SAND BOARDING IN SANTA CRUZ  BOLIVIA

LOMAS DE ARENA 

When you hear about Sand boarding in South Amercia instantly you think of the Peruvian tourist Meca of Huacachina  which is famous for its natural deserts , huge amounts of tourists and Sandboarding, however we are here to tell you there is an excellent alternative called Lomas de Arena in Bolivia. Unlike Huacachina you can literally visit Lomas de Arena and have the entire place to yourself, this of course also helps with wildlife viewing and its not uncommon to see Sloths, Monkeys, Toucans , Caimans, Capybara and Pumas have been recorded 

Exploring the Natural desert of Lomas de Arena  without another Tourist in sight !! 

Lomas de Arena is a 14,000 hectare PROTECTED AREA and is located just 20 km from the city of Santa Cruz Bolivia, this protected area not only offers tourists excellent sandboarding , but treks to see colored lagoons, birds, wildlife and many different types of forests.

Where Jungle meets desert, and not another tourist in sight !! 

Getting here is not easy, like many places in Bolivia the park lacks infrustructure , the roads are poor and a strong 4WD is required, for travellers on an extreme budget its possible to catch public transport to the front of the park however its over a 7km trek to the start of the dunes which is extremely hot and at time dangerous, lone female travellers have been reported to have been assulted here so its not recommened. The safest and easiest way to explore Lomas de Arena is by a tour company as they know the roads, the best areas to see wildlife and can teach you how to sandboard.

A 3 toed Sloth which we encountered during a trip to Lomas de Arena in Santa Cruz Bolivia

So if you plan on travelling to South America this year make sure you stop by Santa Cruz Bolivia and explore a real hidden treasure in Lomas de Arena Natural Desert

Best Tourist attractions in Santa Cruz Bolivia - Lomas de Arena Natural Desert

LOMAS DE ARENA SANDBOARDING/ NATURE TOUR IN SANTA CRUZ BOLIVIA
                 

WWW.NICKSADVENTURESBOLIVIA.COM

Just 20km outside the city of Santa Cruz Bolivia is the spectacular and rarely visited Lomas de Arena Protected Area, this 14,000 hectare reserve is home to over 187 species of birds, abundant wildlife and provides nature lovers some of the most spectacular views in all of Bolivia. There are many attractions in the park , the Dunes provide excellent Sand boarding for adventure lovers, if you are a bird watcher then this is one of the best places in Bolivia to see a huge variety of species, At certain times of the year there are spectacular colored lagoons which host thousands of birds and are great to swim in after a days trekking and sand boarding.

Getting here is not easy and is recommened by a local Tour Company , the roads entering the Park are in very poor condition and a strong 4WD is recommended. Some people do catch public transport to the front gate and then walk 7km each way to the Dunes however this is not recommended especially for women as attacks on lone travellers have occasionally happened.

One of many Iconic Sloths which have been seen here !! 

Wildlife which has been recorded in the Reserve include Capybara - the worlds largest Rodent, Ocelots, Jaguarundi Cats, Marmosets, Spectacled Caimans Armadillos, Tayra, Agoutis and much more !! 3 Toed Sloths are common here however only the most trained guides usually see them, Pumas or Mountain Lions have also been recorded here too.

Sand boarding in Santa Cruz Bolivia

Touca Toucans , 187 species of birds have been recorded here.

Spectacular views of the Jungle, look out for Monkeys, Sloths and more.

Where Jungle meets desert !! 

The desert of Lomas de Arena

Exploring the 14,000 hectare protected area 

Excellent Wildlife viewing in Lomas de Arena