THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Bolivia - page 418

cabins built in traditional indigenous style, with the added luxury of mosquito-screening, bal-
conies with hammocks and shared bathrooms and showers.
Mashaquipe Etno Ecoturismo Avaroa and Aniceto Arce 03 8922704, masha-
quipe.com.bo . Run by indigenous Tacana, Tsimane and Mosetene families, this highly re-
spected, community-oriented organization offer personalized deep-Madidi tours at very com-
petitive prices, including a six-day, intriguing-sounding “Defying the jungle's spirits” jaunt.
San Miguel del Bala Ecolodge Comercio betweenVacaDiezandSantaCruz 038922394,
sanmigueldelbala.com . Only half an hour down the river from Rurre, this is the perfect
place to experience a taste of a traditional Tacana community, particularly if you're short on
time. The project comprises two distinctive lodges, the handsome San Miguel del Bala with
en-suite rooms, and the smaller, partly shared Caquiahuara . It goes without saying that the
guides are all local, and full of forest folklore. Several trails fan out from the cabins, while a
longer walk leads to a beautiful, winding canyon.
Villa Alcira Zip Line Canopy Tours Comercio, opposite Amaszonas 03 8923875, zip-
[e-mail] . Run by the nearby Tacana community of Villa Alcira and of-
feringtwodailytours(8amand2pm)onaseriesofziplines,tripsallowyoutowhizzthrough
the upper canopy of the trees along 1500m of cable and across nine platforms. You can also
stay overnight with the locals.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Ambaibo Santa Cruz and Bolívar, 03 8922017, hotelambaibo.com . An ample
garden and the biggest pool in the centre of town is the main draw here, though the rooms -
clean, spacious and inviting, with sloping, beamed ceilings and walls finish ed in s ealed brick
- are likewise almost worth the money; all are en suite. Breakfast included. Bs250
Hotel Maya Av Comercio and Beni 03 8922380, [e-mail] . Conveni-
ently located midway between Hotel Safari and the centre, this is the only accommodation
in Rurre that's right on the river, with divine views to match. Rooms - clean and fresh with
chunky,rustic bedsandstriped cotton sheets -aregroupedalongtheedgeofanample garden
with pool, giving onto a communal balcony lined with altiplano-patterned deckchairs. All in
all,pr obablythebestdealintown,atleastfornon-a/c;ifyouwanta/cyou'llpay100Bsmore.
Bs200
Hotel Oriental Plaza 2 de Febrero 03 8922401. This ever-reputable, family-run hotel re-
mains one of Rurre's most appealing budget options, with cool, comfortable rooms (some of
which are en suite) set around a peaceful courtyard garden with hammocks. Save for the oc-
casional brass band parping away in the plaza of an evening, it's also one of the most ranquil;
stern in-room notice s make clear that neither alcohol nor noiseniks will be tolerated. Break-
fast included. Bs150