Bolivia’s Tropical Lowlands are a part of the country’s enormous eastern plains, which stretch from the Andean foothills to the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Outside of the busy city of Santa Cruz, the Tropical Lowlands are sparsely populated and characterized by sweeping plains, lonely cattle ranches and agricultural hubs. Venture into magnificent national parks to spot wildlife and take in dramatic rainforest scenery or visit Chiquitos to see historic Jesuit mission churches amid the wilderness.
Begin your exploration of the Tropical Lowlands with a trip to Santa Cruz, the region’s modern economic center and the perfect jumping-off point for adventures in the surrounding landscapes. Make your way to the eastern foothills of the Andes to explore the Parque Nacional Amboró and its breathtaking rainforests. Travel to the resort town of Samaipata to see mystical cloud forests and El Fuerte, an archaeological site dating back to pre-Inca times. To the southwest, visit Vallegrande and La Higuera, which is best known as the site of the last guerrilla campaign of Che Guevara before his execution in the village in 1967.
Travel east of Santa Cruz to reach Chiquitos, where the colonial-era Jesuit churches of six towns still stand amid the forested plains. Go on daytrips to the different missions to see the charming UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Further east, this area transforms into the wetlands of the Pantanal, which is a hotspot for birdwatchers. To the north, intrepid travelers can reach the remote wilderness of Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado and its untouched rainforests. The Tropical Lowlands’ southerly region is comprised of the arid Chaco, a low-lying plain studded by cattle ranches.
Reach the Tropical Lowlands via Viru Viru International Airport, which is a 30-minute drive north of Santa Cruz. You can also reach the city and its surrounding towns by bus. Stay in modern hotels in Santa Cruz or sleep overnight in one of the Chiquitos townships. Time your visit to this picturesque region with one of the Chiquitos festivals, such as the International Festival of Baroque Music.
