Hotel in Rurrenabaque, Bolivia
Jodanga Backpackers Hostel
Relaxed hostel in Rurrenabaque with swimming pool, hammocks, and social atmosphere. Perfect for meeting tour groups before Amazon adventures with good facilities.
Jodanga Backpackers Hostel occupies a prime position on Calle Santa Cruz in Rurrenabaque, the small Beni department town that serves as Bolivia's principal gateway to the Amazon basin. Situated approximately 400 kilometres north of La Paz in the country's tropical lowlands, Rurrenabaque is the staging point for jungle and pampas tours into the Madidi National Park region, one of the most biodiverse protected areas on the planet. Guests typically arrive by a 45-minute domestic flight from El Alto Airport or by an overnight bus through the dramatic Yungas mountains. The hostel has established itself as a leading social hub for backpackers on the Amazon circuit, combining budget-friendly accommodation with facilities suited to expedition travel. The low-rise tropical property is built around an open courtyard featuring a swimming pool — an exceptional amenity given Rurrenabaque's intense heat and humidity, where temperatures regularly reach 30–35 degrees Celsius. Hammocks hang throughout the shaded common areas, providing an ideal place to rest between tours. An on-site bar serves cold drinks and light snacks, functioning as the social hub where travellers from across South America and beyond trade stories from the jungle and pampas. Accommodation ranges from shared dormitory beds with secure lockers and mosquito nets to private rooms with more personal space. Rates run from approximately USD 10–25 in low season to USD 12–32 in high season. The tour-booking desk is central to the hostel's offer: staff assist guests in selecting reputable operators for jungle expeditions into primary rainforest and for pampas tours along the wide river flats where capybaras, caimans, anacondas, and pink river dolphins are regularly spotted. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the common areas, though speeds can be limited in this remote Amazonian location. The surrounding town offers riverside restaurants, craft markets, and small shops reachable on foot. Guests returning from multi-day tours appreciate the practical facilities — luggage storage, a lively bar, and a ready community of fellow travellers — before continuing onward to La Paz or deeper into Bolivia.
Amenities
- swimming pool
- hammocks
- free WiFi
- common areas
- tour booking
- bar
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +591 3 8922567
Location
Calle Santa Cruz, Rurrenabaque
-14.4383, -67.5294 — View on map
Highlights
- Outdoor swimming pool providing essential cooling in Rurrenabaque's tropical heat, where temperatures regularly exceed 30 degrees Celsius
- On-site tour booking desk for Madidi National Park jungle expeditions and pampas wildlife tours featuring capybaras and pink river dolphins
- Social bar and hammock-filled common areas creating an ideal pre- and post-expedition atmosphere for backpackers
- Budget dormitory and private rooms with mosquito nets and secure lockers suited to Amazon-circuit travellers
- Convenient location on Calle Santa Cruz, within walking distance of Rurrenabaque's tour agencies and riverside restaurants
Tips
- Book accommodation well in advance during the dry season (May–October) when Rurrenabaque hostels fill quickly with organised tour groups
- Bring adequate Bolivianos cash; ATMs in Rurrenabaque are scarce and frequently run out of funds during peak season
- Arrive at least one day before any planned jungle or pampas tour to allow time to compare operators and confirm inclusions
- Pack strong insect repellent and lightweight long-sleeve clothing — mosquitoes are active in the hostel grounds at dusk
- Confirm morning tour pick-up times the evening before, as operators occasionally adjust departure schedules without notice
FAQ
How do guests reach Rurrenabaque from La Paz?
The most convenient option is a 45-minute domestic flight with Boliviana de Aviacion or Amaszonas from El Alto Airport. The overland bus takes 18–24 hours on winding mountain roads through the Yungas and is considerably more demanding, though it passes through some of Bolivia's most dramatic highland and cloud-forest scenery.
Does the hostel organise jungle or pampas tours directly?
The hostel has a tour-booking desk where staff assist guests in comparing and reserving tours with reputable local operators. The tours themselves are run by independent agencies in Rurrenabaque; guests should confirm group sizes, inclusions, meals, and cancellation policies before paying.
What accommodation types are available at Jodanga?
The hostel offers shared dormitory beds and private rooms. Dormitories include secure lockers and mosquito nets and are popular with solo travellers. Private rooms offer more space and privacy while maintaining the hostel's relaxed social character.
Is the swimming pool open year-round?
Yes, the outdoor pool is available year-round. It is particularly valued during the wet season (November–April) when heat and humidity are at their peak, but also provides welcome relief on warm dry-season afternoons.
Are meals available at the hostel?
The hostel bar provides cold drinks and light snacks. For full meals, Rurrenabaque's riverside restaurants and small eateries along the main streets are reachable on foot and offer local Bolivian dishes as well as traveller-oriented menus at low prices.
Accessibility
Jodanga Backpackers Hostel is a low-rise property in Rurrenabaque, but specific wheelchair accessibility details have not been publicly confirmed. The outdoor pool and garden areas involve uneven ground typical of tropical garden settings, which may present challenges for guests with limited mobility. Visitors requiring accessibility accommodations should contact the hostel directly before booking.
When to visit
The dry season from May to October is the best time to visit Jodanga and Rurrenabaque, offering optimal conditions for pampas wildlife tours and jungle trekking. The wet season from November through April brings higher river levels and more intense heat, but pampas tours still operate and the rainforest is at its lushest.