Things To Do
in Bolivia
Bolivia is a landlocked South American country of dramatic contrasts, from the high Andean altiplano and salt flats to Amazonian rainforest and tropical lowlands. It has a rich indigenous heritage — mainly Aymara and Quechua cultures — visible in language, festivals, markets and traditional dress. Visitors come for otherworldly landscapes like the Salar de Uyuni, colonial cities such as Sucre and Potosí, and lively highland capitals like La Paz.
Travel involves altitude, diverse climates and long distances, but rewards with unique culture, wildlife and photogenic scenery.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive at El Alto Airport. Collect baggage, transfer to hotel in city center. Acclimatize and rest.
Explore Plaza Murillo, visit Presidential Palace and Cathedral. Walk along Sagarnaga street, check cafes and shops. Enjoy panoramic views from Killi Killi viewpoint.
Sample Bolivian cuisine at a local restaurant serving Salteñas and quinoa soup. Watch city lights shimmer in the valley. Rest early to adjust to altitude.
Wander through the Witches' Market. Learn about traditional herbs and rituals. Chat with local vendors.
Visit Valle de la Luna with its lunar landscape. Hike the winding trails among eroded rock formations. Capture dramatic photos.
Ride the Teleférico lines as the sun sets over the city. Sip coca tea at a rooftop bar. Admire the city skyline twinkling at night.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $3-6 |
| 🍺Domestic beer (glass) | $1.50-3 |
| 🚌Local bus/urban transport | $0.25-0.60 |
| 🚕Taxi short ride | $1.50-4 |
| 🏨Midrange hotel (double) | $25-60 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Unique and diverse landscapes (Salt flats, Andes, Amazon)
- Rich indigenous culture, vibrant markets and festivals
- Relatively inexpensive travel costs
- Excellent opportunities for adventure tourism and photography
- High altitude can cause health issues for many travelers
- Infrastructure and long distances make travel time-consuming
- Road safety and occasional political unrest can disrupt plans
- Limited services in remote areas — requires planning and flexibility
- "Hola / Buenos días" - Hello / Good morning
- "Por favor / Gracias" - Please / Thank you
- "¿Cuánto cuesta?" - How much does it cost?
- "¿Dónde está el baño?" - Where is the bathroom?
- "No hablo mucho español" - I don't speak much Spanish
- "¿Puede ayudarme?" - Can you help me?
- "Salud!" - Cheers! / Bless you!
Places to Visit in Bolivia
Visit one of these nice places.
World’s largest salt flat — surreal mirror effects after rain, hexagonal salt formations in the dry season, dramatic sunrises and star-filled night skies for astrophotography.
Shallow red-hued lakes with flamingos, volcanic landscapes and mineral formations — vivid color contrasts ideal for dramatic nature shots.
High-altitude lake vistas, Inca ruins, and traditional villages with boats and reed islands — excellent for cultural and landscape photography.
Cable car lines crossing the canyon provide sweeping city panoramas and contrast between mountains and urban sprawl.
Whitewashed, sunlit colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and plazas that photograph well in golden hour.
Amazonian biodiversity, canopy views, river scenes and wildlife photography opportunities in dense rainforest.
Food in Bolivia
Bolivia Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Juicy baked empanada-style pastries filled with meat, vegetables and a savory gravy; best for breakfast and widely found at markets and street stalls.
Must-Try!
A filling platter of sliced beef, sausages, fries, peppers and onions — a Cochabamba specialty served in restaurants and local diners.
Traditional highland soups: sopa de maní (peanut soup) and chairo (a hearty Andean meat-and-vegetable soup), common in home-style restaurants.
Fresh trout from Lake Titicaca and mountain streams, often grilled or fried in Copacabana and lakeside restaurants.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Big central market where you can try items like salteñas, api (hot corn drink), roasted corn and fresh fruit juices; lively and budget-friendly.
Typical municipal markets with local produce, soups, grilled meats and stalls selling snacks — excellent for tasting everyday Bolivian food.
