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Samaipata

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Samaipata is a small town in the Santa Cruz Department Bolivia at an altitude of 1600m.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

  • From Santa Cruz it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Shared taxis at :
  • Expresso Samaipata (Av. Omar Chavez Ortiz 1147 esquina Soliz de Olguin - Telf. 333-5067). From the terminal, take bus number 8 for 1.5B to get there, or a taxi for 10B. They leave with at least 4 passengers, 30Bs. Takes 3 hours.
  • El Fuerte (2do Anillo Av. Grgota esq. Aruma - Telf. 359-8958). 25 Bs.

[edit] Get around

Walk The easiest way to get around the pueblo is on foot.

Taxi Most day excursions require a taxi. Have a local negotiate a price or ask around for best rates before booking.

Motorbike La Posada del Sol rents motorbikes for the day. Easy to drive and fun for a day trip to Cuevas or El Fuerte.

[edit][add listing] See

Walk 2km out of town from near the mercado municipal to the animal refugio. (Signposted along the way). There are some birds and monkeys and other animals which like to play and say hello. 7 BOL.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • El Fuerte. This UNESCO World Heritage site is not really a fuerte but a holy place the pre-inca and Incas used to stand on ceremonies. If you can see the Incas in one's mind's eye, the place would be very impressive.
  • Amboro Park. Offering hikes in the tropical forest. You can hire a guide from one of the agencies downtown. This is more of a must, because there are no trails and you won't be able to hike by yourself.

Other tourist attractions are the following areas:

  • Bella Vista and Volcanes mountain ranges (Sandstone mountains with different types of forest, rivers and jungle in canyons and valleys)
  • Cuevas - easy to visit waterfalls with a beautiful area to discover on your own.
  • Condor Mountain, to visit on clear days. The hike will take a long day with 4 hours car driving and six hours spectacular hiking. A perfect alternative to the Colca Canyon in Peru. Condors almost always appear around midday.
  • La Pajcha waterfall, close to the condor mountain, great for camping
  • There´s some great but simple canyoning through spectaculair canyons, self guiding hikes but not in rainy season December-February
  • Other destinations are Vallegrande, Pucará and La Higuera (where Che Guevara was killed) and Laguna Quirusillas. The highway from Santa Cruz city to Samaipata is very scenic.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Descanso en las Alturas-Pizzeria, Calle Bolivar Final, ☎ (00591)944-6072.  edit
  • Tierra Libre, (by the main square, just ask). Great, delicious and original bolivian dishes with a twist. Massive portions. Really friendly owner. Also has a beer garden. Perfect! Chicken Teriaki av. 40 BOB.  edit
  • Orveja Negra, (two blocks from main square). 6pm+. Dutch owned gringo favourite bar/rest. Substantial portions of chicken/veg curry, chilli con carne, goulash. Plus sumptuous apple crumble. Kind owners. Board games and darts too av. 30 BOB.  edit
  • Ranita, (one block on the corner from the main square). 8-12pm and 4-6pm. Ridiculously good bread and pastries (everything else poor, esp the coffee!) at this French bakers. A must.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Abeja Negra Owned by a Dutch couple and run by friendly youngsters, this bar has a pub feel to it.

Che Wilson Populated by teenagers and open only on the weekends, this place is still one of the only spots in the sleepy village for 'nightlife'.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Finca "La Víspera" An Unsurpassed Paradisiacal Retreat, where the owners welcome those visitors who long for silence and nature. [1] Guesthouses, Horses, Camping, Garden Café.
  • La Posada del Sol, [2]. Three blocks from the main plaza on a hill with spectacular views. Boasts a great breakfast, and includes a made-to-order menu for guests available all day. Prices are a bargain and service is attentive. Owners can arrange tours, hikes, bus tickets, and assist with transportation.  edit
  • Residencial Vargas - simple rooms from 20 Bs. Lovely owners.
  • Andoriña Hostal, Art & Culture, Calle Campero (2 1/2 blocks before main square), ☎ 00 591 (0) 3 944 6333 (), [4]. checkin: 24 hours; checkout: 24 hours. Great views from balconies and rooms, fresh breakfast included. Here you can meet other travelers. The owners focus on more sustainable tourism and have lots of tips for hiking and other activities. 40BOL inc breakfast.  edit
  • El Jardin, Calle Arenales final s/n (2 cuadras del mercado), ☎ 0/73119461, [5]. Rooms for 30B per person. Camping for 15B with oven and barbecue. Also some clay igloos for 35B per person. Independent shared kitchen. Cafe, library. You can sleep for free if you work in the garden. Hippies love the place, the owners are a friendly young couple. In the sunshine all day long. eljardin22@hotmail.com  edit
  • Vivero Sarita, 2 blocks from the Village Plaza, ☎ 591-7-368-4035. checkin: 11 AM; checkout: 12 Noon. For a truly cultural experience, stay with Dona Sarita in her rustic beautiful and peaceful guesthouse which is closest to the Village Plaza, Market and Restaurants. Her lush garden showcases over 400 species of plants, flowers and ferns. The fresh coffee made from the coffee beans in her garden, her delicious dishes and welcoming warmth gives a feeling as a home away from home for a very affordable price. Hot water showers, dorm or private rooms are available and fresh breakfast is included. She also has a local contact named "Don Gilberto" who is the original hiker tour guide of the village. Call for reservations or just arrive.  edit

[edit] Get out

Swiss Bolivian Adventures is a highly recommended tour operator based in La Paz Bolivia. They specialize in Culture and Adventure tourism and are currently running ‘Ruta Del Che’ (The Che Guevara Route) tours to Vallegrande and La Higuera. Follow in the footsteps of a Revolutionary!!! Find them in Av. Mariscal Santa Cruz, esq. Socabaya No 240 (Handal Center) Planta baja Oficina Tel: 591(2) 2406470 Po Box: 7184 La Paz Bolivia [6]

Bus to Sucre is 70 bolivanos dont be cheated by Amboro Tours!

[edit] Cope

There is no cash machine in town. The only way to get money is during bank opening hours in nearby maraina or take enough cash with you from Santa Cruz.

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