Why Bolivia belongs on your list
Bolivia packs more variety into one country than almost anywhere in South America: glittering salt deserts, Amazon rainforest, snow-capped Andes, and living Indigenous cultures. Here are the experiences worth planning a trip around.
Salar de Uyuni
The world's largest salt flat covers more than 10,000 square kilometres. In the dry season it becomes a blinding white hexagon-tiled plain; after rain it turns into a giant mirror reflecting the sky. Most travellers join a 3-day 4x4 tour from Uyuni (around 150 to 250 US dollars), visiting flamingo lagoons, geysers and the cactus-covered Isla Incahuasi.
La Paz and the cable cars
The world's highest administrative capital sprawls across a canyon at 3,600 metres. Ride Mi Teleferico, the city's colourful cable-car network, for jaw-dropping views, then explore the Witches' Market for llama charms and Andean remedies.
Death Road
The North Yungas Road, once the world's most dangerous highway, is now a legendary mountain-bike descent dropping about 3,500 metres from chilly Andes to humid jungle. Reputable operators provide bikes, gear and support vehicles.
Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol
The highest navigable lake in the world straddles the Peru border. From Copacabana, boats reach Isla del Sol, the mythical birthplace of the Inca, where you can hike between Inca ruins and terraced hillsides.
Sucre
Bolivia's whitewashed constitutional capital is a UNESCO World Heritage city of elegant colonial architecture, lively markets and some of the country's best Spanish schools. Nearby Cal Orcko holds thousands of dinosaur footprints.
Potosi
Once one of the richest cities on earth thanks to its silver mountain, Cerro Rico, Potosi offers sobering tours into still-working cooperative mines and a glimpse of colonial wealth and hardship.
Tiwanaku
The ruins of this pre-Inca civilisation near La Paz feature the Gate of the Sun and monolithic carvings dating back over a thousand years.
Madidi National Park
For Amazon adventure, fly to Rurrenabaque and head into Madidi, one of the most biodiverse parks on the planet, home to jaguars, pink river dolphins and hundreds of bird species.
Tips for visiting
- Acclimatise slowly to altitude; coca tea helps
- Carry cash (bolivianos) outside cities
- Pack layers for huge temperature swings
Stay connected in Bolivia
A HelloSIM eSIM keeps you online the moment you land, so you can navigate, translate and book tours with no roaming fees or hunting for SIM cards.
Get your Bolivia eSIM in 30 seconds
Instant delivery, 4G/5G speeds, no roaming bills.
View Bolivia plans →