Bolivia Tours & Vacations
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Vacations
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Overview
As one of South America's best-kept secrets, Bolivia boasts such a broad array of attractions that travellers intrepid enough to reach this remote land are treated to a wealth of history, culture and mind-blowing landscapes. From the wild, dream-like spaces of the Altiplano, to the chaotic streets of its capital city, La Paz, (surrounded by not one, but four snow-capped mountain ranges), the Bolivian terrain spans everything from grassy plains and steamy jungles, to some of the most remote and ...
As one of South America's best-kept secrets, Bolivia boasts such a broad array of attractions that travellers intrepid enough to reach this remote land are treated to a wealth of history, culture and mind-blowing landscapes. From the wild, dream-like spaces of the Altiplano, to the chaotic streets of its capital city, La Paz, (surrounded by not one, but four snow-capped mountain ranges), the Bolivian terrain spans everything from grassy plains and steamy jungles, to some of the most remote and inhospitable landscapes on earth.
Few settings on earth can rival the splendour of the Salar de Uyuni salt flats, where surreal, cactus encrusted islands rise out of a sea of salt. Then there are the sparkling blue waters of Lake Titicaca, dotted with beautiful islands and indigenous settlements, or the colonial cities of Sucre and Potosi, whose silver mines and faded grandeur offer a fascinating insight into the decadent days of the Spanish crown. Amongst the colourful markets of Tarabuco and La Paz you can find everything from gaily dressed locals and crafted tapestries, to the dried llamas foetuses and wandering witch doctors of the capital’s bizarre witches market. A magical destination, wherever you go, Bolivia will leave you breathless...and not just because of the altitude.
Start your journey
TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
EXAMPLE ITINERARIES
HIGHLIGHTS OF BOLIVIA
BEST EXPERIENCES
Drive over salt flats at sunrise
Depart early to travel across the vast salt flats at sunrise then hike on the Tunupa Volcano for a breathtaking view of the surrounding land and mountains as the ground takes on the properties of a mirror.
Stay on Isla del Sol (Sun Island)
From Copacabana on the edge of Lake Titicaca, a hydrofoil brings you to the sacred Isla del Sol where you can walk to your simple lodging for the night. On the island you can hike to pre-Inca and Inca ruins surrounded by views of the Andean Real range.
Trek through craggy Palca Canyon
Enjoy a full day hike in the Palca Canyon where beautiful rock formations, bandland peaks and caverns can be reached on a day trip from La Paz. These impressive Andean landscapes contrast oases with dry canyons and a warmer climate than La Paz.
Ride La Paz’s cable car systems
The best way for locals to get around the mountainous and sprawling city of La Paz also offers an ideal view for visitors of this massive Andean city. With an expert local guide, you ride various lines of this airborne metro and take in key sites
Descend into a silver mine
The visit to Cerro Rico mine starts at a mining market to see the tools of the trade. Then explore the galleries and chamber of the mines underneath the mountain and witness the difficult working conditions of these brave miners.
Explore surreal nature
Visit the Geysers of Sol de Mañana, the hot springs of Polques and the Laguna Verde in the southern Bolivia. The Licancabur Volcano stands guard over the shimmering emerald-green Laguna Verde which changes colors with the movement of the sun.
Take a cooking class
Bolivia is an underrated gastronomic destination with distinct flavours and numerous local dishes that can only be found here. An interactive cooking class provides first-hand knowledge of recipes with local ingredients and their significance to Bolivians.
Explore colonial Potosi
A declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, Potosi has a rich history and a wealth of colonial architecture. The main sites can be visited during a half-day tour around the old town, the main square and its early-1800s cathedral, churches and convent.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
La Paz
La Paz may not be the most beautiful city in South America, or even in Bolivia, but it's certainly one of the most striking. Visitors first see the sprawling shantytowns of El Alto where ...
Potosi
Perhaps the most historically fascinating city in South America, Potosi was once one of the richest cities in the world, thanks to the silver mines of Cerro Rico (rich mountain)....
Sucre
The charming colonial city of Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia and home to the Supreme Court and many cultural attractions, museums, shops and restaurants. Relatively small, Sucre is ...
