The Top Places to visit in Bolivia

Top Places to visit in Bolivia.

Bolivia is South America’s playground for nature and wilderness lovers. Here you’ll find a varied mix of terrains from the Andes mountains to the Amazon Basin rainforest and the Atacama Desert. There’s plenty to see and do in the country and if you’ve got a few weeks or are lucky enough to have a few months, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Bolivia.

The Top Places to see in Bolivia

Bolivian Salt Flats

The Bolivian Salt flats are one of those spectacular destinations you need to see to believe how beautiful it is. And trust us it’s true — there’s nothing out there to prepare you for the view of 3,800 square miles of salt flats. The Salar de Uyuni is the largest saltwater flats in the world and you’ll find it located in the country’s remote southwest.

If you happen to visit during the wet season you might catch the flats transforming into an enormous salt lake. Despite its size, the lake only gets to be around twenty inches deep, but the depth isn’t what makes the transformation so special, it’s the illusion that the water creates. Mirroring the sky, the salt lake creates a breathtaking scene — embrace your inner photographer and get some photos to make everyone back home truly jealous.

Accommodation in Uyuni: Casa Andina Salt Hotel (a very weird but excellent hotel experience)

Tours: Take this 3 day tour, seeing the salt flats, different coloured lagoons, and geysers. Dip in thermal baths and see flamingos. This tour also includes the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve (see further down).

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La Paz

A trip to Bolivia isn’t complete without a visit to the capital, La Paz. A great place to relax in one of the many cafes, bars, and restaurants, you’ll also be able to experience the fascinating culture and history of the city too. From the historic plazas, colonial architecture and traditional markets, spend some time strolling through to streets to soak up an authentic Bolivian city.

Recommended accommodation: Hotel Nuevo Sol and Hotel Sagarnaga (both good mid-range hotels in central location with good value). A little fancier is Camino Real Aparthotel. All good choices.

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Flying in: El Alto International Airport (airport code: LPB)  is the main international airport in Bolivia. It is located in El Alto, 8 mi west of La Paz. At an altitude of 4,061.5 m, it is the highest international airport and the sixth highest commercial airport in the world. 

Great Train Graveyard

In the area of Uyuni you’ll find the haunting, yet amazing site of the Great Train Graveyard. Uyuni was once an important transportation hub in South America. However, in the early 19th century, plans to introduce a larger network of trains out of the area fell through and everything was left to fade and rust. You’ll find this train graveyard on the deserted outskirts of Uyuni, high in the Andean plain.

Tours: from Uyuni, you can take this Full Day tour that takes you to the Salt Flats and the Great Train Graveyard.

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Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve

If you want to visit some of the world’s most unusual landscapes, head to the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. Established in 1973, the reserve’s aim is to protect the vicuna and flamingos that inhabit the area. Here you’ll see one of the world’s largest populations of the rare James flamingo, as well as over 80 different types of birds. But it’s not just the wildlife people come to see, the scenery draws visitors in each and every year. The area is home to an array of natural wonders, from the high-altitude desserts, the many colored lagoons, volcanoes and steaming bubbly mud pools.

Note: can be toured in combination with the Salt Flats. See above.

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Lake Titicaca

For those driving from Peru to Bolivia, you’re likely to come across the town of Copacabana on your way to Lake Titicaca. This exceptionally beautiful lake is the highest navigable lake in the world and according to Andean beliefs, is also the birthplace of the sun. To add to the lake’s mystery, back in the year 2000, the ruins of an ancient temple dating back to the pre-Inca times was found by international archaeologists underneath the lake. The best way to experience the views is to join a boat trip to one of the islands located in the middle of the water.

Accommodation in Copacabana: Hostal Las Olas (funky, beautiful hotel with fantastic views).

Tiwanaku

If you fancy a day trip from the capital of La Paz, we strongly recommend a trip to Tiwanaku. The ancient archaeological site is stunning to behold and is said to be one of the oldest highest urban cities ever built. It was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000 and is great for those with a keen interest in architecture and ancient civilizations. Mystery still surrounds Tiwanaku, as no-one knows how, when or by who it was constructed.

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