Tours
- The camp in the pampas is a little more luxurious than in the jungle
- There is more wildlife in the pampas
- There is a larger variety of activities to do in the pampas
Drawbacks of the Pampas Tours
- The amount of mosquitoes
- There is no guarantee to see wildlife
- There are a lot of tourists around
Highlights of the Jungle Tours
- The knowledge of the guides makes it a great learning experience
- It is unlikely travelers will see other tourists, it feels more remote
- The jungle in Bolivia is similar to Amazonian jungles which gives it a feel of an authentic and indicative experience in the Amazon
Drawbacks of the Jungle Tours
- The camp and living conditions are basic
- There is not a lot of opportunity to see wildlife
- There is less variety to the days than in the pampas
A traveler can’t go wrong by picking one tour over the other; both offer great glimpses into the Amazon Basin. It is helpful to remember that while the pampas tours highlight animals the jungle tour highlights plants and their medicinal purposes. Also, the pampas tour is a bit more comfortable, though the mosquitoes can be horrendous. There are fewer mosquitoes in the jungle, but camp is more basic.
The jungle tends to feel more remote and offers more hiking than the pampas tour, so really it is one’s personal preference.
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