Major city · Bolivia
Riberalta
Spend 2 days: day 1 for town sights and market; day 2 for a nearby Inca‑ruin or lake trip; longer only for multiple day tours.
Riberalta is a low‑land Amazonian city in Beni with pink‑dust streets, a river confluence, modest hotels and easy motorbike‑taxi transport. Its main attractions are the plaza, cathedral, pink‑dust scenery, and short trips to Las Piedras Inca ruins (≈5 km) or Tumichucua lake (≈25 km). A single night covers the town; a second day adds a day‑trip.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BOB
- Best months
- May–Oct (dry season, roads passable)
- avoid Nov–Apr (wet season, some roads flooded)
- Airport
- RIB
- Nights
- 1
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 Riberalta110 ▾
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 Riberalta, 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
- SafetyRiberalta is generally safe for day visitors; keep passport handy at the riverfront and watch for potholes on rural roads.
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.
- AirportRIB Riberalta Airport (Domestic flights by Amaszonas and EcoJet; small regional airport near the main plaza).
- Getting aroundMotorbike taxis charge Bs 4‑5 for any town ride; flag any bike.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféBs 5–8
- Street or quick mealSalad (main plaza stall)Bs 10–15
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Motorbike taxi town rideBs 4–5
- Budget bedDorm bed or cheap hotel, a night, per personBOB 30
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel room (double), a night, per roomBOB 200
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel room (double), a night, per roomBOB 350
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BOB 120 · Mid BOB 250 · High BOB 450
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
- RIB Riberalta Airport (Domestic flights by Amaszonas and EcoJet; small regional airport near the main plaza)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jun (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Riberalta: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 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
Motorbike taxis charge Bs 4‑5 for any town ride; flag any bike. Motorcycle rental US$6 / day. For trips outside town hire a shared taxi (≈Bs 35‑40) or arrange through a local agency.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Las Piedras Inca ruins
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Motorbike or moto‑taxi 5 km (3.1 mi) east; Bs 10 ride, then walk to ruinsMotorbike or moto‑taxi 3.1 mi (5 km) east; Bs 10 ride, then walk to ruins
Small fort‑wall; guide Carlos Chipunani can explain history (arrange locally).
Tumichucua lake
goDoor to door: ≈1 h each way
Shared taxi or private moto‑taxi 25 km (16 mi) north; negotiate ~Bs 40Shared taxi or private moto‑taxi 16 mi (25 km) north; negotiate ~Bs 40
Lake with island; boat rental Bs 20; swim and simple lunch (fish + rice Bs 25).
Guayaramerín (border town)
cautionDoor to door: ≈4 h
Shared taxi from Riberalta via San Joaquín; Bs 180, ~3‑4 h
Road can be bumpy; check bus schedules in dry season.
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.
Hotel Colonial
Near main plaza; most up‑market; beds from Bs 200
Hotel Campus
Various room types; pool; beds from Bs 30
Casco Viejo
Private bathroom; beds from Bs 80
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 120–180 excl. bed
- Mid
- Bs 250–350 excl. bed
- High
- Bs 450–600 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel room (double)1 × 1 night × BOB 200 | BOB 200 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × BOB 250 | BOB 250 |
| Motorbike taxi within town1 × BOB 5 · check | BOB 5 |
| Motorbike rental (1 day)1 × BOB 6 · US$6 ≈ Bs 45 | BOB 6 |
| Shared taxi to Las Piedras (round‑trip)1 × BOB 20 · check | BOB 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BOB 48 |
| Trip total≈ BOB 529 per person per day, bed included | BOB 529 |
2026 estimate in bolivianos; flights, visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | Bs 5–8 |
| Salad (main plaza stall) | Bs 10–15 |
| Motorbike taxi town ride | Bs 4–5 |
| Boat rental on Tumichucua lake | Bs 20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Police may stop you at the waterfront; have passport/driver’s licence ready.
- Roads to remote sites can be very potholed; travel slowly.
- River ferry crossing at Mamoré (to Guayaramerín) may be delayed in wet season.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 119
Pocket card
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RiberaltaRiberalta
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire119
Embassy
US consular services are in La Paz; check the State Department site for updates.
My embassy: —
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpɛ)
- Gracias — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (pweˈðo paˈɣar kon taˈɾxeta)
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 Riberalta. 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 (dry season, roads passable) · avoid Nov–Apr (wet season, some roads flooded) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Riberalta
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