Often overlooked in favor of its neighbors of Brazil, Chile and Peru, landlocked Bolivia may not get the tourist attention of other South American vacation destinations, but in our eyes it should! So much so in fact, that deciding the seven top places to visit in Bolivia was no easy task. This is a country of biodiverse national parks, mesmerizing geology and abundant natural wonders sitting alongside colonial towns, ancient history, and a captivating culture.
You can get truly off-the-beaten-path in Bolivia too, with remote gems like the monoliths of Tiwanaku, Tarija Wine Region, or the Ouro Carnival just a few of the many highlights of Bolivia that showcase its diversity.
However, if you’re planning your first journey here, we’ve put together our seven top places to visit in Bolivia to make sure you see exactly what this spectacular part of South America is all about.
On a list of unmissable destinations in Bolivia there’s only one place to start, Salar de Uyuni, the Uyuni Salt Flats. Instantly recognizable and one of the most iconic natural wonders in the world, Salar de Uyuni is not only the largest slat flat on Earth but culturally significant for locals too, and of course makes for the most amazing photographs!
Whether you’re visiting in the wet “Mirror” season from December to March or dry “desert” season between April and November, Uyuni is a must all year-round. Some say that this perfectly flat expanse of 4,000sq miles was once an inland ocean that stretched 350 miles to Lake Titicaca, while today it’s simply a place that needs to be seen to be believed. Taking the warped-perspective pictures of impossible-to-judge distances is an essential keepsake when visiting Uyuni, whichever the season, though the enchantment doesn’t stop there—you’ll find some of the world’s best stargazing once the sun has gone down here too.
We recommend spending more than just a day in Uyuni, as around the salt flats you have the giant cacti of Incahuasi Island to visit, the ancient ruins (and mummies) of Pukara de Ayke, Thunupa Volcano, and further afield the Sol de Mañana geysers and Eduardo Avaroa National Park.
And when it comes to amazing accommodation options in Uyuni, it doesn’t come much more spectacular than Palacio de Sal or Luna Salada, both being hotels made entirely from salt, or a Deluxe Airstream camper in the middle of the plains; magical.
Home to many natural wonders, wildlife and one-off landscapes, Lipez Provence in Bolivia’s southwest whisks you away to another world. The highlight of Lipez is the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve, a huge expanse of rock formations, red and green lagoons, geysers and even natural hot springs.
Lipez and the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve are an inspired addition to any journey through Bolivia, or you could make it an epic experience by including Chile as the Reserve sits on the border between the two countries. Unmissable attractions include Lagoons Colorado and Verde on the lookout for flamingos, the El Geyser Sol de Manana, Aguas Termales de Polques hot springs and so much more.
La Paz delights for the city itself and the varied day trips that surround. Sitting beneath the snow-capped sides of Mount Illimani and with a wider mountainscape all around, La Paz has a dramatic setting and is also the highest-altitude seat of government in the world at 4,058 meters above sea level.
There are plenty of things to do in La Paz, starting with a cable car above the city to take in that stunning location and get your bearing for the many art and history museums like the National Ethnography or Gold Museum. There are plenty of restaurants and lively bars, the famous Witches Market, and ornate colonial squares to wander through too.
La Paz is a city with a lot going on and elements of Bolivian culture can be found everywhere, though day trips also come aplenty here. Nearby you can visit the beguiling rock formations of the Moon Valley, or head further afield to the impressive UNESCO World Heritage site of Tiwanaku, one of the most important Pre-Columbian archaeological sites in the Americas. The stonework at Tiwanaku is immense in its scale, accuracy and detail, and plenty of mystery still surrounds this ancient city as you’ll learn on a guided tour around the Sun Gate, Akapana Pyramid, the gigantic stones at Puma Punku and other absorbing areas of this wonder.
For something altogether different, Bolivia’s Yungas or “Death” Road offers a spectacular and adrenaline-filled adventure. Yungas connects La Paz with the rainforest town of Coroico, dissecting perilous drops and cliff-edge corners through a verdant valley and making for one of the most memorable cycle routes in South America.
Mystic Lake Titicaca is an evocative highlight of Bolivia. Located northwest of La Paz and straddling Bolivia’s border with Peru, Lake Titicaca has long held a mythical place in the minds of travelers, far more so for the local inhabitants and their ancient ancestors.
Some say that the famous floating reed islands of Lake Titicaca provided refuge from invading Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th-century, yet the history and connection here dates much further back to pre-Inca times. Visiting Lake Titicaca is either a wonderful addition to your Bolivia experience or a great way to combine with Peru, crossing via Puno on the Peruvian side of the lake and onwards to the Sacred Valley and beyond.
A trip to the revered Isla del Sol, Sun Island, on Lake Titicaca’s southern shore brings you up close and personal to the birthplace of the Inca and their most important Sun God. You can tour Sun Island as a day trip or overnight here, with plenty to see and do—from scenic viewpoint walks to archeological ruins and memorable sunsets over Lake Titicaca.
The town of Copacabana sits on the shores of Lake Titicaca and is well worth a visit, making for a good base to explore the surrounding area and you’ll find some lively local restaurants here too.
Known as much for thousands of nearby dinosaur footprints as being Bolivia’s capital city, 16th– century Sucre offers pre-historic wonder and cultural significance in one.
Beginning with the city itself, Sucre is in fact one of two capitals—with La Paz acting as the seat of government. There is a different feel to Sucre, thanks in large part to its beautifully maintained colonial buildings and squares, wonderful museums and markets awash with crafts, kaleidoscopic produce, and hand-woven textiles—not to mention meeting points for chattering locals!
There are weaving villages like Tarabuco and Potolo to visit nearby, though the main attraction outside of the city is Cal Orcko, a palaeontological site that leaves you in awe at the largest collection of dinosaur footprints on the planet, over 5,000 of them.
Cal Orcko is a both a real-life museum and time machine, taking you back 100million years to when dinosaurs called modern-day Bolivia home.
Roughly 60miles southwest of Sucre is the colonial mining town of Potosi, a fascinating place for its history, highland setting and well-preserved architecture. A visit to the Torre de la Compañía de Jesús or Iglesia de San Lorenzo de Carangas is highly recommended for the views over Potosi, while a leisurely stroll through the old streets or Central Market are both great ways to familiarize yourself with the town.
The Amazonian Madidi National Park in Bolivia’s north is not to be missed for anyone interested in abundant wildlife, and a complete change of landscape to the desert plains and rocky terrain further south. There are a handful of low-key eco-lodges to stay in during your time in Madidi, though the real draw is of course the innumerate biodiversity that can be found throughout the rainforest on guided wildlife walks, boat tours and birdwatching excursions.
Notable species in the Madidi National Park include the spectacled Bear, Jaguar, Anacondas, Spider and Howler Monkeys, the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock and Pink Rover Dolphins plus thousands of bird varieties, butterflies, plants and insects. You can seek and admire everything Madidi National Park has to offer in the wet or dry season and there are benefits to both, so no matter what time of year you’re in Bolivia the wonders of the Amazon Rainforest await.
Last but not least is Santa Cruz, the largest city in Bolivia though one which doesn’t always feel like a sprawling metropolis. With a tropical climate and not far from the Amazon Rainforest, Santa Cruz has lush and green spaces within and all around. There’s Amboro National Park, Parque Lomas de Arena (where jungle meets the desert), Guembe Biopark and the city’s Botanical Gardens to keep you at one with nature, while the Central Plaza, Bell Tower and other colonial architecture showcase Santa Cruz’s history.
Another side of the history around Santa Cruz are the 17th-century Jesuit Missions of Chiquitania. Wonderfully well preserved and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ornate Missions of the “Chiquitania Circuit” are some of the only examples not destroyed by Spanish Conquistadors in all the Americas, offering a rare and privileged glimpse into this tumultuous time.
There are plenty of good restaurants, street food vendors and local produce markets to enjoy in Santa Cruz too, all making for a mini version of Bolivia’s variety condensed into one fantastic spot.
No matter what your interests or group size, speak to the South America travel specialists at Atelier and they will craft your dream tailormade tour to South America.
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