bolivian pantanal
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The Bolivian Pantanal
The bolivian Pantanal is part of the big pantanal shared with Brasil and Paraguay.
The Pantanal is a floodplain of 140,000 km² where more than 80 species of mammals, 650 species of birds, 263 species of fish, and 50 species of reptiles can be found.
The Paraguay River is the backbone of the Pantanal, where all the widely dispersed waters of the Pantanal slowly flow. These lands have very little slope, so their drainage capacity is very low.
The landscapes are flat and expansive with great color and beauty. Most tours to the bolivian pantanal are conducted from the city of Santa Cruz.
Amboro Tours can also trips in the bolivian Pantanal to observe the Hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus).
When the tour or the itineraries offered by Amboro Tours begin in the city of Santa Cruz, they may include several other destinations along the same route, such as the Jesuit missions of San Jose and Santiago de Chiquitos, or other tourist destinations like Chochis, the Tucavaca Valley, and Aguas Calient
The bolivan pantanal tour could includes the jesuit mission of Chiquitos, chochis, Valle de tucava, ethinc tourim in Bahia negra paraguay.
Starting at the city of Santa Cruz.It is possible to visit the bolivian pantanal as well as the and paraguayan parts of this wetland.
The tours starts at the city of Santa Cruz or from the town of Puerto Suarez.
Amboro Tours does not have an office at Puerto Suarez.
Amboro Tours offers the bolivian Pantanal Route; Santa Cruz- San Jose de Chiquitos – Valle de Tucavaca – Chochis – Aguas Calientes. Once in Puerto Suares the route may includes the Bolivian and Paraguayan Pantanal, Otuquis national park ( The park is in the bolivian pantanal) with Puerto Bush, Rio Paraguay and Rio Negro and Tres Gigantes biological station in Paraguay.
It is possible to combine the bolivian Pantanal tour with ethnic tourism by visiting indigenous communities in Bahia Negra.
Among the most common inhabitants are the Yacare caiman (Caiman yacare), the Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus), and the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). However, wildlife observation depends on several factors, such as the time of year.
Otuquis National Park in the Bolivian Pantanal
Creation: July 31, 1997
Declared as a Preservation Reserve through Supreme Decree No. 24124 on 09/29/1995 and later designated as a protected area by Supreme Decree No. 24762.
Objectives of Creation
The main objectives of its creation were:
The conservation of the tropical dry forests within the park, which are among the world’s top priorities for conservation.
The preservation of the geomorphological, landscape, biological, and cultural diversity of the Otuquis area, protecting species of exceptional value, including endangered and characteristic species of these ecosystems.
Serving as a significant tourist attraction, functioning as a feeding center for large concentrations of aquatic birds, while also offering scenic beauty with large lagoons, marshlands, and hills. It is home to a rich fauna, including large mammals and endangered species such as the giant armadillo (pejichi), marsh deer, and giant otters.
The protection and conservation of wetlands of global importance (RAMSAR Site since 12/17/2001).
Category:
National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area.
Location:
It is situated in the southeast of the Santa Cruz department, in the provinces of Cordillera and Germán Busch. The park is divided into two sections:
Otuquis Block – The larger section, located south of Puerto Suárez, covering the municipalities of Puerto Suárez and Charagua. This area is designated as a National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area.
Río Pimiento Block – A smaller section north of Puerto Suárez, involving the municipalities of Puerto Suárez, Puerto Quijarro, and Carmen Rivero Tórrez.
Surface Area:
According to the Creation Decree: 1,005,950 hectares
According to digital GIS records: 1,022,423.531 hectares
Accessibility:
The main access points to the protected area are from the southeast and northeast via the most passable road from Santa Cruz to Puerto Suárez. There is no accessible route from the west
.
San Matías
Integrated Management Natural Area (ANMI
San Matías) – Bolivian Pantanal
Creation: July 31, 1997
It is the second-largest nationally protected area in Bolivia.
