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Bolivia✨ 10 best things to do in Bolivia

Things to do in Bolivia

1. Cross the Salar de UyuniRide a 4x4 across the world's largest salt flat, a blinding white expanse that turns into a giant mirror after rain.
2. Ride La Paz's cable carsGlide over the city on the vast urban cable-car network for jaw-dropping views of the canyon and snowcapped Illimani.
3. Cycle the Death RoadDescend thousands of metres from icy Andean passes to steamy Yungas jungle on the infamous former highway.
4. Sleep on Isla del SolHike between Inca ruins on Lake Titicaca's Island of the Sun and watch the sun set over the deep blue water.
5. Descend into Potosí's minesJoin a cooperative-run tour inside Cerro Rico for a sobering look at centuries of mining life.
6. Wander white SucreExplore the graceful whitewashed streets, churches and markets of Bolivia's constitutional capital.
7. See the coloured lagoonsSpot flamingos on the blood-red Laguna Colorada and geysers steaming at dawn in the far southwest.
8. Explore the AmazonTake a riverboat from Rurrenabaque into Madidi National Park or the pampas to spot caimans, capybaras and pink river dolphins.
9. Walk among dinosaur tracksFollow fossilised footprints and descend into canyons and caves in Torotoro National Park.
10. Visit TiwanakuStand before the Gate of the Sun at the ruins of one of the Andes' great ancient cities.

Bolivia🗺️ Where to visit in Bolivia

Where to go in Bolivia

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  La PazAltiplano · cityA wildly scenic city tumbling down a canyon, with witches' markets, cable cars and nearby Valle de la Luna.
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  Salar de UyuniSouthwest · salt flatA surreal white desert plus multi-day tours to lagoons, volcanoes and geysers near the Chilean border.
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  Lake Titicaca & CopacabanaAltiplano · lakeA pilgrimage town on the shore of the high lake and gateway to the Islands of the Sun and Moon.
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  SucreCentral valleys · colonial cityA relaxed, UNESCO-listed colonial city, popular for Spanish lessons and mild weather.
• 
  PotosíHighlands · silver cityOnce among the richest cities on Earth, with a historic mint and baroque churches at dizzying altitude.
• 📍
  Madidi National ParkAmazon basin · rainforestOne of the most biodiverse protected areas on the planet, reached from the river town of Rurrenabaque.
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  Torotoro National ParkPotosí department · canyonsDramatic canyons, caves and dinosaur footprints in a remote, rewarding landscape.
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  SamaipataSanta Cruz department · valleysA laid-back village near the ancient carved rock of El Fuerte and cloud forests of Amboró National Park.

Bolivia🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Bolivia

Best time to visit Bolivia

Bolivia's climate depends far more on altitude than season: the altiplano is cool by day and very cold at night, while the Amazon lowlands are hot and humid all year. Rains fall mainly from December to March.

Typical daytime highs and rain in La Paz (approximate averages).

Bolivia🎉 Festivals & events in Bolivia

• February/March
  Carnaval de OruroA spectacular UNESCO-recognised parade of devil dancers, masks and brass bands in honour of the Virgin of the Mineshaft.
• January–February (from 24 January)
  AlasitasLa Paz's fair of miniatures, where people buy tiny houses, cars and banknotes to be blessed for luck in the year ahead.
• May/June
  Gran PoderThousands of dancers in glittering costumes parade through La Paz in one of the city's biggest celebrations.
• June (21st)
  Aymara New Year (Willkakuti)Crowds gather at Tiwanaku before dawn on the winter solstice to greet the first rays of the sun.
• August
  Virgen de UrkupiñaA huge pilgrimage and folk-dance festival in Quillacollo near Cochabamba.

Bolivia🧭 Bolivia itinerary ideas

How many days in Bolivia?

Bolivia🎒 Backpacking Bolivia – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $25–40 a day

• Bolivia is one of South America's cheapest countries – set lunch menus (almuerzo) in local eateries are filling and very good value.
• Overnight buses link the main cities; pay a little more for a reputable company with semi-cama or cama seats for safety and comfort.
• Sucre is a great budget base for cheap Spanish lessons and homestays.
• Compare several agencies in Uyuni or Tupiza before booking a salt-flat tour, and ask about vehicle condition and the driver's safety record.
• Take altitude seriously: spend your first days taking it easy in La Paz, drink plenty of water and try coca tea.

Bolivia🛡️ Safety & money in Bolivia

Emergency: 110 police · 118 ambulance · 119 fire

Bolivia🛬 Getting to Bolivia

The main international airports are El Alto (La Paz) and Viru Viru (Santa Cruz). Popular land crossings include Peru via Copacabana or Desaguadero, Chile via San Pedro de Atacama tours to Uyuni, and Argentina at Villazón.

✈️ Cheap flights to Bolivia: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Bolivia💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Bolivia

• Bolivia has two capitals: La Paz is the seat of government, while Sucre is the constitutional capital.
• The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world and holds huge lithium reserves.
• La Paz has one of the world's largest urban cable-car networks, used as everyday public transport.
• Although landlocked, Bolivia still maintains a navy, which trains on Lake Titicaca.
• The constitution recognises Spanish and dozens of Indigenous languages as official, including Quechua, Aymara and Guaraní.

Bolivia❓ Bolivia travel FAQ

Bolivia travel questions