Best time to visit Bolivia 2024
Whilst starting to become more popular with tourists, Bolivia remains an off the beaten path country to visit in South America.
And that’s exactly why you should visit now rather than later. From tasty unknown foods to breathtaking natural sceneries, in Bolivia we can experience all of these hidden gems.
In this guide we’ll explore the best time to visit Bolivia, which includes whether this region is worth visiting as well as how long we recommend spending here.
As well as looking at 5 of the very best things to do in Bolivia, we’ll also answer your most burning questions in our FAQ section.
Best time to visit Bolivia
The overall best months to visit Bolivia are between July and October, which are within the dry season.
Whilst temperatures can be somewhat chilly in the Andes (bring extra layers), the weather is great everywhere else, as well as being a perfect time to explore the Amazon Jungle.
Is Bolivia worth visiting?
Quick Answer: Yes! Bolivia is a diverse country, where you can see all kinds of landscapes. Starting off we have the Andes – which is home to dizzying mountains like Huayna Potosi, breathtaking glacial lakes as well as energizing cities such as those of La Paz and Sucre.
Next we can explore the low-lying Jungle regions, which are further east from the Andes (and stretch all the way until the border with Brazil). Cities like Santa Cruz de la Sierra have a real unique flair, whilst there’s plenty of opportunities to see unique wildlife in the Amazon. You’ll also find many secluded waterfalls and ruins throughout too!
Bolivian culture is also really refreshing – especially if you’ve been traveling through South America for a while. Although various countries here are more tourism-focused, here we can see raw culture that doesn’t care if you’re looking or not.
This means you can see a more genuine way of life, visit local gems that aren’t already popular as well as try some highly underrated foods too.
What is the best month to visit Bolivia
To be honest any month in the dry season is great – which runs from May until October.
This is the best time to see numerous different landscapes, where getting around the country is much easier without the complicating rains that usually create rural blockages.
September and October are better for those who prefer slightly warmer temperatures, especially if you’ll be spending more time in and around La Paz, Lake Titicaca and Uyuni.
Months like May and June are great for travelers who want less crowds, especially when seeing usually-crowded destinations like the Salar de Uyuni as well as the jungle tours leaving from Rurrenabaque.
Another important time to consider is between the months of December and March. Although it’s right in the middle of the wet season (which can cause transport delays), it’s arguably the most epic time to visit the Uyuni Salt Flats – which turns into a perfect mirror reflection given the rains that collect on the salt.
How long should I Spend in Bolivia?
This really depends on you, your travel goals and how much time you have. However, for those looking to see the very best highlights, we would recommend spending 3-4 weeks in Bolivia.
During this time you can see the abundance of awesome sites and day trips around La Paz, visit the memorable Amazon Jungle and Salar de Uyuni, as well as see other charming cities such as Sucre, Potosí and Cochabamba.
We’d break down a 4 week Bolivia itinerary in the following way (based on our experience):
- La Paz (7 Days)
- Copacabana (2 Days)
- Rurrenabaque (4 Days)
- Santa Cruz (4 Days)
- Sucre (5 Days)
- Potosi (2 Days)
- Uyuni (3 Days)
You can also check out our Bolivia Itinerary for more ideas and ways to plan your trip here.
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Top Things to do in Bolivia
Let’s now explore 5 of the very best things to do in Bolivia.
See Wildlife in the Amazon Jungle
One of the most epic regions you can visit in the continent, The Amazon Jungle is known as the lungs of our planet given its sheer size and global importance.
The Bolivian part is amongst the least explored (along with Venezuela’s Amazon Jungle), making it a perfect place to have a more unique experience as well as see rarer wildlife.
Rurrenabaque is the main gateway, which travelers can get to by taking the overnight bus (or flying) from La Paz. To be honest, the town is pretty touristy nowadays, however the surrounding jungle is still really impressive.
The Pampas region is best for those who want to see a variety of wildlife, where you can see everything from Capybara and Caiman to Monkeys (and even a Jaguar if you’re lucky).
