Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
IVIRGARZAMA
By bus and trufi
Buses to Ivirgarzama (every 2-3hr; 5-6hr) depart from the intersection of
Av Oquendo and Av 9 de Abril in Cochabamba. If you are travelling from Villa Tunari to
Ivirgarzama, you need to take a trufi to Shinaota (every 20-30min; 20min), then another one
from Shinaota to Chimoré, and finally a third from Chimoré to Ivirgarzama. Trufis to Shina-
otaandbusestoCochabambaleavefromoneendofthemainstreet,trufistoPuertoVillarroel
(every 20-30min; 30min) from the other.
PUERTO VILLARROEL
By trufi
Trufis to Ivirgarzama (every 20-30min; 30min) arrive and depart from the small
central plaza, where you'll find an ENTEL telephone office.
By boat
To find a boat to take you downstream, ask around amongst the captains or in the
Capitanía del Puerto (the naval port authority office). The river journey through the rainforest
to Trinidad should cost around Bs175-280 including food and takes five to seven days, de-
pending on the level of the river, the size and power of the boat, and how many stops it makes
to load and unload cargo. In the dry season (May-Sept) river levels can drop so low that the
trip downstream becomes impossible. During the rest of the year there are usually several
departures to Trinidad each week, though you may have to wait around a day or two - boat
captains generally let passengers sleep on board while waiting to load. You'll need your own
hammock and mosquito nets (you can buy these in the markets in Cochabamba or Ivirgar-
zama), insect repellent and drinking water, and fruit and snacks to supplement the basic food
supplied on board.
ACCOMMODATION
VILLA TUNARI
Hostal Los Cocos
A block north of the main road, opposite the church 04 4136578.
Eco-
nomical choice with a football trophy-laden lobby, small pool and clean rooms with
shared
or private bathrooms; o
nly th
e latter have fans. No breakfast. With shared bathroom
Bs100
;
with en-suite bathroom
Bs140
Hotel Las Palmas
Onthesouthsideofthemainroad 044136501.
Asomewhatoverpriced
mid-range hotel offering a pool and comfortable but rather run-down
en-su
ite rooms with
fans and fridges; some also have river views. There's a good restaurant.
Bs320
Hotel San Martín
On the south side of the main road 04 4136512.
Although it is a little
scruffy,
Hotel San Martín
has reasonable, somewhat musty rooms with fans and private bath-
rooms,
a pool
, and a re
staura
nt-bar
with a
billiards table and a dartboard. Breakfast included.
Singles
Bs130
,
doubles
Bs180
, triples
Bs250
.
Hotel de Selva El Puente
About 4km east of town 04 4259392,
andes-amazo-
nia.com
.
Villa Tunari's best option is
Hotel El Puente
, operated by
Fremen Tours
, which has
simple en-suite
cabañas
with fans set amid a patch of rainforest. There's a swimming pool,
