Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
FAR EASTERN BOLIVIA
East of San José de Chiquitos the railway line passes through a bizarre and beautiful wil-
derness region of hills and monoliths. Further east, along the Brazilian border, much of the
landscape lies soaking beneath the wildlife-rich swamplands of the Pantanal.
CHOCHIS
Tiny Chochis, 360km east of Santa Cruz on the railway line, sits at the base of the imposing red rock
Cerro de
Chochis
. The main reason for visiting is to see the remarkable
Santuario Chochis
, a religious sanctuary and me-
morial built to commemorate the victims of a flood. Though relatively modern (the disaster occurred in 1979), the
wood carvings that adorn the sanctuary are the rival of anything seen in the Jesuit missions and the site has a palp-
able sense of mourning that allows you to share in the grief of the townsfolk.
Today the town is trying to organize itself toward a sustainable community-led tourism project and there is a ba-
sic
eco-albergue
(per person B$50)
built from local materials where you can spend the night. The surrounding
countryside here is great for walking, and local guides can take you to waterfalls, stunning viewpoints and hidden
natural pools. Contact
Probioma
(
in Santa Cruz 343-1322;
www.probioma.org.bo
)
for details on how to visit.
Quijarro
3 / POP 12,900
The eastern terminus of the railway line has its home in Quijarro, a muddy collection of
shacks and the border-crossing point between Bolivia and the city of Corumbá, Brazil. On
a hill in the distance you will glimpse a wonderful preview of Corumbá, the gateway to the
Brazilian Pantanal, a Unesco-recognized eco-region.
Tours
Pantanal
Hotels in Quijarro can organize boat tours to the Pantanal but almost invariably they visit
the Brazilian side and frequently go to the same areas as cheaper trips in Brazil do. A com-
fortable three-day excursion, including transportation, food and accommodations (on the
boat), should cost around B$1200 per person.
ECOTOUR
