Beni

About Beni

  Beni is located on the northeast side of Bolivia, in the lowlands region of the country. It is the second largest department in the country, covering 213,564 square kilometers (82,458 sq mi), and it was created by supreme decree on November 18, 1842 during the administration of General José Ballivián. With a population of 362,521 (2001 census), Beni is the most sparsely populated of the nine departments of Bolivia. Its weather is warm to hot and humid.

Beni's territory is mainly covered by rainforest and pampa. Three of the country's main lakes are located in the department of Beni. Although Beni is rich in natural resources, the poverty level of its inhabitants is high. The main economic activities are agriculture, timber and cattle.

The Beni region features many large mounds connected by earthen causeways, which were built by ancient inhabitants.

The city of La Santísima Trinidad was founded in 1686 by Padre Cipriano Barace on the shores of the Mamore River, 14 kilometers from its current location. Later on, in 1769, disease and floods along the riverbanks caused the city to be relocated on the shores of Arroyo de San Juan. Trinidad is the capital city of the department of Beni. According to the last census Trinidad had a population of 68,694 inhabitants.

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Climate

It has humid and hot weather, with average temperature of 27 C degrees (or around 90 F degrees). It characterizes by being a tropical zone. The raining season begins in October and finishes in April. Trinidad has a tropical and humid climate, regularly hot all year-round.

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How to get here

By air

Everyday many flights depart from La Paz and Santa Cruz to most large Benian cities like Trinidad, Rurrenabaque. See flight availability and airport information by clicking here.

By land

There is no major road connecting Beni with the rest of the country only some dirt roads that sometimes around the rainy season (October-April) can get flooded, there are many bus companies depart from La Paz and Santa Cruz, you can get to Rurrenabaque by bus, the trip lasts from 18 to 29 hrs.

By river

From Puerto Villarroel (located in Cochabamba's Chapare region) to the city of Guayaramerín (disembarking port and border town with Brazil) could take from 3 to 10 days and from there to Trinidad by land.

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Getting around in Beni

t's easy to get around in Beni people are very friendly and eager to help tourist, don't miss the opportunity to ride on a mototaxi (that is just a motorcycle turned in to a taxi) but alike any other city, taxi drivers know all the good places.

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Where to stay

Most tourists select Rurrenabaque while visiting Beni, every year, thirty seven thousands of tourists visit Rurrenabaque and they had been astonished by the nature and the kindness of its people. It is the perfect place to eco tourism and practice extreme sports for that reason because its habitants call it "Tour pearl of Beni". Beni has a large number of hotels and affordable places to stay, most of them are located in near national parks allowing the visitor to be close to the action find information on hotels and reservations by clicking here.

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 What to see while in Beni

Beni and specially Rurrenabaque has a lot to see no matter what you are looking for from eco friendly activities to high adrenaline sports here are some suggestions:

Madidi National Park: It is one of the most important reserves in the World. There live more than 1.000 types of birds; 300 types of mammals, reptiles and insects covered by miles and miles of rare flowers and foliage. If you want to read more about this place click here.

You can also visit “The Reserve of Biosphere” and “Indigenous Territory Pilón Lajas”, Beni River; where you can see beautiful landscapes and forests.

San Borja has innumerable tour attractions for nature lovers. It is an area proper for adventure tour and wild life.

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Where to Eat

Most major cities around Beni provide the visitor with a good selection of restaurants and places to have a descent meal. At Rurrenabaque there are many restaurants, pizzerias, karaoke's, hotel restaurants, and discotheques offering great service and food so you have a good culinary experience.   Click here to find more information. Even though things have improved a lot lately, be careful to select a proper place to get your next meal because not all the vendors are known for keeping the highest standards for cleanness and hygiene.

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Do's and Don't in Beni

The cost of living in Bolivia is very affordable so don't be afraid of going out and splurge there's a lot to see in town or out of it be as adventurous as you can, taking always some precautions. In crowded areas be careful for pickpockets and bags lashers . A common trick is that one person spills something on your clothes, and while you or he wipes it off another person lifts your wallet or slashes your bag.

Be vigilant when checking into a hotel or hostel. Keep a hand on all your bags/belongings at all times. Acting as if they work for the hotel, opportunist thieves will create a diversion and snatch the nearest unattended bag.

If you are approached by police in civilian clothes don't show any valuables or your passport. And certainly don't get in a taxi with them. Undercover police are strictly ordered not to hassle tourists. There have been several cases of muggings and things going missing from bags or luggage after "drug searches". Insist on being taken to the police station before giving them access to your things. If you can, call the 110, which is the Bolivian emergency number.

And the most important there have been several cases of violent muggings in taxis . Don't take unregistered taxis. Lock the doors and don't allow other people to share the journey with you.

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Places near Trinidad worth to visit

Laguna Suárez: Large artificial lake located 5 Km from Trinidad.

Puerto Barador: Along the shores of the Mamore river, pink river dolphins are the main attraction.

Santuario Chuchini: Prehistoric earthworks believed to be constructed by the Paititis more than 5,000 years ago.

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