Bolivia is best known for an interesting mix of historical sites, natural landscapes, and enigmatic places. These features surround one of the least visited tourist destinations in South America. However, this cradle of great attractions offers travelers exciting and unforgettable experiences for all tastes.
The wide variety of altitudinal zones provides many interesting places for travelers and attracts people worldwide. Bolivia’s tourist attractions include the lush Amazon rainforest, Santa Cruz, Lake Titicaca, and much more. These are unquestionably destinations that you will be eager to explore and enjoy.
If you want to learn more about this fantastic place or plan your next trip, the Machu Travel Peru team can help. Below, we share the locations and sites most visited in Bolivia.
Keep us to discover the most popular Bolivia Tourist Attractions:
- Salar de Uyuni
- Lake Titicaca
- La Paz
- Tiwanaku
- Yungas Road
- Madidi National Park
- Sucre
- Cerro Rico, Potosi
- Valley of the Moon
- Eduardo Avaroa Andean
1. Salar de Uyuni
Uyuni Salt Flats, or Salar de Uyuni, is the world’s largest and highest salt flat. It covers approximately 10,000 square kilometers or 3,900 square miles. During the rainy season, the ground becomes an expansive natural mirror, creating a strange scene where the sky and earth seem to mix.
Locals said the imposing white desert used to be a significant body of water. It covered much of the Altiplano and connected to Lake Titicaca. However, its waters evaporated with time, creating a majestic natural landscape that anyone enthusiastic about peculiar locations can enjoy.
The city of Uyuni is the most popular starting point for exploring this extraordinary place. You can visit this vast place from different access points. Each spot offers unique photographs and memorable experiences, transforming into the one tourist attraction in Bolivia.
2. Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) above sea level and is a famous lake shared by Bolivia and Peru. Its charm comes from its clear green waters and many islands with lively cultures, making it an excellent spot to explore.
Thousands of years ago, melting glaciers and rain formed the highest navigable lake in the world. Over time, ancient civilizations built temples and monuments along its shores for the sun, the moon, and the water. You can still appreciate some of these incredible cultural manifestations with a boat tour.
In addition, this wonderful place is home to many tourist attractions, immersive experiences, and cultural activities. Traveling from Copacabana, you can visit Isla del Sol or Isla Taquile, meet local people, or enjoy typical foods. Taste Lake trout or Chairo Puneño, regional foods, is a delightful option.
The locals built these islands and created unique cultural expressions using totora, a special plant in the area. Local women also used this native plant to make household items and handicrafts. Many of these items were for sale and made great gifts or souvenirs.
3. La Paz
La Paz is the highest capital city in the world, at 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) above sea level. Its historic plazas and colonial architecture blend culture, tradition, history, and modernity. The variety of attractions in this metropolis is captivating, particularly for those who enjoy the vibrancy of city living.
One of its main attractions is the cable car system. It offers incredible opportunities to see stunning views of the city from above. Built in 2014, it remains the world’s largest and highest cable car system. We recommend the 15-minute section, which allows you to see many city views and capture amazing photos.
Famous places like Plaza Murillo, the Basilica of San Francisco, and the Witches’ Market are other excellent options. A peculiar fact about the Witches’ Market is finding amulets, natural remedies, medicinal plants, esoteric products, and much more.
Many people recognize La Paz as the “City Above the Clouds,” and they celebrate its vibrant nightlife. This includes many bars and restaurants serving popular local foods and drinks. These tourist attractions highlight Bolivia’s rich cultural diversity and provide entertainment. We recommend the best hotels in Bolivia for a safer and more comfortable experience.
4. Tiwanaku
Tiwanaku is a tourist attraction in Bolivia that houses architectural monuments created by ancient civilizations, including the Incas. These manifestations have a cultural and historical significance that captivates visitors with impressive monuments, temples, and stone sculptures.
UNESCO declared Tiwanaku a World Heritage Site, and this ancient archaeological city in Bolivia has an intense cultural load. Formerly, this place was a spiritual and political center, making it unique among other pre-Hispanic civilizations. And now, an unmissable option to delve into the immersive pre-Inca culture and live unforgettable experiences.
Attractions like the Puerta del Sol and the Puma Punku complex are significant and show the skills of these ancient people. We recommend hiring a specialized guide to help you better understand this mysterious site’s historical and cultural importance.
5. Yungas Road
Yungas Road is an excellent activity for thrill-seekers and adrenaline lovers. Riding a bike on this challenging road is an adventure for a few. It has cliffs that drop nearly 900 meters, which can be tricky to navigate. Nevertheless, the experience includes a unique opportunity to make a thrilling downhill ride from La Paz to Coroico.
The “Death Road” stretches 69 kilometers or 42 miles, and authorities have closed it to motorized traffic. In 2009, the government built an alternate and safer route. However, today, it is an attraction for intrepid visitors who dare to challenge it.
