🌟 What to Do & Local Tips
Explore experiences and tips to get the most from your trip in Bolivia
Bolivia is raw, wild, and unforgettable. The world's largest salt flat. A road so terrifying it was once named the most dangerous on Earth. Cable cars over a city in the clouds. Flamingos on blood-red volcanic lakes. Pink river dolphins in the Amazon.
This is not a polished destination. There are no theme parks. No luxury beach resorts. What Bolivia has instead is something far rarer — landscapes so extreme they look computer-generated, and experiences so authentic they feel like stepping into another century.
Come for the Salar at sunrise. Stay for everything else you didn't expect.
📍 Book Activities & Experiences
Salar de Uyuni Salt Flat Tours
Drive across the world's largest mirror — 10,582 km² of blinding white salt. 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day jeep tours departing from Uyuni town. Includes Laguna Colorada (red lake with flamingos), Eduardo Avaroa Reserve, and the train cemetery. Sunrise and sunset tours available. Dry season (May–October) for the mirror effect when wet.
More info →Death Road Mountain Biking
Cycle the legendary Yungas Road from 4,700m down to 1,200m — 64km of pure adrenaline. Once the world's most dangerous road. Full-day guided tours from La Paz include bike, helmet, guide, and transport back. One of South America's iconic adventure experiences. All skill levels welcome — operators adjust pace to the group.
More info →Madidi Amazon & Pampas Tours
Fly into Rurrenabaque (30 min from La Paz) and choose your adventure: jungle lodges inside Madidi National Park (one of the world's most biodiverse places), or Pampas tours spotting pink river dolphins, anacondas, caimans, and capybaras. 2–4 day tours with local guides. Truly off-the-beaten-path Bolivia.
Browse Bolivia toursCholitas Wrestling Show
Watch indigenous Aymara women — dressed in traditional bowler hats and pollera skirts — wrestle, flip, and body-slam each other in a theatrical spectacle unlike anything else on earth. Takes place weekly in El Alto, just above La Paz. Tickets include transport from La Paz. Surreal, hilarious, and genuinely entertaining.
More info →⭐ Top Experiences in Bolivia
⭐ Salar de Uyuni at sunrise
Drive onto the salt flats before dawn. Watch the horizon turn pink over an infinite white mirror. The most otherworldly landscape on earth. Dry season (May–Oct) for mirror effect when wet.
More info →⭐ La Paz cable car network
Mi Teleférico — 10 lines of cable cars over La Paz's canyon city. 3 Bolivianos ($0.45) per ride. Spectacular views. Essential transport and unmissable tourist experience rolled into one.
More info →⭐ Lake Titicaca & Isla del Sol
World's highest navigable lake at 3,800m. Boat from Copacabana to Isla del Sol — the mythical birthplace of the Inca sun god. Hike ruins, meet Aymara communities, watch sunsets over the lake.
More info →⭐ Tiwanaku ruins
Pre-Inca ceremonial center, 700 years older than Machu Picchu. Massive monoliths, the Gate of the Sun, semi-underground temple. 2 hours from La Paz. Full-day guided tours from the city.
More info →⭐ Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna)
Lunar landscape 10km from La Paz center. Erosion-sculpted clay spires and canyons. Looks like the moon's surface. Easy half-day trip. Around $3–5 entrance. Surreal and beautiful.
More info →⭐ Laguna Colorada & flamingos
Blood-red volcanic lake in the Altiplano. Thousands of pink flamingos feeding on red algae against a backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes. Part of 3-day Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama jeep tour.
More info →⭐ Sucre colonial walk
Bolivia's whitewashed constitutional capital. UNESCO-listed. Church of San Felipe Neri rooftop views, Casa de la Libertad, Recoleta monastery. Pleasant climate, safe streets, great coffee scene.
More info →⭐ Witch's Market (Mercado de las Brujas)
La Paz market selling dried llama fetuses, potions, herbs, amulets, and coca leaves. Yatiri (Aymara shamans) offer blessings. Strange and fascinating. Calle Melchor Jiménez, La Paz. Free to wander.
More info →⭐ Huayna Potosí summit climb
Summit a 6,088m snowcapped Andean peak near La Paz. Guided 2–3 day mountaineering experience. No technical experience required but good fitness essential. One of the world's most accessible 6,000m peaks.