Look for anticuchos (grilled skewers), humintas (corn tamale), and buñuelos with api — quick, cheap and flavorful options across cities.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Use a firm handshake and eye contact; address people with titles (Señor/Señora) until invited to use first names. Showing respect for elders and community leaders is important.
Always ask permission before photographing individuals, especially Indigenous people in traditional dress; some vendors expect a small payment for photos.
Bargain politely at street markets; haggling is part of the culture but do so with a smile and in small increments.
Respect religious sites and traditional rituals; avoid loud behavior during festivals unless you’re invited to participate.
Dress modestly in churches and conservative towns; public displays of affection are less common in rural areas.
Safety
Tipping in Bolivia
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not always expected; in restaurants 10% is common if service is good (and sometimes service charge is included). For guides, drivers and porters on tours tip according to service and trip length; small tips for hotel porters and housekeeping are customary.
Bolivianos (BOB) are standard for most transactions. Major credit cards are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and shops in big cities; carry cash for markets, taxis and remote areas. ATMs are available in major cities but less common in small towns — withdraw enough cash before remote travel. US dollars are accepted in some tourism hubs but will be given back in local currency.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Best time for high-altitude trekking, clear skies and stable conditions on the altiplano and for crossing the Salar de Uyuni. Nights can be very cold, especially at altitude.
Frequent afternoon storms in the highlands and heavy rains in the Amazon; parts of the Salar become reflective shallow lakes ideal for mirror photos but some roads and rural areas can be impassable.
Transitional weather with fewer tourists; higher chance of mixed conditions — good compromise for clearer skies without peak-season crowds.
Amazon and Yungas remain warm and humid year-round with pronounced rainy months; expect mosquitoes and lush vegetation during rainy months.
Bolivia at Night
Hiking in Bolivia
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Near La Paz, a classic 6,000m peak often climbed with guides; accessible for experienced climbers and offers dramatic glacier scenery.
Iconic mountain overlooking La Paz with technical climbing routes and high-altitude trekking in the Cordillera Real.
Home to Bolivia’s highest peak (Nevado Sajama), geothermal springs and high-altitude hikes across Andean puna landscapes.
A multi-day trekking route from the highlands down to the Yungas cloud forest, passing waterfalls, small villages and descending thousands of meters in elevation.
Canyons, waterfalls, dinosaur footprints and caves — accessible day hikes and guided excursions through dramatic karst terrain.
Airports
How to reach Bolivia by plane.
Main airport serving La Paz at very high altitude; taxis and authorized shuttles into the city are common. Allow extra time for altitude adjustment on arrival.
Primary international gateway near Santa Cruz de la Sierra with direct connections to other South American hubs; reliable ground transport to the city center.
Serves Cochabamba and central Bolivia; good base for access to valleys and central highlands via taxis and buses.
Small airport near Uyuni for regional flights and convenient access to the Salar de Uyuni; many travelers fly in to begin salt flat tours.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Indigenous group concentrated around the Altiplano and La Paz region with strong cultural presence, traditional dress and language.
Indigenous population throughout the highlands and valleys, with notable presence in rural communities and cultural practices tied to Andean traditions.
Mixed-heritage populations and urban residents with Spanish-speaking, urban cultural influence; found across cities and business sectors.
Historic communities primarily in the Yungas region with distinct cultural expressions, music and traditions.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular sport nationwide with passionate local clubs, regular matches and community support across cities and towns.
Growing interest in mountain biking and road cycling, with famous routes like the Yungas ‘Death Road’ attracting international thrill-seekers.
Indigenous and regional festivities include traditional horse riding, bull-related events in some areas, and local athletic customs tied to festivals.
Traffic
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are increasingly available, especially in Sucre and La Paz. Expect soups, quinoa dishes, potatoes and vegetable stews; always ask about meat stock in soups and stews.
More limited outside major cities. Carry snacks for remote trips and communicate restrictions clearly in Spanish (e.g., 'soy vegano/a'). Quinoa-based dishes are a good vegan option but check for butter or cheese.
Explain allergies in Spanish and avoid eating from unknown street vendors if severe. Halal/kosher options are rare outside big cities; plan ahead in Santa Cruz or La Paz.
Healthcare
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Bolivia.