What defines a trip to Bolivia?
Bolivia is a landlocked country covering 1,098,581 km² with around 11.4 million residents according to the 2024 census. A third of the area lies in the Andes, while the larger part is lowland in the east and north. Among the best-known destinations are the Salar de Uyuni, Lake Titicaca, the silver city of Potosí, and the colonial city of Sucre.
Most trips combine the highlands in the west with side trips into the lowlands: La Paz and Lake Titicaca in the north of the Altiplano, Uyuni and the lagoons in the southwest, Sucre and Potosí in the south. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, at around 400 m, is the starting point for the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos, while Rurrenabaque on the Río Beni is the gateway to Madidi National Park.
Two things shape planning: altitude, because many nights are spent above 3,500 m, and the risk of protests and road blockades. Those who build in buffer days and gain altitude slowly travel more comfortably.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA
What kind of destination is Bolivia?
Since the 2009 constitution, Bolivia has officially been a plurinational state: alongside Spanish, 36 indigenous languages hold official status, the most commonly spoken being Quechua, Aymara and Guaraní. The country is diverse but not built for quick sightseeing: distances are large, and during the rainy season roads are often impassable for days at a time.
Independence was declared on August 6, 1825, and the country is named after Simón Bolívar. Sucre remains the constitutional capital to this day, while La Paz is the seat of government. Since the War of the Pacific of 1879 to 1884, Bolivia has had no access to the sea.
The largest city is not La Paz but Santa Cruz de la Sierra in the tropical lowlands, with 1,606,671 residents (2024). In the highlands, Aymara and Quechua traditions shape daily life, visible for instance at the Alasita festival in La Paz, where miniatures are blessed for the god of fortune, Ekeko.
Mining is part of the country's identity: the Cerro Rico in Potosí was colonial Spain's most important source of silver, and it is still mined today. Bolivia holds around 22 % of the world's known lithium resources, most of it beneath the Salar de Uyuni.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikipedia · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · UNESCO-Welterbezentrum · Wikipedia
Which regions belong on a trip to Bolivia?
The classic route combines La Paz at around 3,600 m, Lake Titicaca, Sucre, Potosí and the Salar de Uyuni with the lagoons of the Reserva Eduardo Avaroa. In the lowlands, add Santa Cruz with the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos and the Amazon region around Rurrenabaque and Madidi National Park.
La Paz and El Alto
La Paz lies in a basin, with the city center at around 3,600 m and the airport in El Alto at around 4,070 m. El Alto is the country's second-largest city, with 885,035 residents (2024 census). Since 2014, the Mi Teleférico cable car network has connected the two cities, and since 2019 has had ten lines spanning around 30.6 km; Wikipedia and travel portals such as colombiaone.com call it the longest urban cable car system in the world, though neither source cites a comparison figure for a competing network. Near the southern shore of Lake Titicaca, at 3,850 m, lies Tiwanaku, the center of an advanced civilization between 500 and 900 AD and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Lake Titicaca: Copacabana and Isla del Sol
Lake Titicaca sits at 3,812 m, covers 8,372 km², and is shared by Peru and Bolivia. The main town on the Bolivian side is Copacabana (3,841 m), home to the 17th-century Basilica of the Virgin of Copacabana. Boats depart from there to the Isla del Sol, considered in Inca religion to be the birthplace of the sun god; the island has neither cars nor paved roads.
Salar de Uyuni and the southwest
The Salar de Uyuni, at 3,656 m, is the largest salt flat on Earth at 10,582 km². The starting point is the town of Uyuni, at around 3,700 m. To the south lies the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa, covering 7,147 km² at altitudes between 4,200 and 5,400 m. The Laguna Colorada (4,278 m) is colored red by sediment and algae and is home to the rare James's flamingo, while the Laguna Verde (4,310 m) sits at the foot of the Licancabur volcano on the border with Chile.
