Landlocked Bolivia is an exciting, rugged country that offers visitors an unparalleled travel experience. Its opportunities for diversification can be overwhelming, but that diversity is a gift for travelers looking for a truly adventurous one.
Bolivia has long been overshadowed by tourism giants in its neighbors, and local initiatives are pushing bolivia to the top of the global destination list. From snow-capped peaks to lush Amazon rainforests, Bolivia has something for everyone, if you know how to see where. Filled with the best secrets (and not so secrets) of surprises that this country and its people have to offer, our roundup of the best things to do in Bolivia is perfect for wanderers looking for the most authentic travel adventures.
Marvel at the stars on the Uyuni salt marsh
Arguably the largest tourist attraction in Bolivia, the white expanse of the Uyuni salt marsh confuses the senses when the sky and the earth merge and erase the horizon. If you visit after a rain (March or April), the effect is magnified by the reflection of the water in the sky above your feet, a photograph not found on Earth. The journey becomes truly otherworldly at night, and you'll never forget the way the stars and the Milky Way reflect on the ground, creating a life-changing floating effect.
Many tourists depart from the center of Uyuni in the early morning and hop on a tour group. Backpackers and first class jets should consider multi-day excursions, stopping at Isla Incahuasi and the many hot springs and colorful lakes nearby.
Get lost in the Amazon jungle
The jungle town of Rurrenabaque is the starting point for any adventure Bolivians make across the Amazon. This is the gateway to Madiddi National Park, a vast protected area that happens to be the most biodiverse natural area in the world. Pink pufferfish, light capybaras, elusive jaguars, and more bird and insect species than anywhere else accompany daring visitors exploring the untamed wilderness.
The institution hosts a three-day excursion to the wildlife-filled Pampas (plains) or Selva (jungle). The magic here lies in travel agencies owned and operated by indigenous communities. Located in Rurrenabaque for three and six hours by boat, madidi jungle and chalalan eco-lodges are the perfect place for jungle raids, community-driven adventures. Both are run and directed by the Uchupiamona people, who have called these lands home for centuries. Anyone looking for a world-class fly fishing excursion can join the team at Tsimane Lodge to throw your line for Golden Dorado.
Visit Lake Titicaca and the birthplace of the sun
No trip to Bolivia would be complete without a visit to the sacred Lake Titicaca. Lake Tikaga is the world's tallest navigable lake, at 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) above sea level, with waves kissing picturesque farming villages and enveloping legends of ancient civilizations that disappeared into the depths of the water. Walk the undefeated path along the off-the-beaten-track Huarina-Achacahi-Taquina Highway to the seaside tourist town of Copacabana, where you can see the best of slow living. On the way to the Copacabana Peninsula, take a pristine ferry ride to the Tequina Straight, one of the most unforgettable experiences in Bolivia.
Copacabana itself is a pulsating town, and a stop at the whimsical domes and spires of the Las Olas Lodge means hammock swings and a bird's-eye view of the ships moored in the bay. But don't swing too long, the mystery of the sun island of the sun, the birthplace of the sun, is calling. You can still feel the ancient soul haunting the sidewalks and stone ruins of this tranquil, roadless island.
Tour La Paz, from the streets to the clouds
The best guide in La Paz is the "lustrabotas" or shoe shiners of Holmigon Amado. Wearing the iconic mask knitted masks, these young workers know where to look at the streets of a bygone era, where old traders – fishmongers, tailors, millers and, of course, lustrabotas themselves – peddle their jobs on the streets. The tour begins with an ordinary cemetery covered in frescoes and ends at the infamous San Pedro Prison, where a fee of $50bs ($7.30) goes into the pockets of your guide and supports various social projects.
Alternatively, admire the city from above and glide along Mi Teleférico, the world's longest network of urban cable cars. Spanning 20 miles across two cities, this public transit marvel began in 2014 as an effective way to move commuters to La Paz and El Alto, cities notorious for incredible traffic jams. The system costs only $3 billion ($0.44) per route and can fly from the south side of La Paz to the far end of El Aalto in a matter of minutes, so choose a route and fly. The glass huts are shared by riders, so you might make some local friends along the way.
Enjoy lunch in the gastronomic renaissance of La Paz
Inspired by the opening of Danish superstar chef Claus Meyer's Gustu restaurant in southern La Paz in 2012, energetic chefs across Bolivia seem to be popping up in restaurants every week. Head to downtown La Paz and feel the essence of Bolivia's gastronomic renaissance, with a lunch menu showcasing the best of the city.
On the second floor of a colonial residence near Mercado de las Brujas, in the steaming kitchen of Popular Cocina Boliviana, the chefs take a festive approach, creating wild spins on traditional Bolivian dishes that are as colorful as Cambia music. For the most elegant lunch, head to the trendy Hb Bronze Coffeebar in the heart of the city, home to bolivia's best coffee, wine, and chocolate, accompanied by your sandwich or deli plate.
For a more avant-garde dining experience, culinary deconstructionist Marco Quelca and his kitchen outcast band in Sabor Clandestino set up experimental plates in an immersive outdoor pop-up dining experience that explores the culture and spiritual beliefs of the local indigenous people. It's not just a meal, it's an activity of the stomach and soul.
