Bolivia is a national of South Americans and is located in a mountainous region hence is lacks direct seashore access; but these are some characteristics that make Bolivia a perfect place for travelers with extraordinarly sense of adventure. Ranging from the Rocky Mountains to the xerophytic plateau, Bolivia has numerous natural attractions that are worthy of a visit. Welcome to this detailed article in which we will describe all the peculiarities of tourism in Bolivia as a solo traveler, share useful general tips, and offer recommendations to create an amazing trip to this country.
1: The following are the guidelines to follow when planning for the trip.
1 Choosing the Best Time to Visit Bolivia:
The weather in Bolivia though generally similar has great variation depending on the area of the country and it altitude. Dry season; April to October, is reckoned to be the best time to travel because of good sunny weather and clear skies and appreciable weather to visit some of the natural splendors of South America such as Salar de Uyuni and Lake Titicaca. However, if you are keen in dancing to the pulse of Bolivia’s active cultural festivities like the Carnival of Oruro or Gran Poder Festival in La Paz, then this is the best time to visit Bolivia, although it comes with its rainy season from November to March.
1. 2 Getting There:
Most travellers get to Bolivia through its airports, major being the El Alto International airport in La Paz, Viru Viru in Santa Cruz and the Jorge Wilstermann in Cochabamba. Several airline companies provide international connection into Bolivia with various stopovers from different cities of the world; however you may fly to major cities like Lima in Peru or Santiago in Chile with a connection to Bolivia.
Still for the travelers who are planning to fully transit, overland transport is also achievable as Bolivia shares border with Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil whose buses provide transport services. Cross border occurrence is most frequently on the borders of Peru–Bolivia through Desaguadero, Chile–Bolivia through Ollague, Argentina–Bolivia through Villazón.
1. 3 Visa Requirements:
Currently people of most nationalities don’t need a visa to visit Bolivia for up to 90 days depending on the country of issue of the passport. Though, general requirements do exist, it’s important to research more about the icular visa for your country before coming. Further, every traveler has to produce a passport which should have not less than six months’ validity from the planned date of exit from Bolivia.
1. 4 Health and Safety Considerations:4 Health and Safety Considerations:
Further, Bolivian altitude is relatively high hence altitude sickness is likely to occur and so one has to take necessary precaution and drink a lot of water.
In regards to security, Bolivia is largely safe for tourists; however, one has to be cautious especially when wandering around populated tourist hubs and crowded bazaars where there have been reported cases of pick pocketing and other minor criminal activities. Furthermore, one must be careful of political manifestations or rallies which may sometimes take place in big towns.
2: Toward Bolivia’s Attractions
2. 1 La Paz:
La Paz, officially known as Nuestra Señora de La Paz but also known as the colonial city of Kings, is the administrative capital of Bolivia and amazing city that juxtaposes the Kims, with modern gray skyscrapers, colonial architecture and indigenous roots. Major attractions of the area include the Witches’ Market where tourists can buy herbs, potions, charms and other magical items,; the Murillo Plaza where the President’s palace and the Cathedral of La Paz are located; and El Alto district characterized by graffiti art works and indigenous markets.
La Paz also offers adventure activities such as the biking at the death road considered one of the most dangerous roads to bike at in the world, and there is also hiking and trekking in the Andes mountains.
2. 2 Salar de Uyuni:
One cannot help but presume that the Salar de Uyuni with its potential to be the world’s largest salt flat has practically become one of Bolivia’s greatest symbols. Located in the south west of Bolivia this natural wonder spans approximately over 10,000 sq km of white salt desert as far as the eye can see.
Some of the common activities are island visiting, mainly the Incahuasi Island, which is filled with cacti surrounded by salt plains, viewing the interesting beds of salt and observing the reflection especially during rainy season and salar accommodation in salt hotels which are walls, floors, roofs made of salt bricks.
2. 3 Lake Titicaca:
Located at the border of Bolivia and Peru, Titicaca is the largest lake in the South American region as well as the Σεπ onward one of the highest navigable waters on the planet. Some of the areas well-known indigenous communities are Uros islanders living on the floating islands and Quechua and Aymara communities revered for their artisanal knitting and cultivation.
There are activities like visiting the islands of Isla del Sol, and Isla de la Luna, and sight-seeing the ancient Inca’s ruins moving around, observing Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna at night and through the day, watching Indigenous Day festival as well as icipating in it and celebrations of sun-worship ceremonies of the Indigenous people.
2. 4 Potosí:
Potosi is one of the richest ruins of the new world because of silver mining and now is listed in World Heritage Site with the tourists who have historical interest. As a result, colonial architecture and the preserved historic area give an idea of prosperity in the past; the Casa Nacional de la Moneda gives insight on the colonial minting and the role of silver mining in the region.