Uyuni Salt Flats
Situated in southwestern Bolivia, the town of Uyuni is on the edge of one of the most iconic sites in Bolivia and one of the most arresting sites on the planet - over 10,000 square ...
Lake Titicaca
Famed for being the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca straddles Bolivia and Peru, spanning an area of over 8,300 square kilometres and sat at an altitude of 3,8oo metres above sea ...
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
El Hostal De Su Merced, Sucre
One could go as far as to say this is one of the best small hotels in Bolivia. The hotel is housed in a magnificent converted mansion from the 18th century. It is not luxurious but is charming and…
Hotel Museum Cayara, Potosi
Considered the oldest Hacienda in Bolivia, this property has now been converted into a beautiful hotel. The Hacienda Cayara, whose original title dates from 1557, provides a perfectly peaceful setting…
Hotel Tayka del Desierto, Southern Deserts
The Tayka Hotel of the Desert is only 40 minutes away from the Red Lagoon (Laguna Colorada), amidst beautiful scenery of high Andean desert landscapes. This site is accessible from Uyuni (220 km) and…
La Casona, La Paz
Set in a colonial-style building next to San Francisco Square, La Casona is a great 25-room boutique hotel. Decorated with parquet floors and gabled roofs, rooms at La Casona are fitted with fans, air…
Luna Salada Hotel, Uyuni Salt Flats
Located on an elevated piece of land on the edge of the Uyuni Salt Flats, the Luna Salada is a fantastic hotel built almost entirely of salt with spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding area.…
Palacio De Sal, Uyuni Salt Flats
Located on the border of the massive Uyuni Salt Flats, this curious hotel has salt igloos as their standard rooms complete with a ceiling, walls and beds made out of salt. Rooms are ensuite come…
Parador Santa Maria La Real Hotel, Sucre
This boutique hotel is a former 18th century colonial house, well placed in the centre of Sucre close to the Plaza de Armas. An elegant structure with some beautiful antique furniture, it has 23…
Posada Del Inca Lodge, Isla del Sol
Posada del Inca is a lovely 21 roomed traditional hotel on Sun Island, offering guests a peaceful and comfortable place to stay with fantastic views across Lake Titicaca. All of the rooms are basic but…
Atix Hotel, La Paz
Sophisticated, trendy and contemporary, Atix features the works of renowned artist Gastón Ugalde to highlight the essence of the country's rural beauty, as well as an interior featuring locally sourced…Discover more
WHEN TO GO
Bolivia has two distinct seasons: summer (November to April) is the rainy season, so it is best to visit during the winter months (May to October) when the roads are in better condition and the climate more comfortable. That said you will experience every kind of climate in Bolivia at any time of year (often in one day!) with temperatures soaring and dropping with the sun and altitude.
Meet the expert, Richard
Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map of countries that criminalise LGBTQIA+ people, which highlights potentially dangerous regions and countries
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Bolivia though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is present in some parts of Bolivia. Please note we are not medical professionals and so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Bolivia the official unit of currency is the Boliviano. This is a closed currency and can only be exchanged in country. To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
Bolivia is a Catholic country and unlike its hedonistic neighbour Brazil, visitors are expected to behave accordingly. Although South Americans are very relaxed in comparison to people in other parts of the world, some places (especially up in the Andes) are very traditional and conservative, and your dress/behaviour should respect this. Public displays of affection are considered inappropriate.
Language & Religion
With Spanish as its official language, Bolivia has lots of other strings to her language bow. The largest minority language is Quechua followed by Aymara, both linked to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, with another 34 minority languages within the country. The large majority of Bolivians are Roman Catholic, although over the last few decades there has been an increase in the traditional ethnic Inca Religion. Within the Inca’s Empire there were a number of polytheistic religions, practiced by a variety of different people.
Time
Bolivia is 4 hours behind GMT. A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Bolivian cuisine has a great variety of dishes mainly meat, fish and poultry blended with herbs and spices. The diet also consists of fresh fruit and vegetables. Lunch in Bolivia is the main meal, often comprising of soup and a main dish. Bolivian food is not always spicy but occasionally is accompanied by sauce ‘la llajwa’, which is made of tomatoes and locoto (hot chillies).