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Bolivia Travel Information

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The diverse landscape of Bolivia consists of the Andean Mountains in the west, Amazonian rainforests in the east, the high volcano Nevajo Sajama in the southwest and the world's largest salt lake in the southwest. This South American country also shares control of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Due to its varied nature, Bolivia offers good opportunities for outdoor activities such as trekking, mountain climbing and kayaking. It is here you can get in touch with the fascinating culture and heritage of the Incas and a variety of other indigenous cultures of Bolivia.

Bolivia, the land of busy cities and rich nature with mountains & rainforests

The largest city in Bolivia, La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, situated high in the Andes at about 3,500 meters from the sea level. Built in a canyon, the city offers some breathtaking mountain views. The several museums in La Paz exhibit the Bolivian history, art and culture. Local travel operators in La Paz offer unforgettable trekking experiences in the Andean Mountains, and the city is a good starting point to trips to destinations around Bolivia.

A scenic small town by the magnificent Lake Titicaca, Copacabana is a popular tourist resort near La Paz. The scenic Lake Titicaca is the second largest lake in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world. This lake has an enormous significance in the ancient Inca culture and ruins of some of the oldest civilizations in the Americas can be found in the area. The area of Copacabana by the Lake Titicaca offers great opportunities for kayaking, cruising, sightseeing and more.

The tropical paradise of Bolivia, Santa Cruz province is situated in the fertile lowlands of the Amazon area in Eastern Bolivia. The area is exceptionally rich is nature. The modern and multicultural provincial capital Santa Cruz is the wealthiest and the second most populous city in Bolivia and a centre of fashion. Despite rapid modernization the city has preserved traditions and Bolivian culture and has many interesting sights to offer.

More Bolivian destinations. Nature lovers can see the varied wildlife of Bolivia in places like Madidi National Park or Beni Biosphere Reserve in the Amazonian region of Bolivia, and the world’s largest salt flat in Salar de Uyuni is also a spectacular place for touring. While visiting Bolivia, be sure to visit also the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku and the world's highest ski resort in Chacaltaya that is also a good destination for mountaineering. The famous Bolivian Festivals also attract many visitors to Bolivia.

Practical information for your trip to Bolivia

The climate in Bolivia depends on the altitude and there is a great regional variation from humid and tropical to cold and arid. Winters in most parts of Bolivia are dry and summers from November to April are warm and wet. The most pleasant time to visit Bolivia is in winter from May to October, when the weather is generally dry and clear. The Bolivian fiesta season in February brings lots of visitors to Bolivia and it is the best season for mountain climbing as well.

How to get there. Bolivia is a landlocked country in central part of South America. Flights to Bolivia arrive at the international airports of El Alto in La Paz and Viru-Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz.


Photo: Carlos Adampol, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)


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As only some foreign airlines fly directly to Bolivia, most of visitors to this scenic country travel to the neighboring countries and take a train, bus or a regional flight to Bolivia. There are road connections to Bolivia from all of the neighboring countries, but the local roads are often in poor condition. Some boat connections to Bolivia also exist via Lake Titicaca.

Traveling in Bolivia requires some planning. The Bolivian road network is quite extensive but the majority of the roads are not paved. Some inexpensive domestic flight connections exist, but these connections are not very reliable. The quality of train connections in Bolivia is variable and depends on the route you choose.

Basic services. Bolivia is a poor country with relatively undeveloped tourism sector, so do not expect to find a great deal of luxury during your visit in Bolivia. Some hotels and restaurants can be found in all parts of the country, and their prices are generally very low. Some Spanish skills are definitely needed for independent travel in Bolivia.

Safety. Violent crime such as robberies is not uncommon in Bolivia, so be sure to exercise caution at all times while visiting Bolivia, and avoid traveling alone or at night. Natural disasters like severe flooding are common during the Bolivian rainy season. Strikes and demonstrations are not rare in the country and if these occur visitors should keep a low profile. Visiting the silver mines of Potosi can cause serious health risks.

History and culture of Bolivia in short

The Bolivian culture has been influenced by the indigenous Amerindian people, notably Quechua and Aymara, as well as the Spanish culture. Once a part of the Inca Empire and conquered by the Spaniards in the 1500s, Bolivia gained independence from Spain in 1825 after sixteen years of war led by the independence fighter Simón Bolívar. Since independence, neighboring countries Chile and Peru have conquered territories from Bolivia, blocking its way to the Pacific Ocean. Once famous for its silver mines, Bolivia has suffered from coups and military dictatorships, and remains a poor developing nation. Today, the majority of Bolivians still belong to the various indigenous groups in the country, notably Quechua, Aymara, Guarani and Chiquitano, while most of the remainder are mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European).


Facts of Bolivia

Popularity
Price level
Safety
Happiness
temperatures / when to go Best months to go
June, July, August, September
World heritages World heritages:    6
time zone Time zone:  GMT -4
population Population  10.4 M
capital / biggest city Capital:
La Paz (administrative), Sucre (constitutional)
language / languages Language(s)
Spanish 61%, Quechua 21%, Aymara 15%
literacy Literacy level:   87 %

religion / religions Religions:
Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant 16%