BOLIVIA TRAVEL GUIDE
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Why Bolivia?
Adventure awaits you, Bolivia is our specialty...
Bolivia is the highest country in South America. Nestled in the Andean plateau, it was home to millennial cultures, full of traditions, costumes, and archaeological legacies. Even, many of them gave rise to other cultures, such as the Inca culture in Peru. But Bolivia is much more, with its highest navigable freshwater lake in the world, cradles of ancient civilizations, and Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world. In addition, the enchanting towns, are full of history, traditions, and a mix of races.
Population: 12,186,079
Area: 1,098,581 km2
Major Cities: Sucre, La Paz
Language: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani
Currency: Boliviano (BOB)
Governement:Unitary presidential republic
Electricity: 230V – 50hz
Timezone: UTC−4 (BOT)
Happily, in the last years, the country and its main attractions were implemented with tourist infrastructure of first level like hotels of 5 stars, quality restaurants that serve the best of the local and international cuisine, adequate transportation media, and even an awesome cable car that flies over the enchanting city of La Paz. In addition, Cochabamba, Sucre, and Santa Cruz de la Sierra will show the other face of Bolivia.
“Awesome snow mountains, and dream-high Andean lagoons, combined with folklore and traditions inherited by ancient cultures settled in its plateau make Bolivia your country of visit par excellent in the South American Andeans”.
MUST-SEE PLACES
Bolivia is nature and pre-Columbian history embodied in its regions and cities. Therefore, its millennial cultures like the Quechuas and Aymaras left vestiges in Lake Titicaca islands that you can discover now. Its colonial period is printed in the beautiful historic centers of its Sucre and Potosi cities. Of course, nature is present in beautiful locations like Lake Titicaca and the Salt Flat of Uyuni. But also, its Amazon area with impressive flora and Fauna is a very rarely visited paradise that now is at your fingertips. Know more here.
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is the most famous Bolivian attraction around the world. Not in vain, it is the highest navigable freshwater lake in the world (3,812 m.a.s.l) with an extension of more than 3.200 square miles. The lake was home to two of the oldest cultures in South America, the Aymaras and the Quechuas, the last one was the predecessor of the famous Inca empire. Currently, their descendants are set on the edges and islands of the lake; moon, and sun islands, and these are full of interesting customs and traditions!
Lake Titicaca
Sucre
Sucre
In the interesting past of Bolivia, Sucre once became its most important city. It was due to its rich Colonial past embodied in its enchanting white Spanish-style buildings like large churches and ancient mansions with charming balconies to the face of quaint rectangular courtyards. Precisely, many high-quality restaurants, and 5-star hotels, are located there where you will be able to verify quality services surrounded by ancient and beautiful infrastructure. Of course, the Sucre European-style streets, alleys, and squares will take you to its wonderful past.
Sucre
Potosi
Potosi
Potosi
Uyuni Salt Mine
Uyuni Salt Mine
Uyuni Salt Mine
Bolivian Amazon
Bolivian Amazon
The Amazon is a large nature paradise that occupies more than 11 percent of Bolivian territory with nature reserves and parks. In this form, the Madidi National Park is located in the northwest of Bolivia with 1.5 million hectares with an awesome biodiversity with fantastic animals like monkeys, anacondas, piranhas, freshwater dolphins, and lizards among others. On the other hand, the Noel Kempff National Park is located in the northeast of Bolivia with 1.6 million hectares; has a great density of wildlife with more than 630 bird species and around 120 mammal species registered. Both are simple examples of the green zone and nature that Bolivia has to offer.
Bolivian Amazon
GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT BOLIVIA
Bolivia is the eighty-third largest country with an extension of 424,160 square miles and around 13 million inhabitants. It is located in the central east of South America and it borders south with Argentina, southeast with Paraguay, east and north with Brazil, and west with Chile and Peru. Although its extension, the Andean country speaks up to three different languages: Spanish, Aymara, and Quechua.
