Is Bolivia worth visiting?
Is it worth visiting Bolivia when in South America?
A staple along any South American itinerary, Bolivia is a must for those who want a true adventure. Not only is it great for backpackers (given how insanely cheap it is), it also has some truly epic destinations.
From the legendary salt flats of Uyuni and multicolored lakes to exploring Lake Titicaca and the markets of La Paz, you’ll be in for a wild ride here in Bolivia!
In this article we’ll list the seven best reasons to visit Bolivia, as well as cover any other important information you’ll need to know.
Is Bolivia worth visiting?
Quick Answer: Bolivia is a must-visit in South America. Whilst other countries can be acquired tastes, this one has truly everything and is great for all kinds of travelers.
Cities such as Sucre, La Paz, Santa Cruz and Potosí each have their own flair, and you’ll also find some breathtaking scenery too such as the Amazon Jungle, Andes Mountains as well as towering volcanoes.
The culture in Bolivia is well and truly alive too. Whilst other countries feel more touristy, Bolivia maintains its authenticity despite the incoming tourist crowds.
The only exception is Uyuni, however even then the further away landscapes (which you can reach on a multi-day tour) will be worth more than worth it!
Where is Bolivia?
Bolivia is located right in the heart of South America, and is one of the only two landlocked nations in the continent (Paraguay being the other).
Although there’s no coast, the geography here is really rich. Here we can find spiraling volcanoes, deep Amazon jungle, remote Andean towns and of course the one and only Lake Titicaca.
The Uyuni region in particular (close to Chile) is one of the most diverse of all, and we highly recommend heading here on your trip.
Getting to Bolivia is pretty easy, as it shares a border with Brazil and Peru to the north, as well as Argentina, Chile and Paraguay to the south.
Crossing Lake Titicaca from Peru to Bolivia?
Lake Titicaca is the gateway between Peru and Bolivia, so naturally you may be coming across this border. George has done this (in reverse) so can share some important details.
You’ll firstly want to head to Puno, which is in the south of Peru (buses head here from Arequipa and Cusco, although you’re best flying if coming directly from Lima).
Before you set off, I highly recommend spending time here to visit the best highlights of Lake Titicaca, as it’s one of those must-visits in the Andes.
From here it’s best to take an early bus to the Kasani border crossing, which takes around 3 hours. Once you’re stamped in, it’s then a short taxi ride (about 20 minutes) to Copacabana, which is the main city that sits on Bolivia’s share of Lake Titicaca. You can either spend time here, or head onwards directly to La Paz.
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7 Reasons to Visit Bolivia
Are you still wondering if Bolivia is right for you? Here’s 7 awesome reasons why you should head to this diverse South American country.
1. Visit the Incredible Region of Uyuni
Appearing near the top of many travelers to South America Bucket List’s, there really is nothing like the Salar de Uyuni. The largest salt flat on earth, here you’ll witness a sea of white in all directions as far as the eye can see!
If you visit during the wet season (December until March) then you can also witness the incredible reflection effect too. The nearby Incahuasi Island is located somewhere in the middle, which is full of cacti and awesome rock formations.
However this is just the beginning of the Uyuni region. Further into the wilderness you can visit red and green alpine lakes, towering extinct volcanoes and also volcanic geysers that are bubbling on the rocky surface.
We recommend heading with this multi-day tour where you’ll be able to explore all of these surreal highlights. You’ll travel around in a private 4×4 vehicle as you head off-road, where you’ll also have all accommodation and meals included too. Keep an eye out as you’ll be able to spot Pink Flamingos and wild Vicuñas along the way!/
2. See Real Dinosaur Footprints in Sucre
Located in southern Bolivia, Sucre is arguably the most beautiful city you can visit in the country.
It’s best-known for its waves of white buildings and colonial churches, however the real highlight here goes back quite a few more years.
The Parque Cretácico is located just outside of the city, and is home to over 5000 actual dinosaur footprints (one of the largest collections on earth!). Here you can see footprints of T-Rexs, Sauropods and other prehistoric creatures.
They’re all found on a large sheet of rock (300 ft tall) that points upwards at a 90° angle, which is due to tectonic activity and other environmental phenomena which pushed the rock upwards out of the ground. The bus here from the city takes around 40 minutes.
