Trinidad

Trinidad is the capital of the Beni Department in northeastern Bolivia, offering a small-town feel as a gateway to the Amazon basin. The city provides access to pre-Hispanic archaeological sites, Jesuit-era architecture, and the mighty Mamoré River. It serves as a practical base for exploring the surrounding rainforests, rivers, and mission towns of the region.

Flights from Santa Cruz de la Sierra with Amaszonas cost around 650 Bs. Overland bus connections also exist, though journey times are longer. The city is accessible via the northern route through Beni.

Motorbike taxis (moto taxis) dominate the streets, with rides costing Bs. 4. Regular taxis are also available but less common than the motorbike variant.

Budget accommodation options include Residencial Santisima Trinidad with beds in triple rooms from 60 Bs. Mid-range options like Hotel Colonial on Antonio Vaca Diez offer amenities including WiFi, air conditioning, a restaurant/bar, and outdoor pool.

Small bars near where shared taxis leave for San Joaquin or Guayaramerin serve breakfast including meat, chocolate (local cocoa drink), and empanadas. Churrasquería La Estancia offers meat-focused dishes, while Brasileirinho Restaurant on Avenida 6 de Agosto serves suckling pig or buffet-style lunch from 11:30-15:00.

Visit the Catedral de la Santísima Trinidad on the central plaza, established by Jesuits and rebuilt over the years. The Museo Kenneth Lee at the north edge of town near the San Joaquin road is an ethnoarchaeological museum with regional costumes and exhibits on the ancient hydro-civilization of Beni. The Museo Ictícola del Beni (Beni Fish Museum) inside Universidad Técnica del Beni is free and open M-Sa 07:30-18:00, displaying turtles, fish, and a healed river dolphin. Parque Pantanal on Av Flor de Patujú (08:00-18:00 daily) offers wildlife viewing including capybara, yacare caiman, and anacondas. Loma Suárez, a human-made hill 12 km northeast on the Ibare River banks, provides views and costs Bs. 15 by moto taxi, with boat rides and fish meals (Bs. 30) available.

Standard urban precautions apply. The small-town atmosphere generally feels safe for travelers, though normal awareness of belongings in crowded areas is recommended.

Loma Suárez is the most accessible day trip at 12 km northeast, reachable by moto taxi for Bs. 15. The nearby Loma Chuchuni Ecolodge and Wildlife Reserve is just 5 km north of Loma Suárez (US$10 entry) though it has received criticism for animal captivity conditions. The Mamoré River boat trip to Guayaramerín at the Brazilian border is an unforgettable multi-day experience, taking 5-7 days in dry season or 3 days with higher water levels.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the economic center and biggest city in Bolivia, accessible by bus or Amaszonas flight (650 Bs). San Ignacio de Moxos offers a mission town experience with a notable church and Moxos community with impressive fiesta costumes. Riberalta in the north features two big rivers joining, with distinctive red dust and access to rubber boom history and native communities. San Joaquin and towns northward offer "hidden gems" and staggered town fiestas for party-focused travelers.