On July 16, Mercado went on a treasure hunt
Above La Paz in the neighboring sister city of El Alto, the sprawling community around Plaza 16 de Julio wakes up early every Thursday and Sunday as shop doors open and street stalls open umbrellas and tarps, creating the continent's largest souk. Fresh produce. Sports equipment. Handmade furniture. Second-hand books. Half a helicopter. If you want it, you can find it here. Let yourself get lost in the madness, but beware of pickpockets! Traveling from downtown La Paz to the market, a comfortable 10-minute ride up the city's red Mi Teleférico cable care line is worth a visit, with just panoramic views.
Cheer for the high-flying Jolita wrestlers
The "Cholita Wrestlers" of La Paz will stop and steal your heart during their chaotic afternoon brawl. Dramatic battles, spurred on by soap-opera-like storylines, put these Indigenous athletes in the spotlight, showing off their traditional bowling caps and famously wide cape skirts. They struggle, violently, kick and fly to victory, face crooked heels, often unreasonable men and chauvinistic referees who are bent on disappointing these women.
Cholitas Luchadoras is the best show in town, performing two to three times a week. Their main event will take place on Sunday at the Colosseum in the Villa Dolores neighborhood of El Alto. Pick-up is available from La Paz, but the faro Murillo Mi Teleférico cable car is a six-block walk to the doorstep. Tickets cost $50 billion ($7.30), allowing you to sit at the edge of the ring and enjoy a thrilling and overflow show that's family-friendly. It also includes a bag of popcorn, perfect for throwing at that pesky referee.
Climb the Andes Mountains
Local beliefs say that the Andes are haunted by mountain gods and are known as "apus". Climbers come to Bolivia from all over the world to test their courage in these spirits and take some of the most breathtaking adventures along the way. Of course, it is important to go only with an internationally certified guide, and the climbers in Expé Bolivia are the most experienced people around.
A relatively easy-to-reach mountain peak and fairly comfortable refuge make Huayna Potosí the most popular place, often serving as a training ground for some of the more difficult climbs in Bolivia. The majestic Mount Ilimani is a sentinel overlooking La Paz, and to the south is the highest peak leading to Cordille La Real, full of steep climbs and technical challenges. Meanwhile, Condoriri, Janko Kota, Illampu, Volcán Sajama and many others are on standby. For those looking for some intense rock climbing, the towering peaks and wide granite walls of the Cordillera de Quimsa Cruz, a 7-hour drive south of La Paz, are worth a visit.
Tie crampons and an ice axe. Ape accepts your challenge!
Touch prehistory at Bolivia's Dinosaur Park
Parque Nacional Torotoro is a compact 64 square kilometers (25 square miles) full of great excitement. This is the stampede of the great dinosaurs of the Cretaceous period, dating back 145 million years, and you can touch the trajectory that proves it. The town of Torotoro is entirely dinosaur madness, and residents themselves offer a trek to the largest footprint site in the park that dinosaur lovers of any age can easily reach.
In the park, take advantage of the prehistoric landscape for some extra exploration, from the sublime views of the city of Itas and the sun-drenched rocky cathedral to the dazzling Mirador deep in Caño de Toro. Or head to the nearby Huayra K'asa to explore the very deep and very humid Caverna de Umajalanta. But beware, this intense cave tour is not for the faint of heart.
Get a downhill adrenaline rush in Sorata
In the shadow of the snow-capped Ilampu Mountain, Sorata is home to Jacha Avalancha Internacional (Big Avalanche International), an annual downhill cycling race that takes fearless cyclists from around the world to this quiet, tree-lined valley town every October for an intense weekend against gravity, muddy adrenaline. Come and experience the best trails in Bolivia and experience this rush for yourself.
The Loma Loma, Eden and Chilquani trails wait for more advanced cyclists, while the road-heavy Camino Millipaya is growing in popularity as it is a way for newbies – some would say it is wise – to capture the scenery as local towns rush in. The gem of Sorata is gruta de San Pedro, a cave located at the bottom of the route of the same name, where you can explore the depths of this mysterious cave and paddle boat around its underground lagoon at leisure.
With so many trails to choose from to match all skill levels, companies like Gravity-Assisted Mountain Bike and Bike Adventure Tours can help you achieve your adrenaline-inspired dreams.
Ride a horseback in Tupiza on a gold rush
Tupiza was once filled with cunning prospectors and international mining companies who were attracted to gold on the riverbed, promising self-evident wealth. The rampant gold rush nourished local banks and attracted American outlaws Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid to escape from the famous Pinkerton Agency. Relive these wild times on a guided horseback riding tour, galloping through the crimson canyons along the same riverbed where gold diggers pinned their hopes for wealth.
You can walk through the glorious Cañon del Inca and Cañón del Duende, or stroll along the Río San Juan de Oro, where today's miners are still looking for something shiny. The Amazon Ecuestre Club offers fully immersive tours, including visits to well-functioning mining towns that take you back in time in Butch and Sundance. A three-hour drive west from Tupiza, you will head to San Vincente to pay your respects to the bandit duo, who reportedly had their last lethal run-in with the law.
