How to plan a trip to Bolivia?

For many people planning a trip to Bolivia, or any other destination, is a complicated task. There are many aspects to consider, such as accommodation, dates, points of interest, the best itineraries… If you are planning a trip to Bolivia, and don’t want to miss destinations like La Paz, Sucre or the Uyuni Salt Flat, or many other places to visit, you might have doubts and in the end you don’t know where to start. So, to help you we have written this post. Read on.

We are real experts in travel planning and we have the best tool to do it, Passporter. A mobile app that will guide you step by step throughout your trip, while you plan it and even once at your destination. So you don’t leave anything out and have all the information you need in the palm of your hand. In this post we will share the best tips on how to plan a trip to Bolivia through Passporter, the ultimate tool to organize and share your travels with the world.

1.  Have at hand the necessary documentation to travel to Bolivia

Before you start planning a trip, in this case to Bolivia, it is convenient to know what are the necessary documents to be able to process them in time. For Spanish citizens a visa is not necessary for stays of up to 90 days, but you do need a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months on the day of entry. In addition, it is important to note that when entering Bolivia it is necessary to register within a maximum of 48 hours at the Directorate General of Migration and fill out a form that you can find online. Failure to do so may result in a fine of 300 Bolivianos (€40). It is also important to know that travelers entering by land, must have both an arrival and departure stamp and must ensure that they do not pass through customs without both stamps.

In Bolivia, health care costs in the private sector can be high. Therefore, although it is not a travel requirement, it is advisable to obtain comprehensive medical insurance and good coverage before traveling. This will provide protection in case you need medical attention during your stay in the country. On the other hand, it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water and not to eat food from street stalls. Remember that with the app of Passporter you can have all your documents in digital version, including your insurance, to have it always at hand and without running the risk of losing it.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Select the dates for a trip to Bolivia

The next step to plan a trip to Bolivia, or to any other destination is to select the dates. That is why it is interesting to know which is the best time to travel to Bolivia.

The best time to travel to Bolivia depends largely on the preferences and activities you want to do. Bolivia enjoys a diverse climate due to its varied topography, which includes everything from lowlands to high Andean mountains. However, generally speaking, the most recommended season to visit the country is during the dry season, which runs from May to October.

During the dry season, the climate in Bolivia is more stable and less prone to rain. This is especially beneficial for those wishing to trek and hike in the spectacular landscapes of the Bolivian Andes, such as in the Sajama National Park or on the famous Camino de la Muerte (The Death Road) trail. In addition, the dry season is also ideal for visiting the famous Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt desert in the world, as the ground is firm and dry, which facilitates mobility and offers impressive reflections. However, it is important to note that nights can be quite cold in the higher altitude areas during this season.

If you are looking for unique cultural experiences, an excellent option is to visit Bolivia during the celebrations of popular festivals, such as the Oruro Carnival in February or the Feast of the Virgin of Urkupiña in August.

3. Compare and find accommodations

With the dates already selected, the next task in planning a trip to Bolivia is much easier: choosing accommodation.

Bolivia has a diversity of accommodation options for all tastes and budgets. From luxury hotels to budget hostels, the country offers a wide variety of places to stay. In the main cities and tourist destinations, you will find hotels of various categories, from luxury options to more simple and affordable accommodations. In rural areas, it is possible to find family-run lodges that provide an authentic travel experience. Prices vary according to location and quality, with hostels and inns ranging from 10 to 30 euros per night, mid-range hotels between 40 and 100 euros per night, and luxury options exceeding 100 euros per night.

Remember that researching and booking in advance is recommended to ensure a comfortable stay that suits your needs. In addition, we suggest that you use to the Passporter App and book the best accommodations in the country through Booking. In the App itself you will also be able to save your bookings and keep them organized.

4. How to get to and around Bolivia

To get to Bolivia, the most common way is by air through El Alto International Airport in La Paz, or the international airports of Santa Cruz and Cochabamba. Airlines such as Boliviana de Aviación (BoA), LATAM Airlines and Avianca offer flights from various international destinations, facilitating connections with the country.

