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This site exists partly as a reminder that there
are still beautiful places on this earth, far removed from the 9
to 5 life most lead, and well worth going out of one’s way
to visit. That's what the first set of links below is all about:
getting to one of these rare places and enjoying it.
But this site is intended to serve a larger purpose,
too, which is where the second set of links come in. The people
of the Chiquitania
lead lives that would astonish and humble most of us. They don't
have - and in many cases have never seen - personal computers, SUVs, designer-label clothing,
let alone work in an office with all mod cons. What they earn in a year
is much less than what most of us earn in a month. With almost nothing,
they do what they can and expect very little. They manage to keep
alive their traditions and culture in the face of a relentless onslaught
of commercialism and materialism. You
do a great deal more good than you know when you support their efforts.
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Viva Bolivia, mi patria hermosa |
A)Travel
to/within the Chiquitania
The following are links to entities that offer
travel information about the Chiquitania. There are many others that do not have Web sites, so
please
remember that this list encompasses only
those with known Web sites. Most of these sites are bi-lingual, although some are in Spanish only.
Airlines:
Aerosur (regular flights to Santa Cruz and Puerto
Suárez)
American Airlines (regular flights
to Santa Cruz via La Paz)
Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano (regular
flights to Santa Cruz)
SAVE Linea Aérea Nacional (regular flights
to Santa Cruz and Puerto Suárez)
TACA (regular flights to Santa
Cruz)
Auto Rental:
A. Barron's Rent a Car (Santa
Cruz)
Hotels:
Chiquitos Hotel (Concepción)
El Pantanal Hotel Resort (Arroyo Concepción)
Hotel Beulá (Santiago de Chiquitos)
Hotel La Misión (San
Ignacio de Velasco)
Santa Rosa de la Mina Country Club (Santa Rosa de la Mina)
Railway:
Red Oriental
Travel Agencies:
Boliviajes (Samaipata)
Forest Tour Operator (Santa
Cruz)
Fremen Tours (La
Paz and Santa Cruz)
Magri Turismo (Santa
Cruz)
Misional Tours (Santa Cruz)
Rosario Tours (Santa Cruz)
Ruta Verde (Santa Cruz)
Travel Center Anavin (Santa
Cruz)
Turismo Balas (Santa
Cruz)
Vicuñita Tours (Cochabamba and Santa Cruz)
Travel Guides:
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Footprint's Bolivia (Europe); Bolivia (North
America)
If you are considering a trip to Bolivia, buy the most accurate and
up-to-date guide. Footprint's Bolivia is consistently rated
the best travel guide to the country by travellers and in-country experts
alike. This is the 4th edition.
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Footprint's Peru,
Bolivia & Ecuador (Europe); Peru,
Bolivia & Ecuador (North America)
If you are planning to include Peru and/or
Ecuador in your travels, you cannot do better than this guide.
It is hands down the most comprehensive one anywhere, and thoroughly
researched. This is the 1st edition.
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Footprint's South
American Handbook (Europe); South
American Handbook (North America)
The oldest and most respected travel guide to
the continent, now in its 83rd edition. Easily the most accurate of them all. No gringo-only
spots, no self-appointed politically correct text, just the
facts and contacts. This is absolutely essential reading for anyone travelling
to South America.
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B) Non-Profit Organisations
Please
be generous with your support of these non-profits, whose mandate in
one way or another is to help the peoples of the Chiquitania.
These groups work with limited resources, and any contribution
you make - be it in the form of a purchase, sponsoring a child, or
perhaps dedicating some time to one of their many projects - will be gratefully
appreciated. We do not save the world at once, but one person
at
a time, and when we help others, we receive the joy that comes
only with giving.
Cultural/Social:
Apoyo Para el Campesino-Indígena del Oriente Boliviano (APACOB)
Arquidiócesis de Santa Cruz: the Archdiocese publishes a weekly online bulletin, "Campanas", which offers much information on several social initiatives underway throughout the Chiquitania.
Artechiquitano
Asociación Pro Arte y Cultura (APAC)
Centro para la Participación y el Desarrollo Humano Sostenible (CEPAD)
Christian
Children's Fund (CCF)
Fundación BHN
International Kolping Society
Mancomunidad
de Municipios de la Gran Chiquitania
Vicariato de Ñuflo de Chávez
Environmental:
Bolivia Forestal (BOLFOR): This outfit puts out an e-newsletter that is well worth subscribing to, as it lists several key environmental projects anticipated and underway in the Chiquitania. You can subscribe to it here.
Centro
Amazónico de Desarrollo Forestal (CADEFOR)
Centro de Interpretación del Bosque Seco Tropical
Centro de Investigación Agricola Tropical (CIAT)
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
Fundación Amigos
de la Naturaleza Bolivia (FAN
- Bolivia)
Fundación Amigos del Museo de Historia Natural Noell Kempff Mercado
Fundación para el Desarrollo del Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (FUNDESNAP)
Fundación para la Conversación
del Bosque Chiquitano (FCBC)
Servicio Nacional de Areas Protegidas
de Bolivia (SERNAP; technically a public-sector entity...and one of the best)
Waterland Research Institute
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