Bolivia Guide
Santa Cruz and the Eastern Lowlands
Parque Nacional Amboró
Forty kilometres west of Santa Cruz, Parque Nacional Amboró spans some 4300 square kilometres of a great forest-covered spur of the Andes that juts out into the eastern plains. Situated at the confluence of three major bio-geographic regions – the Andes, the Amazon rainforest and the Northern Chaco – and ranging in altitude from 3300m to just 300m above sea level, Amboró's steep, densely forested slopes support an astonishing biodiversity. Over 830 different types of bird have been recorded here – the highest confirmed bird count for any protected area in the world. Sightings have included a large number of endemic species and such rarities as the cock-of-the-rock, red-fronted and military macaws, and the blue-horned curassow or unicorn bird, which was thought to have been extinct until it was rediscovered here. The park is also home to a wide range of rainforest mammals, including jaguars, giant anteaters, tapirs and several species of monkey, while its enormous array of plant and insect species is still largely unexplored.
The easiest way to visit the park from Buena Vista is on an organized trip with one of the tour operators in Buena Vista. For about $30 per person they offer two-day trips into the park, camping overnight or staying in one of the refuges, usually at either La Chonta or Macuñuco, with all meals, a guide, camping equipment and transport included. Amboró Tours ( 
03/9322093, 
amborotours@yahoo.com), opposite the church just off the plaza in Buena Vista, are the most professional outfit.
A micro from the plaza in Buena Vista runs daily along the boundary of the park via Huaytú and Santa Rosa, returning the next day – times vary, so ask around in Buena Vista to see when the micro passes through, and check the return time with the driver. From the road you'll still have to cross the Río Saguayo (which can be impassable in rainy season) and walk over 10km to reach either La Chonta or Macuñuco. A good alternative therefore is to rent a jeep to take you into the park (with a hired guide) and return later to collect you – arrange this through one of the tour operators.