Legal Basis: Supreme Decree No. 24734
On September 17, 2001, the Ramsar Convention recognized the Bolivian Pantanal as a conservation unit of national and global importance (Ramsar Site).
Objectives of Creation:
Conservation of tropical dry forests.
Protection of deciduous forest and wooded savanna ecosystems in the Sunsas and Vencinas mountain ranges.
Becoming a high-value tourist attraction, hosting large concentrations of aquatic birds, large mammals, and endangered species such as the giant armadillo (pejichi), marsh deer, and giant otters.
The proximity between the Pantanal Matogrossense National Park in Brazil and ANMI San Matías ensures a vast protected area for the survival of animals and biological processes requiring large territories.
Acting as a wildlife and flora corridor.
Promoting productive and tourism activities.
Category:
Integrated Management Natural Area (ANMI).
Location:
Located in the eastern part of the Santa Cruz department, bordering Brazil. It spans the provinces of Ángel Sandoval, Germán Busch, Chiquitos, Velasco, and includes the municipalities of San Matías, Carmen Rivero Tórrez, Puerto Suárez, Puerto Quijarro, Roboré, San José de Chiquitos, and San Rafael.
It shares a border with Brazil to the east.
Surface Area:
According to the Creation Decree: 2,918,500 hectares
According to digital GIS records: 2,930,886 hectares
Accessibility:
The northern access is via the Santa Cruz – San Ignacio – San Matías highway, with entry points through San Rafael, Tornito, Villazón, and Natividad leading to Candelaria.
The southern access is via the Santa Cruz – San José – Roboré – Carmen Rivero Tórrez – Puerto Suárez – Puerto Quijarro highway. From Roboré, visitors can reach Santo Corazón via Santiago de Chiquitos. From Carmen Rivero Tórrez, access is available to communities in the southern zone of ANMI San Matías, including Rincón del Tigre.
Within the region and the protected area, there are landing strips for small aircraft in some communities and ranches (SERNAP 2001).
Another entry route is via Tamengo Channel leading to the Paraguay River, providing access to Mandioré, La Galba, and Uberaba lagoons.
This translation ensures clarity while maintaining accuracy in describing the national park and its features. Let me know if you need any modifications!
Itineraries;The bolivian Pantanal Tours
The Bolivian Pantanal tour
From Puerto Suarez
Itinerary with the options:
1 day and 0 nights, 2 days and 1 nighth and 3 days and 2 nigthts.
1st Day
We begin the journey in a 4×4 vehicle from your hotel in the town of Puerto Suarez or Puerto Quijarro.
Departure is early in the morning towards the bolivian pantanal .
The exact time is agreed upon with the visitors the night before once our services are confirmed.
This journey is on a dirt road that passes through one of the largest iron reserves in the world, a place called Mutun.
In the first part of the journey, it is common to spot birds such as the Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) among other species.
Further along the road, we will cross military checkpoints and the control point of Otuquis National Park.
After traveling about 50 kilometers from Puerto Suarez on the road to Puerto Bush, we will find ourselves in the middle of the southern Bolivian Pantanal.
Puerto Bush is located 140 km from Puerto Suarez. It is where the road ends upon reaching the Paraguay River.
On both sides of this road, once past the haciendas, you can see the characteristic landscapes of the Bolivian Pantanal. This part of the Pantanal is within Otuquis National Park.
In this area, there is a high chance of seeing many birds, mammals, and even anacondas. We will stop as necessary and/or requested.
After two to four hours of travel (140 km), this journey can be lengthy because we will be stopping along the way for photos or simply to observe animals.
It is important to note that vehicle traffic, especially trucks, has increased significantly on this road as it is the export route for raw materials for steel.
Once we arrive at Puerto Bush, where the road for vehicles ends, the Bolivian Navy has a military base, and the park rangers of Otuquis National Park have a control post on the banks of the Paraguay River.
If the tour is for 1 day and 0 nights, at this point or even before, we will have lunch and then begin the return trip to Puerto Suarez or Puerto Quijarro, where the 1-day, 0-night tour would end around 18:00.
