Town in Beni, Bolivia
Is Rurrenabaque safe?
Low crime for a Bolivian town; the main risks are weather, river travel and tour quality, plus mosquitoes and heat.
Is Rurrenabaque safe?
Low crime for a Bolivian town; the main risks are weather, river travel and tour quality, plus mosquitoes and heat.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-04-27.
- Homicide rate in Bolivia: 4.4 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Bolivia: 21.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 119.
Safety in Rurrenabaque at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft from rooms and bags left unattended; occasional scams with tour sales. Violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Quiet and generally safe after dark; the center has a few bars but streets are unlit, and stray dogs roam. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women; harassment is mild. Use reputable agencies and avoid remote riverside paths alone at night. |
| Other risks | Mosquitoes; dengue and malaria are possible; Heat and humidity; rainy-season flooding; Flights and roads disrupted by weather |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Agencies promising low-price jungle tours, then cutting days or comforts
- Fake guides selling tours on the street; book with licensed operators
Take care
- Unlicensed jungle and pampas operators: check reviews and registration
- River crossings and boats in high water or after heavy rain
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Any amount of illegal drugs counts as trafficking; the minimum sentence is eight years
- Prison tours are illegal and unsafe
- Coca leaves are legal in Bolivia but illegal to carry into most other countries
How Rurrenabaque compares in Bolivia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Uyuni | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sucre | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Copacabana | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Rurrenabaque | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Potosí | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| La Paz | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Santa Cruz | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Rurrenabaque safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women; harassment is mild. Use reputable agencies and avoid remote riverside paths alone at night.
Is Rurrenabaque safe at night?
Quiet and generally safe after dark; the center has a few bars but streets are unlit, and stray dogs roam.
What is the crime rate in Rurrenabaque?
Petty theft from rooms and bags left unattended; occasional scams with tour sales. Violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Bolivia records 4.4 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Rurrenabaque?
Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 119.
More about Rurrenabaque
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia
- Madidi National Park (SERNAP)
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.