Discover Bolivia’s best-in-class experiences in these six treasured sites. Sandwiched between Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru, landlocked Bolivia is South America’s fifth largest country. They boast a wealth of natural resources and also a colorful indigenous history. From pre-Incan ruins to rainforest jungles, you’ll find treasures around every corner. Visit between May and October for dry weather and optimal fun!
Cable Cars and La Paz Witches Market
Gain an aerial perspective on La Paz while traveling between the city’s major attractions. The modern cable cars that operate through the city offer fantastic views of the cityscape from high up in the air. The cable cars provide spectacular bird’s-eye views from each of the lines. This enables passengers to grasp just how big and sprawling the city truly is.
Be sure to also visit the famous La Paz Witches Market where magical souvenirs (in the literal sense) are readily available! Roaming through the stalls of La Paz’s Witches Market, you will notice women wearing black hats and coca pouches. These are the yatiri, some of the last witch doctors in South America.
Pre-Incan Ruins in Tiwanaku
Located near Lake Titicaca, the ancient city of Tiwanaku was built almost 13,000 feet above sea level. This makes it one of the highest urban centers ever constructed. These ruins stand as evidence of an ancient, Pre-Incan civilization. We recommend exploring the Kalasasaya and lower temples at Tiwanaku. The Ponce Monolith is shown above aligned with the Kalasasaya main door. At equinoxes, the sun shines into the monolith and is a sight to be seen!
The Salt Flats in Salar de Uyuni
The blinding white Salar de Uyuni salt flat stretches for more than 4,500 square miles. There is no place else like it in the world. At nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar dazzles the eye and plays optical tricks on you with what look like white hexagonal tiles of salt that seem to go on forever. In Bolivia’s winter, you can drive across it. In the summer, the Salar becomes a giant puddle. The reflection of sky and clouds seem to reflect the entire world. Be sure to bring your camera for a photographic adventure.
Hotels Made from Salt
The salt flats feature hotels made from its nearby resources. The Luna Salada Hotel & Spa is made entirely made out of salt blocks and offers guests the essence of the Andes, on the edge of the world’s largest salt flats. Walk out onto the white salt just steps from the hotel’s doors, to a vast expanse of white as far as the eye can see. The Luna Salada also offers a luxury experience with oxygen at reception, a game room, and stargazing tours. Want more hotel information in Bolivia? See our other hotel picks here.
Madidi National Park
The Madidi National Park is accessible through the town of Rurrenabaque. Madidi National Park is a jungle paradise situated in the in the upper Amazon river basin of Bolivia. Spanning over 11,000 square miles from the Andes deep into the Amazon, you’ll find snow-capped mountains, cloud forests, and tropical jungles. An ecological masterpiece, the park boasts thousands of species of birds, insects, mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians as well as over 20,000 plant species. Jaguars, sloths, vicuñas, pumas, speckled bears, pink river dolphins, and the recently discovered titi monkey are just some of the animals you can expect to see inside the jungle’s green walls.
The Colonial City of Sucre
You will also want to visit the capital city of Sucre on your trip to Bolivia. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this colonial city is densely populated with unique museums, quaint churches and impressive monuments. Sucre is an architectural gem, with a cluster of whitewashed colonial buildings set in a low valley. At the Mercado Campesino, check out the colorful produce brimming from vendors’ stalls. There are plenty of opportunities for views in Sucre including the Church of San Felipe Neri, Iglesia Nuestra Senora de La Merced, and La Recoleta, a plaza which sits on a hill above town. La Recoleta is a popular place to grab a drink and watch the sunset. There is a cafe there or you can also join the locals and sit on the walls. From this vantage point, you can gaze out over the entire city.
From the dazzling white salt flats and the wildlife of the Bolivian jungle, to the architectural wonders of the salt hotels and colonial villages, Bolivia is a treasure that feeds the soul. So, tell us, are you already planning your trip to this magical destination?