Sucre and Potosí
Sucre, at around 2,790 m, is the constitutional capital. The Spanish founded it in 1538 as La Plata; because of its white colonial buildings it is known as the "Ciudad Blanca," and its center has been a World Heritage Site since 1991. Potosí, at around 4,070 m, is among the highest cities in the world. The silver mountain Cerro Rico (4,824 m) was considered the largest industrial complex in the world in the 16th century; the city has been a World Heritage Site since 1987 and on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 2014.
Santa Cruz and the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, at around 400 m, is home to Viru Viru, the country's largest airport. From here, travelers can reach the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos, founded between 1691 and 1760: San Francisco Javier, Concepción, Santa Ana, San Miguel, San Rafael and San José have all survived and have been a World Heritage Site since 1990. The churches are wooden buildings with carved columns; only San José is built of stone. In the same department lies the Fuerte de Samaipata, a carved rock formation that served as a provincial capital under the Inca.
Amazon: Rurrenabaque and Madidi
Rurrenabaque, on the Río Beni, sits at 274 m and is the starting point for tours into the rainforest and the pampas. Madidi National Park, founded in 1995, covers 18,957 km² and ranges from 180 to 5,760 m in elevation; over 1,250 bird species have been recorded there.
Sources: Auswärtiges Amt · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Colombia One · UNESCO-Welterbezentrum · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · UNESCO-Welterbezentrum · Wikipedia · UNESCO-Welterbezentrum · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · UNESCO-Welterbezentrum · UNESCO-Welterbezentrum · Wikipedia · Wikipedia (español)
Destinations
Regions with their own page
How dangerous is the altitude in La Paz, El Alto, Uyuni and Potosí?
La Paz's airport in El Alto sits at around 4,070 m, Potosí likewise at around 4,070 m, Uyuni at around 3,700 m, and the lagoons in the southwest above 4,200 m. According to the CDC, anyone unacclimatized is at risk above a sleeping altitude of around 2,450 m, and arriving by plane directly in La Paz is considered especially risky.
| Place | Altitude | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz de la Sierra | around 400 m | arrival without altitude issues |
| Sucre | around 2,790 m | suitable for the first nights in the highlands |
| La Paz, city center | around 3,600 m | around 470 m lower than the airport |
| El Alto | around 4,000 to 4,300 m | airport at around 4,070 m |
| Copacabana | around 3,840 m | night frost in the dry season |
| Uyuni | around 3,700 m | the Salar itself sits at 3,656 m |
| Potosí | around 4,070 m | Cerro Rico 4,824 m |
| Reserva Eduardo Avaroa | 4,200 to 5,400 m | Laguna Colorada 4,278 m |
The main symptom of acute mountain sickness is headache, often accompanied by loss of appetite, dizziness, fatigue or nausea; according to the CDC, symptoms usually begin 2 to 12 hours after arrival. Confusion, unsteady gait and shortness of breath at rest are warning signs that call for immediate descent.
Above 3,000 m, sleeping altitude should increase by no more than 500 m per day, according to the CDC, and alcohol should be avoided during the first 48 hours. If symptoms don't improve after rest or an overnight stay, Germany's Federal Foreign Office recommends descending below 2,000 m.
For the route, this means: land in Santa Cruz, travel into the highlands via Sucre, and save Potosí, Uyuni and the lagoons for the end of the trip. Preventive medication should be discussed in a travel medicine consultation.
Coca tea (mate de coca) is legal in Bolivia. Importing coca products of any kind into Switzerland is banned, and in Germany even attempting to import mate de coca violates the narcotics law.
Sources: CDC Yellow Book · Auswärtiges Amt · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia
When is the best time to visit Bolivia?
For the highlands, the dry season from May to October is the safest choice: little rain, mild days, but night frost. According to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, the rainy season runs from November to April and brings flooding and landslides. In exchange, the Salar de Uyuni can turn into a mirror between December and April.