Its indigenous population is 50% of the total. This means that Bolivia has the highest percentage of the native population that has received the least influence from foreign races (European, Asian, African). For this reason, visiting Bolivia is a travel to the past and enjoying its colonial architecture and streets, besides the architectonical vestiges of great pre-Columbian cultures like Tiahuanaco and the Aymaras, and with its native population. Without mentioning its great nature parks and reserves. Therefore Bolivia has to be your unmissable point in your South American trip.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN BOLIVIA
- Sail on the highest freshwater lake in the world and discover ancient islands that keep traditions, culture, and magical legends
- Fly over the mixed and multicultural city of La Paz (3,640 meters above sea level) in its award-winning cable car and get the best photos of this beautiful city
- Explore the worldwide largest salt flat in Uyuni, with its more than 4.086 salt square miles. Its horizon is so clear that you can see the curvature of the earth in it
- Stay in a house made entirely of salt in Uyuni and enjoy the beautiful sunrises in the largest salt flat in the world
- Lose yourself among enchanting colonial streets and alleys, beautiful European-style squares, and fantastic churches in Sucre, the most important Bolivian city in the past
- Potosi and its silver mines were the South American jewel for the Spanish crown in colonial times and now, you can visit its colonial Spanish mansions, its fantastic ancient mine tunnels, and its rich history
- Discover the works of Gaston Ugalde, the most important Bolivian artist today, with a guided tour
EXPERIENCES
Culture
The Aymara culture is a human community that has lived in the Lake Titicaca plateau since 500 B.C. and is recognized as the oldest human culture in all of South America! Its adaptation to the extreme altitude by developing awesome cultivation techniques, manufacturing masterfully woven reed rafts in an artisanal way, and creating beautiful and strong dresses against the cold are impressive. But, the Aymara is not the only one. Currently, there are more than 36 ethnic groups distributed in all of Bolivian territory besides Aymara and Quechua.
Nature
Being nestled in the middle of the Andes Mountains and the High Tropical Rainforest, Bolivia has a contrast of beautiful and unique settings. From the awesome Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world that looks like an immense sea of petrified water, sailing by the highest navigable freshwater lake in the world in the Bolivian plateau, up to explore its tropical jungle with amazing animals like different types of monkeys, anteaters, jaguars, pumas, and tapirs, among others. In other words, Bolivia has altitude, nature, paradise landscapes, and much history and costumes to share with everyone!
Adventure
Trekking and Kayaking at the borders of Lake Titicaca or in the middle of the Bolivian Amazon. Sailing by the awesome Amazon River in the Jungle or over the highest freshwater lake in the world. The sports activities are infinite in Bolivia. Without mentioning the bird-watching activity developed in its jungle the diving activity in the Amazon in search of the mysterious Pink Dolphin or fishing the terrible Piranhas. And the list can continue! Knows this new face of Bolivia in the best form with us!
Gastronomy
The Bolivian gastronomy reflects in its dishes the multiculturalism and diversity of regions where its ingredients come from. In this form, we can taste delicious local dishes like the famous Sajta de Cordero (Lamb Stew) made with Chicha (Inca’s corn beer) and Cilantro. Or Salteñas in La Paz, which are baked empanadas filled with minced meat, carrot, and onion stew. In addition, in the entire country famous Humitas are served, delicious corn dough baked and wrapped in corn leaves, with a sweet flavor. Without mentioning La Chola Sandwich, which is a sandwich with fried pork, onion, chili, and tomato. The flavors of High Andean country will surprise you!
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BOLIVIA
The Bolivian territory is divided into two well-difference zones. The mountain range and the Andean plateau are located on the west, very close to Peru’s frontier, (La Paz, Lake Titicaca, Potosi, and Uyuni) and the Amazon area is located on the east zone, very close to Brazil, with lowlands composed of savannahs, tropical forests, and flooded forests (Sucre, Santa Cruz de la Sierra). In this form, the climate varies according to the region and latitude of the zone. But in general terms, Bolivia is warm and humid in summers and cold in winters.
It is also worth noting that two different seasons affect all areas of the country to a greater or lesser degree. These are the dry season from November to March and the Rainy Season, from April to October. In general form, The dry season is the best time to visit Bolivia, it is due to the absence of rain, blue and clear skies, and fresh and cold breezes. However, visiting Uyuni in the Rainy season is highly recommended because the rains form a giant water mirror on the entire esplanade of the salt flat. Of course, it will be more cold and the access will be more difficult but it will be worth it.