Top 10 attractions in Bolivia
Many people think of Bolivia as primarily Andean country or think of Lake Titicaca or the Uyuni Salt Flats first. What they do not know is that the Andean region covers less than a third of Bolivia. Don’t miss out on the other two-thirds of the country with beautiful tropical destinations such as rainforests and waterfalls, amazing national parks, the largest city in Bolivia, wonderful historic sites, all influenced by some of the less known ethnic groups in Bolivia such as the Moxos, Guarayos, Ayoreos, Guarani and Chiquitanos.
Bolivia is safer than the neighboring countries and provides budget-friendly options for traveling through different areas of the country.
Bolivia offers a lot for adventure seekers, as well as those set out to explore something new and mostly unseen. From the high peaks of the Andes mountains, the mind-blowing salt flats in Uyuni, to the hot and sweaty jungles of the Amazon, Bolivia has a little bit of everything.
Uyuni Salt Flats
The Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni) located at about 3800 meters above sea level amid the Andes in southwest Bolivia, is the largest salt flat in the world. The salt was deposited here after a prehistoric inland ocean dried out, leaving behind a nearly 11000 square kilometer (about 4086 square miles) vast blinding white salt desert up to 120 meters deep. The Uyuni Salt Flat is the most popular tourist attration in Bolivia, one which must be seen to be believed.
To get to Uyuni, you can fly (via La Paz), take a bus, train from Oruro, or a private transfer from Sucre or Potosi.
The town of Uyuni, located at an elevation of 3656 meters, is the starting point of all tours to the world-famous salt flats. One of the flattest places in the world, a trip here feels much like a trip to a strange and beautiful new planet. In fact, the Uyuni Salt Flat is featured in Episode 8 of the Star Wars saga, so don’t forget to bring your X-wing or TIE-fighter for super fun photo opportunities with majestic backdrops!
National Park Madidi
One of the must-sees while traveling in South America is a trip to the Amazon jungle to get up close and personal with a myriad of wildlife. Did you know that the Amazon Rainforest basin spills into parts of Bolivia? In fact, this area of the Amazon is a rich region full of tranquil, virgin forests. Much of it is relatively unexplored, making it the perfect, peaceful place for you to wander.
Madidi is a national park located to the Northeast of La Paz in the upper Amazon river basin in Bolivia. Established in 1995, it has an area of 18958 square kilometres and is one the most biologically diverse parks in the world with 5000 to 6000 species of flora.
The Madidi National Park starts in the Andes and stretches all the way to the Amazon. Spread across an area of 7000 square miles, it is extremely popular among tourists. You may spot a jaguar, titi monkeys (a species of monkey found nowhere else in the world), exotic bird species (around 11 percent of the planet’s 9,000 species of birds can be found in the Madidi National Park), or the giant otters that call this forest their home.
Lake Titicaca
Shared between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is famous for being the highest navigable lake in the world. It is also one of the largest lakes in the world with 3,232 square miles of water and South America’s second largest freshwater lake. With an average height of 3810 meters above the sea level the Titicaca Lake is a great tourist attraction for nature and history lovers. As one of Bolivia’s most beautiful and treasured landmarks, Lake Titicaca is a place for great picture opportunities.
National Park Sajama
The National Park Sajama is the oldest national park in Bolivia, located to the Northwest of Oruro. It borders Lauca National Park in Chile. Featuring the imponent Nevado Sajama peak (Bolivia’s highest), thermal water, scenic lagoons and andinism routes, it is a prime location for photographers and nature lovers.
Covering over 1000 square kilometers, the park’s extensive plains are home to herds of vicuñas, alpacas, llamas, the highest forest in the world, unique artifacts, indigenous burial sites (Chullpas), cave paintings, small adobe churches and mysterious lines. The climate is semi-arid and cold. Since altitudes rech over 4000 meters above sea level, a period of acclimatization is advisable before touring the region.
Oruro Carnival
Oruro is an unwelcoming mining town located at dizzying heights in the arid Altiplano region of Bolivia, about 3 hours from La Paz. Nevertheless, once every year it is home to one of the most famous festivals in all of South America.
The Carnival of Oruro, held each year on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday in devotion to the Virgin of Socavon, is one of the largest folkloric and cultural events and festivities in Bolivia and Latin America. The carnival features nearly 20 hours of continuous partying with 30000 dancers and about 10000 musicians performing the many folkloric dances of Bolivia in extravagant costumes with beautiful crafts to lively music.
Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitania
The Jesuit missions of the Chiquitania Region in Bolivia, slightly off Bolivia’s tourist trail, have remained intact and even after hundreds of years they continue to marvel visitors. They are located on the eastern lowlands of Bolivia, about 6 hours from Santa Cruz city.
