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Bolivia🇧🇴 | national parksAmboró National ParkRed sandstone domes, tree ferns, spectacled bear country, Las Cuevas pools | things to do and best time to go

Explore Sorata to San PedroExplore Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve

Backpacking in Amboró
🌟 Highlightnational park ranked #5
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Amboró is not one easy-access park: its famous cloud forest, waterfalls and giant tree ferns sit in separate sectors, each with its own gateway town. The park spreads across the foothills where the Andes meet the Amazon, west of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia. Trails here are muddy, steep and loud with birds, and a morning on the Macuñucú route pays you with spectacled bears’ territory, tree ferns taller than a bus and waterfalls you can plunge into. Crowds are thin, but so are signs. I once set off from Samaipata without a guide, took a wrong fork, and lost two hours climbing back through ferns to a trail marker. Now I hire a local guide. Hire one before you go, and book it in the gateway town.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #5 national park in BoliviaWhat sets this place apart

Amboró National Park suits backpackers who like to piece a trip together in the gateway towns rather than sign up for a package. Each sector has its own personality, so you can mix and match. Around Samaipata you get hostels, a hilltop pre-Inca site and cloud-forest day walks, all within easy reach of each other. Down at Buena Vista and Yapacaní the park drops into hot lowland forest, with river swims, waterfall hikes and a cheap, small-town feel. Guides are local, small-group and negotiable, which is how most independent travelers do it. The biodiversity is the other draw: Amboró sits where Andean, Amazon and Chaco ecosystems meet, so a single weekend can bring toucans, howler monkeys and giant tree ferns. For birders and people who like muddy boots, that mix is hard to find elsewhere in Bolivia.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. Los Volcanes: The park’s signature landscape, reached from Bermejo. Three red sandstone domes rise out of the cloud forest, and the ridge walks there give you big views over the forest canopy. Wild and quiet, it rewards anyone willing to arrange a guide and a rough ride in.
  2. Las Cuevas waterfalls: About 20 km east of Samaipata, these cascades drop through a series of rock pools, ideal for a cool swim after a dusty day. The setting is green and shaded, with ferns clinging to the stone, and the pools are deep enough to jump into.
  3. Spectacled bear habitat: Amboró shelters the Andean spectacled bear, South America’s only bear species. Sightings are rare and never promised, but tracks, scratch marks on trees and the odd glimpse on high ridges make the possibility part of every trek.
  4. Blue-horned curassow
… read more 👉
  1. Los Volcanes: The park’s signature landscape, reached from Bermejo. Three red sandstone domes rise out of the cloud forest, and the ridge walks there give you big views over the forest canopy. Wild and quiet, it rewards anyone willing to arrange a guide and a rough ride in.
  2. Las Cuevas waterfalls: About 20 km east of Samaipata, these cascades drop through a series of rock pools, ideal for a cool swim after a dusty day. The setting is green and shaded, with ferns clinging to the stone, and the pools are deep enough to jump into.
  3. Spectacled bear habitat: Amboró shelters the Andean spectacled bear, South America’s only bear species. Sightings are rare and never promised, but tracks, scratch marks on trees and the odd glimpse on high ridges make the possibility part of every trek.
  4. Blue-horned curassow and bird life: Bird counts run into the hundreds of species, and the blue-horned curassow, a black forest bird with a blue knob on its bill, is the prize. Pairs of macaws and toucans cross the clearings at dawn, and a local guide helps you tell calls apart.
  5. Giant tree ferns of the cloud forest: Where the Andes meet the Amazon basin, tree ferns grow several meters tall and the air is thick with mist. Walking beneath them feels prehistoric, and the moss-covered trunks drip constantly.
  6. Río Pajonal and river crossings: Rivers here are clear and rocky, with swimming holes and shallow fords that break up the forest walks. Expect wet boots, so bring quick-drying socks and sandals for the crossings.
  7. Butterfly and orchid corridors: The lower, warmer trails flutter with butterflies, especially around damp patches of sand. Wild orchids and bromeliads cling to branches overhead, and the diversity of colors changes with every few hundred meters of elevation.
  8. Community guide walks near Buena Vista: Short forest hikes led by local guides explain medicinal plants, monkey calls and animal tracks. These outings are the easiest way to taste the forest in a morning, and they put money straight into village hands.
Amboró National Park costs the least at the river crossings and public forest edges, where you can wade and watch birds without paying anything beyond the park’s standard entry.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Amboró National Park

