Sandboarding at El Mogote Dunes, La Paz: Learn the Sport

El Mogote's dunes, a guide, a sandboard, and four hours to learn a new sport

Sandboarding at El Mogote Dunes near La Paz is a four-hour activity where you learn to ride sand dunes on a board, starting with basic safety and technique from a live guide and progressing to steeper slopes as your skill builds. The guide teaches in English, Spanish or French. Pickup from your hotel is included, and no previous experience is required. Children from age 6 are welcome.

The experience

El Mogote sits west of La Paz in a permanent preservation area, and that's where the dunes rise steep enough to make sandboarding real. A guide meets you at pickup, drives you out to the site, and hands you a sandboard: a hybrid of surfboard, skateboard and snowboard all at once. The guide walks you through basic safety and stance on flat ground first, then you're on the slope, learning to shift your weight and control speed as you descend. The difficulty scales with the dune: smaller slopes let you dial in the fundamentals. Steeper runs come once you've got the feel for it.

Sandboarding works sitting, standing, or lying down: the guide shows you what works for your body and the terrain. As your technique improves, you explore new challenges across the dunes, testing sharper angles and longer runs. Goggles keep the sand out of your eyes. Bottled water and snacks fuel the afternoon. Four hours is enough time to move past the first run and actually feel the sport click, not just try it once.

This activity does not ask for prior experience or special fitness beyond a moderate level. Children from six years old ride alongside adults. The guide speaks your language (English, Spanish or French), so instruction is clear and questions get answered on the spot.

What’s included

• Sandboard and goggles.
• bottled water and snacks.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• four-hour instruction from a live guide in English, Spanish or French.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (6 to 17 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by 4XFour Tours

Is this one for you?Four hours means you can sandboard in the morning and still have the afternoon free in La Paz, or book it as your main activity for the day. The moderate fitness level required suits most adults and children from six up, though it is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns, or pregnancy.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

22 verified traveler reviews

5 ★22

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 17 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is sandboarding like if I've never tried it before?

Sandboarding combines the stance and balance of surfing with the sliding feel of skateboarding or snowboarding, but on sand instead of water or snow. Your guide teaches the basic technique on flat ground, then you practice on smaller dunes before moving to steeper slopes as your confidence builds. No prior experience is needed.

How long does the activity take from pickup to drop-off?

The full experience is four hours, including the drive to El Mogote, instruction, and practice time on the dunes. That leaves room for other activities earlier or later in your day in La Paz.

What's included in the sandboarding activity?

Sandboarding includes the sandboard, goggles, bottled water, snacks, hotel pickup, and instruction from a live guide. You bring only yourself and wear clothes you don't mind getting sandy.

What should I wear for sandboarding?

Wear clothes you don't mind getting sandy: shorts and a t-shirt work well, or a light long-sleeve shirt for sun protection. Closed-toe shoes or sandals with ankle support are best. Avoid flip-flops. The goggles provided protect your eyes from blowing sand.