More info →⭐ La Paz food tour
Salteñas (Bolivia's empanadas) for breakfast, chicharrón at the market, api (purple corn drink), tucumana dumplings. La Paz street food is underrated. Evening food tours hit the highlights in 3 hours.
More info →⭐ Potosí silver mine tour
Descend into the working mines of Cerro Rico — the mountain that funded the Spanish Empire for 200 years. Active miners still work here. Sobering, authentic, unforgettable. Tours from Potosí center.
More info →⭐ Uyuni train cemetery
Graveyard of rusting 19th-century steam locomotives on the salt flats. Surreal photo opportunity. 3km walk from Uyuni town. Free entry. Best at golden hour — orange rust against white salt.
More info →⭐ El Alto market (Feria de El Alto)
Sunday market in Bolivia's fastest-growing city. Electronics, fresh produce, traditional textiles, street food. One of South America's largest outdoor markets. Take the Teleférico from La Paz (20 min).
More info →⭐ Chacaltaya mountain
Former ski resort at 5,395m — one of the world's highest skiable peaks (before climate change melted the glacier). Now a stunning Altiplano hike with panoramic Andes views. 30km from La Paz.
More info →⭐ Dinosaur footprints (Sucre)
Cal Orcko — limestone wall outside Sucre bearing 68 million-year-old dinosaur footprints. Over 5,000 tracks from 294 species. One of the world's largest dinosaur track sites. Museum on site.
More info →⭐ Pink river dolphins
Bolivia's Amazon rivers are home to rare pink boto dolphins (Inia boliviensis). Spot them on Pampas boat tours near Rurrenabaque. Also see anacondas, caimans, capybaras, and tropical birds.
More info →⭐ Oruro Carnival
Bolivia's most spectacular festival — UNESCO-listed Diablada (Devil Dance) carnival. Thousands of costumed dancers, elaborate masks, brass bands. February/March. Book accommodation months in advance.
More info →⭐ Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama
3-day 4WD overland crossing from Bolivia to Chile through volcanoes, geysers, flamingo lagoons, and the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. One of South America's great overland journeys.
More info →⭐ ATV Valle de la Luna
Ride ATV quads through Moon Valley, Valle de las Ánimas, and Muela del Diablo canyon. Dramatic red-rock landscapes, cactus forests, and Andean condors. Full-day adventure from La Paz.
More info →⭐ Cochabamba & Cristo de la Concordia
Bolivia's food capital at 2,500m. Try mondongo, chicharrón, and humitas. Cristo statue taller than Rio's Cristo Redentor. Cancha market — Bolivia's largest. Pleasant climate, relaxed vibe.
More info →📋 Booking Tips
- Book Uyuni tours in advance: Peak season (July–August) tours sell out weeks ahead
- Check cancellation policies: Weather on the Altiplano is unpredictable — especially important for salt flat tours
- Death Road: choose your operator carefully: Read recent reviews — quality of bikes and guides varies significantly
- Compare platforms: Prices can vary between GetYourGuide, Viator, and local operators in Uyuni town
- Acclimatize before intense activities: Spend 1–2 days in La Paz before attempting high-altitude hikes or the Death Road descent
💡 Local Tips
Everything you need to know before you go
💡 Essential Info
BOB / Bs.
Boliviano
Cash is king. Many smaller towns, markets, and tour operators only accept cash. ATMs available in cities — withdraw in La Paz before heading to Uyuni or Rurrenabaque. USD widely accepted as backup.
Spanish
Limited in tourist areas — English rare outside major hotels and La Paz backpacker districts. Learn basics: "¿Cuánto cuesta?" (How much?), "¿Dónde está...?" (Where is...?). Aymara and Quechua spoken in indigenous communities.
+591
Emergency: 110 (police), 118 (ambulance), 119 (fire)
Mobile coverage good in cities, limited outside urban areas. Buy a local SIM (Tigo or Entel) for $5–10 with data. WhatsApp essential — locals and operators communicate primarily via WhatsApp.
