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Is Bolivia Worth Visiting?
Yes, Bolivia is absolutely worth visiting! This amazing country in South America offers something for every type of traveler.
Picture yourself standing on the vast, white expanse of the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, or hiking through the towering Andes mountains. Bolivia’s landscapes are unlike any other, from the lush Amazon rainforest to high-altitude deserts.
- For city lovers, the bustling cities of La Paz and Sucre provide an unforgettable cultural experience.
- For nature lovers, the Amazon is cheap and easy to visit
- For adventure lovers, activities like Death Road and hiking in the Andes provide unforgetable experiences
- The country is also budget-friendly, making it a great option for travelers seeking adventure without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re an explorer, nature lover, or culture seeker, Bolivia has something special waiting for you.
14 Great Reasons To Visit Bolivia In 2025
1. Bolivia Is One Of The Cheapest Countries To Travel In South America
One of the top things to consider when visiting a country is how much things cost. In Bolivia, your money goes a long way.
Your daily budget is likely to be less than £25 ($30) per day including accommodation, meals, transport and experiences such as walking tours, museum and other attractions. Organised tours always cost more, but they are still cheaper in Bolivia compared to Peru, Chile and Argentina.
You can get away with eating for under £7.50 ($10) a day in Bolivia, and when it comes time to treating yourself to a nice meal in a restaurant, you won’t feel guilty as it will hardly break the bank.
Check out our daily and monthly budget breakdown of Bolivia here:
2. Bolivia Is 'Off The Beaten Track' Compared To Other Countries
Compared to it’s neighbours, Bolivia is a less-well known tourist destination.
That in itself is a great reason to visit as you won’t have to battle with hundreds of other tourists that you might have to at other famous South American sites such as Peru’s Machu Picchu. The sheer number of tourists at places like that can put a slight dampener on your overall experience.
It’s rare you will ever feel that way in Bolivia.
You will come across travellers in La Paz and Uyuni, but you won’t feel swamped and, because there’s less tourism, there’s also fewer tour guides, taxis and street sellers clamouring for your attention.
You can easily escape to towns such as Cochabamba and Sucre and become the only traveller around.
Even during the popular highlights such as the Salt Flats Tour you hardly come across other groups of travellers, and everything feels much more personal.
3. Bolivia Has Its Very Own Jurassic Park
Most children are fascinated by dinosaurs, and as you grow up and learn more about them, they become even more intriguing.
That’s why visiting Bolivia is the perfect trip for any natural history fanatics!
You can find some of the best-preserved fossils and footprints in Bolivia’s beautiful Torotoro National Park. The prints are remarkable as the ancient impressions are deep and clear, making it easy to identify the species that left their indelible mark.
Torotoro National Park is way off the beaten track in Bolivia, close to the city of Cochabamba. Check out the post below for more info:
4. The Trekking Options In Bolivia Are Perfect For Hiking Lovers
With the highest mountain range in the world dominating much of Bolivia’s skyline, it is hard to avoid climbing some part of the Andes whilst you’re here.
If, like us, you’ve never climbed a mountain before, you might be filled with fear at the thought of this but, give it a go and you’ll probably become addicted just as we did!
Bolivia’s Huayna Potosi just outside of La Paz is considered by many to be the easiest 6,000m mountain to climb in the world. If you summit this mountain you will have climbed almost 70% the height of Everest!
A word of warning though: while it may be easier than others, it’s still no walk in the park. It’s cold, it’s hard to breathe, and some technical climbing is involved. But, if you have a decent level of fitness and don’t struggle with altitude sickness, this climb is definitely worth considering.
The complete guide to La Paz covers climbing Huayna Potosi along with several other amazing hikes and activities:
5. Bolivia Has Easy Access To The Amazon
Bolivia is one of nine South American countries from which you can visit the Amazon. It is also one of the cheapest.
Tours begin from Rurrenbaque in the north of the country and packaged deals can be purchased for as cheap as $200. This includes return flights and a three-day tour.
Some may not want to dive deep into the Amazon because of their fear of creepy-crawlies or mosquitos. That’s why we’d recommend the Pampas tour in the Madidi National Park as the tour is mainly spent on water rather than in the thick jungle.
The tour is incredible as you’ll see abundant wildlife including birds of paradise, caymans, the ubiquitous pink dolphins and capybaras, to name a few.
Check out these guides on how to choose and book the best Amazon tour in Bolivia and what to expect:
6. The 'White City' Of Sucre
Often called the ‘white city’ thanks its numerous whitewashed Colonial-era buildings, Sucre is a relaxed and beautiful city.
If you’re only planning to visit La Paz and not Sucre, then you will be missing out on a lot of Bolivia’s fascinating history.
One of the best things to do when in Sucre is the walking tour where you will see the city’s architecture, learn about the rich history of Simon Bolivar, and see spectacular views from the Recoleta viewpoint.
Our guide to Sucre has everything you need to know from hostels to great bars to the best places to eat:
7. You Can Learn Spanish For A Fraction Of The Price Compared To Other Countries
If you plan on spending more than a month travelling around South America, it’s a good idea to learn some basic Spanish.
