Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WESTERN BOLIVIAN AMAZON
This is the Amazon as it's meant to be. Rich with wildlife, flora and indigenous culture,
you may never want to leave. In the midst of the tropical lushness is the lovely town of
Rurrenabaque, a major gringo trail hangout. Pampas, jungle and ethno-ecotourism options
are innumerable here, but vary significantly in quality and price. Parque Nacional Madidi,
one of South America's, and the world's most precious wilderness gems, sits on Rur-
renabaque's doorstep.
Rurrenabaque
3 / POP 13,700 / ELEV 229M (751FT)
Relaxing 'Rurre' (pronounced 'zussay'), as the town is endearingly known, has a fabulous
setting. Sliced by the deep Río Beni and surrounded by mossy green hills, the town's mes-
merizing sunsets turn the sky a burned orange, and a dense fog sneaks down the river
among the lush, moist trees. Once darkness falls, the surrounding rainforest comes alive,
and croaks, barks, buzzes and roars can be heard from a distance.
Rurre is a major traveler base. Backpackers fill the streets, and restaurants, cafes and ho-
tels cater mainly to Western tastes. Some travelers spend their days relaxing in the ubiquit-
ous hammocks, but at some stage the majority go off on riverboat adventures into the rain-
forest or pampas.
The area's original people, the Tacana, were one of the few lowland tribes that resisted
Christianity. They are responsible for the name 'Beni,' which means 'wind,' as well as the
curious name of 'Rurrenabaque,' which is derived from 'Arroyo Inambaque,' the Hispani-
cized version of the Tacana name 'Suse-Inambaque,' the 'Ravine of Ducks.'
