Located in the heart of South America, this fascinating country offers a unique combination of dazzling landscapes, beautiful towns with a lively atmosphere and monuments of great cultural value. Among all the sights to see in Bolivia, tourists’ favorite destinations tend to be the Andean mountains and the Amazon rainforest, where you’ll find snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear lakes, spectacular waterfalls and unique flora and fauna. In addition, incredible as it may seem, Bolivia also has many beaches despite being landlocked.
Bolivia is a country that captivates, so we encourage you to read this post where we tell you everything you need to know before starting your trip. In addition to the best destinations within the country, we talk about its exquisite cuisine and give you several travel tips to make the most of your vacation. Are you ready to start the journey? Here we go!
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Towns and cities to visit in Bolivia
1. Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the most populous city in Bolivia and one of the most modern as it is the commercial and financial center of the country. The city is famous for its friendly atmosphere, lively nightlife, historical and cultural background, and the lush nature that surrounds it all. Its streets are full of bustling markets and beautiful parks, such as Güembé Park. Some of the tourist points of interest are the plaza del 24 de Septiembre, the Cathedral of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the Museum of Independence or the Museum of Contemporary Art.
The city is also home to one of the main international airports. Which means that if you are traveling from Europe, Santa Cruz de la Sierra is sure to be the first stop on your trip. If you want to know more about Santa Cruz de la Sierra visit this post: Things to see and do in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia?
2. Sucre, the capital city of Bolivia
Sucre, the historic constitutional capital of Bolivia, is a fascinating city of rich cultural heritage and incredible colonial buildings. There you will find magnificent churches, cozy squares and museums that tell the history of the country. In addition, Sucre is surrounded by beautiful mountainous landscapes where you can hike.
Some of the must-sees in Sucre are the Plaza del 25 de Mayo square, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Casa de la Libertad (House of Freedom), the Treasury Museum or the Recoleta Viewpoint. In this post you can read much more about this charming city: Things to see and do in Sucre Bolivia?
3. La Paz, the other capital of Bolivia
La Paz is one of the most important cities in Bolivia since the government is located there. Also, located more than 3600 meters above sea level, it is one of the highest cities in the world, which means it is surrounded by incredible mountain scenery.
In the city you will see a very peculiar combination of colonial architecture with modern skyscrapers creating a fascinating contrast. Its colorful markets, such as the famous Mercado de las Brujas (Witches Market), and its historic squares, such as the Plaza Murillo, reflect its history and Bolivian traditions. In La Paz you can also organize many outdoor adventures in the surrounding mountains and climb the famous Camino de la Muerte (Death Road), and take the highest urban cable car in the world.
4. Potosi, the city of silver
Potosi is a historic city known as the “city of silver” because during the 16th century its silver mines were the richest in the world, which made Potosi one of the most important economic centers of the colonial era.
Today, Potosi retains part of its rich architectural and cultural heritage reflected in buildings such as the Church of San Lorenzo or the Cathedral of Potosi. Although the main tourist attraction is the Cerro Rico, a mountain full of silver mines that you can visit.
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.
Best beaches to see in Bolivia
Although Bolivia has no access to the sea, it does have several river beaches ideal for cooling off and even sailing. The most important beaches are on Lake Titicaca, but there are also many others on rivers. Below we mention some of the most famous beaches. But if you want to know more, we encourage you to read this post: What are the best beaches in Bolivia?
1. Copacabana Beach
Copacabana Beach, located on the shores of Lake Titicaca at 3,812 meters above sea level, is the most popular and tourist beach in the area for its golden sand, crystal clear waters and stunning views of the surroundings. Although the water is really cold due to the height of the lake, visitors can relax, sunbathe and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Water activities such as kayaking, boating, and exploring Sun Island in the middle of the lake, famous for its ancient ruins and scenic trails, are also available.
2. Beaches of the Mamoré river to see in Bolivia
The beaches of the Mamoré River are located in the Amazonian region of the country and are known for their crystalline waters and their environment of exuberant nature. But they can also be a dangerous place to swim. All due to the strong currents, the presence of certain animals that live in the river, such as crocodiles, or even contaminated waters that can transmit diseases. Therefore, if you want to visit these beaches, we recommend going with an agency or someone who knows the area, for your own safety.
The areas suitable for swimmers are protected with nets and are safe places. Agencies will also provide you with boats to navigate the river. Other activities that you can do there are: sunbathing, picnics and fishing, especially species such as dorado (Gilt Headed Bream) and surubí (spotted catfish).
3. Challapampa Beach
The Challampapa beach is located in the center of Lake Titicaca, in the Isla del Sol. This island is one of the main tourist attractions of the lake for its archaeological ruins. Although it is a very decent beach, there is usually no one bathing, either because of the water temperature or because the ruins generate more interest. What you will see there are fishermen and boats.
From Challapampa beach on Isla del Sol you’ll get the best views of the mountains.
Best natural destinations to see in Bolivia
1. Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca, located on the border between Bolivia and Peru, is known as the highest navigable lake in the world, at an altitude of 3,812 meters above sea level. The lake is located in a unique enclave surrounded by high mountains and offers a wide range of activities to do, from hiking excursions in the surrounding area to water sports. You can also relax on the beaches and visit Isla del Sol, where there are ancient ruins protecting indigenous communities that preserve ancestral traditions.
2. Lomas de Arena Regional Park to see in Bolivia
This impressive Sand Dunes Park is located on the outskirts of Santa Cruz de la Sierra and stretches across 14,000 hectares, creating a unique landscape where visitors can explore meandering trails through the dunes and discover the diverse flora and fauna of the area. You can also take bike rides, go sandboarding and cool off in a small stream that runs through the park.
The park is especially popular among bird lovers as you can sight more than 200 species. We recommend watching the sunset from the dunes, it’s really beautiful. The entrance to the dunes costs 1,5€.
3. Uyuni salt flat
The Salar de Uyuni is one of the most tourist attractions to see in Bolivia, a true natural wonder that will leave you speechless. It is the largest salt flat in the world with an extension of 10,000 square kilometers.
This salt desert offers a surreal landscape, especially during the rainy season when it becomes a giant mirror reflecting the sky. There you will also see many centenary cacti that make this scenery even more original. It will be impossible not to take a thousand pictures.
4. La Ruta de la Muerte, the best views of Bolivia
The Death Route is a legendary stretch of road that connects La Paz with the Yungas region. It became famous for being one of the most dangerous roads in the world for its narrow, winding roads up dizzying cliffs and unpredictable weather conditions.
In the past it was a dangerous place, but today a safer road has been built and has become a tourist attraction for hikers and mountain bikers.
What should I consider before traveling to Bolivia
- From Spain no visa is required to enter Bolivia, but a passport valid for at least 6 months is obligatory.
- The country is not the safest, so we recommend avoiding going out at night, do not flaunt valuables and be aware of your belongings.
- The official language in Bolivia is Spanish.
- The official currency of Bolivia is the Boliviano.
- It is best to change money before you start your trip, there are stores and restaurants that do not accept credit cards.
- Bolivia’s climate is tropical, which means that temperatures are mild.
- Tap water is potable in most parts of the country.
- Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Bolivia
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all of 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 the best places to see in 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
The best beaches in Bolivia are on Lake Titicaca and they are the Copacabana beach and Challapampa beach.
The climate is tropical, with mild temperatures that vary slightly between summer and winter.
Although Bolivia is an inland country, it does have beaches along its lakes and rivers.
The best time to travel to Bolivia is between April and October.
The cities of most interest in Bolivia are La Paz, Sucre, and Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
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