Things to do in Samaipata, Bolivia
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Samaipata is a little oasis in Bolivia. The town is about three hours outside of Santa Cruz and you can take a shared trufi ride to get there). It will take longer if, say, there’s a “road block” protest happening and there are cars and trucks and buses and piled up rocks and cut-down trees all over the road. Then you might have to take a taxi to the start of the protest, walk 2 kilometers through said cut-down trees, piled up rocks, and vehicles, then catch a share trufi from there. Just sayin…
I honestly expected to have a quiet few days in Samaipata, Bolivia, before moving on to Sucre: do little but relax in the the $20 a night b&b I splurged on, enjoy the view, enjoy having my own room for once. But I met an Italian man on my ride there and, in a rare moment lately of being social, I joined him for lunch when we arrived. And then we did everything there was to do in Samaipata. As things go.
Everywhere in the town had such terrible wifi anyways (it is middle-of nowhere Bolivia after all) so my “relaxing days” would probably have been more like “constantly refreshing my browser and cursing as I tried to get some blogging done” anyways. As things go.
If you find yourself in Bolivia, as you should some day, find your way to Samaipata. It’s a nice, refreshing, little relaxing town. Even if you do a million things while there and can’t work the wifi.
In Samaipata, Bolivia you can…
Check out the main square.
It isn’t a town in Latin America without a main square. See also: obligatory church.
Walk around the rest of town.
It won’t take you too long.
Visit El Fuerte de Samaipata.
El Fuerte is a pre-Columbian archaeological religious site and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a taxi ride away from town and a 2-hour or so walk back. If you’re silly enough to decide to walk back like we did…
Check out Refugio Zoologico.
A short walk from town you can see Refugio Zoologico. This zoo is actually a refuge for rescued animals.
Dip your toes in Cascadas de Cuevas.
Cascadas de Cuevas is series of three waterfalls in Samaipata.
Take a day tour of helechos gigantes in Parque Nacional Amboro.
Samaipata’s national park is one of the biggest draws in the area. This day trip takes a nice and easy (mostly) hike among the tall trees. There are other tours and longer tours. But there isn’t much demand, so it may be hard to find if you’re by yourself.
Stay at La Posada del Sol.*
Because it’s just lovely. And the only place listed in Lonely Planet. And eat there. Because the food is too good. Even if the wifi sucks. (But, again, Bolivia.)
*It looks like La Posada del Sol has either closed or is under new management.
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