Then we have the Madidi National Park region which is more authentic, where you can sleep in the middle of the jungle, learn how to make your own Chocolate as well as head on a memorable night walk tour.
Take a look at this Ultimate Jungle Tour is perfect for those who want both – where you’ll spend 4 days in the jungle where you’ll see all kinds of exotic wildlife, whilst also doing activities like rafting and heading on a sunrise walk.
Visit the Underrated City of Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Far from the tourist path, the vast majority of travelers don’t make it far enough east to visit Santa Cruz (which is fair enough given its a 12+ hour bus from both La Paz and Sucre).
However it’s a hidden gem in its own right, and remains my (George’s) favorite place in Bolivia.
Enjoying the year-round warm weather, you can walk around the charming Plaza 24 de Septiembre with its impressive cathedral, as well as other colonial architecture tucked away within the Primer Anillo.
The Botanical Gardens are also a really great site to visit too, where you can get lost walking in this giant space with lots of cacti and the local tortoises to keep an eye out for.
There’s many incredible day trips to head on too, such as to the Parque de las Delícias – a stunning waterfall located within the Amboró National Park. Samaipata is another great option known for its ruins and waterfalls, however is a bit further away (so is worth spending the weekend in).
Go Cycling down Death Road
Those who love a good fix of adrenaline will definitely not want to miss out here!
Just north of La Paz we will find El Yungas Road, which is a 80 km stretch of mountainous pathway that connects the Bolivian Andes to the Amazon Jungle.
It’s also earned itself the status of the most dangerous road on earth, known for its sheer vertical drops which have claimed hundreds of lives each year.
Today they have built a new, safer road that drivers can take – however the original remains here which is commonly used by bike tours for those who are after a truly wild and memorable experience.
Choosing a reputable operator is extremely important, thus we recommend going with this reputable, highly-rated tour. As well as having high-quality equipment provided (and a tasty lunch at the end), you’ll get to enjoy everything from waterfalls to misty mountains on your ride down.
Get to know Bolivia’s highly underrated Cuisine
During my first visit to Bolivia (George), I didn’t really try much of the local dishes. However, second-time around, I’ve discovered a thriving yet unassuming food culture here.
Pique Macho is the National dish of the country, which is a tasty platter of meats, vegetables and eggs. However you’ll also find some worthwhile foods in different regions.
In the Andes (in cities like Sucre and La Paz) Charque was a pretty surprising local staple – which consists of dried meat (usually llama), potatoes, cheese and corn. Other noteworthy dishes in this region include Chorizo Chuquisaqueño, Sajta de Pollo and Silpancho.
In the wild east regions (like Santa Cruz), Cuñape is a local favorite – which is a cheesy dough that is perfect for a quick bite.
Explore the Salar de Uyuni (and surrounding regions)
Of course we can’t miss this one out – however perhaps for the reason you may not expect.
The world’s largest salt flat is really impressive, where you can see a massive white abyss (and also a perfect reflection if heading during the rainy season).
Within the vast white we’ll also find the hidden island of Incahuasi, which is home to rows of cacti and some beautiful local birds.
However it’s actually the regions you’ll see on the longer tour that make this area so memorable to visit.
Here you can see a variety of coloured lakes, which vary from dark red to green that also are home to the native Pink Flamingos.
You can also see everything from desert rock formations (like the Árbol de Piedra) to high-altitude, towering volcanoes.
We highly recommend heading on this multi-day tour, which includes all lodging, food and transportation around in a private 4×4 vehicle.
Bolivia FAQ’s
Best time to visit Bolivia
That’s all for this guide on the best time to go to Bolivia. This country is usually the one that surprises travelers the most when in South America.
Of course the major highlights include Uyuni and The Amazon Jungle, however here you can find some pleasant cities such as those of Sucre and Santa Cruz, as well as some memorable local foods too.
In this guide we’ve covered the best time to visit Bolivia, as well as our own personal recommendations for you to get the most out of a trip here.
At the end we’ve also answered your most burning questions in our FAQ section.
If you are planning a trip to Bolivia then remember to read our Bolivia Itinerary for even more ideas on what to see and do while spending your time in this awesome nation.
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