Home › Destinations › Madidi National Park
Madidi National Park, Bolivia - Things to Do in Madidi National Park

Madidi National Park

Madidi National Park, Bolivia - Complete Travel Guide

Madidi National Park is one of Bolivia's most pristine and biodiverse protected areas, spanning over 18,000 square kilometers of untouched Ecuador, cloud forest, and Andean foothills. Located in northwestern Bolivia near the border with Peru, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is considered one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth, home to over 1,200 bird species, 200 mammal species, and countless plant varieties. The park encompasses everything from lowland tropical rainforest at 200 meters above sea level to high-altitude cloud forests reaching 6,000 meters. The gateway to Madidi is the small town of Rurrenabaque, affectionately known as 'Rurre,' which sits along the Beni River and serves as the launching point for jungle expeditions. This remote wilderness offers visitors an authentic Amazon experience with opportunities to spot jaguars, pink river dolphins, giant otters, howler monkeys, and hundreds of colorful bird species. The park also protects several indigenous communities, including the Tacana, Ese Ejja, and Quechua peoples, who have lived sustainably in these forests for centuries and now work as guides and conservationists.

Top Madidi National Park

Multi-day Jungle Lodge Experience

Stay at eco-lodges deep within the rainforest for 3-5 days, participating in guided wildlife spotting, night walks, and canoe trips along pristine tributaries. These immersive experiences offer the best chance to see elusive wildlife like jaguars, tapirs, and rare birds while learning about medicinal plants and indigenous culture. Professional naturalist guides lead small groups through different forest layers, from ground level to canopy walks.

Booking Tip: Book 3-5 day packages through established operators in Rurrenabaque for $80-150 per day including meals and accommodation. May-September offers best wildlife viewing but book 2-3 weeks ahead during peak season. Choose operators with indigenous guides and sustainable practices.

River Dolphin and Wildlife Boat Tours

Navigate the Beni and Tuichi rivers in motorized canoes to spot pink and gray river dolphins, caimans, capybaras, and giant otters. These full-day excursions combine river wildlife viewing with visits to oxbow lakes where biodiversity concentrates. Early morning and late afternoon departures offer optimal wildlife activity and impressive light for photography.

Booking Tip: Day trips cost $40-60 per person including lunch and guide. Book tours that visit multiple river systems for better dolphin sighting chances. Bring waterproof camera gear and expect 6-8 hours on the water.

Canopy Walks and Bird Watching

Explore elevated walkways 30-40 meters above the forest floor to observe the incredibly diverse birdlife including toucans, macaws, tanagers, and rare species like the Horned Curassow. These guided birding expeditions start before dawn when bird activity peaks and continue through different forest levels. The park's 1,200+ bird species make it a world-class birding destination.

Booking Tip: Specialized birding tours cost $60-100 per day with expert guides and equipment provided. Best during dry season (May-October) when birds are most active. Book with operators who provide binoculars and bird identification materials.

Indigenous Community Cultural Visits

Visit Tacana or Ese Ejja communities to learn traditional hunting, fishing, and plant medicine techniques while supporting community-based tourism initiatives. These authentic cultural exchanges include demonstrations of traditional crafts, medicinal plant walks, and sharing meals prepared with forest ingredients. Community members share stories about their relationship with the forest and conservation efforts.

Booking Tip: Community visits cost $30-50 per day with overnight stays available for $70-90 including meals. Book through certified community tourism programs to ensure benefits reach local families. Bring small gifts like school supplies or basic medicines.

Night Wildlife Spotting Expeditions

Join guided night walks and boat trips to encounter nocturnal animals like owls, bats, frogs, caimans, and potentially jaguars or ocelots. These thrilling expeditions use spotlights and red filters to observe animals without disturbing their natural behavior. The forest transforms at night with different sounds, smells, and wildlife activity creating an entirely different Amazon experience.

Booking Tip: Night tours are usually included in multi-day packages but can be booked separately for $25-40 per person. Wear dark clothing, bring insect repellent, and waterproof footwear. Tours run year-round but are most productive during dry season.

Getting There

Reach Madidi National Park by flying from La Paz to Rurrenabaque airport (45-minute flight, $80-120) with Amaszonas or TAM airlines, though flights can be cancelled due to weather. Alternatively, take a scenic but challenging 12-18 hour bus journey from La Paz through winding mountain roads to Rurrenabaque ($15-25). During rainy season (November-April), the road can be impassable, making flights the only reliable option. Some visitors combine overland travel with river transport, taking buses to Yucumo then boats down the Beni River.

Getting Around

Transportation within Madidi is primarily by motorized canoe along rivers and hiking on jungle trails, as there are no roads inside the park. All movement requires licensed guides and is arranged through tour operators in Rurrenabaque. Within Rurrenabaque town, walk everywhere as it's small and compact, or rent bicycles for $5-8 per day. Mototaxis are available for $1-2 for short distances, and a few pickup trucks serve as taxis for airport transfers ($3-5).

Where to Stay

Rurrenabaque town center
Jungle eco-lodges
Community-based accommodations
Riverside camping
Canopy lodge accommodations
Indigenous village homestays

Food & Dining

Dining options center around Rurrenabaque, where small family-run restaurants serve hearty Bolivian fare like majao (rice with meat), grilled river fish, and tropical fruits for $3-8 per meal. Several restaurants cater to international visitors with pizza, pasta, and vegetarian options. Within the park, meals are included in tour packages and feature fresh ingredients like palm heart, plantains, river fish, and tropical fruits prepared by lodge cooks or community members. Try local specialties like surubí fish, hearts of palm salad, and fresh Brazil nuts. Bring snacks and purified water for day trips, as food options are limited once inside the park.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Bolivia

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

View all food guides →

Restaurante Michelangelo

4.6 /5
(1666 reviews) 3

Fellini

4.5 /5
(1628 reviews) 2

Bravissimo

4.6 /5
(1159 reviews) 2

La Cantonata

4.5 /5
(1117 reviews) 2

Pizzería Bella Ciao

4.9 /5
(556 reviews)

Ristorante Il Borgo Santa Cruz

4.5 /5
(562 reviews) 2

Looking for specific cuisines?

Local Cuisine Italian Japanese Fine Dining

When to Visit

Visit during the dry season from May to October for optimal wildlife viewing, easier trail access, and more reliable transportation, though this is also peak tourist season with higher prices. The wet season (November-April) brings lush vegetation, active bird breeding, and fewer crowds, but also muddy trails, possible flight cancellations, and increased insect activity. May-June and September-October offer the best balance of good weather, wildlife activity, and reasonable prices. Avoid December-February when heavy rains can make areas inaccessible and humidity reaches uncomfortable levels.

Insider Tips

Pack lightweight, quick-dry clothing in earth tones, waterproof bags for electronics, and bring extra batteries as there's no electricity in remote areas
Purchase complete travel insurance that covers jungle activities and medical evacuation, as the nearest hospital is hours away and rescue operations are expensive
Bring cash in small bills as there are no ATMs in the park and most communities operate on cash-only basis - US dollars are widely accepted alongside Bolivianos

Activities in Madidi National Park