The mix of lush tropical forests, tall mountains, and a winding road makes this cycling route internationally recognized. This incredible journey offers a great outdoor experience and a unique choice for everyone. It has become a choice for nature lovers and a must-see place for anyone who wants to see fantastic diversity.
6. Madidi National Park
Considered one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, Madidi National Park is a paradise for nature lovers. This magic place covers 19,000 square kilometers or 7,336 square miles of pure nature and an outdoor experience. It stretches from the high Andes to the green Bolivian Amazon.
Delighting in the flora and fauna offered by this majestic place is an incredible experience. Enjoying the deep jungle, winding rivers, and tall trees on an ecological tour is comforting. You can also observe the home of jaguars, tapirs, pink river dolphins, capybaras, and many spectacular wildlife species.
The park has eco-lodges where visitors enjoy a fascinating natural and outdoor experience. You will value its variety and discover the significance of exploring one of the world’s most stunning protected areas.
7. Sucre
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sucre captivates visitors with its well-preserved colonial architecture and peaceful atmosphere. The city has many highlights, including churches, government buildings, and parks in a republican style. These attractions draw thousands of tourists to this wonderful city.
In Sucre, Bolivia’s republican capital, you can explore an imposing attraction. With its ivory-colored terraces, the Monastery of San Felipe de Neri offers breathtaking panoramic city views. This fantastic building will take you back to the time of the republic and admire one of the nation’s most beautiful structures.
You can also visit Cretaceous Park in this city. It has the world’s most extensive collection of dinosaur footprints, with over 5,000 fossilized tracks. Its main attraction is a massive vertical rock wall. This wall has 15 different dinosaur footprints, including one from a baby T-rex.
8. Cerro Rico, Potosí
Years ago, Potosi was one of the wealthiest cities in South America, thanks to the wealth that came from Cerro Rico. A place abundant in silver and precious metals. Even though this small city was rich from mining, it faced tragedy. Poor safety equipment and lousy infrastructure led to the deaths of many people.
Today, guided tours are available to see the narrow tunnels and the mine. You can also learn about the working conditions many men still face in this unstable place. Cerro Rico offers an exceptional experience as a combination of history and culture.
Visit the Casa Nacional de la Moneda, which is another excellent and particular option. People consider this place one of Bolivia’s best museums because it was an imposing construction in the eighteenth century. Additionally, miners created Potosís, or built coins, amid the mining surge in this special place.
9. Valley of the Moon
The majestic Valley of the Moon is near La Paz, an excellent option for traveling to the capital. This picturesque place is full of sandstone and soft clay peaks shaped by extreme erosion. This geological wonder also has a breathtaking view; rain and wind have formed this enigmatic scene over time.
Its peculiar name comes from its resemblance to the surface of the moon. You can appreciate this characteristic by visualizing the gigantic clay towers and exploring their interesting trails, which are undoubtedly unique and unparalleled experiences. Short and long hiking routes allow visitors to capture stunning photographs and see minerals within the sandstone.
10. Eduardo Avaroa Andean
Eduardo Avaroa National Andean Fauna Reserve lies in southern Bolivia. This magical place is a natural sanctuary with colorful lagoons, geysers, volcanoes, hot springs, and unusual rock formations. Although not a popular spot, it is an attraction worth visiting and the last one we present in our blog.
This protected natural area is in the Andes Mountains and has many unique landscapes in Bolivia. A simple walk around Laguna Colorada is a must. One specificity of this Bolivia’s tourist attraction is that the water changes between shades of red and violet. You should also visit the tall “Sol de Mañana” geysers, an exciting experience.
The National Protected Areas Service (SERNAP) called it a reserve because it is home to many wildlife species. The animal diversity includes pumas, vizcachas (like rabbits), foxes, vicuñas (like llamas), and more incredible species. The main goal of this reserve is to protect the different species in the area and their ecosystem.
“THE BEST STORIES CAN BE FOUND IN THE LEAST EXPECTED PLACES”
As we see, Bolivia is a land of natural wonders. Its landscapes, history, and culture combine to create exciting memories, making it a true destination with something for everyone. Thank you for joining us on this exciting journey in one of the wealthiest countries for tourist attractions.
We hope our blog, created by our Machu Travel Peru team, has been helpful. For more information, check out our Bolivia travel guide. Remember that these destinations are just a glimpse of everything you can enjoy. Consult the best tours in Bolivia and discover more of this incredible country, which is worth visiting for tourists.
Peru has so much to offer, it can be hard to know where to start. Machu Travel Peru has many years of experience in tourism. We are happy to help with your trip to Machu Picchu and nearby tours. Make your Machu Picchu experience an unforgettable one!
