Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EATING
Club Social Progreso
Plaza Principal 03 8523024.
Of all Beni's Clubes Sociales, this
one - 90 years old and counting - has by far the most ramshackle charm, as do its lovely pro-
prietors, Dr Walter Pol and his wife Soraya. Under ancient ceiling fans, amid rickety chairs
and huge window shutters, the couple serve cheap almuerzos, refreshing fruit juices and fant-
astic omelettes.
Daily 9am-midnight.
Pizzeria Mia Pizza
Av Dr Martinez, just off the plaza 03 8523061.
Friendly, modern and
efficient pizza joint with street-side seating (if you can stand the insects) and the usual variety
of toppings, though the dough could do with a thin-crust makeover. Don't miss their aromat-
ic, apple-like
cuyá
juice.
Tues-Sun 4-11pm.
Restaurante Tropical
Oruro 632, eight blocks south of the plaza 7688 3248.
If you
can get past the trophy skins and armadillo shells, this is one of the region's most enjoyable
jatata grande
joints, with a gregariously endearing owner and boa constrictor-sized servings
of
pique macho
, chicken curry and fried river fish for Bs100 a whack. One portion more than
feeds two.
Mon-Sat noon-3pm & 7pm-midnight, Sun noon-3pm.
DIRECTORY
Banks and exchange
Mercifully, the ATMs at Cooperativa Jesús Nazareno (Mon-Fri
8.30am-12.30pm & 2.30-6pm, Sat 9am-noon) and Banco Ganadero (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm,
Sat till 1pm), both on the plaza, should accept foreign cards. Failing that, you can also
change dollars at the latter, or obtain a cash advance on a credit card at five percent.
Internet
A nameless café on the plaza charges Bs6/hr for a hopelessly slow connection.
Post office
Thepostoffice(Mon-Fri8am-noon&3-6.30pm,Sat9am-noon)isonthePlaza
Principal.
Telephones
The ENTEL office (Mon-Fri 9am-12.30pm & 3-6.30pm, Sat 9am-1pm) is
next door to the post office.
Guayaramerín
Set on the banks of the Río Mamoré some 86km east of Riberalta,
GUAYARAMERÍN
is the
main crossing point on Bolivia's northern border with Brazil, a modern and prosperous fron-
tier town with a distinctly Brazilian flavour and a thriving economy based on duty-free sales.
Many of the streets are lined with shops and boutiques selling perfume, electronic goods and
designer clothes to the thousands of Brazilian bargain-hunters who flock over the border on
shopping trips.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: GUAYARAMERÍN
By plane
The primitive airport is just four blocks east of the plaza along 25 de Mayo. Flights
are operated from here by Aerocon, 25 de Mayo and Beni ( 03 8555035) and TAM, Av 16
