Tourist Information

The vast salt lakes near Uyuni are a 12 hour journey from the capital La Paz and are well worth the trek. Organised tours leave most days to take you into previously unimagined territory with geysers, boiling mud pools, red and green lakes that change colour to a backdrop of huge, smoking volcanos, all at an altitude of 6000 feet.

Potosi, home to the famous silver mines, lies in the northern region, and is the highest altitude for a city of its size in the world. Dropping into the depths of these mines and stumbling along tiny, dark passages with a severe shortage of oxygen is not your average holiday activity, but is well worth the effort.

12 hours in the opposite direction will lead you to the tropical regions, such as Rurrenabaque where trips into the Amazon are possible: rafting, trekking and a chance to see wildlife, such as macaw parrots and monkeys in their natural Amazonian habitat.

The most popular treks begin in the city, La Paz, traverse the Cordillera Real on ancient Inca routes and end in the Yungas. The three day La Cumbre to Coroico trek is one of the most popular and accessible, in terms of distance from La Paz.

Most favourable seasons for sojourns and touring

There is no particular season to visit Bolivia. This vast country is made up of many different regions, each individually regulated by their own geographical location. However, the variation of temperatures between winter and summer is less than 10 degrees C. The wet season mainly falls between November and March, with the Amazonian regions experiencing a predominantly wet climate the whole year round.

How to dress

Warm clothing in the altiplano region, light clothing for the tropical plains with light clothing by day and warmer at night for the Yungas.

Main holiday sports

Swimming, hiking and rafting.

What to eat and drink

Rice is popular with a vast array of tropical vegetables and fruit available. A wider variety of food is available in the bigger cities.

What to buy

The number of traditional craftmanship markets which offer handcrafts from diverse regions of the country are remarkable. One can find items such as silverware, traditional handmade weavings, carvings in wood and stone, ceramics, tooled leather, musical instruments and a wide range of souvenir handicrafts.

Frontier formalities

Upon entering the country, your passport must be valid for at least one year. Tourist visas are granted for 30 days upon entry, and for 90 days with particular countries. However, some countries need to prearrange their visa - please check before setting off.