Check! Crossing off another item from my Bolivia bucket list!
I am so excited to share with you the debut video for the brand spanking new Bohemian Diaries YouTube channel! On a whim I recently purchased a new camera and decided to take it for a test drive over the holiday weekend. While my friends back in the U.S. celebrated the 4th with American flag themed desserts and fireworks, I picked sand out of my ears while flying down the sand dunes of Lomas de Arena in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. All I can say is, it’s a lot easier said than done…
So what did you think? We got skills, eh? Talent (or lack thereof) aside, it was an exceptionally windy day at the dunes and I’d love to go back when it’s a bit calmer to enjoy the park more. It’s a lovely place for bird watching and wildlife spotting.
SEE ALSO: GOT SAND? A DAY AT BOLIVIA’S DUNES
Lomas de Arena Travel Tips:
- Admission to the park is 10 Bolivianos ($1.44) per person. Everyone must pay and register at the entrance.
- The park entrance is miles from the actual sand dunes. If you plan to arrive by taxi, call a taxi service ahead of time and book a vehicle with 4-wheel drive (4×4) to take you all the way to the dunes. It is can be difficult for 4x4s to get through the soft, sandy road so don’t take a chance with a standard auto. Also, make sure the taxi will wait until you are ready to leave! The dunes are in a very remote location where transportation is not readily available. Your best best is to go with an organized tour operator.
- Book a tour with our friends at Nick’s Adventures Bolivia to take advantage of sandboarding and animal sightseeing opportunities. Traveling with a guide anywhere in Bolivia is always recommended.
- Check the weather! If it is as windy as in the video, try and plan to visit another day as the whipping sand can be very uncomfortable and unpleasant. The dunes are a great place to visit year round, although it may be more challenging to arrive during the rainy season November – March.
- On those windy days, don’t take your camera out! You are better off with taking just a cell phone or GoPro that is encased to snap photos. Believe me, it’s just not worth it to battle the high winds with your equipment!
- Contrary to what many local “guides” will tell you, the lagoons and lakes of Lomas de Arena have been dry for years. There is nowhere to swim or grab a drink of water so be sure to fill your bottles up beforehand and don’t expect a day at the beach!
Want to save these tips? Pin the image below for later!
That’s so cool! I did sandborading in Sahara a few years ago, then in Atacama in Chile. It’s fun but soooo tiring!
That sounds amazing, Anna! It is extremely tiring and honestly, feels like more work than reward!
Your video and photos are so fun! I’m hoping to do a day trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Park here in Colorado soon and give sand boarding a try there!
Thanks, Ashliegh! I have seen the photos from the dunes in Colorado and it looks like a great place to try sandboarding! Cheers!
I’ve always wanted to go sandboarding. It would be so sweet to do that in Bolivia!
How cool! I plan to travel South America later this year or early next year, and I’d love to see Bolivia and specifically do this. Noted!
That’s great, Kirstie! Let me know if you make it to Bolivia, I’ve been following your adventures in Spain and would love to host you if you pass through my new home!
Sandboarding is something that I really want to do! Looks like a lot of fun!
Sandboarding looks like so much fun, and we’ve got to believe it’s harder than it looks. Great video!
Thanks for watching, Taylor!
Oh my word this looks like so much fun!! I’m hoping to do the same in Namibia next month!
In Namibia!! Good luck!
What a fun video! Good tips, especially regarding the camera in the sand and wind. On a recent trip to South Africa, we experienced some dunes in really high winds and it is no joke! Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Sandboarding and the salt flats are definitely pushing Bolivia to the top of my bucket list! What a fun adventure. Loved your photos!
Love the photos! This looks so fun! I went dune bashing in Abu Dhabi and it was sooo fun. It was definitely an unforgettable experienc, being in the middle of the desert and admiring the vastness of it all.
I’d love to try sandboarding, especially in Bolivia! It must be great to be an expat there. Love your photos! 🙂
Added sandboarding on my never-ending-bucket list. Great video! Bookmarked your blog. 🙂
The video looks awesome! I’ve never sandboarding but it looks fun
Awesome video – I like it. It´s on my bucket list for next year o n my world tour!
That’s great, Ralf! A world tour? Exciting!!
Vaya filón tu blog, lo tengo que leer entero y planificar bién el viaje, solo voy 8 días.