A visit to Potosí would not be incomplete without a trip to the underground mines of Cerro Rico where you get an eye opener on mining and everyday life of miners.
2. 5 Sucre:
This charming and beautiful city is also known as Bolivia’s “White City” because of the principal constructions still bearing white facades that are typical for the colonial architectural style. Attractions of Sucre include Recoleta Monastery, the ancient town of the same title on the UNESCO list, and the indigenous village of Tarabuco, which is known for selling weaving cloths and trinkets.
Besides, it is also a region where tourists can have a lots of outdoor activities such as trekking, mountain bike riding, Paragliding near the Andes mountain ranges.
3: The following real-life tips and advices will be helpful when traveling in Bolivia.
3. 1 Currency and Money Matters:1 Currency and Money Matters:
Bolivia’s official money is the Bolivian Boliviano denoted by BOB; however, it has sub units termed as, centavos. Despite this, the major credit cards are accepted in the large cities and the touristic zones, however cash should be preferred in the rest of the zones.
Banking services are offered through Automated Teller Machines which are common in big cities however, one should inform his/her banker of plans to travel to avoid problems of accessibility of his/her card. Also, beware of con artists and fraudsters related to the exchange rate and change money only at the authorised agents and bureau de changes or banks.
3. 2 Language and Communication:
The languages used in Bolivia include Spanish which is the most popular, Quechua, and Aymara. Most of the literate people in the urban areas say a little English especially those working in the tourism sector but for interactions with the local people, it is easier to communicate in Spanish.
Having a small Spanish phrasebook or using an application with a translator can help when it comes to communication and when deciphering the signs and directions.
3. 3 Transportation in Bolivia:
The country has a developed means of transportation including buses, minibusses which are locally referred to as ‘micros’, taxis and domestic aircrafts. Bus is arguably the most favored means to use in navigating around Bolivia because there is; local buses and coaches that ply distant routes in Bolivia. Currently, various Bolivia based firms such as Trans Titicaca and Panasur have set up standard routes across Bolivia ranging from the urban centers to the tourism centers with basic fares and comfort depending on the fare you paid.
For those travelers who are tired of camping, Robinsons and simple food they can take domestic flights between the cities and tourists’ centers like La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, etc. The main Bolivian carriers that provide services for domestic flights within Bolivia include Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) and Amaszonas airlines provide frequent flights to several destinations.
Taxis are obtainable for 24 hours a day and are not excessively costly in the urban centers, though the price should be discussed with the driver explicit before boarding, since there are few taxis that use meters. As a result of this there is popular application such as Uber , Cabify that are useful in cities like La Paz, Santa Cruz among others in obtaining means of transport when in need.
3. 4 Altitude Sickness:
Perhaps one of the biggest issues that most travelers will find, especially when vising Bolivia, is the effects of altitude, especially when in places such as La Paz or Potosí, at extreme heights. Some of the early manifestations of altitude sickness include headaches, nausea, fatigue and shortness of breath and can occur in young travelers and the elderly or even the fit and active.,
To avoid altitude sickness, one can avoid climbing steep slopes or rise to higher altitudes abruptly, maybe spend some days before climbing steep slopes. But, other measures that can also help include taking enough water, avoiding alcohol and caffeine products, and light meals also help in the symptoms. Also, other drugs including acetazolamide (Diamox) can be used with the direction of a doctor to cure or avoid altitude sickness.
3. 5 Cultural Etiquette and Customs:5 Cultural Etiquette and Customs:
Bolivia is a country with a highly developed culture based on indigenous people’s beliefs, colonial impact, and multicultural present. This is why while engaging with the indigenous communities or traveling to areas where they celebrate their cultural festivities, one must respect cultural practices.
Overall, people of Bolivia are friendly and hospitable, thus any behavior that might be offending to the Bolivia’s culture or its people should preferably not be illustrated. For instance, it is obscene to take a photograph of people or religious events without their consent, and it is proper to cover one’s head in churches and other holy places.
Conclusion:
Bolivia is a country where tradition and the spirit of the epoch became one and where one can observe the miracles of the nature as long as one wants. Regardless, whether you decide to wander across the space like no other, the Salar de Uyuni, learn about the history of the silver city-Potosí, or embrace the color of La Paz, there is so much to do in Bolivia.
Complying with the tips and recommendations described below, it will be possible to prepare for the journey that will turn Bolivia into the country of fresh adventurous impressions, cultural discoveries, and various kinds of sceneries. Therefore, put on your luggage, start a Bolivian trip, and, undoubtedly, be charmed by this incredible country.