You can head from La Paz to Salar de Uyuni with a 45-minute direct flight, or take an overnight sleeper bus that usually takes nine to ten hours, or try a mixed bus-and-train route going through Oruro. Most people pick the overnight bus because it is the most popular and a fairly budget-friendly choice. Companies…
Bolivia is mostly known for the Salar de Uyuni (the world’s largest salt flat), the dangerous Death Road, its extremely high altitudes, and the deep indigenous Andean culture with its living traditions. Because Bolivia is one of only two landlocked countries in South America, it feels like a place of extremes. You can find the…
Bolivia is absolutely worth visiting if you’re looking for raw, unpolished, dramatic landscapes that you just cannot find elsewhere in South America. It offers an authentic, adventure-heavy experience for a fraction of what you might pay in nearby countries. What really stands out is the sheer geographical diversity. You get the world’s largest salt flats,…
Yes, Bolivia is a pretty decent choice for solo female travellers who keep situational awareness front and centre and follow normal travel precautions. Physical assault is uncommon, but catcalling and a strong machismo culture are things you will notice, even if you do everything “right”. Every year, thousands of women backpack through Bolivia alone and…
Sucre is widely seen as the prettiest place in Bolivia, a city that, somehow, keeps capturing visitors’ attention. It is also the constitutional capital, and visitors often mention the preserved colonial architecture, the bright whitewashed walls, and the calm temperate weather. Furthermore, it is marked as a UNESCO World Heritage site, which adds a special…
Night buses in Bolivia are generally safe if you book the premium “cama” tickets, especially with well-known operators like Todo Turismo or Trans Copacabana. Still, accidents can happen on mountain roads, and petty theft while you are inside the cabin is something people do worry about. Reputable companies usually keep their vehicles in excellent condition,…
If you are on a budget, you will probably end up using the extensive network of long-distance public buses (flotas) and shared minivans (micros or trufis). Yes, flights exist inside the country, but they can be a lot more expensive, so most people skip them. Between cities, the bus options vary a lot, from plain…
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if you are going to Bolivian regions that are highly prone to the disease, for instance, the Amazon basin (Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz), or if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic. Even if it is not strictly required to enter high-altitude cities like…
The CDC and WHO recommend vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus for all travellers heading to Bolivia. Depending on your own travel route, shots for yellow fever, rabies, and hepatitis B might also be suggested. Hepatitis A and typhoid are picked up through spoiled food and contaminated water, so they are important for just…
No, tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Bolivia. If you consume it, you can end up with nasty gastrointestinal illnesses, mainly because of waterborne bacteria and parasites that foreign immune systems do not handle well. Travellers should stick to bottled water, or water that has been boiled very thoroughly, or water cleaned…