Sandboarding In Bolivia: Learn From The Locals

Sandboarding in Bolivia takes place in Lomas de Arena Park, about an hour's drive from Santa Cruz. This park is a hidden gem, featuring 3000 hectares of sand dunes that reach up to 12 meters in height. It is the perfect place for sandboarding, with the dunes surrounded by tropical forests and savannah. Bolivia Hop is a popular bus company that offers tours to the park, providing safe and flexible transportation for travellers. Tour operators such as Nick's Adventures Bolivia also offer sandboarding and wildlife tours in the area, providing specialised equipment and knowledgeable guides.

Lomas de Arena Park

Located just outside the city of Santa Cruz, Lomas de Arena Park is easily accessible by a 45-minute drive from the city centre. Visitors can opt for a private sandboarding tour that provides pick-up and drop-off services from their accommodation. The park is also included in organized tours offered by companies such as South America Backpacker and Ruta Verde Bolivia.

Upon arriving at the park, visitors are treated to a stunning sight of towering sand dunes that stand in contrast to the lush, humid Bolivian tropical region. The park offers a range of activities for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike. Sandboarding down the massive dunes is the main attraction, with visitors having the option to try different techniques, including standing up or sitting down.

In addition to sandboarding, Lomas de Arena Park also offers scenic hikes through the sand dunes and tropical forests. Visitors can also opt for horseback riding and take a refreshing swim in the nearby lagoons. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, birds, marmots, caimans, capybaras, deer, armadillos, mountain lions, and pumas.

The cost of admission to the park is 10 Bolivianos (approximately $1.44) per person, and it is recommended to have a 4-wheel drive vehicle to navigate the sandy roads leading to the dunes. Visitors are advised to check the weather conditions before their visit, as high winds and rainy seasons can impact the accessibility and enjoyment of the park.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

One of the main attractions for sandboarding in Santa Cruz is the Lomas de Arena National Park. This park, less than an hour's drive from the city centre, features vast 12-metre-tall sand dunes surrounded by tropical forests. The park offers a range of activities, including sandboarding, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife spotting. Visitors can explore the park on their own or join organised tours that provide transportation and guides.

Another notable sandboarding spot in Santa Cruz is the Parque Lomas de Arena, a huge tract of land covered by sand dunes and small lakes. This park offers a variety of activities, including sandboarding, off-roading with bikes, quad bikes, and trucks. Visitors can also enjoy the nearby resort and bike track.

In addition to sandboarding, Santa Cruz has a lot more to offer. The city has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 1561 by Spanish explorer Ñuflo de Chavez. The Plaza 24 de Septiembre, located in the centre of the city, is a popular spot to visit, featuring an indigenous statue and a beautiful cathedral. The cathedral's bell tower offers magnificent views of the city. Santa Cruz also has several museums, cultural centres, and art exhibits, such as the Casa Melchor Pinto and the Museo altillo Beni.

For nature lovers, Santa Cruz offers Amboro National Park, a unique wildlife paradise with three distinct ecosystems: the foothills of the Andes, the Amazon Basin, and the northern Chaco. The park is home to stunning waterfalls, nature walks, and bird-watching opportunities, with 812 species of birds. Another natural escape near the city is the Guembe Biopark, which boasts the largest aviary and butterfly enclosure in Bolivia, along with pools, lagoons, and wildlife such as birds and butterflies.

Huacachina, Peru

Sandboarding in Huacachina, Peru, is an activity that has been growing in popularity. Huacachina is home to the largest sand dunes in South America, making it the perfect spot for sandboarding. The dune buggy and sandboarding tour in Huacachina has been one of the most popular adventure tours in South America for the past 12 years. People of all ages visit Huacachina to climb into a 4-wheel-drive dune buggy, driven by a professional driver, and try sandboarding.

