Bolivia Ecotourism is a great way to enjoy the beauty of our planet while not contributing to its destruction. Also called socially responsible touring, it gives you the opportunity to experience first hand how our world must have looked before we existed, and Eastern Bolivia is one of the best places in the world to get in touch with Earth’s ancient history. For even more tourist attractions in Santa Cruz, see these pages:

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Here you can go trekking or rafting, take birdwatching and wildlife observation tours, visit ancient ruins like El Fuerte the pre-Colombian fort near Samaipata (the drive to Samaipata itself is well worth a day-trip) and even experience living history in towns like colonial Buena Vista or the Jesuit Missions where time seems to have stopped and people still live in much the same way as they did hundreds of years ago.

You can also learn about more recent events and people by literally walking the same paths they did, like the Che Guevara trail and visiting other historical monuments, museums, and sites.

Lush, pristine, and virtually unaltered, Bolivia’s millions of acres of protected areas and national parks are the perfect place to practice culturally and environmentally conscious touring. Noel Kempff Mercado and Amboró national parks, in Eastern Bolivia, are two of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet, as is the Pantanal, the Otuquis Nature Reserve and Puerto Suarez one of the largest wetland ecosystems on the planet. And once you’ve taken a rain forest cruise on the Amazon River, on the Reina de Enin riverboat, your outlook on life will be changed forever.

Because even ecotourism alters our environment I would like to keep beautiful places like Espejillos a secret, but I won’t for two reasons:

First, because I also happen to believe the only way to preserve Bolivia’s beautiful natural areas is, paradoxically, to give people the chance to experience them in person. I believe your experience will change you in such a phenomenal way that when you leave, you will share with others the importance of preserving these habitats and the species that live within them.

Second, ecotourism is important to Bolivia’s economy and benefits the people who act as your tour guides, and provide your meals, accommodations, and transportation. For some families and entire towns, this is their only source of income. For visitors, this is a chance to learn about, and gain respect for, their local customs and traditions.

So prepare to be amazed! And prepare to be transformed! But the key word here is prepare. Because ecotouring is challenging. You must come with an open mind, be willing to give up some of the comforts you may be used to, and leave behind no evidence of your visit.

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For leave-no-trace touring and other tours in Bolivia contact Ruta Verde Bolivia.