South America
Welcome Kit
Bolivia
Bolivia is home to towering snow-capped mountains, the largest salt flats in the world, high mountain hot springs, Inca ruins, tropical valleys, the Amazon rainforest, vast wetlands, Spanish colonial cities, and many more attractions.
Highlights
Bolivia is a country in central South America, with a varied terrain.
At more than 3,500 m high, it is the country with the largest lake on the continent, the crystalline Lake Titicaca, which extends along the border with Peru.
Each place in Bolivia has its peculiarity and a strong natural identity.
Six places have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO: the city of Potosí, the Jesuit missions of Chiquitos, the historical city of Sucre, the Fort of Samaipata, Tiahuanaco: spiritual and political center of its culture and finally, the natural park Noel Kempff Mercado.
General Facts
Bolivian culture has many Inca and other Indian influences in religion, music and clothing, such as the well known bowler hats. The best known fiesta is the UNESCO heritage “El carnaval de Oruro”.
Entertainment includes football, which is the national sport, played in many street corners. Also, zoos are a popular attraction with a diverse population of interesting creatures. Also, Bolivia is full of a variety of festivals, including special dance celebrations, such as the Carnaval de Oruro.
Map Location
Documentation
A valid Passport. Insurance information.
Most countries in America and Western Europe do not require a visa.
Best Time to Go
The best season for visiting depends on what you want to do.
From May to October is the best time to visit Bolivia, as the dry weather brings sapphire skies and less travel disruption. This is the Bolivian winter, though, so the highlands will be cold. The humid jungle, however, benefits from the cooler temperatures. The best opportunity to see the famous ‘mirror effect’ in the Salar de Uyuni are in the month of December, January and February.
Winter Season (may-oct)
Best time for excursions in the jungle.
Well below freezing in the desert at night, particularly in June -July.
Busy season. More expensive prices.
Cold days in the highlands.
Low Season (nov-apr)
Summer and monsoon season.
The weather in Altiplano, in the Andes, is rather pleasant.
Best time to take pictures of Uyuni Salt Flats, covered in water.
The Carnival, one of Bolivia’s biggest celebrations, occurs in February, in Santa Cruz and Oruro.
Lower prices and fewer crowds.
Clothing
It’s important to dress appropriately to have enjoyable and comfortable days in Bolivia. First and foremost, bring warm clothes, scarves, hiking shoes, long-sleeved shirts (to protect against sunburn, cold weather, and mosquito bites), a raincoat for
rainy days, and other necessary items.
On the other hand, the Amazon region in Bolivia (northern part) can have very high temperatures (easily exceeding 35 degrees Celsius), so it’s recommended to wear loose but long clothing (to cover ourselves well) as there are a lot of mosquitoes in this area.
We highly recommend bringing sunscreen and sunglasses, as despite the low temperatures in many destinations in the country, it’s necessary to protect ourselves
from the sun.
Healthcare
Altitude Sicknes
It is not unusual in the Andes.
Take it easy when you visit the Puna and try not to do anything too strenuous.
Check with your doctor before coming if in doubt.
Packing
Bolivian flights allow, as their restrictions are limited to 50 pounds (23 kg) per person.
Currency
Boliviano.
Major credit cards are widely accepted.
Electricity
Bolivia: 220 V – 60 Hz.
Some older buildings in La Paz still use 110 V. Plugs Type C / F.
Local Taxes
Foodie
Bolivian gastronomy is famous for its variety and its Spanish-Moorish influence; it is based on typical products from different regions such as fruits and vegetables, meats, wheat and corn, among others, which are used to create delicious dishes. The cuisine varies depending on the geographical region of the country, meaning that each region has its characteristic flavor.
Here are some useful tips on what to expect when looking for traditional food in different regions of Bolivia:
Anticucho: Anticucho is one of the must-try typical dishes in Bolivia. It is a type of meat skewer with potatoes. Everything is grilled and served with spicy peanut sauce. It is a very tasty and inexpensive dish that is usually eaten with hands.
Ají de fideos: This traditional Bolivian dish consists of beef tongue with a spicy twist. It is served with dehydrated potatoes or chuño, with cilantro, onion, and tomato sauce.
Silpancho: If you like milanesa, you’re in luck, because this dish is made with breaded meat, served with fried eggs, potatoes, white rice, and carrot and beet salad. It’s one of the heartiest dishes to try in Bolivia for a filling meal.
Sonso de Yuca: This is undoubtedly one of the simplest but unique typical dishes of Bolivia. To make sonso de yuca, yucca is mashed and mixed with cheese. The peculiarity of this dish is that it is prepared on a grill, which gives it an exquisite smoky flavor.
Humintas: Tamales are also typical in Bolivian cuisine, and in this case, Bolivian humintas are sweet. They are usually served for breakfast or as a snack, and they are made by mixing grated sweet corn with cinnamon, sugar, raisins, and sometimes cheese. All this filling is wrapped in corn husks (tamales) and cooked by steaming or grilling.