Get a party vibe in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the economic engine of the country, and they are also struggling to race as Cruceños work hard. With its Miami sentiment and Bolivian prices, Santa Cruz has locked in party culture.
Spend the night at the club, close to the town center of San Lorenzo Basili Carmenor is where you are going. The bartenders at Duda Bar concoct fresh cocktails, while nearby clubs sample electronic, reggae and other styles. There are more party options nearby Avenida San Martin, and Simon Speakeasy's drinks and DJ shows are not to be missed.
For the beer drinking sect, Santa Cruz always has warm weather tailored to the growing beer garden, offering craft beers in a variety of styles. Madera's large wooden tables are designed for sharing with strangers, while Santa Cruz Beer Company's large outdoor bar in Avenida Los Cusis is well worth a taxi ride from the city centre.
Escape to the global town of Samapata
Located a three-hour drive southwest of Santa Cruz de Sierra, Samaipata is a small town with cool breezes and a laid-back lifestyle that attracts people from afar to put down roots here. Nowadays, many expats call this place home, and luckily, many open delicious restaurants. See the most popular local Bohemians, sip a cold beer, and exchange travel stories.
The biggest attraction of SamiApata is El Fuerte de Samaipata, a 20-hectare archaeological site originally built by the Chané people, a pre-Inca society that claims territory extending to Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. The Incas and Spaniards later built this site, so it's not easy to unravel the mysteries of everything here. What does it mean to carve animal shapes? Are those creepy niches on the walls used as rooms for priests to prepare for ceremonies, or are they used as food storage cabinets? Bring snacks and spend an afternoon on a picnic to keep an eye out for majestic condors flying in from The Amboro National Park in the north.
Take part in a tour of the Jesuit missionaries of Chiquitos
Bolivia's colonial past came alive in Chiquitania, and Jesuit missionaries still call on visitors to head to their altars to admire the elaborate wood carvings. Along this route through the savanna, towns large and small have preserved historic churches built in the Baroque Spanish tradition. You can spend a few days here, hopping between missions and admiring the craftsmanship and warm gold of the buildings.
Larger, famous churches, such as the Church of Concepción, built by the Jesuits in the 18th millennium, are often decorated with sacred art created by indigenous natives and are not to be missed. But churches in small villages are just as important. These include the churches of San Miguel, San Rafael and Santa Ana, built by indigenous natives after the Jesuits fled. Local chamber orchestras often give concerts in these chapels. This is a real living history not to be missed.
Visit the coffee country of Bolivia
Calanavi is a small town with a big city feel and is the beating heart of Bolivia's coffee country. The constant heat and humidity of the surrounding cloud forest means living on the doorstep here, and the square is always full of family adventures. Travelers can enjoy some of the best outdoor activities in the area, including hiking, swimming, ziplining and rafting. But most importantly, coffee is king. Small family-run "cafes" climb up the hill and the smell of roasted and brewed coffee pours out from the open entrances of many of the town's coffee shops.
Farmers struggle to produce some of the world's highest coffees, and these are your guides at ruta de Café in Bolivia. Café Aventura is a coffee shop located in the quiet southwest corner of the square that organizes one of the most authentic tours. Tourists visit country farms and try to harvest and process beans. What's the best part? Have a cup of coffee with the farmer who grows it.
Learn about the roots of Bolivian wine in Valle Cinti
The roots of Bolivian viticulture are deep, three hours north of Tarija to the dusty red soil of Valle Cinti in Sucre. Here are some of the oldest vineyards on the african continent, dating back to the 1550s. Moscatel de Alejandría and negra criolla are grown here, with the addition of the hybrid vischoqueña, an endemic grape variety that produces a uniquely light wine that will delight any winemaker. The vines here climb 6 meters (20 feet) high trees, and vines from Jardin Oculto and other cellars climb ladders to take care of the crops. Tierra Adentro Tours can help you ensure you don't miss the harvest from late February to early April.
It is also the birthplace of the Bolivian national spirit Ofigani, where local manufacturers can show you how distillation has been carried out here for generations. Camargo is the center of the area, with places to stay and plenty of market shopping. However, for something special, the view of the vineyards can be enjoyed from the terrace of the Parador de Pereira Hotel in the nearby rustic Villa Abecia.
Admire the tragic majesty of Cerro Rico
In any history of the Spanish Empire, a large number of pages about Potosí and its iconic tragic symbol, Cero rico, must be written. Founded in 1545, this former mining town is home to this "man-eating mountain", named after the thousands of miners whose souls have been lost in tunnels over the centuries. This silver mine was once a huge engine for countless fortunes in Europe.
Among the narrow colonial streets of the old town, Plaza 10 de Noviembre contains some of the city's most important landmarks, including La Catedral and El Cabildo. Casa Nacional de la Moneda is one of the best museums in the country. Completed in 1773, the former mint was built like a fortress and was even built as a fortress. In the mines of Cerro Rico, where much of the working shafts have dried up and its cone-shaped peaks are at risk of collapsing, it is a grim reminder of the impact of colonialism on Latin America.