If the tour is scheduled for 2 days or more, in Puerto Bush, we will board a small motorboat heading to the Tres Gigantes Biological Station or Bahia Negra in Paraguay. We must arrive during daylight.
This journey takes about an hour. If the destination is the Tres Gigantes Biological Station, the first part is on the Paraguay River, followed by a shorter stretch on the Negro River.
Arrival and accommodation at Tres Gigantes.
Some night walks at Tres Gigantes are possible to try to observe animals.
Dinner and overnight stay at Tres Gigantes.
The other option for tours of 2 days or longer is to stay overnight at a hacienda or ranch in the Bolivian Pantanal where there is no truck or other vehicle traffic, thus increasing the chances of seeing wildlife. In this case, we would not navigate the Paraguay River or visit Tres Gigantes.
2nd Day
Before breakfast, we will have a walk on the trails of Tres Gigantes. This can last an hour depending on how fast or slow we go.
It is also possible to use kayaks (two available) to navigate the Negro River.
In the Negro River, it is possible to fish for piranhas, and it is a place where yacare caimans or alligators are abundant.
At Tres Gigantes or in the Bolivian Pantanal, there are great chances of spotting jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor), giant armadillos (Priodontes maximus), tapirs (Tapirus terrestris), or giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis).
If the visitors have chosen to stay overnight at a ranch or hacienda in the Bolivian Pantanal, it is possible to camp for one or more nights in the forest of Otuquis National Park, but this must be arranged in advance.
Dinner and overnight stay in the bolivian Pantanal.
3rd Day
Early in the morning, we will have a walk on the forest trails. This walk can last 2 to 3 hours depending on the trails and other factors.
We return to the overnight location to prepare for the return trip to Puerto Suarez or Puerto Bush.
During this return, we can also enjoy the Pantanal and stop as necessary or to take more photos.
In the dry season, some parts of the bolivian Pantanal catch fire.
We will arrive in Puerto Suarez around 18:00.
End of the tour to the Bolivian Pantanal.
The original source of this itinerary is Amboro Tours.
Please read our Terms and Conditions of our services and the list of items suggested to bring to these natural places.
Adverse weather conditions and/or social unrest may change this itinerary.
Be prepared to protect yourself from MOSQUITOES and the sun with glasses, creams, hats, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and other items.
The Bolivian Pantanal tour
From Santa Ctuz City
Itinerary with the options:
1 day and 0 nights, 2 days and 1 nighth and 3 days and 2 nigthts.
1st Night
Pickup from your hotel at 20:00 to take you to the bus terminal and board a bus heading to the town of Puerto Suarez. Passengers must have dinner on their own before starting the trip. Please do not forget your valid identification documents for Bolivia.
Overnight during the trip on the bus.
1st Day
After breakfast, we start the journey in a 4×4 vehicle heading to the Bolivian Pantanal on the road to Puerto Bush.
This journey is on a dirt road that passes through one of the largest iron reserves in the world, a place called Mutun.
In the first part of the journey, it is common to spot birds such as the Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) among other species.
Further along the road, we will cross military checkpoints and the control point of Otuquis National Park.
After traveling about 50 kilometers from Puerto Suarez on the road to Puerto Bush, we will find ourselves in the middle of the southern Bolivian Pantanal.
Puerto Bush is located 140 km from Puerto Suarez. It is where the road ends upon reaching the Paraguay River.
On both sides of this road, once past the haciendas, you can see the characteristic landscapes of the Bolivian Pantanal. This part of the Pantanal is within Otuquis National Park.
In this area, there is a high chance of seeing many birds, mammals, and even anacondas. We will stop as necessary and/or requested.
After two to four hours of travel (140 km), this journey can be lengthy because we will be stopping along the way for photos or simply to observe animals.
It is important to note that vehicle traffic, especially trucks, has increased significantly on this road as it is the export route for raw materials for steel.
Once we arrive at Puerto Bush, where the road for vehicles ends, the Bolivian Navy has a military base, and the park rangers of Otuquis National Park have a control post on the banks of the Paraguay River.
