Angosto del Bala
A narrow gorge where the Beni River cuts through the last ridge of the Andes, the gateway boats must pass to enter Madidi, with steep cliffs on both sides.
Angosto del Bala lies about 10 km upstream of Rurrenabaque, where the Beni River is squeezed between two ridges into a narrow mouth with swift currents. Caves and bird nests dot the gorge walls, and the site marks the boundary between Madidi National Park and the Pilón Lajas Reserve. Every boat entering the rainforest passes through here, and some day trips stop at a tributary gorge, walking along the waterway into narrow rock crevices. A large dam was once planned here, which sparked a long-running controversy.
Opening hours
All day (by boat)
Nearby sights
- San Miguel del Bala
- Mirador La Cruz
- Rurrenabaque Town & Río Beni
- San Buenaventura
- Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve
- Madidi National Park
- Chalalán Ecolodge
- Pampas del Yacuma