Bolivia

Super useful and totally free travel guides to Bolivia

Scenic view of the milky way and starry sky in Uyuni Salt flat in Bolivia
Uyuni Salt Flat

Why We Love Bolivia – Many travelers to South America skip Bolivia, so congrats for thinking outside the box! Traveling in Bolivia takes a little more work than elsewhere, but you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with some of the most incredible landscapes on the planet and authentic and welcoming local cultures. At a minimum, we recommend that travelers to Bolivia visit the iconic Uyuni salt flats. Trust us when we say they are otherworldly! But there is so much more to explore in Bolivia than just Uyuni, so let’s dive in and start planning your trip.

Best of Bolivia

🏙️ Destinations

Overlooking view of the Torotoro Canyon in Bolivia
Torotoro Canyon

Bolivia might be the most underrated place to visit in South America. From Amazon jungle to high desert, there are so many fascinating places to visit in Bolivia. Some of the most popular Bolivia destinations include:

  • Salar de Uyuni – an otherworldly salt flats and the most famous attraction in Bolivia.
  • La Paz
  • Sucre
  • Potosi
  • Santa Cruz de la Sierra

✨ Things to Do

From outdoor adventure to history and culture, there are so many incredible things to do in Bolivia. Some of the best include:

  • Uyuni Salt Flats Tour – hop in a Jeep, make a few new friends, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
  • La Paz’s Cable Cars – riding the public transit cable cars through La Paz is an experience not to be missed.
  • Tupiza Badlands – if you thought Uyuni was filled with unusual landscapes, just wait until you check out Tupiza’s Badlands.
  • Valle de la Luna – the “Valley of the Moon” is an incredible arid landscape that feels like it’s not even on Earth.
  • Amazon Basin – swim with dolphins in the Amazon river.

👉 Explore all things to do

View of the Tiwanaku Ruins and the clear blue sky
Tiwanaku Ruins

Bolivia Travel Advice

🗓️ Best Time to Visit

May to October is generally the best time to visit Bolivia generally, as the dry weather equates to clear skies and less travel disruption. On the other hand, January to April is a popular choice for visiting the Uyuni salt flats because the likelihood of rain – and thus the famous “mirror effect” the water creates on the flats – is much higher.

⚠️ Safety

I still think Bolivia is a mostly-safe tourist destination, even though I was once trapped by protests in the Bolivian desert (but, hey I was totally fine in the end!). Just always remember to practice common sense, buy travel insurance, and check the latest US State Department travel advisories for your destination. 

🤓 Facts & Info

  • Population – 11.7 million
  • Capital – Sucre
  • Currency – Bolivian Boliviano ($1 = ~6.89 boliviano)
  • Language – Spanish
  • Plugs – Type A or C, 230V / 50Hz.

💵 Budgeting & Money

Major establishments (usually expensive shops, restaurants and hotels) take debit/credit cards, but smaller-scale accommodations, tourist sites, etc. tend to only take cash, so make sure to bring enough with you especially when you head outside the cities and larger towns.

📰 Bolivia Travel Guides

Getting planning your trip to Bolivia with all our Bolivia travel guides: