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Bosque Tucumano-Boliviano nublado oso andino
puma
— Ecosystem · Tucumano-Bolivian Forest1.500–3.200m

The Tucumano
Forest.

The cloud forest where the Andes meets the Amazon. The Andean bear. 830 bird species in Amboró. El Fuerte de Samaipata, UNESCO. Tariquía and the butterflies of Tarija.

Explore ↓Amboró →Gallery ↓
Altitude range
1,500–3,200m
Climate
Subtropical
Best season
Apr–Oct
Rainfall
700–1,500mm/yr
Endemics
500+ plants
Zones
SCZ · CBBA · Tarija
— Where the Andes meets the Amazon

Bolivia\'s most biodiverse cloud forest.

The Tucumano-Bolivian Forest covers the Andean foothills of Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and Tarija between 1,500 and 3,200m. It is one of the most biodiverse transition zones in South America — where the Amazon ecosystem, the Andes and the dry valleys converge. A confluence that generates extraordinary species richness.

Amboró, the national park at the heart of this zone, holds 830 confirmed bird species — the highest count in any Bolivian park and one of the highest in the world for a relatively compact area. The Andean bear (spectacled bear) is the flagship species, with Bolivia's highest known density on Amboró's slopes.

Bosque nublado Amboró Santa Cruz
830
Bird species · Amboró
— Key destinations

Cloud forest, bears and wine.

Santa Cruz

Amboró National Park

830 bird species
Bolivia's most biodiverse park

At the junction of Amazonian lowlands, Andean cloud forest and Chiquitano dry forest — no other Bolivian park holds more bird species. 830 birds, 200 mammals, 130 reptiles. The Andean bear is the flagship. Accessible from two main entry points: Samaipata (2.5h from Santa Cruz, drier cloud forest) and Buena Vista (2h, wetter lowland forest).

Tip
Hire a guide from Samaipata (for cloud forest) or Buena Vista (for lowland forest). March–April for lushest vegetation. Amboró can be visited as a day trip but overnight gives far richer wildlife encounters.
Full guide →
Santa Cruz

Samaipata & El Fuerte

UNESCO 1998
Pre-Inca ruins + cloud forest

Samaipata (1,650m) is 2.5h from Santa Cruz and one of the most rewarding stops in Bolivia. El Fuerte de Samaipata — a pre-Inca ritual site carved into a single sandstone rock — is UNESCO World Heritage. Channels, pools, feline figures and a ceremonial platform. The surrounding cloud forest holds Bolivia's densest Andean bear population.

Tip
Stay 2 nights — one afternoon for El Fuerte (best in late afternoon light), one day for an Amboró cloud forest hike. Cooler and greener than Santa Cruz year-round.
Full guide →
Tarija

Tariquía Reserve

246,870 ha
Southern cloud forest + wine

The Tariquía Flora and Fauna Reserve in southern Tarija department protects the southernmost extension of the Tucumano-Bolivian forest. Dense subtropical cloud forest, 550 bird species including many endemic to southern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina. The Río Bermejo headwaters originate here. Nearby Tarija is Bolivia's wine capital.

Tip
Access from Tarija city (1.5–2h by car). Best visited with a local guide from Tarija. May–October for drier trail conditions. Combine with a Tarija wine tour.
Full guide →
Tarija

Tarija & Wine Country

1,900m wine region
Bolivia's wine capital + cloud forest

Tarija (1,900m) produces Bolivia's finest wines — the high altitude and dramatic temperature swings between day and night (25°C differential) concentrate sugars and create complex aromatics. The Tarija wine route (Concepción, San Lorenzo, Valle de la Concepción) can be combined with Tariquía in a 3–4 day circuit.

Tip
October–December for harvest season (vendimia). Fly from La Paz or Santa Cruz (1h). The Tarija carnival (February) is one of Bolivia's most vibrant.
Full guide →
— Cloud forest wildlife

The Andean bear. 830 birds.

🐻
Andean bear
Highest known density in Amboró
🦅
830 birds · Amboró
Highest count in any Bolivian park
🦜
Orange-cheeked parakeet
Threatened species, present in Amboró
🐆
Puma
Apex predator of the cloud forest
🦋
700+ butterflies
Tariquía holds exceptional butterfly diversity
🐒
Brown capuchin
Present in gallery forests
🦎
130 reptiles
Including several endemic species
🌺
500+ endemic plants
High altitudinal endemism rate
— When to visit

The forest at its finest in dry season.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
🌿May–Sep
Dry season — dry trails
Dry and safe trails, comfortable temperatures (15–25°C in cloud forest), excellent birdwatching. Wildlife is more visible as vegetation thins. Waterfalls have good year-round flow.
🌧️Mar–Apr
Post-rain — maximum vegetation
Just after the rains the forest is at its densest and greenest. Excellent for plant and amphibian photography. But trails can be slippery and leeches are present.
🍇Oct–Dec
Harvest season in Tarija
October–December is grape harvest season in Tarija — wineries open their doors, the vineyard landscape turns gold and festivals are frequent. Combines perfectly with Tariquía.
☔Jan–Feb
Wet season — with caution
Heavy rains create slippery trails and some Amboró sectors can have landslides. Birdwatching is excellent for resident birds but access can be difficult in some areas.
— Love Bolivia route

The route of the Andean bear.

El Oso Andino route
Route 07
El Oso Andino

Samaipata · Amboró · Vallegrande · Tarija · Tariquía. Bolivian cloud forest north to south. 8–11 private days from Santa Cruz.

8–11 days · From Santa Cruz
from $2,000 · €1,870 · Bs. 13,860
FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Get in touch →

A subtropical montane forest covering the Andean foothills of Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and Tarija at 1,500–3,200m. One of South America's most biodiverse transition zones — Amazon, Andes and dry valleys converge. 830+ bird species in Amboró alone, Andean bear, puma and 500+ endemic plant species.

Amboró National Park holds Bolivia's densest known Andean bear population. The Yungas cloud forests (Coroico area) also have good populations. Sightings require a local guide and patience — bears are shy but tracks, claw marks and feeding signs are common. Early morning in cloud forest edge zones offers the best chance.

A pre-Inca ritual site carved into a single sandstone rock near Samaipata (Santa Cruz), UNESCO World Heritage since 1998. Features channels, pools, feline figures and geometric patterns carved by pre-Inca cultures, later occupied by the Inca. Sits at 1,650m on the edge of Amboró cloud forest. 2.5h from Santa Cruz.

April–October. Dry trails, comfortable temperatures (15–25°C at cloud forest level), best birdwatching. March–April after rains offers the lushest vegetation. October–December for Tarija wine harvest. January–March brings heavy rain and slippery trails.

— Plan your trip

The bear is
in the forest.

45 minutes. We design your Bolivian cloud forest itinerary with specialist guides.

$90 · €85 · Bs. 623

Book a consultation → $90 · €85 · Bs. 623El Oso Andino →