Pantanal on the cheap

I am definitely going to the Pantanal Oct/Nov this year and am really looking forward to what sounds an incredible environment.

I was wandering how possible it is to access the 1/5 of the Pantanal that lies in Bolivia and weather i could get a similar 4-6 day trip to that offered in Brazil and if this would be cheaper?

-has anyone done this?
-is the tour/srevice comparable to that of Brazil?
-what are the prices?
-best place to organise this?
-are there options of tailor made adventures with local guides?
-any budget to mid eco-lodges?

Any info re. the Pantanal will be much appreciated, thanks!

Scott Reply to this

We have been to the Pampas in Bolivia which are out of Rurrenabque. I do not think this is the exact extension of the Brazilian Pantanal, but you do get the experience of seeing caimans, capybaras, birds, perhaps an anaconda etc.
The tours for that are VERY easy to organize from Rurrenabaque and are cheap, definitly if you compare with Brazil. A 3 day tour over there, including accomodation (BASIC - don't expect anything fancy) and all meals and transportation would cost around 100 US$ and less.
Don't know the prices in the Pantanal in Brazil, but generally Brazil is the most expensive country in South America. If a dorm bed in Bolivia cost 5$, than a similar bed in Brazil cost 15$.

For slightly more information about our experience in the Bolivian Pampas you can see our blog:Bolivia - Rurrenabaque and the Pampas Reply to this

Thank you! Reply to this