THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Bolivia - page 360

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: BUENA VISTA
By trufi/micro Regular trufis and micros (1hr 30min-2hr) to and from Santa Cruz arrive and
depart from the plaza.
By motorbike taxi Motorbike taxis are the easiest way to get to some of the more far-flung
hotels; they congregate on the plaza.
INFORMATION
Tourist information There is no tourist office, but tour agencies on the plaza, as well as op-
erators in Santa Cruz and Samaipata, can organize excursions into Parque Nacional Amboró.
There's a SERNAP office two blocks southwest of the plaza where you can buy an entry
permit, though beyond that it is of limited help. buenavistabolivia.com is a useful website
about the town.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is limited, though budget options are on the increase. There are also a num-
ber of luxury country club-style places with air conditioning and swimming pools, several
kilometres from town on the main Cochabamba-Santa Cruz road, but these are expensive
and inconvenient if you want to visit Amboró.
Amboró Eco Resort 7km away along the Carretera Nacional to Santa Cruz 03 3422372.
Setinbeautiful forestsurroundingswithanetworkofprivate trails, thissma rtresorthas com-
fortable, spacious a/c rooms and a swimming pool with accompanying bar. (Bs700 ($100)
Buenavista Hotel A 15min walk southwest of the plaza, near the football pitch 03
9322104, [e-mail] . Large complex with rows of cabins and rooms
in a main building: all are en suite and have a/c and kitchenettes, though the decor could do
with a freshen-up. T here's a curvy pool, sauna, restaurant-bar and a terrace with great views.
Doubles and cabins Bs150
Cabañas Quimorí About 400m outside town on the road south towards Huaytú 03
9322081. Clean, well-appointed cabañas with priv ate ba throoms set amid a spacious and se-
cluded forest garden, with good views of Amboró. Bs100
La Casona On the plaza 03 9322083. This whitewashed building, bang in the centre of
town, is popul ar with shoestring travellers for its clean, no-frills rooms with fans and shared
facilities. Bs50
Hotel Flora and Fauna 4km from town on the road south towards Huaytú, then another
1km up the marked drive off to the left 7104 3706, [e-mail] . Owned by
renowned British ornithologist Robin Clarke, this delightful place is ideal for nature lovers.
Its simple but comfortable en-suite cabins with fans are set amidst well-preserved, wildlife-
rich rainforest - there's a bird obse rvation to wer and ex pert guides can be arranged. Good
food is on offer too. With breakfast Bs490 ($70) ; full board Bs840 ($120)