3. Sail across Lake Titicaca
There’s no place quite like Lake Titicaca. Even if you’ve already spent time along the Peruvian shores, you’ll find that the Bolivian side has its very own kind of charm and style (and we highly recommend seeing both sides too if you have the time).
From Copacabana you can take numerous tours out across the lake, with the Isla del Sol being one of the most popular visits. Here you can walk along the high-rising terraced ledges around the island, seeing different ruins such as Pilko Kaina.
Whilst you wouldn’t believe it, there’s even a beach here too that you can flop out on for a few hours (during the day it can actually get quite hot here).
You can also head on this day tour from La Paz, which includes all transport and time on the Isla del Sol. As well as including lunch, you’ll also visit various sites such as the Inca Fountain.
4. Ride around La Paz on their “Metro” Gondola System
When I (George) arrived in La Paz, the thing that pleasantly surprised me the most was all of these gondolas flying around in the sky. And given the altitude and mountainous terrain here – it makes perfect sense.
Known as MiTeleferico, there’s multiple lines linking up different areas of the city, as well as the district of El Alto which is higher up on a mountain.
As well as being much cheaper than using taxis, you can also enjoy views of the city as you fly around! When I went in 2022, a one-way ticket cost around 3 Bolivianos (around $0.40!).
It’s also a quicker way of getting to and from different attractions too, as you’ll fly over traffic and also not have to stop multiple times when walking (given the altitude often takes its toll at times).
5. Head deep into the Bolivian Amazon
Of all the different countries where you can visit the Amazon Jungle, Bolivia is still among the lesser-visited (along with Guyana and Venezuela).
This means it’s perfect for those who don’t want to be surrounded by mountains of tourists, and can also have a better chance of seeing nature too.
The town of Rurrenabaque is the gateway into the Bolivian Amazon, and is where most jungle expeditions begin. You can easily take a bus here from La Paz, which is around a 10 hour ride.
Close to the town is the stunning Madidi National Park, which is home to one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth.
This multi-day tour is perfect for exploring this remote jungle wilderness, where you’ll be able to spot everything from Capybaras and Caiman to Jaguars and even the rare Titi Monkey (which was only discovered in the last couple of decades!).
6. Visit the underrated town of Samaipata
Most travelers don’t make it as far south as Santa Cruz de la Sierra, which is a shame as it’s home to a much warmer climate and geography (it’s close to Brazil after all).
However the true highlight is the remote town of Samaipata, which is a few hours away hidden in the mountains. The best highlight here are the ruins of El Fuerte, which have been home to multiple cultures over the 1700 years since it was first founded.
The giant sculptured rock is the most impressive sight, and you can also enjoy the views over the Bolivian highlands while hiking around the site.
You can also hike around the nearby waterfalls of Las Cuevas, which has various different falls in an isolated area of the jungle.
You can rent a motorcycle ride from Samaipata who will be your logistics for the day (which is what George – and is highly recommended as it’s cheap and the sites are like a 30 minute ride away each).
7. Cycle down El Yungas (The World’s Most Dangerous Road)
I’m not going to lie – I (George) nearly soiled myself when riding close to some of these sheer cliff drops, which can be as high as 600m without any barricades.
However, those after a lifetime memory (or adrenaline rush) simply must ride a bike through El Yungas, where you’ll see epic mountain and jungle landscapes along your downhill journey.
It’s located close to La Paz, and it’s ideal to first spend a few days here to get adjusted to the high altitude (you’ll then start the ride at 4000+ meters above sea-level, whilst La Paz sits at 3625m).
We highly recommend going with this safe and reputable tour, which includes some of the most reliable and high-quality bikes (you’ll need good brakes).
As well as providing all safety equipment, water and lunch, you’ll also have a stack of HD photos and videos taken of you so you can show off your achievement and ride to friends and family after!
Is Bolivia worth visiting?
And that’s all for our guide on why you should visit Bolivia.
There’s so many reasons as to why you need to include Bolivia on your trip, and this guide has only really scratched the surface of everything on offer here.
Aside from many breathtaking sites and experiences to be had, the culture is still really humble and raw despite the increased levels of tourism.
For this reason it’s also still really cheap, meaning you can travel much longer here!
Be sure to read our comprehensive Backpacking Bolivia guide, where we have even more travel tips and suggestions for your trip here.
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