Bolivia
As one of South America’s best-kept secrets, Bolivia boasts such a broad array of attractions that travellers intrepid enough to reach this remote land are treated to a wealth of history, culture and mind-blowing landscapes.
From the wild, dream-like spaces of the Altiplano to the chaotic capital city of La Paz, (flanked by not one, but four snow-capped mountain ranges), the Bolivian terrain spans everything from grassy plains to steamy jungles and colonial cities frozen in time, to some of the most remote and inhospitable landscapes on earth.
Few sites can rival the splendour of the Salar de Uyuni salt flats, where cactus encrusted islands rise surreally out of a sea of salt, or the sparkling blue waters of Lake Titicaca, dotted with beautiful islands and indigenous settlements. For the cultural visitor, Sucre and the silver mining city of Potosi offer an unparalleled view to the decadence of the Spanish crown, the thriving market at Tarabuco and infamous witches market in La Paz are bursting with jumbled charm, and both give visitors an insight in to modern day Bolivia.
A magical destination, Bolivia will leave you breathless " not least because of the altitude.
Wild Frontiers offers unique Tailor Made Holidays and Private Journeys to Bolivia.
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Bolivia
What to do in Bolivia
Explore the Uyuni Salt Flats
Uyuni and Salt Flats
The Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat covering an area of over 12,000km. There are plenty of ways to explore the salt flats, be it day trips from the small town of Uyuni or 3 or 4 day tours staying at different hotels along the way. One of the latest and possibly most exciting ways of visiting the salt flats is by Glamping or 'glamorous camping'. You will have a private guide with you and you will be able to enjoy sunset on the shores of the Salt Lake, before staying overnight in a tented camp.
Visit Lake Titicaca's Islands
Lake Titicaca Bolivia
Lake Titicaca has a number of islands on both the Bolivian and Peruvian owned parts of the lake, the more famous of which are the Isla del Sol (Sun Island) and Isla de la Luna (Moon Island). Isla del Sol is one of the largest islands on the lake and is believed to be the birth place of the sun in Inca mythology and there are over 180 ruins on the island, including the Pilko Kaina and the Chincana complex. Isla de la Luna is home to the deteriorating convent which housed the virgins of the sun. There is also the opportunity to stay on home stays on some of the islands, giving you the opportunity to interact with the native people and learn more about their culture.
Haggle at the Tarabuco Market
Sucre
Every Sunday at 4am the Yampara people walk up to 6 hours over the mountain ranges into Sucre to participate in the weekly market. The small streets of the mountain village fill up with stalls and people selling local produce, meat, textiles, herbs and spices,coca leaves and ingredients used for traditional medicine. The only problem with the market is the potential inflated tourist prices but this gives you the opportunity to haggle your price and get a much better deal.
Explore La Paz's Moon Valley
La Paz
La Paz is one of the most fascinating cities in the world and is worth spending time in to visit the indigenous, colonial and modern areas as well as the Indian Market, Witch Doctor's Market, handicraft street & breathtaking panoramas, Plaza Murillo, and the Presidential Palace. In the way out of La Paz through the Canyon you will find the extraordinary Moon Valley.
Visit a Silver Mine in Potosi
Potosi
By the end of the 18th Century Potosi's streets were said to be lined with silver after the discovery of the precious metal in 1545. Millions of Indigenous and African slaves were brought to work in the mines in appauling conditions and thousands still work there today. You will be given the opportunity to visit one of the mines, following a trip to the miners' market where you can buy gifts of coca leaves, dynamite and pure alchohol for the miners. You will see the miners at work, visit the miners-made museum and El Tio, the God of the underworld, where the miners make offerings to Pacha Mama or Mother Earth.
Visit the Yungas Valley
La Paz
The Yungas Valley can be reached in just three hours from the city of La Paz. In order to get there you will cross a mountain pass of over 4500m and the glacial line before winding down into the Amazon Jungle to the town of Coroico. The old route from the pass is more famously known as the world's most dangerous road but there is a new road now so you will be given the option on which one to take. The town of Coroico in the Yungas Valley has a unique blend of cultures and is a far cry from the dizzy heights of La Paz.
Visit the Tiwanaku Ruins
La Paz
The Tiwanaku ruins are about an hour's drive from La Paz. In order to reach them you will pass through the Bolivian Highlands where you can see the Aymara Indians way of life, a culture which dates as far back as 1150 AC. You will visit the Kalasasaya temple, the monoliths Ponce and Fraile; the Akapana pyramid and the Semi underground temple. There are also a couple of pottery and stone work museums which can be visited as part of the excursion.