The six mission towns were founded by a handful of Jesuit priests in the 17th and 18th centuries and amazingly still remain a vibrant cultural force. They can be visited in one long tour. The largest and best-known is San Jose de Chiquitos, but all provide a beautiful example of old Spanish colonial architecture.
As one of Bolivia’s most beautiful attractions, the Chiquitania Region is a must see for anyone who likes history, nature and the outdoors.
Potosí and its Silver Mines
Established in 1545, Potosí is the world’s highest city at approximately 13400 feet. It became one of the world’s richest and most populated cities for a while thanks to the enormous amount of silver mined from the nearby Cerro Rico (Rich Mountain) mountain.
In Potosí the two most interesting things are the mines of Cerro Rico and the Casa de la Moneda (House of Coins), the old royal mint.
Cerro Rico. From the depths of this amazing mountain, huge amounts of silver have been extracted since 1545. This mountain lured many Spanish Conquistadors to come after its silver. Currently, tin is mined as the silver deposites have been mostly depleted after nearly 500 years of continuous mining. You can take a guided tour of the mines where countless workers lost (and still keep losing) their lives extracting silver and tin from the mountain’s veins.
La Paz
La Paz is the seat of government in Bolivia and a great introduction to the diversity of Bolivia. The city sits in a crater of clay and sandstone surrounded by the tall mountain peaks of the Altiplano and the majestic Illimani towering over it. The city’s new urban cable car system is the highest in the world. The neighboring city of El Alto houses the world’s highest international airport at 4058 meters (about 13300 feet), while the lower and more affluent residential area is still at about 3100 meters (10170 feet), so La Paz is best explored at a slow pace.
There are countless museums and cultural activities to visit and experience.
At Plaza Murillo in the heart of old town, where the government palace is located, you can see the changing of the guards in the morning at around 10 am. The Witches Market and the San Francisco Cathedral (a monumental 18th-century church featuring ornate carvings and panoramic rooftop views) is a definite must to visit. The Mercado de las Brujas (Witches’ market) is known for vendors selling dried llama fetuses and other magical remedies and potions. This is a good place to buy one-of-a-kind souvenirs or even to get your fortune read from coca leaves. The Witches’ Market is located in a touristy shopping area in the city center, allowing a visit to fit into a full day’s itinerary.
Calacoto, in the southern half of the city, is an area filled with upscale neighborhoods full of upscale discotheques, boutiques and stores, malls, gyms, movie theaters, and lots of other stuff.
The Mirador Killi Killi is a hilltop destination featuring spectacular panoramic views of La Paz.
The Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) is situated about 10 kilometers from downtown La Paz. It consists of an area where erosion has created a moon-like landscape. There are narrow walking trails in the valley and you can take fantastic pictures. A trip to the Valley of the Moon is a great day trip. Be careful as the soil is soft and breaks away easily. Take a picnic and spend a some time enjoying a good hike.
National Park Toro Toro
The National Park Toro Toro located to the north of Potosí is a paradise for the lovers of geology and paleontology and one of the most beautiful National Parks in Bolivia. Among the attractions are the tracks of dinosaurs, the cavern of Umajalanta, Inca ruins, cave paintings and the impressive canyon of the Valley of Toro Toro. The altitude of the park varies between 3600 and 1900 meters above sea level. The village of Toro Toro is located on a plain surrounded by mountain ranges of Huayllas and Condor Khaka and maintains its colonial charm and architecture.
The Umajalanta cave, one of Bolivias biggest, is located 8 kilometers outside the village.Stalactites and stalagmites decorate its interior.
El Vergel is a series of waterfalls located three kilometres from the village that created a 100 meters deep canyon through erosion. The water falls down from the side of the canyon covered by lush vegetation and forms pools of crystal clear water at the bottom of the canyon.
Tiwanaku
Tiwanaku or Tiahuanaco is an ancient pre-Columbian city in ruins near the south-eastern shore of Lake Titicaca, about 72 km (44 miles) west of La Paz. Tiwanaku is a recognized World Heritage Site.
Once the seat and ceremonial center of the Tiwanaku culture, the city was built from stones weighing more than 25 tons from the other side of the lake. The community grew to urban proportions between the 7th and 9th centuries, becoming an important regional power in the southern Andes. At its peak the city had between 15000 to 30000 inhabitants. With only a small part excavated, Tiwanaku remains an enigma.
The Akapana pyramid is the largest building in Tiwanaku. It is 194 meters long and 182 meters wide, built on seven overlapping levels. It probably was a temple dedicated to the Sun God.
