Leslie Massey
Bolivia may be known for its lush greenery and tropical havens, but it's also a great destination for sandboarding. An hour away from the city of Santa Cruz lies a rarely visited natural desert, Lomas de Arena, featuring 3000 hectares of sand dunes that are ideal for sandboarding. This hidden gem is a protected park surrounded by tropical forests and savannahs, home to a diverse range of wildlife and over 286 species of birds. Adventure seekers can soar down 12-meter sand dunes, either standing or sitting, and explore the natural wonders that Bolivia has to offer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Lomas de Arena, Santa Cruz de la Sierra |
| Distance from Santa Cruz | 1-hour drive |
| Admission fee | 10 Bolivianos ($1.44) per person |
| Best way to reach the park | 4x4 vehicle |
| Tour operator | Nick's Adventures Bolivia |
What You'll Learn
Lomas de Arena – Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Lomas de Arena National Park, also known as Parque Lomas de Arena del Palmar, is a hidden gem located less than an hour's drive from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. This naturally formed desert boasts vast 12-metre-tall sand dunes surrounded by tropical forests, making it a popular destination for sandboarding enthusiasts.
To get to Lomas de Arena from La Paz, you can take one of the several daily flights to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, which lasts about an hour. From the city centre of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, it's just a 30-minute drive to the park. Alternatively, you can arrange for a private sandboarding tour to pick you up from your accommodation. Companies such as South America Backpacker and Ruta Verde Bolivia offer these tours.
The protected park offers a unique experience where you can sandboard down towering sand dunes, either standing up or sitting down, and then take a refreshing swim in the nearby lagoons. The surrounding tropical forests and savannah are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including over 286 species of birds, sloths, marmosets, caimans, capybaras, monkeys, deer, armadillos, and even big cats like mountain lions and pumas.
When planning your visit to Lomas de Arena, keep in mind that the park entrance is quite far from the actual sand dunes. It is recommended to book a tour with a reputable company like Nick's Adventures Bolivia, as they can provide transportation and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Check the weather conditions before your trip, as high winds can make sandboarding uncomfortable and unpleasant. Additionally, the dunes can be challenging to access during the rainy season, which typically lasts from November to March.
Admission to the park is 10 Bolivianos ($1.44) per person, and everyone must register at the entrance. Don't forget to bring comfortable clothing that you don't mind getting sandy or wet, and consider leaving your camera behind on windy days to avoid damage.
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Parque National Lomas de Arena
The park boasts impressive 12-meter-tall sand dunes that offer an exhilarating sandboarding experience. Adventurers can choose to speed down the dunes either standing up or sitting down, catering to different skill levels and preferences. The park is also ideal for other activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching.
Lomas de Arena is a protected park that spans over 3000 hectares, with some sources citing an even larger area of over 13000 hectares. This vast expanse is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, making it a nature lover's paradise. The surrounding tropical forests and savannahs harbour over 286 species of birds, as well as fascinating creatures such as sloths, marmosets, caimans, capybaras, monkeys, deer, armadillos, and even larger predators like mountain lions and pumas.
To reach Lomas de Arena, travellers can fly to Santa Cruz de la Sierra from La Paz, which takes about an hour. From there, it's a 30-minute drive to the park. Alternatively, some tour operators offer private sandboarding tours that include transportation from your accommodation in Santa Cruz. These tours typically provide 4x4 transport, high-quality sandboards, and a professional guide who can navigate the dunes safely.
When planning a visit to Lomas de Arena, it's important to consider the weather conditions. While the park is open year-round, the rainy season from November to March can make transportation more challenging. Additionally, windy days can be unpleasant due to whipping sand, so checking the weather forecast before your visit is advisable.
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Santa Cruz city centre to Lomas de Arena
Santa Cruz is a city in Bolivia, a country known for its lush tropical landscapes. However, less than an hour's drive away from the city centre, you'll find Lomas de Arena, a unique natural desert featuring towering sand dunes. This hidden gem is a great spot for sandboarding, offering an adrenaline-filled adventure in a stunning setting.
Getting to Lomas de Arena from Santa Cruz City Centre
Lomas de Arena is easily accessible from the city centre of Santa Cruz. Here are a few options for getting there:
- By Car: Lomas de Arena is approximately a 45-minute drive (17 km) from the city centre. If you have access to a car, it is a straightforward drive to the park.
- By Bus: You can take bus 21 from the city centre to the park entrance, which takes around 45 minutes and costs B$2. From there, it is a 7 km walk to the dunes.
- By Taxi: You can also take a taxi to the park entrance, which will cost around B$200. However, unless you have a 4WD vehicle, you will need to walk about 4 km to reach the sand dunes.
