Introduction
A country of great beauty, stunning landscapes, unique attractions, mountains, jungles, boasting the world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca and the highest capital city in the world, La Paz. Bolivia offers a diverse mix of multi-ethnic cultural experiences, magnificent Amazonian and Andean landscapes, extreme adventures fascinating destinations, enchanting colonial towns, an astonishing range of rugged natural beauty and wildlife. Bolivians loves street parade, and hardly a month passes without a procession of brightly costumed celebrants honoring an important historical date or deity, so the culture is still alive in heart as well on the streets!
What to See and Do
- One of the most unique landscapes in the world, the Uyuni salt flats cannot be missed. Take a four-wheel drive and arrive early in the morning to watch the sunrise over this awe-inspiring place. The Salar de Uyuni skies are best for observing the Universe. Their particular height, dryness and low lighting make it a privileged to observe constellations, stars, planets and galaxies.
- When visiting Lake Titicaca, be sure to visit the traditional Aymara villages along the lakeshore, and communities on the lake’s islands such as Isla de la Luna.
- Discover Sucre, known as the “City of Four Names”, also called as Charcas, La Plata and Chuquisaca, Bolivia’s most beautiful cities, with fabulous whitewashed architecture. Sucre offers visitors a clear glimpse of life in aristocratic Spain, has many important historical buildings, including La Casa de la Libertad, where Simón Bolívar wrote the Bolivian Constitution, and Bolivia’s National Library.
- Madidi National Park stretches from the Andes to the Amazon with more than 11 percent of the planet’s 9,000 species of birds found here, Encompassing over 7,000 square miles, you may spot an elusive jaguar, a giant otter or the titi monkey, a species of monkey found nowhere else in the world.
Santa Cruz is worth a visit. Home to Bolivia’s best nightlife and international cuisine, it’s the most prosperous city in the entire country. Santa Cruz is in fact Bolivia’s largest city and oozes modernity while maintaining tradition, the casual and friendly attitude of the locals, as well as the language dialect and unique food, makes Santa Cruz vastly different from its neighbour.
Where to Stay and Eat
Best bang-for-your buck hotel -
Luna Salada in Bolivia is almost completely built out of salt blocks and offers rooms with overlooking the Uyuni salt mine. Wait for sunset inside the salt flat, taking spectacular photos of the reflections in the water. This is a truly unique experience.
Casa Grande Hotel is located in the South Area of La Paz is a modern building which offers stunning views from its rooms with moderate rates according to its Service. Great point of start to visit Copacabana at the edge of “Island of The Sun”.
Restaurants only the locals would know
The food in La Paz is a definite highlight. There are several markets offering tasty and cheap food and has plethora of amazing ethnic restaurants. Cuban, Indian, and Middle Eastern food is just a small sampling of the cuisines available.
When travelling to Uyuni stop by Restaurante 19 de Julio. This is another of the very affordable and very tasty restaurants located in Uyuni. Whatever your cravings are, there is a good chance that you will be able to satisfy it here with pastas, authentic Bolivian specialties, and a variety of other international cuisine.
El Patio Saltenera in Sucre is ideal for eating empanadas or “Salteñas” as they call it as part of local culture of Bolivia. It has a beautiful courtyard at the white tables under umbrellas in one of the ancient halls to enjoy the salteñas.
You could also have plenty of fresh fruits to enjoy juices and organic vegetables for a reasonable Price in the Central Market of Sucre.
Total Recall Moment
- Memorable Experiences a trip to the Salar de Uyuni in southwestern Bolivia. The Salt Flats are themselves the major highlight, with wildlife, multi-colored mountains, odd and unique rock formations, vividly colored lagoons, geysers, and volcanoes.
- Take a boat tour from Lake Titicaca to Isla del Sol “The Island of the Sun”. Sunset on the Isla del Sol is magical and best appreciated from the lighthouse on the highest point on the island at 13441 feet.
- Yungas road was modernized to include two driving lanes the 64km, downhill bike ride has been a draw card for thrill seekers and avid mountain-bikers. Yungas roadRookie Mistakes
The first thing most travellers will encounter in Bolivia is little complicated local transportation system. Therefore avoid taking the local buses, known as “trufis”, little minibuses throng the city’s streets. If the roads are blocked or too much traffic, they simply take another way and for a tourist, this is something difficult when they barely know the street they want to visit or where their hotel is on! <br>
For your Facebook Wall – Uyuni
For a truly out-of-this-world travel destination, it’s hard to match the Salar de Uyuni. One of the flattest places in the world. The salt flats are at their most spectacular after a rain, when water sitting atop the cemented salt acts like a mirror, perfectly reflecting the sky above.
Perfect Souvenir
The poncho is a traditional clothing typically worn by people living in the Andes and Bolivia to keep them warm from the cold mountain climate. Made from alpaca wool making the quality stronger, more durable and less prickly than sheep’s wool, they are colorful and bright and come in many different, unique designs.
Stone carved talismans are a typical sight, especially at the famed Witches Market in La Paz or on the streets of places like Santa Cruz and Illampu. Many of these Amulets and traditional handcrafted objects are often sold to bring good luck or to drive away evil spirits, make i tan interesting gift.
Supay is spicy alcoholic drink with strong hints of anis can only be found in Bolivia. A shot of this drink will certainly bring out the fire in you!
At the Salt Flats of Uyuni, souvenirs made entirely out of salt. Carvings of camels, llamas and coffers are made from the salt gathered from the salt flats. The best salt souvenirs is the rock salt sold in little glass jars can be found throughout Bolivia, are specifically made for cooking and come in different flavors.