Sandboarding is similar to snowboarding, but instead of snow, you will be boarding on the fine-grained sand of the desert. If you are not athletically inclined, you can simply lie on your stomach on the board and go sand sledding. This is faster and a lot of fun. The dune buggy rides are also thrilling, with hard turns and steep drops. The tour is not just a thrill ride, though. The gigantic sand dunes are beautiful and surreal, and a tour into the desert feels like an "out of this world" experience.

There are two ways to get to Huacachina. The first is by Peru Hop, a hop-on-hop-off bus service that drives through all the points that most travellers want to visit in Peru. They offer discounts in hostels and hotels and have an impeccable safety record. Peru Hop is the only bus that can take you all the way to Huacachina. The other option is to take a public bus, which will only take you as far as Ica, the nearby city. From there, you will need to take a taxi to Huacachina. However, be aware of common taxi scams and overcharging in this area.

The dune buggy and sandboarding tours take place every day at 4 pm and last for two hours. It is recommended to take the evening tour to catch the desert sunset, which is an unforgettable experience. The tours cost around $19 per person.

Bolivia Hop bus service

Bolivia Hop is a hop-on/hop-off bus service that transports travellers between Peru and Bolivia. The company was founded by Irish expats and local partners, with the aim of giving travellers a safe, easy and authentic way to discover the "real" Bolivia and Peru.

The core concept of Bolivia Hop is hop-on-hop-off travel. Travellers can buy one ticket and hop on and off at various cities and towns across Bolivia and Peru. The buses do not use bus terminals and travellers do not need to use taxis to get to the bus stops. The service is flexible, allowing travellers to decide where to go, how long to stay, and where to stay. Bolivia Hop also offers day trips from major cities, ideal for those who are flying between Bolivia and Peru.

The company provides border crossing assistance to ensure travellers avoid typical scams at the Bolivian border. The staff provide travellers with the necessary paperwork and help them fill out the relevant forms. Bolivia Hop also offers hotel and Airbnb pickups, tour and activity discounts, and avoids chaotic bus terminals.

Bolivia Hop has some of the most modern buses in the country, with semi-cama (half-bed) reclining seats, TVs, duvet blankets for each passenger, and lake-crossing capabilities between Copacabana and La Paz. The buses on the Peruvian side also have modern and clean toilets, high-tech temperature-controlled air systems, and LCD screens. All buses are tracked by GPS systems and have speed restriction software.

The onboard travel guides are local Bolivians fluent in English, who provide travellers with insights into what life is like in Bolivia, as well as historical and cultural information. They also help travellers book tours and accommodations and provide tips and advice on maximising their time in Bolivia and Peru.

Bolivia Hop has been well-received by travellers, with positive reviews on TripAdvisor praising the safety, flexibility, and convenience of the service.

Nick's Adventures Bolivia

The Adventure Unveiled

After picking you up from your accommodation, we will head towards Lomas de Arena, with a brief stop at the infamous Palmasola Prison to uncover its intriguing history. As we enter the park, you'll be immersed in a 4WD adventure, scanning the forests for sloths, monkeys, and other exotic creatures.

The real thrill begins once we reach the main sand dunes. Our experienced guides will provide you with specially designed boards and offer tips on how to navigate the dunes safely. You can choose to zoom down the dunes standing up or opt for a more adventurous ride by going headfirst on your stomach.

Nature's Paradise

Lomas de Arena is not just about adrenaline-pumping activities. This protected park is a nature lover's paradise, offering excellent opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. The surrounding tropical forests and savannah are home to an astonishing variety of bird species, including sloths, marmosets, caimans, capybaras, monkeys, deer, armadillos, and even mountain lions and pumas.

Practical Information

Our tours are carefully crafted to ensure your comfort and safety. We provide professional and knowledgeable guides, high-quality equipment, and a strong commitment to wildlife conservation in Bolivia. The tour duration is approximately 4 hours, and we offer both morning and afternoon start times to accommodate your preferences.

To book your sandboarding and wildlife adventure with Nick's Adventures Bolivia, simply fill out our online form or get in touch with our team. We'll be delighted to help you create unforgettable memories in one of Bolivia's finest natural wonders.

Frequently asked questions