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Bolivia
Where to stay in Bolivia
Casa Grande Hotel
La Paz
Situated in the tranquility of the South area, this five star hotel is in the residential and exclusive area of La Paz...
El Hostal De Su Merced
Sucre
Once you have stayed at this hotel, you can rest assured that you have slept in the best small hotel in Bolivia. The...
Mitru Hotel
Tupiza
The best hotel in the town of Tupiza, this lodge is still very simple in style but comfortable and clean. It is well...
Presidente Hotel
La Paz
The hotel Presidente is a good three star hotel in downtown La Paz. While it doesn't have a huge amount of character...
Rosario Hotel
La Paz
Hotel Rosario is a Colonial style hotel in the central La Paz with traditional décor and furnishings and a...
Hacienda La Candelaria
La Candelaria
A three hour drive from Sucre through the rolling hills and tiny villages of rural Bolivia brings you to the 200 year...
Luna Salada Hotel
Uyuni and Salt Flats
Located on an elevated piece of land on the edge of the Uyuni Salt Flats, the Luna Salada is a fantastic hotel built...
Stone Hotel
San Pedro de Quemez
"El Hotel de Piedra" (spanish for Hotel of the Rocks or Stone Hotel) is made of volcanic rock, and is located on the...
Desert Hotel
Ojos de Perdiz
"El Hotel del Desierto" (Spanish for Desert Hotel) is only 40 minutes away from the Red Lagoon (Laguna Colorada),...
Inca Utama Hotel And Spa
Lake Titicaca Bolivia
The colonial hacienda boutique hotel Posada del Inca is located on the top of the Island of the Sun. Now restored into...
Posada Del Inca Lodge
Isla del Sol
Posada del Inca is a lovely 21 roomed traditional hotel on Sun Island, offering guests a peaceful and comfortable place...
Hotel Cima Argentum
Potosi
Hotel Cima Argentum is a small lodge in Potosi with just 17 rooms and suites. The suites have two bedrooms, so are...
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Bolivia
Suggested Itineraries
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Bolivia
Bolivia Travel Guide
Copacabana
Not to be confused with its hedonistic namesake in neighbouring Brazil, the small town of Copacabana, nestled on the shores of Lake Titicaca, is one of the holiest places in Bolivia. Vibrant and colourful, this charming town attracts a steady stream of visitors and pilgrims who travel from all over the country to receive the blessing of the 'black virgin' - the wooden sculpture of the Virgin Mary carved by the Inca craftsman, Tito Yupanqui, in 1576. Housed in the main cathedral, the small statue is said to have spiritual powers causing non-believers' crops to wither and the faithfuls' to thrive. The name Copacabana is derived from the Aymara phrase kopac kahuana, meaning "view of the lake", and situated at a lower altitude than La Paz airport (3,800m) it's a delightful place to acclimatise in.
La Paz
La Paz may not be the most beautiful city in South America but it's certainly one of the most striking. Visitors first see the sprawling shantytowns of El Alto, slowly giving way to the sight of La Paz itself, clinging tenuously to the sides of what looks like a large gash in the earth. Nicknamed "the city that touches the clouds", La Paz was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. Just outside of La Paz lies the eerie landscape and odd rock formations of the Valley of the Moon, the ruins of Tiwanaku (dating back to 700AD) and the highest golf course in the world. One of the city's most famous areas is the 'witches' market', a street of open-air vendors and shops selling a mixture of herbs, potions amulets and animal parts for use in the traditional rituals practised all over Bolivia.
Lake Titicaca Bolivia
Famed for being the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca straddles Bolivia and Peru, spanning an area of over 8,300 square kilometres. The sapphire blue waters of the vast lake and the corresponding endless blue sky make a spellbinding vista, emphasised by the backdrop of snow-capped peaks from the surrounding mountain ranges. Forty one islands dot the lake, both inhabited and uninhabited, the most famous of these being Isla del Sol and Isla del Luna (Island of the Sun and Moon), both of which have been inhabited since the Inca times. The islands contain a wealth of archaeological sites, indigenous settlements and breathtaking scenery.
Noel Kempff National Park
Named after pioneering biologist Noel Kempff, who was tragically murdered after discovering a cocaine laboratory on an elevated plateau, this national park straddles Bolivia and Brazil on dramatic landscape of lakes and waterfalls, dense jungle, savannah, wetlands and mountains. Containing hundreds of species of mammals, reptiles, fish and tropical birds, it is constantly in use as a scientific research area, and has been awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO. A visit to this richly biodiverse park comes with the chance of spotting jaguar, giant armadillo, and some of the rarest insects in the world.