WALKING TOUR - A journey through the history of Santa Cruz

WALKING TOUR - A journey through the history of Santa Cruz

4.8(58) 2h 30m
From €10.39
per personViator
Amboro National Park Overnight Tour from Santa Cruz

Amboro National Park Overnight Tour from Santa Cruz

4.9(34) 48h
From €499
per personViator
Private Tasting of Award Winning Bolivian Wines

Private Tasting of Award Winning Bolivian Wines

5.0(29) 2h
From €41
per personViator
Airport Shuttle Santa Cruz

Airport Shuttle Santa Cruz

5.0(4)
From €91
per personViator
Wildlife rescue center in nature reserve near Santa Cruz

Wildlife rescue center in nature reserve near Santa Cruz

3.9(7) 1h 10m
From €77
per personViator
2D/1N Getaway: Che Route - Historical Trekking and Nature

2D/1N Getaway: Che Route - Historical Trekking and Nature

5.0(3) 48h
From €398
per personViator
Private City tour : Nature, Porongo, Markets and Culture

Private City tour : Nature, Porongo, Markets and Culture

5.0(3) 4h
From €36
per personViator
Samaipata Fort Tour: Ancient Ruins in 1 Full Day

Samaipata Fort Tour: Ancient Ruins in 1 Full Day

3.5(4) 14h
From €220
per personViator
¿Are you looking for a Safe Private Shuttle in Santa Cruz?

¿Are you looking for a Safe Private Shuttle in Santa Cruz?

5.0(2)
From €109
per personViator
Transfer IN - Airport Viru Viru to Santa Cruz - Bolivia

Transfer IN - Airport Viru Viru to Santa Cruz - Bolivia

5.0(2) 30m
From €34
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Dry Season (May to October): Trails firm up and rivers drop, so this is the easiest window for multi-day treks. Days reach 24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F), nights near Samaipata and Buena Vista can fall to 10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F). Daylight runs about 11 to 12 hours. Crowds and lodge prices peak in July and August.
  • Wet Season (November to March): Expect 28 to 34°C (82 to 93°F) in the lowlands, heavy afternoon downpours, mud and swollen crossings. Birds and frogs are loud, waterfalls at Las Cuevas run full, and lodges often cut rates by 10 to 20 percent. Some trails close.
  • Shoulder Months (April and late October): Fewer people, rain tapering off or just starting, and lower prices than July.
  • Cloud Forest Highlands: Mist is possible year-round above 1,000 m (3,300 ft), and temperatures drop quickly with
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (May to October): Trails firm up and rivers drop, so this is the easiest window for multi-day treks. Days reach 24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F), nights near Samaipata and Buena Vista can fall to 10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F). Daylight runs about 11 to 12 hours. Crowds and lodge prices peak in July and August.
  • Wet Season (November to March): Expect 28 to 34°C (82 to 93°F) in the lowlands, heavy afternoon downpours, mud and swollen crossings. Birds and frogs are loud, waterfalls at Las Cuevas run full, and lodges often cut rates by 10 to 20 percent. Some trails close.
  • Shoulder Months (April and late October): Fewer people, rain tapering off or just starting, and lower prices than July.
  • Cloud Forest Highlands: Mist is possible year-round above 1,000 m (3,300 ft), and temperatures drop quickly with altitude.
Book guides a week ahead for July and August, and aim for June or September for the best mix of dry trails and quiet.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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© Google | Rafael Cancino