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall, in La Paz, Potosí and Santa Cruz de la Sierra
| La Paz | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 19 |
| Low °C | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
| Rainfall mm | 136 | 114 | 79 | 35 | 13 | 9 | 16 | 22 | 24 | 48 | 44 | 107 |
| Potosí | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
| Low °C | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | -0 | -2 | -2 | -2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Rainfall mm | 107 | 99 | 62 | 23 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 36 | 35 | 89 |
| Santa Cruz de la Sierra | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 32 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Low °C | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 |
| Rainfall mm | 169 | 150 | 115 | 92 | 85 | 70 | 38 | 40 | 48 | 84 | 112 | 136 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station EL ALTO INTL (5 km, 4062 m), auf 3640 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station CAPITAN NICOLAS ROJAS (6 km, 3936 m), auf 4090 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station EL TROMPILLO (3 km, 418 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
The table shows the pattern: in the highlands, most rain falls between December and March, while from June to August average nighttime temperatures in La Paz and Potosí drop below freezing, even as the days remain mild. Santa Cruz in the lowlands is warm year-round and sees the most rainfall from November to March.
In the southwest, it's even colder. The weather service Senamhi names June and July as the months with the most frost in the Department of Potosí, with sub-zero temperatures beginning in late May; in Uyuni, temperatures below −20 °C have been recorded on cold nights, the lowest values in the country. Tours to the lagoons require winter clothing and a warm sleeping bag.
During the rainy season, roads are often impassable for several days at a time, according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, and Switzerland's FDFA warns of flooding, landslides and infrastructure damage. At the end of the dry season, wildfires can affect air quality and disrupt flights.
Sources: Auswärtiges Amt · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA · Wikipedia · Los Tiempos · eju.tv
What do I need to enter Bolivia?
Swiss, German and Austrian citizens can enter for tourist stays without a visa, but need a passport that remains valid for at least six months from the date of entry; Germans, according to their Federal Foreign Office, may stay up to 90 days per calendar year. Different rules apply to other nationalities depending on Bolivia's visa group system. In addition, Bolivia requires all foreigners to register online with the migration authority (as of September 2026).
- Visa: not required for Swiss, German or Austrian citizens. Their countries fall under Bolivian visa group I, whose nationals do not need a visa for tourism.
- Registration: according to Switzerland's FDFA, foreign nationals must register online within 48 hours in the migration authority's SIGEMIG system; this is also confirmed by the Argentine Consulate General in La Paz, which additionally states the fine: 236 bolivianos, with deportation and a three-year re-entry ban threatened if unable to pay.
- Proof required: according to Austria's BMEIA, travelers without a residence permit must be able to show comprehensive health insurance and proof of onward travel.
- Entry stamp: when entering overland, insist on the stamp, otherwise penalty payments may be imposed on departure.
Different rules apply to other nationalities. The Bolivian embassy in London sorts countries into three visa groups. Group I, which does not need a visa, includes, besides most Western European countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Anyone in group II applies for a visa with flight and hotel bookings, bank statements and vaccination records; group III additionally requires prior review by the migration authority. Information is available from Bolivian representations and the Dirección General de Migración.
Minors traveling without parents, or with only one parent, need an exit authorization from the children's and youth court, according to Switzerland's FDFA. Official sources disagree on the yellow fever vaccination (see Health). The current information from Switzerland's FDFA, Germany's Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA is always authoritative; for all other nationalities, that of the Bolivian representations and the migration authority.
Sources: Auswärtiges Amt · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · Embajada del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia en el Reino Unido · Dirección General de Migración, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia · Consulado General de Argentina en La Paz
What vaccinations and health precautions does Bolivia require?
For travel to areas below 2,500 m east of the Andes, healthytravel.ch recommends yellow fever vaccination, and hepatitis A for all travellers. According to the CDC, malaria occurs below 2,500 m, but not in La Paz. Dengue and chikungunya also occur in the lowlands.
