Bolivia
Bolivia shows the Andes at their most extreme: the Salar de Uyuni's blinding salt flat, Lake Titicaca's Inca islands, the silver-mining city of Potosí and La Paz, where cable cars glide over a city spilling down a canyon. Prices are among South America's lowest, but altitude sets the pace, so build in time to acclimatise.
Overview
Bolivia has a larger indigenous share of its population than any other South American country, and La Paz, at around 3,600 metres, is the world's highest seat of government (Sucre remains the constitutional capital). Most first trips trace a loop across the Altiplano: La Paz and Lake Titicaca, south to colonial Sucre and the mining city of Potosí, then the three-day jeep journey across the Salar de Uyuni and the coloured lagoons towards Chile. With more time, fly down into the Amazon at Rurrenabaque or explore the warm eastern lowlands around Santa Cruz.
This is one of the cheapest countries on the continent, with simple guesthouses and set lunches (almuerzos) costing a few pounds, but comfort is basic outside the main cities and long bus rides are part of the deal. The Altiplano is cold at night all year, and dry-season nights on the Salar fall well below freezing. Road blockades by protest groups are a regular feature of Bolivian life, so build slack into any itinerary. It suits flexible travellers who want landscapes on an enormous scale, Aymara and Quechua markets and very little polish.
Map of Bolivia
Top 5 highlights
- 1Nature
Salar de Uyuni
The world's largest salt flat, more than 10,000 square kilometres of white hexagons at about 3,650 metres. Three-day jeep tours continue south to red, flamingo-dotted lagoons and steaming geysers; after rain the flat becomes a vast mirror.
- 2Culture
Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol
Take a boat from the pilgrimage town of Copacabana to Isla del Sol, named in Inca legend as the birthplace of the sun, where ruins and terraced paths look across the deep-blue lake to the snowy Cordillera Real.
- 3History
Potosí
Once one of the richest cities in the world on the silver of Cerro Rico, Potosí keeps a grand colonial centre and the Casa de la Moneda mint; cooperative mine tours reveal the harsh conditions miners still face.
- 4Architecture
Sucre
Bolivia's whitewashed, UNESCO-listed constitutional capital, where independence was declared in 1825. A mild climate, Spanish schools and the dinosaur footprints at Cal Orck'o make it an easy place to linger for a week.
- 5Wildlife
Madidi National Park
One of the most biodiverse protected areas on Earth, stretching from Andean glaciers to Amazon rainforest. Fly or take the long road to Rurrenabaque, then head upriver by motorised canoe to community-run lodges for monkeys, macaws and night walks.
Biggest cities
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Bolivia's largest and richest city sits in the hot eastern lowlands, a modern contrast to the Andes and the base for the Jesuit missions of Chiquitos, Samaipata and Amboró National Park.
La Paz
The seat of government fills a deep canyon below El Alto; ride the Mi Teleférico cable cars, browse the Witches' Market and use it as a base for Titicaca and cycling the Death Road.
Cochabamba
A mild valley city famed within Bolivia for its food, with the vast La Cancha market and the Cristo de la Concordia statue above town; few tourists, but a pleasant stop.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Bolivia
Best time: May–Oct.
Average climate in La Paz
Festivals & events
- Jan–FebAlasitas
La Paz's fair of miniatures opens on 24 January: buy tiny houses, cars, banknotes or passports and have them blessed at noon to win the favour of Ekeko, god of abundance.
- Feb–MarCarnaval de Oruro
A UNESCO-recognised carnival in which tens of thousands of dancers in devil masks and sequinned costumes process through Oruro in honour of the Virgen del Socavón; book rooms months ahead.
- May–JunGran Poder
La Paz's biggest street festival fills the city with tens of thousands of dancers, brass bands and elaborate costumes on a Saturday in late May or June.
How much does Bolivia cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Salteñas
Baked mid-morning pasties filled with a juicy, slightly sweet stew of beef or chicken, potato, olive and egg; bite carefully to keep the broth in.
Pique a lo macho
A sharing heap of beef, sausage, chips, onion, tomato and locoto chillies topped with egg, born in Cochabamba and best after a long day.
Sopa de maní
Creamy peanut soup with beef broth, pasta or potato and crisp chips scattered on top, often the starter of a set almuerzo.
Getting around
Long-distance buses link every major city, with overnight cama services on routes such as La Paz–Uyuni and La Paz–Sucre; pay extra for reputable companies. Domestic flights save whole days: BoA links the main cities and Uyuni, while smaller carriers serve Rurrenabaque. A slow train runs between Oruro and Uyuni. In La Paz the Mi Teleférico cable cars are quick and cheap; radio taxis, Uber and inDrive work in the big cities.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- AC230V — bring a UK-to-A/C adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +591
- Time zone
- UTC-4 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Round up in local cafés and leave around 10% in tourist restaurants. Tip Salar drivers and cooks at the end of a tour, and guides on treks or jungle trips.
- Etiquette
- Ask before photographing people, especially cholitas in markets, who may expect a small payment. Greet with buenos días or buenas tardes before asking anything, and dress modestly in churches.
- Main airports
- Viru Viru International Airport (VVI), Santa Cruz de la Sierra; El Alto International Airport (LPB), La Paz; Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (CBB), Cochabamba
Visas & entry for Bolivia
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Bolivia for up to 90 days without a visa. Border officials issue 30-day stamps, but you can stay for 90 days without any new stamp.
As a tourist, you get 90 days of visa-free travel in a one-year period. If you want to stay longer, check with the Bolivian Embassy in the UK (in Spanish) or the Department of Immigration (in Spanish).
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BRabiesTuberculosisYellow fever
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter. There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- Low risk of malaria
- There is a low risk of malaria in the Amazon basin of Bolivia: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
- There is a low risk of malaria in other rural areas below 2,500m: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Bolivia
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Mon 2 Nov 2026 | All Souls' Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Fri 22 Jan 2027 | Plurinational State Foundation Day |
| Mon 8 Feb 2027 | Carnival |
| Tue 9 Feb 2027 | Carnival |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Thu 27 May 2027 | Corpus Christi |
| Mon 21 Jun 2027 | Aymara New Year |
| Fri 6 Aug 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sun 17 Oct 2027 | National Dignity Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Spanish
| English | Spanish | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hola | OH-lah |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRAH-see-ahs |
| Please | Por favor | por fah-VOR |
| Excuse me | Disculpe | dees-KOOL-peh |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | KWAN-toh KWES-tah |
Know before you go
- Flying straight into La Paz means landing above 4,000 metres at El Alto; if you can, start lower in Sucre or Cochabamba, rest for two days and see a travel clinic about altitude medication.
- Bring crisp US dollar notes as a back-up: exchange rates have been volatile, ATMs may limit withdrawals, and cards are often refused outside the main cities.
- Choose Uyuni tour operators on recent reviews rather than price, and ask about the vehicle, sleeping bags and how many people share each jeep.
Bolivia travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Bolivia?
The best time to visit Bolivia is generally May–Oct. Peak months are May, June, July, August, September and October. Average highs in La Paz range from 16°C to 19°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Bolivia cost per day?
Roughly £30 a day on a tight budget, £70 mid-range and £160+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Bolivia?
Bolivian boliviano (BOB).
What plug type does Bolivia use?
Type A and C sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Bolivia?
Traffic drives on the right in Bolivia, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Bolivia?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Bolivia?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Bolivia for up to 90 days without a visa. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Bolivia before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bolivia/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Bolivia?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Yellow fever sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