The Lomas de Arena Experience
Lomas de Arena del Palmar, also known as "Sand Hills," is a natural wonder that covers 3000 hectares of soaring sand dunes. These 12-meter-tall dunes are surrounded by savannahs, tropical forests, and beautiful lagoons, creating a unique landscape that contrasts with the nearby jungle. The park is a protected area, making it an excellent spot for nature enthusiasts and wildlife watchers. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, capybaras, and over 286 species of birds.
Sandboarding is one of the most popular activities at Lomas de Arena. You can rent sandboards at the park or bring your own. Both beginner and advanced sandboarders can enjoy the thrill of gliding down the vast dunes, either standing up or sitting down. The park also offers scenic hikes and refreshing swims in the nearby lagoons.
Several tour companies, such as Nick's Adventures and Ruta Verde Bolivia, offer half-day or full-day trips to Lomas de Arena, which include transportation, equipment, and a professional guide. These tours typically depart from Santa Cruz and provide a convenient and informative way to experience the park.
Whether you're an adrenaline junkie seeking a thrilling ride or a nature lover wanting to explore a unique landscape, Lomas de Arena is a must-visit destination when in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. With its towering sand dunes and diverse wildlife, it promises an unforgettable experience just a short distance from the city centre.
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La Paz to Santa Cruz de la Serra
If you're in La Paz and want to get to Santa Cruz de la Serra, the best way is to travel by plane. There are several flights a day lasting about an hour. From Santa Cruz de la Serra, you can reach the Lomas de Arena National Park in about half an hour by car. This park is a hidden gem, consisting of a naturally formed desert with vast 12-metre-tall sand dunes surrounded by tropical forests. It is the perfect place for sandboarding, hiking, horseback riding, and swimming in the nearby lagoons. You can also arrange for a private sandboarding tour to pick you up from your accommodation. Companies such as South America Backpacker and Ruta Verde Bolivia offer such tours.
Lomas de Arena, also known as "Sand Hills", is a very popular tourist destination for sandboarding, located just an hour's drive from Santa Cruz de la Serra. With 3000 hectares of soaring sand dunes, it's no surprise that this place is becoming a popular destination in South America for sandboarding enthusiasts. You can whiz down the 12-metre sand dunes in any style you choose—standing up, sitting down, or even headfirst for the daredevils! The park is also a protected area that provides nature lovers with great opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. The surrounding tropical forests and savannah are home to an incredibly diverse range of species, including over 286 species of birds, sloths, marmosets, caimans, capybaras, monkeys, deer, armadillos, mountain lions, and pumas.
If you're looking for a thrilling adventure and a chance to immerse yourself in some of Bolivia's finest natural wonders, then Lomas de Arena is the perfect destination. You can book a sandboarding and wildlife tour with companies like Nick's Adventures Bolivia, which offers professional, safe, and well-organised tours with friendly and knowledgeable guides. They also provide high-quality equipment and are actively involved in wildlife conservation in Bolivia.
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Nick's Adventures Bolivia
Nicks Adventures Bolivia
Nicks Adventures Bolivia is a Santa Cruz-based tour operator offering a wide range of tours across Bolivia. The company specialises in wildlife tours and has a strong focus on conservation and supporting local communities.
Sandboarding in Bolivia
Lomas de Arena, or "Sand Hills", near Santa Cruz is a popular tourist destination for sandboarding. The area is a naturally formed desert with vast 12-metre-tall sand dunes surrounded by tropical forests. It is less than a one-hour drive from Santa Cruz and can be reached by car in around 30 minutes from the city centre.
Nicks Adventures Bolivia offers professional, safe, and well-organised tours with friendly and knowledgeable guides. The company is very involved with wildlife conservation in Bolivia and can offer a fantastic opportunity to get off the beaten path.
Other Activities
In addition to sandboarding, Nicks Adventures Bolivia offers a range of other activities and tours, including:
- Wildlife tours
- Amazon tours
- Cultural site tours
- National Park tours
- Birdwatching tours
- Fishing tours
- Jaguar tours
- Anaconda tours
- Herping tours
- Hiking tours
- City tours
- Uyuni Salt Flats tours
- Lake Titicaca tours
- Madidi National Park tours
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Frequently asked questions
Lomas de Arena, a natural desert with 3000 hectares of sand dunes, is a popular destination for sandboarding in Bolivia. It is located an hour away from the city of Santa Cruz.
Admission to the park is 10 Bolivianos ($1.44) per person.
The park entrance is miles from the sand dunes, so it is recommended to book a vehicle with 4-wheel drive (4x4) to get there. It is difficult for 4x4s to get through the soft, sandy road so a standard car will not suffice.
Lomas de Arena is also great for bird watching and wildlife spotting. There are over 286 species of birds in the area, as well as sloths, marmosets, caimans, capybaras, monkeys, deer, armadillos, mountain lions, and pumas.