Potosi
Perhaps the most historically fascinating city in South America, Potosi was once the richest and most decadent city in the world, thanks to the silver mines of Cerro Rico (rich mountain). During the colonial era the silver extraction from the mines transformed Potosi into the biggest city in America. The result was a boom-town laced with opulence and, whilst exquisite churches and elegant mansions were built, the affluence also attracted gambling parlours and brothels. It is reported that with the silver extracted from the bowels of the Cerro Rico, it would have been possible to build a bridge connecting Potosi with Madrid. Another shocking statistic claims that a similar bridge could have been built with the bodies of the enslaved Indians who died working in the mines. Modern day Potosi is a shadow of its former self but a fascinating place to explore, in particular the Casa de Moneda (the Royal Mint) where colonial coins were minted. Potosi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Coroico
Coroica is a small town of just 3,500 people perched on the shoulder of the Cerro Uchumachi town at an elevation of about 1,500m and therefore a far cry from the dizzy heights of La Paz. This small town is a tropical town just 3 hours from La Paz, with rolling hills and lush green scenery. Typically serving as a lowland retreat for the middle class Pacenos (citizens of La Paz), the town is a perfect place to enjoy warmer climates and treks into the surrounding countryside.
Sucre
The charming colonial city of Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia and home to the Supreme Court with many cultural attractions, museums, shops and restaurants. Relatively small, Sucre is an easily walkable city and the older sections (with the white colonial buildings, pretty red-tiled roofs and distinctive balconies) offer plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. Home to a large indigenous population who maintain their traditional clothing and customs, the surrounding regions are well known for their arts and crafts, and the weekly Sunday market at Tarabuco offers a great showcase for these wares. Dinosaur bones have been found at Cal Orko, a cement factory just outside Sucre. Guided tours are available from the city.
Santa Cruz
Unlike the country’s other hubs high up in the Andes, Bolivia’s largest and most prosperous city, Santa Cruz, lies at an altitude of 416 meters and has a tropical climate. Colonised by the Spanish in 1561, downtown contains many magnificent colonial buildings including churches where tribes were converted to the Catholic faith by missionaries. Close by, the sacred church in the small town of Cotoca is also worth a visit, before returning for a typical Santa Cruz meal including traditional pastries and indigenous fruit.
Uyuni and Salt Flats
Situated in southwestern Bolivia, the town of Uyuni is on the edge of one of the most arresting sites on the planet - over 10,000 square kilometres of blindingly white salt. The Salar de Uyuni, or salt desert, was once an inland sea or giant salt-water lake, which has evaporated into the thin dry air of the Andean altitude. All that remains is the salt, tens of metres thick, lying stark beneath a bright sky: a sun-bleached skeleton of a dramatic dead sea. Salar de Uyuni bears a peculiar name fitting to its interesting scenery. A tour of the town of Uyuni and the Uyuni Salt flats is a must for any visitor to Bolivia and is one of the most unique and surreal terrains you are ever likely to see
Amazon
Bolivia’s Amazon Basin lies nearly a thousand miles from the mighty river’s source, but for many it represents a truer image of the Amazon of legend and literature. Suffering less from the development and the affects of tourism that has blighted its Brazilian neighbour, the Amazon here is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including capybaras, pink dolphins and giant river otters. However, the jungle providing a haven for armadillos, sloths, jaguar and spectacled bear are sadly becoming harder to find these days.
Puerto Suarez
Puerto Suarez is one of Bolivia’s fastest growing towns and was founded in 1875 for the purpose of creating a presence on the border with Brazil, and to use the adjacent Paraguay River for commerce. While the town itself holds little of interest, the reason for coming this far East is to discover the Bolivian Pantanal, which is one of the largest, most intact, and biologically diverse environments on the planet. It is also one of its most important ecosystems, and has the potential to enhance Bolivia’s tourism industry. The Pantanal (which includes the more famous Brazilian Pantanal) is the world’s largest wetland system; the Bolivian portion alone is over 35,000 square kilometres. There is a high concentration and diversity of flora and fauna to be discovered in the Bolivian Pantanal, and at the moment, most accommodation is based around the town of Puerto Suarez.
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Bolivia
Bolivia Travel Information
Visa Information
UK Passport holders do not require a visa to visit Bolivia.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip. Please ensure the passport details we hold for you are correct.
Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
If you are travelling on a non UK passport please contact your relevant consulate/embassy for the latest visa information.
Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.
Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.
If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.
These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.
For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.
The cover is underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE), and is arranged by Travel & General Insurance Service Limited. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.
To contact them please visit their website at www.travel-general.com or call 0845 408 0583.
Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Bolivia though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Bolivia
