The main plaza in Samaipata

One of Bolivia's prettiest and most relaxing villages, Samaipata really has it all: a balmy climate, a cosmopolitan population, gourmet restaurants, a range of excellent accommodation and plenty of nearby attractions.

Located 120km (three hours) west of Santa Cruz, Samaipata sits in a lush valley surrounded by wild mountains.

The biggest attraction here is the pre-Inca archaeological ruin of El Fuerte, located 10km away up a dusty, winding road. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, El Fuerte dates from around 1500BC and is regarded as 'Bolivia's Machu Picchu'. Depending on whose theory you go with, El Fuerte functioned as a hilltop fortress, a thriving city, a ceremonial site or an alien landing pad.

About 2km walk from Samaipata is a popular animal sanctuary staffed mostly by volunteers where you can muck around with spider monkeys, pigs, horses and a resident sloth.

The most popular day-trip from Samaipata is to Amboro National Park which lies 40km east of town. This 4,300 square kilometre park sits at the crossroads of the Amazon rainforest, the Andes and the Northern Chaco, its altitude ranging from 300 metres to 3,300m. Exploding with biodiversity, this forest shelters an astonishing variety of bird and animal species, including jaguars, tapirs, capybaras, agoutis, peccaries, spectacled bears and monkeys. Within the park you'll find giant fern forests, waterfalls, rivers and mountains. Wilderness huts offer rustic accommodation to those wanting more than just a superficial one-day race through the park.

If Samaipata's heat proves too much for you, just 40km south lies La Pajcha - three waterfalls set in mountainous surrounds. Las Cuevas is another top swimming spot slightly closer to Samaipata (20km), where two waterfalls cascade into a lovely swimming hole.