National park · Bolivia
Sama Biological ReserveReserva Biológica Cordillera de Sama
Visit Sama Biological Reserve: pay the entry fee (check), hike the 7 km (4.3 mi) Inca Trail segment early morning (2 h), and birdwatch at Tajzara lakes in November–February; avoid the coldest winter nights.Visit Sama Biological Reserve: pay the entry fee (check), hike the 4.3 mi (7 km) Inca Trail segment early morning (2 h), and birdwatch at Tajzara lakes in November–February; avoid the coldest winter nights.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Above 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.
- Tarija ↗Tarija city sits around 1,850 m — far lower than La Paz or Potosí, so most visitors feel no altitude effects here.
- Tarija ↗Wine tastings involve Singani and high-altitude wines: use a driver or an organised bodega tour, not a self-driven car on valley dirt roads.
- Tarija ↗Mobile signal is strong in the city and on main highways but drops to nothing in the Sama Reserve and the Gran Chaco — download offline maps first.
At a glance
- Country
- Bolivia
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The reserve covers 108 hectares (≈1.08 km²) as established in 1991.
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Tarija
Sama Biological Reserve protects four permanent salt‑water lagoons and surrounding high‑altitude steppe, offering flamingo birdwatching, a 7 km historic Inca Trail segment, and community‑run accommodation at the Albergue de Pujzara.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1991.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1991
The reserve covers 108 hectares (≈1.08 km²) as established in 1991.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Tarija.
Why go
- Birdwatching at the Tajzara lakes, home to three flamingo species and 30+ other birds.
- Walk part or all of the 7 km (4.3 mi) Inca Trail segment that starts inside the reserve.Walk part or all of the 4.3 mi (7 km) Inca Trail segment that starts inside the reserve.
- See pre‑Inca irrigation channels and water tanks from the ancient settlement.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanFlamingos peak, mild days.
- FebFlamingos peak, mild days.
- MarBirds still present.
- AprCool, fewer birds.
- MayCool, dry.
- JunCold nights, possible snow.
- JulVery cold, -20 °C (−4 °F) possible.Very cold, −4 °F (-20 °C) possible.
- AugVery cold, limited daylight.
- SepWarming, birds return.
- OctMild, good for trekking.
- NovFlamingo season starts.
- DecFlamingo season, mild days.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flamingos (Andean, James’s, Chilean)Nov–Feb · Large flocks gather on the lagoons. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Andean deer, vicuña, llamasMar–May, Sep–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| 30+ bird speciesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Albergue de Pujzara | Community lodge on Patanka lake; base for hikes and birdwatching. | Open to guests; meals and basic rooms available. |
| Tajzara lakes | Four permanent salt‑water lagoons attracting flamingos and other birds. | Free access from the lodge; walking paths around the lakes. |
| Inca Trail segment | 7 km (4.3 mi) historic trail used during the Chaco War, starting near the Albergue.4.3 mi (7 km) historic trail used during the Chaco War, starting near the Albergue. | Open to walkers; no guide required for the short segment. |
Sketch map
- 1Albergue de Pujzara · Headquarters≈-21.732, -65.040Base for accommodation and information.Map ↗
- 2Patanka Lake · Viewpoint≈-21.730, -65.040One of the four permanent lagoons.Map ↗
- 3Inca Trail start · Trail≈-21.735, -65.042Marker for the 7 km (4.3 mi) historic trail.Marker for the 4.3 mi (7 km) historic trail.Map ↗
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from the Albergue and nearby lake; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry fee | Free | person | Check official reserve website or local office for current price. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Reserve entry no permit
Park rules
- Pets
- Not allowed in the reserve to protect wildlife.
- Camping
- Only in designated area of the Albergue; backcountry camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires forbidden; use provided stoves at the Albergue.
Where to stay
In the park
Albergue de Pujzara
Simple rooms, shared bathroom, blankets, warm water.
Near the park
Tarija town
Hotels and hostels 90 km (56 mi) away; bus connections.Hotels and hostels 56 mi (90 km) away; bus connections.
Safety
Cold nights medium
Altitude (2,200 m) low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Albergue rooms reachable by car; short walks to lakes.
- Inca Trail segment has some uneven ground; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support the community‑run Albergue; meals use local ingredients.
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile salt‑water ecosystems.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sama Biological Reserve?
Entry fee is not published online; check at the reserve gate or ask the Albergue staff for the current price.
What are the best hikes in Sama Biological Reserve?
The 7 km Inca Trail segment starting near the Albergue and the short walks around the Tajzara lakes are the main routes.
When is the best time to visit Sama Biological Reserve?
November to February for peak flamingo sightings; the rest of the year is suitable for trekking, but winter months can be very cold.
Can I stay overnight in the reserve?
Yes, at the community‑run Albergue de Pujzara; bring a sleeping bag for the cold nights.
Is a guide required for the Inca Trail segment?
No, the short 7 km section is well marked and can be walked independently.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Sama Biological Reserve
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