If the tour is for 1 day and 0 nights, at this point or even before, we will have lunch and then begin the return trip to Puerto Suarez or Puerto Quijarro, where the 1-day, 0-night tour would end around 18:00.
If the tour is scheduled for 2 days or more, in Puerto Bush, we will board a small motorboat heading to the Tres Gigantes Biological Station or Bahia Negra in Paraguay. We must arrive during daylight.
This journey takes about an hour. If the destination is the Tres Gigantes Biological Station, the first part is on the Paraguay River, followed by a shorter stretch on the Negro River.
Arrival and accommodation at Tres Gigantes.
Some night walks at Tres Gigantes are possible to try to observe animals.
Dinner and overnight stay at Tres Gigantes.
The other option for tours of 2 days or longer is to stay overnight at a hacienda or ranch in the Bolivian Pantanal where there is no truck or other vehicle traffic, thus increasing the chances of seeing wildlife. In this case, we would not navigate the Paraguay River or visit Tres Gigantes.
2nd Day
Before breakfast, we will have a walk on the trails of Tres Gigantes. This can last an hour depending on how fast or slow we go.
It is also possible to use kayaks (two available) to navigate the Negro River.
In the Negro River, it is possible to fish for piranhas, and it is a place where yacare caimans or alligators are abundant.
At Tres Gigantes or in the Bolivian Pantanal, there are great chances of spotting jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor), giant armadillos (Priodontes maximus), tapirs (Tapirus terrestris), or giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis).
If the visitors have chosen to stay overnight at a ranch or hacienda in the Bolivian Pantanal, it is possible to camp for one or more nights in the forest of Otuquis National Park, but this must be arranged in advance.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Pantanal.
3rd Day
Early in the morning, we will have a walk on the forest trails. This walk can last 2 to 3 hours depending on the trails and other factors.
We return to the overnight location to prepare for the return trip to Puerto Suarez or Puerto Bush.
During this return, we can also enjoy the bolivian Pantanal and stop as necessary or to take more photos.
In the dry season, some parts of the Pantanal catch fire.
We will arrive in Puerto Suarez around 18:00.
End of the tour to the boliivian Pantanal.
The original source of this itinerary is Amboro Tours.
Please read our Terms and Conditions of our services and the list of items suggested to bring to these natural places.
Adverse weather conditions and/or social unrest may change this itinerary.
Be prepared to protect yourself from MOSQUITOES and the sun with glasses, creams, hats, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and other items.
Important Details
The bolivian pantanal
The price includes
Private transportation depending on the itinerary
Camping equipment and/or overnight beds
Guide (Spanish speaking. Translator available at an additional cost)
Bottled water
Meals
Hiking
Night safari
It Does not includes
Snacks
Bilingual guide
Alcoholic beverages
Any items not mentioned in the list of inclusions
Accident insurance
What To Bring
(DO NOT BRINGS THINGS YOU MAY DO NOT NEED)
- Sunscreen
- A Cap or a Hat ( No to be used under the trees or branches)
- Sun Glasses
- A Warm Sweater
- Raincoat
- Insect Repellents
- Long-sleeved shirt- Trousers . Light colour clothes (Mosquitoes are especially attracted by dark colour)
- Passport (Original) Or identifications documents valid in Bolivia
- Plastic bags to protect whatever you do not want to get wet
- Trekking Shoes or others proper Shoes.
- Bring your own medication for your personal needs
- Personal items you may need
- Extra food, cookies or sweets of your choice
- Toilet paper, Towel and others personal items
- Trekking shoes, A pair of Sandals and/or light Shoes to walk in streams or rivers
- A hand torch Hand & head lamp with enough batteries
Recommendations
- Adverse weather conditions may change the original program.
Deodorants.- Try not to bring substances with strong odors
It is prohibited to transport and/or use drugs according to Bolivian laws.
Otuquis National Park
in the Bolivian Pantanal
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