Yellow fever vaccination required if arriving from affected countries. Altitude sickness (soroche) is real — take it slow the first 24 hours in La Paz. Tap water not safe to drink — bottled or filtered water only. Travel insurance strongly recommended.
🤝 Cultural Tips
💵 Tipping
Not mandatory but appreciated. Restaurants: 10% if no service charge included. Tour guides: $5–10/day for good service. Hostel staff: small tips for exceptional help. Always tip in bolivianos — easier for locals.
👋 Greetings
Formal: Handshake standard. Women often greet with a single cheek kiss.
Informal: "Hola" or "Buenos días/tardes/noches". First names used quickly. Bolivians are warm and friendly — patience and a smile go a long way.
🍽️ Dining
Etiquette: Lunch is the main meal (1–3pm). Fixed-price lunch menus (almuerzo) are the best value — $2–4 for soup, main course, and drink. Dinner is lighter and earlier (7–9pm). Salteñas are breakfast, not lunch — this is a local rule taken seriously.
Pace: Relaxed. Service can be slow by Western standards — embrace it.
📸 Photography
Important: Always ask before photographing indigenous people — especially Aymara women. Many will ask for payment (1–2 bolivianos is polite). Witch's Market vendors may refuse. Markets in El Alto can be sensitive. Respect always comes first.
👔 Dress Code
General: Casual and practical. La Paz can be cold even in summer — layers essential. Uyuni is freezing at night year-round. Amazon lowlands are hot and humid. Modest dress appreciated in churches and indigenous communities.
🚨 Safety & Health
- Acclimatize properly — altitude sickness is serious above 3,500m; ascend gradually and rest
- Use ride-hailing apps (Uber, InDrive) in La Paz — avoid unmarked taxis ("taxi pirata")
- Keep emergency contact numbers saved — 110 police, 118 ambulance
- Purchase travel insurance covering medical evacuation — essential for high-altitude Bolivia
- Drink only bottled or filtered water — ice in restaurants may not be safe
- Know the location of nearest embassy or consulate before traveling to remote areas
💰 Money-Saving Secrets
- Eat almuerzo (set lunch) — $2–4 for a full 3-course meal at any local restaurant
- Take the Teleférico instead of taxis in La Paz — 3 bolivianos vs 20–50 bolivianos
- Book Uyuni tours from Uyuni town — cheaper than booking from La Paz or online
- Drink coca tea instead of bottled altitude remedies — free in most hotels, equally effective
- Visit shoulder season (April–June) — fewer crowds, lower prices, still dry weather
- Use ATMs in La Paz — fees spike in smaller towns; withdraw enough cash before leaving the city
📅 Best Time to Visit
Dry Season
May–October ~ 15–20°C La Paz, Altiplano nights below freezing, Amazon hot & humid
✅ Pros: Best for Uyuni salt flat reflections (wet season is better, but dry is clear), trekking, Death Road biking, wildlife viewing, road travel, all activities accessible
❌ Cons: Peak tourist season (July–August), higher prices, Uyuni lacks mirror effect without rain, Altiplano can be bitterly cold at night
Wet Season
November–March ~ 10–18°C La Paz, heavy rains afternoon/evening, Amazon flooding
✅ Pros: Salar de Uyuni mirror effect at its peak (thin layer of water = perfect mirror), lush green Altiplano, fewer tourists, lower prices, Oruro Carnival (Feb/Mar)
❌ Cons: Some roads impassable, Amazon flooding cuts off jungle lodges, afternoon rain everywhere, trekking trails muddy, Death Road more dangerous
Shoulder Season
April & November ~ transitional, mix of rain and clear days
✅ Pros: Best of both worlds — some mirror effect remaining in April, green landscapes, lower prices than peak dry season, manageable crowds
❌ Cons: Unpredictable weather, some tours may have limited availability, salt flats can be partially flooded or partially dry
Winter (Southern Hemisphere)
June–August ~ clear skies, freezing nights on Altiplano (-10°C to -20°C)
✅ Pros: Peak dry season, crystal-clear visibility, all roads open, festivals (Inti Raymi in June), best for photography, Amazon accessible
❌ Cons: Extreme cold at night on Altiplano and Uyuni, busiest period with highest prices, no mirror effect on salt flats