Reyes

Day Trips

Make the most of your day with our curated plans, packed with Reyes's hidden gems and unique experiences!

day 1
Arrival in Reyes
morning
:

Touch down at Reyes’s small airstrip under a canopy of tropical greenery. The morning light filters through palm leaves as you feel the warm Beni breeze. A short stroll along the dirt streets introduces you to locals waving hello.

afternoon
:

Settle into a cozy family-run pousada overlooking the riverbank. Sample freshly caught paiche fillets served with rice and yucca at a nearby eatery. Wander the colorful town square and browse artisan stalls on the plaza.

evening
:

As twilight falls, head to the riverbank to watch the sunset paint the sky in fiery hues. Local fishermen return with their catch and share stories around crackling fires. Finish the day with grilled pacú and a cup of masato under a star-studded sky.

day 2
Riverside Relaxation
morning
:

Wake up to the soothing sounds of the Beni River lapping against the shore. Join a gentle canoe ride at dawn to spot elusive caiman basking on muddy banks. Return for a homemade breakfast of tropical fruits and fresh bread.

afternoon
:

Spend a leisurely afternoon exploring the river trail by bike, passing lush floodplain forests and hidden lagoons. Pause at a shaded hammock platform for a siesta above the water. Enjoy fresh coconut water sold by local children paddling bamboo rafts.

evening
:

Gather around a bonfire on the sandbank as dusk descends and fireflies dance in the air. Listen to live folk guitar music performed by local musicians. Savor traditional bori bori soup warmed by the flickering flames.

day 3
Beni River Boat Tour
morning
:

Embark on a full-day riverboat excursion at sunrise, cruising along the winding Beni River. Keep your eyes peeled for pink river dolphins surfacing beside the boat. Sip on freshly brewed coca tea as you drift past flooded forests.

afternoon
:

Stop on a remote sandbar for a picnic of grilled fish, yucca, and plantains prepared by your guide. Wade in crystal-clear lagoons teeming with tetras and piranhas. Explore hidden channels by kayak to discover secret wildlife hideouts.

evening
:

Return to Reyes as the river light softens in gold and rose tones. Freshen up before heading to a local paladar for a hearty dinner of pescado frito and salad. Engage in conversation with other travelers over handcrafted cassava beer.

day 4
Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve
morning
:

Depart early for a scenic boat ride into the Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve. Arrive at a canopy tower just as dawn breaks and observe macaws, toucans, and monkeys awakening. Feel the mist on your skin as you gaze across the vast rainforest.

afternoon
:

Hike along marked trails through dense, humid jungle to natural salt licks where tapirs and peccaries gather. Learn about medicinal plants and their uses from an indigenous guide. Pause for a packed lunch under a giant kapok tree.

evening
:

Settle in at a riverside lodge deep in the reserve and help prepare a communal meal of cassava pancake and smoked fish. Share stories with Reserve rangers around a warming bonfire. Drift to sleep to the symphony of nocturnal insect calls.

day 5
Indigenous Community Visit
morning
:

Journey upriver to visit a Mocoví indigenous community before sunrise. Participate in a traditional blessing ceremony and learn about local customs. Observe artisans weaving colorful baskets in the open-air workshop.

afternoon
:

Join a cooking demonstration where elders teach you to prepare beiju pancakes and freshly caught piranha soup. Attend a storytelling circle where myths of the river and jungle are passed down. Wander through the communal garden to taste wild tropical fruits.

evening
:

Experience a vibrant dance performance around a fire as the village youth demonstrate ancestral rhythms. Feast on spiced fish grilled over wood coals and sip on chicha made from fermented yucca. Return to Reyes feeling connected to the community’s heartbeat.

day 6
Jungle Wildlife Trek
morning
:

Set off at first light with a naturalist guide for a deep jungle trek into floodplain forests. Spot monkeys swinging through the canopy and brightly colored poison dart frogs along the trail. Breathe in the heady scent of orchids and damp earth.

afternoon
:

Pause for a picnic lunch beside a hidden lagoon teeming with caiman and turtles. Slide into the cool water for a refreshing swim beneath towering trees. Observe giant otters playing along the far bank as you relax on the shore.

evening
:

Return to basecamp tired but exhilarated, then enjoy a steaming bowl of local fish stew. Trade wildlife photographs and stories with fellow trekkers around a candle-lit table. Drift off to the nocturnal choir of frogs and insects.

day 7
Birdwatching Expedition
morning
:

Rise before dawn to meet your avian specialist guide for a targeted birdwatching tour. Listen to the dawn chorus as macaws, hoatzins and toucans call out in the canopy. Use binoculars to spot elusive kingfishers hunting along the riverbanks.

afternoon
:

After a riverside brunch, relocate to a nearby oxbow lake known for migratory waterfowl. Photograph jabiru storks wading among lilies and butterflies fluttering over marshy grasses. Learn to identify calls with the expert guide’s bird field guide.

evening
:

Return to Reyes as the sun dips low and violet shadows settle over the river. Enjoy a fresh fish dinner at a riverside paladar while recounting your rare bird sightings. Savor a sweet guava dessert before turning in early.

day 8
Cultural Workshop and Market
morning
:

Visit the bustling local market at sunrise to experience Reyes waking up. Watch vendors artfully arrange fresh produce, smoked fish, and homemade cheeses. Try local delicacies like roasted achiote and tangy passion fruit juice.

afternoon
:

Join a hands-on workshop learning to weave palm hats or paint traditional Beni murals on clay canvases. Chat with artisans about the symbolism behind each design. Taste freshly cooked casabe bread as you practice your new skills.

evening
:

Return to the market as lanterns glow and live music drifts through the stalls. Sample street food such as empanadas stuffed with cheese and guava. End the night with a folkloric dance demonstration accompanied by drums and maracas.

day 9
Laguna Suárez Day Trip
morning
:

Head out at dawn for a day trip to Laguna Suárez, famed for its pink waters. Arrive as the sun peaks and photograph the flamingos feeding in the shallows. Stroll along the white sand beaches framed by lush greenery.

afternoon
:

Relax on the shore over a picnic of cold meats, fresh salads, and chilled cassava cake. Kayak through crystal waters to get a closer look at the flamingos and terns. Listen to the calls of herons and cormorants as they fish near the lilies.

evening
:

Float back to Reyes under a pastel sunset on the boat journey home. Freshen up and head to a riverside churrasco grill for tender beef skewers and yucca fries. Share your pink lake photos over a glass of local caña.

day 10
Farewell and Departure
morning
:

Spend your final morning wandering the shady streets of Reyes collecting last souvenirs from small shops. Savor a leisurely breakfast of tropical fruit salad, fresh bread, and local honey. Reflect on your favorite moments by the river.

afternoon
:

Enjoy a final riverside lunch at your favorite paladar, ordering any dishes you missed. Take a final dip in the river to cool off and soak in the scenery one last time. Chat with your host family and say heartfelt farewells.

evening
:

Board the small plane as the sun dips below the treeline, casting golden reflections on the Beni River. Enjoy light snacks and reflect on the rich cultural tapestry you’ve uncovered. Touch down at your next destination with memories to last a lifetime.

Discover Reyes

Read more in our Reyes 2025 Travel Guide.

Reyes Travel Guide