Half-Day · ~4 Hours · 3,000-Hectare Dune Reserve · Sand Tobogganing · Wildlife Walking · Lagoon Views
About This Tour
Just 25 kilometres from the centre of Santa Cruz lies one of Bolivia’s most surprising natural landscapes: Lomas de Arena, a 3,000-hectare protected reserve of rolling sand dunes rising from a mosaic of tropical forest, wetlands and seasonal lagoons. The dunes — the only significant sand dunes in eastern Bolivia — reach heights of 30 to 40 metres and offer a genuinely spectacular and unexpected experience within easy reach of the city.
This half-day tour combines sand tobogganing on the dunes with short guided nature walks, 4WD access through the reserve, wildlife watching and panoramic viewpoints over the dune landscape. It is not only a dune activity — Lomas de Arena is a functioning ecosystem with remarkable wildlife, and your guide will help you discover both the natural history of the reserve and its resident animals.
Whether you are interested in an outdoor adventure, photography, light nature walks, birdwatching or simply escaping the city for a few hours, Lomas de Arena is one of the most interesting and accessible natural areas near Santa Cruz.
Sand Tobogganing — not stand-up sandboarding. At Lomas de Arena, the dune activity is sand tobogganing: sliding down the dunes seated or lying down on boards. It is easier, safer and accessible to all ages and fitness levels, with no previous experience needed.
Choose your session
We offer two daily departure times from Santa Cruz, each with its own character. Both sessions include the same activities — sand tobogganing, guided walks and wildlife watching — but the light, temperature and wildlife activity differ significantly between them
🌅 MORNING
Morning light and cooler temperatures make this the best session for wildlife watching. Sloths, monkeys and birds are most active in the early hours, and the forest feels fresh and quiet before the midday heat.
The afternoon session offers exceptional golden-hour light for photography, cooler temperatures on the dunes and the added spectacle of the lagoons turning gold at dusk. Capybara are often visible near the water in the late afternoon.
The destination
Lomas de Arena is one of Bolivia’s most surprising landscapes. Few visitors to Santa Cruz expect to find large natural sand dunes surrounded by tropical forest, lagoons and wetland wildlife — yet the reserve exists just 25km from the city centre, making it one of the easiest and most rewarding natural excursions in eastern Bolivia.
The only significant sand dunes in eastern Bolivia, reaching 30–40 metres in height. Formed over thousands of years, they are the centrepiece of the reserve and the setting for sand tobogganing.
Seasonal lagoons border the dunes and support a rich variety of wildlife. These wetlands attract wading birds, waterbirds and large mammals year-round, with the best water levels typically from December to May.
A 3,000-hectare mosaic of sand dunes, dry forest, tropical forest margins and wetlands — an unusually diverse environment supporting sloths, monkeys, capybaras, caimans and a wide variety of birds.
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How it works
The order and timing of activities may vary depending on wildlife conditions, group pace and session time (morning or afternoon).
Your guide picks you up from your hotel in central Santa Cruz and we drive south along the ring road toward Lomas de Arena. As we approach the reserve boundary, your guide provides an introduction to the area’s ecology, geology and the surprising story of how sand dunes came to exist in tropical eastern Bolivia.
Keep your eyes open on the approach — raptors and other birds are often visible from the road.
Inside the reserve, we continue by 4WD along sandy tracks through forest, savanna and open dune habitat. The guide scans the forest edges for sloths, monkeys and birds throughout. We stop at strategic points to walk, explore lagoon edges and scan for caimans and waterbirds.
Three-toed sloths are frequently seen in the trees above the dune margins. Capybaras often graze near the water in the afternoon, and caimans are regularly spotted from the lagoon banks. Birdlife can include toucans, burrowing owls, red-legged seriemas, jabiru storks and many wetland species.
We reach the main dune complex and take a short walk up to the starting point. Your guide distributes sand tobogganing boards and gives a brief introduction before your first run. The dunes are large enough for multiple descents at varying speeds — from a gentle seated slide to lying flat and going full speed.
The guide stays on the dunes throughout, assisting with technique and capturing photos. Between runs, we scan the surrounding forest and lagoon edges for wildlife.
A final slow walk back through the forest edge before returning to the vehicle. Afternoon/sunset session guests enjoy the spectacular golden light over the dunes and lagoons before the drive back. Drop-off at your hotel or requested location in Santa Cruz.
End of tour.
Wildlife
Lomas de Arena is not only a dune landscape — it is a functioning protected ecosystem with a surprising diversity of native wildlife. The combination of dry forest, wetland margins and lagoons creates habitat for a wide range of mammals, birds and reptiles, many of which are regularly observed during the tour.
Wildlife sightings depend on season, weather, water levels and natural behaviour. The guide actively searches throughout the tour, but all animals are wild and specific sightings cannot be guaranteed.
For travellers interested in dedicated wildlife or birdwatching, Nick’s Adventures Bolivia offers specialist wildlife, birdwatching, and mammal-watching tours in other areas of Santa Cruz and Bolivia. This tour is primarily focused on waterfalls, swimming, and nature scenery.
Preparation
Is This Tour Right For You?
⚠ Important Notes
Lomas de Arena is a natural protected area. Conditions can change depending on weather, season and road access. We recommend checking in with your guide regarding road conditions before departure, especially during the wet season.
The dune activity is sand tobogganing only — sliding down the dunes seated or lying down on boards. We do not offer stand-up sandboarding.
Walking on sand can feel more tiring than walking on normal ground, especially in hot weather. The activity is generally easy to moderate and can always be adjusted to suit the pace of the group.
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed — all animals in the reserve are wild and move naturally through the area.
Our team replies within a few hours. We also speak Spanish and English.
This tour includes sand tobogganing on the dunes of Lomas de Arena, but it is not only a sandboarding tour. It also includes nature, wildlife watching, short guided walks, photography and exploring one of the most unusual landscapes near Santa Cruz.
No. We no longer offer stand-up sandboarding. The activity is now sand tobogganing, where guests slide down the dunes seated or lying down on boards.
Lomas de Arena is located just outside Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. It is one of the easiest natural areas to visit from the city.
Possible wildlife includes sloths, monkeys, capybaras, caimans, toucans, burrowing owls, red-legged seriemas, waterbirds and other native species. Sightings depend on luck, season and local conditions.
Yes. This is a good half-day tour for families, as the sand tobogganing is simple and the nature walks can be kept short and relaxed.
No previous experience is needed. The sand tobogganing activity is simple and can be enjoyed seated or lying down.
Yes. Heavy rain can affect road access and conditions inside Lomas de Arena. If conditions are not suitable, the itinerary may need to be adjusted for safety and comfort.