Major city · Bolivia
San Miguel del Bala
Spend 1–2 days at San Miguel del Bala; boat from Rurrenabaque 45 min, stay in eco‑lodge cabins.
San Miguel del Bala is a small indigenous community on the Beni River, reachable only by boat from Rurrenabaque. The eco‑lodge offers cabins and cultural activities, making a short stay (1–2 days) ideal for rainforest and Tacana experiences.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BOB
- Best months
- May–Oct (check)
- avoid Nov–Apr (more rain, check)
- Airport
- RBQ
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Bolivia ↗Visa rules depend on your passport (some nationalities need a visa in advance): check with Bolivia's migration authority or a Bolivian consulate.
- Bolivia ↗Most of the tourist route is above 3,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on arrival, and see a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Bolivia ↗Protests and road blockades (bloqueos) are frequent and can close routes and cities for days; watch local news and keep plans flexible.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Miguel del Bala110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Miguel del Bala, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the boliviano (BOB, Bs).Bolivia-wide
- SIM or eSIMEntel, Tigo and Viva sell SIMs with passport registration in their own shops.Bolivia-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Bolivia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up; about 10% in tourist restaurants.Bolivia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Bolivia-wide
- SafetyThe community is safe for tourists; main risks are river conditions and limited medical facilities—carry basic supplies.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPay a boliviano or two; bring paper.Bolivia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 118 ambulance · 119 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBlockades and strikes close shops and roads; Sunday is quiet.Bolivia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportRBQ Rurrenabaque Airport (Flights from La Paz; boat transfer 45 min upstream).
- Getting aroundArrange river transport through the San Miguel del Bala Community Eco‑Tourism office in Rurrenabaque; boats take ~45 min upstream to the lodge.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedDormitory bed (shared), a night, per personBOB 80
- Mid-range bedDormitory bed (shared), a night, per personBOB 120
- High-end bedDormitory bed (shared), a night, per personBOB 180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BOB 150 · Mid BOB 250 · High BOB 400
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RBQ Rurrenabaque Airport (Flights from La Paz; boat transfer 45 min upstream)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jun (16 rain days), driest Jan (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Miguel del Bala: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Arrange river transport through the San Miguel del Bala Community Eco‑Tourism office in Rurrenabaque; boats take ~45 min upstream to the lodge. On‑site walks are guided.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Madidi National Park
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Guided hike from lodge; 30–60 min walk
Primary rainforest trails, wildlife spotting.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
San Miguel del Bala Eco‑lodge
7 cabins (3 beds each) + dormitory (8 beds); electricity, private or shared bathrooms
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Bs 150–250 excl. cabin
- Mid
- Bs 250–400 excl. cabin
Trip budget
| Eco‑lodge cabin (3‑person)2 × 1 night × BOB 180 | BOB 360 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × BOB 250 | BOB 500 |
| Boat transfer Rurrenabaque ↔ lodge (round trip)2 × BOB 120 · check | BOB 240 |
| Guided cultural tour (half day)2 × BOB 90 · check | BOB 180 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BOB 128 |
| Trip total≈ BOB 704 per person per day, bed included | BOB 1,408 |
Includes basic meals.
2026 estimate in bolivianos; flights and international transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| Meal at lodge restaurant | Bs 30–60 |
| Fruit juice (fresh) | Bs 10–20 |
| Handicraft (small item) | Bs 20–80 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- All visits must be pre‑booked with the community office; no walk‑ins.
- Limited cell service and internet; plan communication accordingly.
- River levels can affect boat schedules; check conditions before travel.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 119
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
San Miguel del BalaSan Miguel del Bala
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A este lugar, por favorTo this place, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire119
Embassy
US consulate in La Paz; nearest Bolivian police station in Rurrenabaque.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rurrenabaque → San Miguel del Bala (boat): about Bs 120 round‑trip, 45 min each way (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (ola)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (kwan-toh kwes-ta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (don-de es-ta el ba-nyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Miguel del Bala. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (check) · avoid Nov–Apr (more rain, check) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Boat transfer from Rurrenabaque to lodge
- Cabin stay in eco‑lodge
- Guided cultural activities with Tacana families
Sources
Ask about San Miguel del Bala
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