Once in Bolivia there are several options for getting around the country depending on your preferences and destinations. The main cities have public transport networks such as buses and minibuses, although these can always be overcrowded, as well as not keeping exact schedules. On the other hand, longer trips between cities can be done by interdepartmental buses. And it is also possible to rent vehicles or hire cab and ‘colectivo’ services for greater flexibility and comfort. Remember that if you choose to rent a car, you will need to present an international vehicle registration certificate.

5. Try the cuisine of Bolivia and find the best restaurants

Bolivian cuisine is a mix of flavors that reflect its cultural diversity. It fuses pre-Columbian, Spanish and Arabic influences, creating unique dishes of exceptional flavor. It should also be noted that Bolivian cuisine has evolved a lot in recent times and little by little the concept of “fusion cuisine” has become very important. Among the most commonly used ingredients in Bolivian cuisine are corn, wheat, meat, potatoes, quinoa and chili peppers, among others. Here are some dishes that you can not miss on your trip to Bolivia:

• Silpancho: A dish consisting of a breaded fillet of minced beef or chicken that is usually accompanied by rice, fried egg, potatoes and salad.
• Salteñas: delicious empanadas filled with meat, chicken or vegetables, seasoned with a sweet and sour touch. They are popular as a snack or breakfast, and are famous for by their oval shape and juicy and tasty filling.
• Anticucho: Of Peruvian origin but very typical in Bolivia, the anticucho are skewers of beef or chicken served with spicy peanut sauce. You will find it in all the street food stalls.
• Sonso de Yuca: dish made with mashed cooked cassava that is then fried. It is a popular accompaniment to various meals, with a soft texture inside and crispy on the outside.

6. Most popular festivities in Bolivia

Bolivia is rich in cultural diversity that manifests itself in its vibrant festivities, and knowing about them can help you better plan a trip to this wonderful country. Therefore, here is a list in chronological order of some of the most important ones:

• The Feria de la Alasitas, or Ekeko festival, in La Paz, on January 24, is a festivity where people buy handmade miniatures of different objects, believing that this will fulfill their wishes. The festival lasts about two weeks.
• The Carnival of Oruro is one of the most emblematic, celebrated between February 18 and 21 with colorful parades and traditional dances honoring the Virgin of Candelaria.
• The Fiesta del Gran Poder (The Festival of the Lord Jesus of Great Power) in La Paz, on June 3, is another event to highlight, where thousands of dancers fill the streets with elaborate costumes and lively music in honor of Jesus.
• The Aymara New Year, or Amazonian New Year, is a pre-Hispanic celebration that takes place in the ancient city of Tiwanaku on June 21, about 20 km south of La Paz, and where through offerings and ceremonies, such as extending hands before the sun, the new year is received.
• The fetivities of All Saints and Day of the Dead, November 1 and 2 pay homage to the deceased with colorful offerings and visits to cemeteries with particular rites.
• The Andean Christmas, best known in Peru but also celebrated in Bolivia, is a celebration of ancient traditions, with rituals that mix Christian and pre-Hispanic elements.

7. Planning a trip with friends to Bolivia

Traveling with friends is an absolutely rewarding experience, but planning the trip, to Bolivia or any destination, can be a somewhat complicated process. Agreeing on things, keeping the whole group informed, setting a budget that fits everyone involved… sometimes it can be more difficult than we expect.

With the Passporter App organizing this kind of trips is easier as you can plan from start to finish the travel itinerary taking into account everyone’s opinion. Add your friends, get inspired by the experiences of other travelers and create the route together. Later you can share your experience posting the pictures you take during the trip. We have also prepared this post where we leave you some useful tips for traveling with friends: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Summary of how to plan your trip to Bolivia

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or typology (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so that they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that most interest you, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you will be able to share your own travel tips to England.
• Enjoy your trip to Bolivia !

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter. 

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Bolivia