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Bolivia

Most backpackers sleep in Samaipata, a small town about 2.5 to 3 hours by road west of Santa Cruz, because it has the widest range of hostels, cabins and tour agencies for the park’s highland side. Expect dorm beds at US$8 to 14 and private rooms at US$20 to 45. Several hostels have kitchens and hammock gardens, and agencies there organize day hikes to the fern forests and the Las Cuevas waterfalls.
Buena Vista, about 2 hours north of Santa Cruz, is the main base for the lowland entrance. Simple hostels and family guesthouses run US$10 to 25 a night, and local guides run trips to Villa Amboró and … read more 👉
Most backpackers sleep in Samaipata, a small town about 2.5 to 3 hours by road west of Santa Cruz, because it has the widest range of hostels, cabins and tour agencies for the park’s highland side. Expect dorm beds at US$8 to 14 and private rooms at US$20 to 45. Several hostels have kitchens and hammock gardens, and agencies there organize day hikes to the fern forests and the Las Cuevas waterfalls.
Buena Vista, about 2 hours north of Santa Cruz, is the main base for the lowland entrance. Simple hostels and family guesthouses run US$10 to 25 a night, and local guides run trips to Villa Amboró and the Macuñucú area.
Inside the park, accommodation is limited. Community-run cabins and basic camping sites near Villa Amboró and Macuñucú cost roughly US$8 to 20 a person, and you usually arrange them through local community offices or guides in advance. Bring your own food in most cases.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra works as a first or last night, with plenty of hostels at US$10 to 18 a dorm bed, and it is where you buy supplies and organize transport.
Best hostels in Bolivia


Best quality hotels in Bolivia

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

A realistic backpacker budget for Amboró National Park is about US$50 per day, covering a dorm bed, local meals, shared transport and a guided hike. Prices are paid in bolivianos, and the figures below are converted to US dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Park entranceUS$3 to 7Fees vary by sector and are paid at the local park office or ranger post.
GuideUS$15 to 30Often required for hikes; cost is split if you go in a group.
Accommodation (high season)US$8 to 20Dorm beds in Samaipata or Buena Vista; basic cabins or camping inside the park are similar.
Accommodation (low season)US$7 to 16Some hostels discount during the rainy months.
Local transportUS$3 to 10Shared taxis (trufis) and buses from Santa Cruz to Samaipata run about US$3 to 5 one way; a transfer to trailheads costs extra.
Food
… read more 👉
A realistic backpacker budget for Amboró National Park is about US$50 per day, covering a dorm bed, local meals, shared transport and a guided hike. Prices are paid in bolivianos, and the figures below are converted to US dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Park entranceUS$3 to 7Fees vary by sector and are paid at the local park office or ranger post.
GuideUS$15 to 30Often required for hikes; cost is split if you go in a group.
Accommodation (high season)US$8 to 20Dorm beds in Samaipata or Buena Vista; basic cabins or camping inside the park are similar.
Accommodation (low season)US$7 to 16Some hostels discount during the rainy months.
Local transportUS$3 to 10Shared taxis (trufis) and buses from Santa Cruz to Samaipata run about US$3 to 5 one way; a transfer to trailheads costs extra.
Food and suppliesUS$8 to 15Set lunches at markets cost US$2 to 4; stock up on snacks before multi-day treks.
Total Daily BudgetUS$37 to 82Roughly US$50 for a typical mid-range backpacker day.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsPlan your hike in Amboró: routes, terrain, and sights

Amboró National Park rewards walkers who accept mud, humidity and a guide. Terrain ranges from steep cloud forest above Samaipata to flat, hot lowland jungle near Buena Vista.
  • Macuñucú route: roughly 4 to 6 hours round trip, moderate. Humid forest, river crossings and waterfall pools. Wet boots guaranteed.
  • Los Volcanes walks: 2 to 4 hours, easy to moderate. Sandstone domes with open views over the forest.
  • Cloud forest day hikes from Samaipata: 5 to 8 hours, moderate to hard. Tree ferns, steep muddy climbs and birds, often with a guide and a vehicle for the approach.
  • Río Surutú and lowland trails:
… read more 👉
Amboró National Park rewards walkers who accept mud, humidity and a guide. Terrain ranges from steep cloud forest above Samaipata to flat, hot lowland jungle near Buena Vista.
  • Macuñucú route: roughly 4 to 6 hours round trip, moderate. Humid forest, river crossings and waterfall pools. Wet boots guaranteed.
  • Los Volcanes walks: 2 to 4 hours, easy to moderate. Sandstone domes with open views over the forest.
  • Cloud forest day hikes from Samaipata: 5 to 8 hours, moderate to hard. Tree ferns, steep muddy climbs and birds, often with a guide and a vehicle for the approach.
  • Río Surutú and lowland trails: 2 to 5 hours, easy. Flat, shaded and good for butterflies and monkeys.
Wildlife includes howler monkeys, toucans, peccaries and, very rarely, spectacled bears. Go early for animals; midday the forest goes quiet and sticky.
Getting to the park is straightforward by shared taxi or minibus from Santa Cruz to the gateway towns, then a local guide or pickup takes you to the trailheads. Expect few other hikers outside holiday weekends, and a small park entry fee that you pay in local currency, usually collected at the sector office. Trails are poorly signed, so book a certified guide in town the day before.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Amboró is straightforward with a guide and demanding without one, mainly because of humidity, mud and thick forest where trails fade quickly. Most visitors stick to guided day hikes and well-used routes, and park rules require a local guide for many areas. Rain can arrive at any time of year, so a waterproof shell and quick-dry layers matter more than heavy gear. River crossings rise fast after storms, and slippery roots and clay slopes cause more twisted ankles than any animal does. Wear boots with grip and set a slow pace.
Wildlife is abundant but shy. Spectacled bears, jaguars and peccaries rarely meet hikers, and snakes are best avoided by watching where you step and keeping to the trail. Mosquitoes and biting flies are the routine nuisance in the lowlands, so carry repellent. Bring more … read more 👉
Amboró is straightforward with a guide and demanding without one, mainly because of humidity, mud and thick forest where trails fade quickly. Most visitors stick to guided day hikes and well-used routes, and park rules require a local guide for many areas. Rain can arrive at any time of year, so a waterproof shell and quick-dry layers matter more than heavy gear. River crossings rise fast after storms, and slippery roots and clay slopes cause more twisted ankles than any animal does. Wear boots with grip and set a slow pace.
Wildlife is abundant but shy. Spectacled bears, jaguars and peccaries rarely meet hikers, and snakes are best avoided by watching where you step and keeping to the trail. Mosquitoes and biting flies are the routine nuisance in the lowlands, so carry repellent. Bring more water than you expect, tell your lodge your plan, and start early so you finish before afternoon downpours.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Plan on 2 to 3 days for Amboró National Park if you want a guided hike plus the Las Cuevas waterfalls and a cloud forest walk from Samaipata. A single day trip from Santa Cruz is possible but means about 5 to 6 hours on the road. Serious trekkers aiming at the remote lowland interior should allow 4 to 6 days with a guide.
Yes, Amboró National Park is workable without a car using public transport and local guides. Shared taxis and buses from Santa Cruz reach Samaipata in about 2.5 to 3 hours for roughly US$3 to 5, and Buena Vista in about 2 hours. From either town, agencies and taxis take you to trailheads for US$10 to 30 per vehicle, and guided tours often include the transfer.
Yes, Amboró National Park charges an entrance fee, usually about US$3 to 7 depending on the sector and whether you are a foreigner. You pay at the ranger post or local park office, in bolivianos, and a local guide is often required, costing roughly US$15 to 30 per day. Carry your passport and cash, since card payment is rare.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Amboró National Park suits birders, fern-lovers and travelers who like their hikes muddy and quiet more than polished. If you want clear signs, summit views and a quick checklist, look elsewhere. I would pair a guided cloud-forest day with a lowland waterfall walk, and bring waterproof boots plus a spare pair of socks.

✈️ When did I visit Bolivia?
Bolivia I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Bolivia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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