Overview
Home to the highest metropolitan city in the world, Bolivia is a landlocked country that offers a diverse landscape – from the Andes in the west, to the tropical rainforest in the East, to the desert in the south. The metropolitan area of El Alto-La Paz sits at an average elevation of 4,000 m (~13,000 feet) and is a vibrant and growing city. The main reason tourists want to make a stop in Bolivia is the famous Bolivian Salt Flats, an incredible expanse of salt as far as the eye can see (and farther).
When To Visit
There are two main seasons in Bolivia, the Wet season (running October to May) and the Dry season (June through September). Depending on where you are visiting in Bolivia, temperatures will fluctuate based on the elevation that you are staying at. If visiting Bolivia for the salt flats, we recommend visiting in January (rainiest month) to maximize your chance of seeing the “mirror” effect on the salt flats.
General Tips & Facts
Country Entry / Exit: At time of writing, Canadians required no visa for Bolivia but it was required for Americans (~$160USD). Entry through La Paz international airport was easy & efficient (but we also arrived at 2:30AM so might explain why there wasn’t a line).
Money: Bolivian currency is the Boliviano, with 1 USD = ~ 7 Bolivianos. We used an ATM in downtown La Paz to withdraw spending money. As in most places in South America, many places are willing to accept USD but you may get a worse rate than withdrawing from ATM.
Domestic Travel: Options are limited – best bet is bus or train (if available). We used a company called ToDo Tourism for our La Paz-Uyuni overnight trip in the VIP seats and it felt safe and reasonable for the price.
In-City Transportation: We recommend staying central in La Paz so you are in walking distance of major destinations or using the cable car public transport (the congestion in the city can be challenging). Uber is only available in La Paz and Santa Cruz. For Bolivia given our sometimes weird arrival hours, we preferred to organize transit in advance vs risk finding reputable taxis.
Safety: When out exploring, avoid wearing flashy jewelry or expensive clothing. We also kept our valuables in a crossbody bag (which we’d wear across our front) or in a money pouch. Bring copies of your passports with you, but leave those and any other important documents / currency in a safe at your hotel / hostel. If you have a camera, keep it away unless you are actively taking photos.
Given the high elevations in Bolivia, we recommend talking to your doctor about elevation medication. We took Diamox and didn’t feel the effects of the high elevations of La Paz (3,650M).
What To Eat & Drink
- Salteñas: National Dish of Bolivia and traditional street food. Very similar to an Empanada, Salteñas are baked and filled with beef / chicken and a mix of vegetables, potatoes, and spices.
- Anticucho: A shish kebab of beef heart, this is common in street stalls and served with potatos
- Pastel de Queso: A common Bolivian take on a cheese empanada and commonly served at breakfast
- Singani: Bolivian distilled alcohol made from white grapes that’s not typically available outside of Bolivia. While labeled a “brandy” it’s much closer to vodka. Served straight up or often mixed with flavor of your choice (passionfruit, strawberry, etc.)
Souvenirs: Best Gifts To Bring Home
- Textiles: Like other Andes countries, you will find a wide variety of textiles and approaches within the Bolivian market.
- Ekeko Statue: The Andean God of prosperity in Peru and Bolivia, one of these cigarette smoking, money clenching, statues are iconic. If you happen to be visiting La Paz on January 24th, you will be there for his festival.
- Chullo: Traditional Andean hat used to keep the ears warm up in the Andes mountain
- Bowler Hat: A key component of the Bolivian traditional dress, especially for women, these hat are a unique souvenir of the region
- Ametrine: Also known as Bolivianite, this is a unique blend of amethyst and citrine
