THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Bolivia - page 447

necessary if you're just making a day-trip across the river. From Guajará-Mirim there are fre-
quent buses to Porto Velho, from where there are connections to other destinations in Brazil.
Visas and vaccinations If you need a visa, the Brazilian Consulate (Mon-Fri 9am-noon,
3-5pm) is on the corner of calles Beni and 24 de Septiembre, four blocks south of the port.
Note that to enter Brazil here you need to have an international certificate of yellow fever
vaccination; if you don't, there's a clinic beside the immigration office in Guajará-Mirim
where you can get vaccinated.
INFORMATION AND TOURS
Tourist information There's no tourist office but Mary Tours, on the north side of the main
plaza ( 03 8553883, [e-mail] ) are a good source of info, and also run
trips to Cachuela Esperanza .
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Anexo Plaza West side of main plaza 03 8553650. The oldest hotel in town,
this friendly, low-key oasis boasts immaculate, crisp rooms along a mosaic-tiled courtyard
far from the plaza's moped der by. No r is there the logjam of Brazilian tourists you can get
elsewhere in town. Great value. Bs140
Hotel Balneario San Carlos Av 6 de Agosto 347, a block north and east from the plaza 03
8553555, [e-mail] . Accessed by a misplaced, nightclub-like awning
yet minus a sign, this would-be top end boasts a/c, a decent swimming pool (guests only) and
some p retty a zulejos , though the stale pink and purple colour scheme may give you night-
mares. Bs 260
Hotel Santa Ana Av 25 de Mayo 03 8553900. As the sole salubrious option on this street,
Hotel Santa Ana's spotless, timber-ceilinged rooms are best booked in advance, thus avoid-
ing the gaggle of hopefuls that routinely fill up reception after a flight. Relax in the c ool
courtyard garden instead, and look forward to some real granny-quality hospitality. Bs100
EATING
Antonella Northwest corner of the plaza. Fruity little heladería with a green and yellow col-
our scheme and a cluster of alfresco tin tables. Inside, antiquated display cases impart an old-
fashioned ice cream parlour ambience. Don't miss their iced fruit salad, though they also do
lasagne, empanadas and the like for around Bs20. Daily 8am-11.30pm.
Los Cocos Huacaraje and Oruro 03 8554150. Inside a lavish, brick-walled compound,
under robust hardwood beams, Los Cocos serves up what most locals will tell you is the best
food in town. The pricey (Bs75), double-portion dishes - surubí , chicharrón , etc - are noth-
ing unusual but the bow-tied waiters will treat you like a real rey (king). There are even pep-
per grinders and Portuguese olive oil on the tables. Miss their flagons of peach juice at your
peril. Daily 10.30am-3pm & 6.30-11pm.