Yellow fever: according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, the vaccination is only mandatory when entering the yellow fever zones (Beni, Pando and parts of Chuquisaca, La Paz, Cochabamba, Tarija and Santa Cruz); healthytravel.ch names Beni, Pando and Santa Cruz, while the CDC states it is a requirement for all entrants aged one year and up. Anyone traveling to the lowlands should be vaccinated and carry their vaccination certificate.
Malaria and mosquitoes: Germany's Federal Foreign Office identifies the highest malaria risk in Pando and northern Beni; dengue, Zika and Oropouche fever occur nationwide. Mosquito protection is needed during the day against dengue and chikungunya, and at dusk and at night against malaria. Prophylaxis and the chikungunya vaccine should be discussed with a doctor.
Care: healthytravel.ch recommends the rabies vaccination for most travelers, since rabid dogs are common, according to the CDC. The best standard of care is found in the private clinics of La Paz, while it can drop dramatically in rural areas. Hospitals usually require a financial guarantee, according to Switzerland's FDFA, and Germany's Federal Foreign Office recommends evacuation insurance.
Sources: healthytravel.ch, Schweizerisches Expertenkomitee für Reisemedizin · CDC Travelers' Health · Auswärtiges Amt · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA
How safe is Bolivia?
Switzerland's FDFA, Germany's Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA repeatedly point to the risk of protests and road blockades, above all around La Paz, El Alto, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. The authorities regularly advise against travel to the Chapare, where coca cultivation and drug trafficking shape the situation. The current situation is set out in the travel advisories of the three ministries.
- Switzerland's FDFA: advises against tourist and non-essential travel to the Chapare; smuggling and drug gangs are active in border areas. FDFA travel advisory
- Germany's Federal Foreign Office: regularly advises against travel to the Chapare, including Villa Tunari and routes 4 and 24, as well as to the border region with Brazil in the Department of Santa Cruz. Travel and safety information
- Austria's BMEIA: generally rates the large highland cities and Santa Cruz higher than the rest of the country. BMEIA travel information
Blockades often arise without warning and can block access to airports. Switzerland's FDFA advises allowing enough extra time and never attempting to pass a blockade. Road conditions are reported by the road authority ABC on Transitabilidad.
The authorities cite armed robberies, fake police officers and taxis, and express kidnappings, especially in La Paz, El Alto and Santa Cruz; Germany's Federal Foreign Office also names the Yungas and Uyuni. Recommendations include ordering radio taxis, avoiding minibuses, and avoiding overland travel at night. Drug offenses are punished with long prison sentences.
Sources: Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA · Auswärtiges Amt · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · Administradora Boliviana de Carreteras (ABC)
How do you get to Bolivia, and how do you travel within the country?
Bolivia has two major international airports: Viru Viru (VVI) near Santa Cruz de la Sierra, at around 400 m, and El Alto (LPB) above La Paz, at around 4,070 m. The only nonstop route from Europe is Madrid–Santa Cruz with Air Europa and BoA, averaging 11 h 15 min; from North America, nonstop flights operate from Miami, otherwise travelers connect via Lima, Bogotá, Panama City, São Paulo or Santiago (as of September 2026).
Viru Viru (VVI) airport lies 17 km north of Santa Cruz and is the country's largest; travelers landing here start their trip at around 400 m. BoA runs the densest network from there, alongside LATAM, Avianca, Air Europa, Copa, Gol, Aerolíneas Argentinas and Paranair. At El Alto (LPB), travelers land at around 4,070 m with no time to acclimatize.
- Europe: Madrid–Santa Cruz nonstop, the only direct transatlantic connection (as of September 2026).
- North America: Miami–Santa Cruz nonstop; from Canada and other US cities via a connection, for instance in Miami, Panama City or Bogotá.
- Latin America: Santa Cruz has nonstop flights to Buenos Aires (EZE and AEP), São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago de Chile, Iquique, Lima, Bogotá, Asunción and Panama City; La Paz to Lima, Cusco, Bogotá and Santiago de Chile.
- Asia, Africa, Oceania: no nonstop connection; travelers connect via Europe, North America, or one of the Latin American hubs.
