Cobija
Pando Department · Cities
At the very north of the country, Cobija is the small capital of Pando department, on the Acre river across from the Brazilian town of Brasiléia. It's a quiet, green town that lives from Brazil nuts (castaña) and trade with its neighbour. People come for Bolivia's least-visited Amazon: the Manuripi reserve, with its lakes and forests and remarkable wildlife, far from the usual routes.
280 maltitude
1 to 2 daysto spend there
Things to do
- Walk along the Acre river and cross to Brasiléia (Brazil)
- Manuripi Amazon reserve: lakes, forest and wildlife
- Squares and border-town life
- Brazil nuts (castaña), the region's treasure
What to eat
- River fishSurubí, pacú or dorado, grilled over a wood fire or fried, with rice, cassava and plantain. Delicious by the water, in the Llanos and the Amazon.
- MasacoMashed plantain or cassava with charque or cheese. Rich and filling.
- Tropical fruitMangoes, pineapples, papayas, achachairú (a small tangy fruit) and fresh juices everywhere for a few bolivianos.
Tip. Most people fly in from La Paz (about 1 h). The road is very long and often hard going in the rainy season. Little tourist infrastructure: arrange a Manuripi visit in advance.
Also here
- Border Cobija – BrasiléiaOver the bridge across the Acre river. From Brasiléia, buses to Rio Branco and the rest of Brazil.
How to get to Cobija
Porvenir Road (bus, car) · 30 min
Taxi or minibus from Cobija.
La Paz Flight · 1 h 05 flight
BoA flights almost daily from El Alto airport.
Puerto Rico Road (bus, car) · 3 to 4 h
Bus or shared taxi from Cobija.
Partly unpaved road.
Riberalta Road (bus, car) · 8 to 10 h
Bus or shared taxi.
Dirt road, hard going in the rainy season.
Photos of Cobija
More places in this region
RurrenabaqueGateway to the Bolivian Amazon, on the Beni river.
Madidi National ParkOne of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Primary forest.
Yacuma PampasWetlands teeming with animals: caimans, capybaras and pink river dolphins.
Barba Azul reserveBeni savannas, refuge of the blue-throated macaw, one of the rarest parrots in the world.
Beni Biosphere ReserveSavannas, forests and lagoons near San Borja: a reserve rich in wildlife, still rarely visited.
Trinidad (Llanos de Moxos)Capital of the Beni, with flood plains and Moxeño culture.
Laguna SuárezA big, quiet lagoon on Trinidad's doorstep, for swimming and eating fish.
San Ignacio de MoxosA former Jesuit mission on the Beni plains, famous for the Ichapekene Piesta (UNESCO).
Porvenir and the Tahuamanu riverAn Amazon village near Cobija: boat trips on the Tahuamanu and a natural pool.
Puerto Rico and the Manuripi reserveA small town where two rivers meet, gateway to the Manuripi Amazon reserve.
RiberaltaAn Amazon river port where the Beni meets the Madre de Dios, capital of the Brazil nut.
GuayaramerínA border town on the Mamoré river, facing the Brazilian town of Guajará-Mirim.