Chancho: Chancho is the term used for roasted whole pig, but in this case, it is a whole pig cooked very slowly over low heat. The entire pig is placed over the fire and cooked for eight to twelve hours, usually overnight. It is one of the typical dishes to try in Bolivia during holidays and special celebrations.
Sandwich de Chola: In La Paz, you will find this traditional pork sandwich. A piece of crispy pork leg is placed inside a round bread, accompanied by ají, onion, and tomato slices. It’s a snack you must try.
Cuñapé: Cuñapé is a cheese bread that is made in Santa Cruz, and its particularity is that it is made with yucca flour and baked cheese. It’s delicious, so if you try it, you’ll likely want to have it again.
Chajchu: This dish from Bolivian cuisine is typical of the valleys region, and it is made with shredded beef, fresh beans, potatoes, onion, and hard-boiled egg. It is served with a sauce made from onion, tomato, and ají, which makes it very flavorful.
Jak’a lawa: To make this dish, ground corn (a typical grain of the country) is cooked with potatoes and pork skin. The result is a thick and hearty broth with lots of flavor.
Pique Macho: For meat lovers, Pique Macho is one of the dishes to try in Bolivia, as it consists of diced meat, sausage, french fries, and tomatoes. The dish is topped with locotos, a type of spicy pepper that gives it a special touch.La gastronomía de Bolivia es famosa por su variedad y por su influencia español-morisca; se basa en productos típicos de las zonas como por ejemplo las frutas y verduras, carnes, trigo y maíz, entre otros, con los que se elaboran suculentos platos. Su cocina varía dependiendo de la zona geográfica de este país, es decir cada región tiene su sabor característico.
Salteñas: Within Bolivian cuisine, there are also empanadas called “salteñas”. These are prepared with chicken or beef, and are filled with potatoes, peas, olives, and onions. The result is a very hearty and delicious empanada.
Masaco: Masaco is a dish typical of the eastern region of the country. It is made with mashed yucca or green plantains, mixed with pork cracklings.
Majadito: Another typical dish from eastern Bolivia is majadito, which consists of toasted rice with dried meat. It is served with fried eggs, accompanied by a tomato salad and fried plantains.
Foodie Advice >>
Get suggestions from foodies around South America. Click to read more!
Activities
Bolivia has hundreds of tourist attractions, including the Nevado Illimani, Lake Titicaca, archaeological ruins, Jesuit missions, the majestic Salar de Uyuni, Cerro Rico in Potosí, the white city, unique natural parks in the world, and much more.
Cruise on Lake Titicaca on a catamaran
Sailing on a first-class catamaran on the deep blue waters of Lake Titicaca is a fantastic experience for anyone visiting the sacred lake of the Incas. It is the highest lake in the world and according to legend, it was here on the Island of the Sun that the sun god (Inti) ordered his children, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, to found the Inca civilization. The catamarans have super comfortable double cabins with lake views, heating, and private bathrooms.
Stroll through the Witch Market (La Paz)
Declared an intangible cultural heritage of the Andean city, it is a landmark for indigenous knowledge, Andean rituals, and traditional medicine. Ancient beliefs, objects for Aymara rituals, Andean textiles, amulets, llama fetuses, exotic brews, and ancient plants for natural medicine treatments are some of the products that attract hundreds of tourists daily.
Learn about mineral extraction in the Uyuni Salt Flats
During parts of the year, nearby lakes overflow and a thin layer of water transforms this otherworldly plain into a beautiful reflection of the sky. This precious otherworldly terrain is a lucrative deposit for extracting salt and lithium, an element used in batteries for computers, smartphones, and electric cars. In addition to local workers collecting these minerals, this landscape also houses the world’s first salt hotel and is visited by tourists traveling the salt flats.
Explore the important city of Sucre
You can visit the Historical Museum of the House of Liberty; the Treasury Museum, which features a high-level exhibition of Bolivia’s precious and semi-precious stones; the Convent of San Felipe de Nery or the Recoleta viewpoint; the Textile Art Museum; the facades of the Churches of San Lazaro and Santo Domingo; the main historical monuments and Bolivar Park.
Visit Potosi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
You can explore the most important and interesting places in this authentic city that was declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, such as the Church of San Lorenzo to admire its beautiful facade, the Tower of the Company, the Arch of Cobija, the Casa de la Moneda (Mint), and the handicraft market located in the colonial neighborhood of the city.
Visit Tiwanaku, the capital of an ancient civilization
During its heyday, Tiwanaku was the main ceremonial center and cradle of Andean culture. These beautifully carved stones leave experts baffled, as the advanced tools used to create perfect right angles, perfect circles, meticulously carved lines, and completely smooth surfaces are still unknown. Afterwards, you will visit the local museum, which displays an impressive collection of objects and instruments from civilizations predating the Inca culture.