Domestically, BoA and EcoJet fly between La Paz and Santa Cruz, BoA also to Uyuni, and EcoJet to Rurrenabaque (as of September 2026). The flight to Rurrenabaque takes 45 minutes to 1 hour, versus 410 km by road. Uyuni is also a rail hub with lines from Oruro, Potosí, Villazón and Calama; reliable, up-to-date schedules for these rail lines could not be officially confirmed in this research. For long-distance buses, however, booking data is available: on the roughly 156 km Sucre–Potosí route, the ticket portal TicketsBolivia lists around 13 daily departures between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., with a travel time of around 3 hours.
Switzerland's FDFA, Germany's Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA advise against overland travel at night. Anyone renting a car needs both an international and a national driver's license; Germany's Federal Foreign Office recommends a car with driver, and the FDFA points to frequent fuel shortages.
Sources: FlightConnections · FlightConnections · FlightConnections · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Auswärtiges Amt · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · TicketsBolivia
What currency is used in Bolivia, and how do you pay?
The national currency is the boliviano (BOB); in larger cities, the US dollar is also accepted, according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office. Credit and debit cards can be used to withdraw bolivianos at many marked ATMs, and Austria's BMEIA additionally recommends carrying cash in dollars or euros (as of September 2026).
The economy is vulnerable: Austria's BMEIA cites supply shortages and inflation, Switzerland's FDFA price increases that can trigger protests and blockades. A cash reserve helps when a blockade delays onward travel.
The boliviano was long pegged to the US dollar; since the official rate was floated in 2026, it fluctuates and in part deviates considerably from the former rate. Card and cash rates can differ noticeably, so compare the current rate before the trip and before withdrawing cash (as of September 2026).
Cash up to 10,000 US dollars can be brought in without declaration, according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, up to 20,000 US dollars with declaration, and above that a Central Bank authorization is required.
In express kidnappings, victims are forced to withdraw cash with their credit card, according to Switzerland's FDFA. It makes sense to withdraw cash during the day and carry only what's needed for that day.
Sources: Auswärtiges Amt · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA · Revista Y/O
Where do you stay overnight in Bolivia?
Around the Salar de Uyuni there are hotels built almost entirely from salt blocks, from the walls and roof down to the furniture. In Madidi National Park, the community of San José de Uchupiamonas has run the Chalalán lodge since 1999. In La Paz, you sleep in the city center at around 3,600 m, about 470 m lower than the airport.
In the southwest, you sleep in the Reserva Eduardo Avaroa above 4,200 m, where severe frost sets in during winter; warm clothing and a sleeping bag belong in the luggage. On the Isla del Sol there are no cars, so luggage must be carried up on foot, for instance to Yumani at 3,976 m. Chalalán sits at the heart of Madidi Park, reached by a boat trip of several hours from Rurrenabaque; packages range from three to six days.
Sources: Wikipedia · Chalalán Ecolodge · Wikipedia (español) · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Auswärtiges Amt
What do you eat in Bolivia?
Typical fare is the salteña, a baked pastry filled with beef, pork or chicken in a savory-sweet sauce, eaten in La Paz and Santa Cruz in the mid-morning, especially on Sundays. Other staples include sopa de maní, silpancho from Cochabamba, and trout from Lake Titicaca. The national spirit, singani, is distilled from muscat grapes.
Lunch is the most important meal, and many shops traditionally close between noon and 2 p.m. Pique macho combines beef, sausage, onions, peppers, egg and french fries; anticuchos are marinated meat skewers. In the lowlands around Santa Cruz, there's majadito, a rice dish, and cuñapé, a cheese bread.
Singani originates from highland valleys above 1,600 m, today mainly from Tarija; mixed with a sparkling drink, it becomes a chuflay.
What festivals and traditions shape Bolivia?
Ten entries from Bolivia appear on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage lists, including the Carnival of Oruro, the Alasita in La Paz, and the Gran Poder festival. The Alasita begins every year on January 24 and lasts two to three weeks.