Not only will this help you in your day-to-day life with transport and grocery shopping, it will also help with the locals as they will appreciate you making the effort.
Learning Spanish in Bolivia is an excellent choice as lessons cost as little as £4 ($6) per hour! The best schools are in La Paz or Sucre, but we’d recommend Sucre as the city is much more laid back and the weather is warmer all year round.
Learning Spanish is one of the many great reasons to plan a trip to South America. For 17 more reasons, check out the post below:
8. The Red Rocks Of Tupiza
Close to the Argentinian border, the unique town of Tupiza is surrounded by jagged red rocks which project from the earth to create mazes of narrow canyons and valleys.
One of the best features of Tupiza is its proximity to this landscape which you can wander into from the main town and explore on your own, with no need for a guide.
If you’d like to spend a bit more time exploring and want a bit of an adventure, I recommend doing an organised ‘wild west’ tour on horseback which takes you further into the rugged landscape. Head to a tour operator once you arrive in town and tell them your experience level so they can match you to the correct horses.
Read more about how to get to Tupiza and how to plan a trek through the valleys below:
9. Bolivia Is Small And Easy To Travel Around
It’s easy to get around in Bolivia as buses are frequent and cheap.
The journeys are never too long if you’re visiting more than La Paz and Uyuni. The best place to book tickets is online at Bolivia Tickets.
Internal flights are relatively cheap as well and you can fly to the Amazon or Uyuni from La Paz for as little as $60 with the right deal.
Be sure to check out our Bolivia itineraries to see how the best travel routes through the country:
10. You Can Easily Visit Peru And Chile On The Same Trip
Busing across the land borders in Bolivia to its neighbouring countries is so easy! You can easily visit parts of Peru, Chile and Argentina on the same trip.
For example:
- Copacabana to Cusco (Peru) – 13h overnight bus
- Uyuni to San Pedro (Chile) – 45m bus after you finish the Salt Flat Tour
- Tupiza to Humahuaca (Argentina) – 4h bus
Most people will visit Bolivia on a longer, multi-country trip through South America. It’s easy and by avoiding paying for flights, you save loads of money!
Travelling other countries in South America apart from Bolivia? See how easy it is to cross the border into Peru or Chile to turn your journey into an extended multi-country South America backpacking trip:
11. You Can Visit Bolivia All Year Round For Great Weather
Saying you can visit all-year-round doesn’t mean the weather is going to be perfect all the time.
It’s more a suggestion that you shouldn’t bother planning your trip around the weather as there’s so many different sub-climates, it’s impossible to get perfect weather everywhere you go.
- The high altitude of La Paz means it’s always going to be a bit cold, but the best time to visit is in the Bolivian winter, which is the dry season (April-Nov).
- The Amazon can be scorching hot and receive heavy rainfall almost every day if you visit in the summer which is rainy season. But rainy season means more animals, and the dry season means fewer mosquitos – so there isn’t a ‘best option’ here.
- Sucre and Torotoro stay warm and sunny all year round.
- For Uyuni, you will want to visit in summer (rainy season), so you can see the mirror effect.
You can’t win in Bolivia so don’t worry about the weather: just go and enjoy yourself!
12. Bolivia Has Some Incredible Adventure Activities
Bolivia is perfect for the adventuros travellers out there. If you are looking for adrenaline raising activities, then you can find them in almost every town and city you go to.
The infamous Death Road of Bolivia, once known for having 200-300 deaths per year, is now one of Bolivia’s most popular attractions.
Riding down Bolivia’s most dangerous road at high speeds, descending from the snow-covered high altitude mountain ranges at 4,600m into the warm, lush jungle, is the ultimate thrill-seeking experience.
This is one of the most exciting and memorable activities you will do in Bolivia and likely South America.
13. The Highest Navigable Lake In The World - Lake Titicaca
Copacabana is a must-visit destination in Bolivia, especially for travelers looking to experience the beauty of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake.
This charming town is the gateway to incredible adventures on the lake, including trips to Isla del Sol, a sacred island believed to be the birthplace of the Inca civilization.
A boat ride to Isla del Sol is the highlight of any trip to Copacabana. The island offers breathtaking views, ancient ruins, and peaceful walking trails. For those interested in history and culture, Isla del Sol provides a deep connection to the region’s indigenous roots.
Back in Copacabana, the town itself is known for its relaxed vibe, colorful markets, and the iconic Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana.
It’s definitely worth a visit for a couple of day, or you can do day trips directly from La Paz:
14. The Salt Flats
Alongside the Amazon and Death Road, the Salt Flats are one of the highlights of Bolivia.
They draw thousands of travellers every year to see the beautiful white expanse of salt and take those famous perspective shots for the ‘gram’.
The flat white expanse is unlike anything you’ve come across before, and this isn’t even the best bit. On the second day of the tour, you enter the Altiplano, a high-altitude plateau set between two Andean mountain ranges.
The surreal, other-worldly landscapes of this area will leave you questioning whether you’ve left the planet.
Brightly coloured high-altitude lakes, strange rock formations eroded by winds over millions of years, powerful geysers firing smoke into the sky, and the weirdly wonderful Dali Valley that needs to be seen to be believed.
The sights on this trip will stay with you forever and it’s one of the many reasons why people book a trip to Bolivia in the first place.
Everything you need to know on the town of Uyuni and booking a Salt Flats tour can be found in our guide:
Bolivia FAQ's
Here’s a list of frequently asked questions about Bolivia:
Do I Need Travel Insurance For Bolivia?
Yes, you 100% need travel insurance when visiting Argentina or anywhere in South America.
You need to protect yourself against any potential medical issues that could occur whilst away. With activities like Death Road and hiking in the Andes, you want be protected.
SafetyWing is my go to company when looking for travel medical insurance. They focus on long-term travelers, digital nomads, and remote workers.
SafetyWing covers medical emergencies, travel delays, and lost baggage, but it’s geared towards those who travel for extended periods or live abroad.
What's The Best SIM card for Bolivia?
I don’t recommend buying a physical SIM card for Bolivia. It’s much easier to download an e-SIM instead.
An e-SIM is a digital SIM card that can be downloaded to your phone via an app. All you do is download the app, pay for the data and you’ll have data in no time.
My preferred e-SIM company is Airalo
Use code NEWTOAIRALO15 to get 15% off your first order
How Do You Get Around Bolivia?
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to travel around Bolivia is via bus. Here are some rough times:
La Paz to Uyuni:
- Departures: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (overnight buses)
- Travel time: 10-12 hours
La Paz to Copacabana:
- Departures: 7:30 AM, 8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM
- Travel time: 3.5-4 hours
I use Busbud to book my buses in advance when travelling in South America. However, in Bolivia you can turn up on the day and book at the bus station.
Transcopacabana are one of the best bus companies with a good reputation for reliability and safety.
Are Flights Cheap In Bolivia?
Flying internally in Bolivia is another great way to get around.
I highly recommend flying to Rurrenabaque – the town you base yourself in for Amazon trips. The alternative way of getting there is a 30h bus.
Flying down to Uyuni from La Paz is also an option to avoid a long bus.
Here are flight times and rough costs for internal flights within Bolivia:
La Paz to Uyuni:
- Flight time: 1 hour
- Cost: $100 – $150 (one-way)
La Paz to Rurrenabaque:
- Flight time: 40 minutes
- Cost: $70 – $130 (one-way)
Prices may vary based on the season, airline, and booking time. Always check with local airlines for current rates.
I always use Way Away when booking flights in South America.
What's The Best Backpack For Bolivia?
I would recommend taking between 50-70L for your big backpack and 30-40L for a day pack when travelling Bolivia.
The extra space in your big backpack will be for your hiking boots and other warm weather gear when you aren’t wearing it. Your day pack will be for your tech such as a laptop and other important items you want to keep safe such as a camera, passport, money etc.
Here are my current backpacks that I use to travel South America:
Best Beginner Backpack For Bolivia
Osprey are the best brand when it comes to backpacks.
The best backpack for South America is the Osprey Farpoint 50-70L.
It’s reasonably priced, comfortable and has a good amount of space. It’s perfect for first time backpackers visiting South America.
It also comes with a 15L detachable day pack which saves you having to buy a separate one.
If you want a wheeled hybrid, then the Sojourn is a great option. They have three different size options from 60-80L.
Best Daypack For Bolivia
My go-to daypack is the North Face Router.
It has a 40-liter capacity, is water-repellent, and can fit laptops up to 17”.
For a 40L backpack with loads of compartments and storage, this is such a great price.
If you want something cheaper, you will have to go a bit smaller. The North Face Borealis is 30L and has a similar layout.
What Should I Pack For Bolivia?
You need to pack warm and cold weather clothes for Bolivia.
La Paz and Copacabana are at high altitudes (above 3000m), so even if it’s summer, they will be cold at night. You’ll need warm layers and a windbreaker.
Places like Sucre and Cochabamba are in the lowlands to the east and will be warm year round.
You’ll also need hiking gear like boots and a waterproof if you want to go hiking in the Andes or go on the Salt Flats tour.
Here’s are some of my key clothing items to take to Bolivia:
Warm Midlayer Fleece
This is an essential piece of kit for hiking but also for keeping you warm in the evenings.
A fleece is lightweight but warm, perfect for whipping on and off when trekking to regulate your temperature. This is also great in the evenings in high altitude cities like La Paz when it’s much colder.
Invest wisely in one of these as the more efficient it is, the warmer you will be.
I go with R1 Zip-Neck from Patagonia.
Waterproof Windbreaker
A waterproof is essential when trekking in the Andes to deal with the biting winds and rapidly changing weather.
I like to use the Patagonia TorrentShell 3L.
Its lightweight, warm and packable. The jacket self-stuffs into one of the handwarmer pockets with carabiner clip-in loop.
Waterproof Hiking Boots
Hiking boots are a must if you want to do any trekking in South America.
And fully waterproof and ankle high are essential for trekking in the Andes.
I wore these in the Amazon when walking through muddy fields and across the Salt Flats on a variety of different terrains from rocky mountains to flooded planes.
I went into my local Mountain Warehouse and picked up a pair of these and they haven’t let me down since.
