Bolivia

Bolivia

Bolivia is a relatively small, landlocked country of striking scenery, spanning just over 1 million square kilometres. Situated in central South America, much of the country lies at high altitude, perched in the high Andes Mountains. It is bordered by Brazil to the northeast, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, and Chile and Peru to the west.

The country’s administrative capital, La Paz, is one of the highest capital cities in the world, and nestles in a shallow valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks. La Paz’s historic centre is a maze of steep, cobbled streets, with traditional markets and shop fronts spilling over with colourful materials, bunches of traditional herbs and various other intriguing items.

Up on the altiplano (the Andean plateau) the landscape becomes stark and arresting. The Uyuni Salt Flats represent the pinnacle of Bolivia’s famous scenery, as the seemingly endless white salt stretches out to the horizon in all directions, giving the impression of being in a surreal, over-sized photo studio.

While Bolivia is certainly rich when it comes to landscapes, economically, it is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. Over half of its population, which is just shy of 13 million, is indigenous Andean dwellers, belonging to either the Quechua or Aymara groups, whose livelihoods depend on subsistence agriculture. Aside from agriculture, minerals, particularly silver, which the Spanish used to bolster their empire, are important economic resources.

Bolivia is a challenging but rewarding destination which offers one of the most authentic experiences you are likely to find in South America. Visiting between March and November should ensure a relatively dry visit, with all the landscapes in great condition for a visit.

No direct flights operate between Bolivia and the UK. There are a number of options for indirect flights to either La Paz or Santa Cruz, and the full journey (including a layover) can typically take between 14 and 18 hours. Bolivia remains 5 hours behind the UK year-round, so adaptation to the new time zone is relatively smooth.

Our Bolivia FAQs answer the most common queries we hear from customers considering a holiday to Bolivia. If you are ready to explore our small group, great value tours of Bolivia, you can do so here.