The Carnival of Oruro, at 3,700 m, lasts ten days. During the Entrada, more than 28,000 dancers and 10,000 musicians in around 50 groups cover the 4 km route over twenty uninterrupted hours; the main dance is the Diablada.
During the Alasita, people in La Paz buy miniatures associated with the god of fortune, Ekeko, and have them blessed. The Gran Poder festival in La Paz has been on the UNESCO list since 2019, and the Ch'utillos in Potosí since 2023. In Copacabana, the town's patron saint is celebrated on August 6.
Sources: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · Wikipedia · Wikipedia
What can you experience in Bolivia?
Highlights include a tour across the Salar de Uyuni to the flamingo lagoons of the Reserva Eduardo Avaroa, a ride on the Mi Teleférico cable car over La Paz, the Inca ruins of the Isla del Sol, and the silver city of Potosí. In the lowlands, the wooden churches of the Chiquitos and the rainforest of Madidi National Park beckon.
- Salar and lagoons: a train cemetery 3 km outside Uyuni, the Isla Incahuasi with giant cacti, flamingos on the Laguna Colorada, geysers and hot springs at Sol de Mañana.
- Cable car in La Paz: views from the gondola over the basin and the colorful neo-Andean cholets of El Alto.
- Tiwanaku: the Akapana pyramid, the Kalasasaya temple, and Pumapunku.
- Potosí and Sucre: the Casa de la Moneda, rebuilt in 1759, churches in Andean baroque style, and in Sucre, the Casa de la Libertad.
- Madidi: rainforest and pampas tours from Rurrenabaque.
The old Yungas Road is 64 km long and overcomes 3,500 m of elevation change; in 1995, the Inter-American Development Bank named it the most dangerous road in the world. Today around 25,000 tourists ride it by mountain bike each year, and at least 18 cyclists have died since 1998. Germany's Federal Foreign Office recommends checking whether the operator is registered.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · UNESCO-Welterbezentrum · UNESCO-Welterbezentrum · UNESCO-Welterbezentrum · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Auswärtiges Amt · UNESCO-Welterbezentrum
How do you travel sustainably in Bolivia?
Staying in community-run projects keeps the money local: the Chalalán lodge in Madidi National Park has been run by the San José de Uchupiamonas community since 1999. In the southwest, the entire Reserva Eduardo Avaroa has been part of the Los Lípez Ramsar site since 2009, which protects wetlands of international importance.
Lake Titicaca has been losing water since 2000, as rainy seasons grow shorter and glaciers melt; careful water use on the Altiplano matters. At the lagoons, the rule is: keep your distance from the flamingos and stay on the marked tracks.
Sources: Wikipedia (español) · Wikipedia · Wikipedia
What combines well with Bolivia?
Bolivia borders Peru, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. Peru is an obvious choice via Lake Titicaca, whose western shore around Puno belongs to Peru, and Chile via the southwest, where the Laguna Verde at the foot of the Licancabur volcano sits right on the Chilean border.
- Argentina: rail line from Uyuni to Villazón on the border, flights from Santa Cruz to Buenos Aires.
- Paraguay: nonstop flights from Santa Cruz to Asunción.
- Amazon: Madidi and Rurrenabaque complement Amazon destinations in Peru and Brazil.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · FlightConnections · FlightConnections
Who is Bolivia a good fit for, and who is it less suited to?
Bolivia suits travelers who want to combine high mountains, salt desert, colonial cities and indigenous culture, and who can handle altitude, basic conditions and changes of plan. It is less suited to short trips, to people with heart or lung conditions without medical clearance, and to anyone dependent on a fixed schedule.
Anyone with only a week to spare will spend a lot of it on acclimatization and transfers: above 3,000 m, the CDC recommends gaining no more than 500 m of sleeping altitude per day. Anyone with a fixed connecting flight should build in buffer days, since blockades, according to Switzerland's FDFA, can also block airport access.
Sources: CDC Yellow Book · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA
