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Travel Spotlight: Samaipata

Posted: admin on Mar 26 | Travel & Tourism

In the Foothills of the Andes: Samaipata and El Fuerte Historic, tranquil, and gorgeous; the town of Samaipata will capture history enthusiasts, adventurers, and the aesthetic escapist. The tiny village of 3,500 people rests 1,650 meters (5,400 feet) high in the foothills of Bolivia’s Andes, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Santa Cruz. Samaipata was officially founded in 1623, but its 13th century ruins reveal the town’s earlier indigenous roots and comprise the region’s major attraction. El Fuerte de Samaipata (Samaipata Fort) is believed to be a religious site, initially built by the Chanes and subsequently overtaken by the Incan civilization. Archaeologists have excavated two main portions of the old El Fuerte city, which are visible to the public as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first (seen below) is a rugged hill engraved with rock carvings and set against a panoramic mountain vista in the background. The second site is the ancient city itself, including ruins of homes, community buildings, and a temple. Although the ruins have long attracted travelers from all parts, the still-small village has managed to preserve its essential charm. As in many other Spanish colonial cities, narrow cobblestone streets lead away from Samaipata’s livelier central plaza. Bolivian and international culture in Samaipata offer superb integration for travelers: a Bolivian bazaar-style market breakfast can be followed by museums, meals, and nightlife at Bolivian, German, or other restaurants and businesses. And accommodations of all prices—hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and camping—abound. A weeklong stay in Samaipata need not belabor the city and its worthy ruins. The surrounding area also hosts caves, a dormant volcano with a lagoon crater, Amboro National Park, and Vallegrande—the site of Che Guevara’s execution by Bolivian and U.S. authorities. Not to mention that Samaipata is nestled in a valley of the Andes. Samaipata, with a colonial atmosphere and indigenous ancestry, is a not-so-secret treasure for Bolivian and foreign tourists alike. But with only 3,500 residents and sites and activities in and out of the town, Samaipata boasts the attractions of a metropolis within the cool and tranquil setting of the Bolivian Andes. Getting there: Samaipata is just over 2 hours west of Santa Cruz, on the road to Cochabamba and public transport is readily available. The mountain drive may be as beautiful as the city itself, both of which are reportedly better experienced by hiring local tour guides.

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