The 8 must-see places to discover Bolivia

Bolivia has an incredible natural and cultural richness. From its desert that dominates the south of the country, to the tropical forest of the Amazon region and the majestic Andes Cordillera, this country offers you, on heights of up to 5,000 meters, a true spectacle of nature that will take your breath away. Its territory is so varied that it is fascinating to discover its different peoples, histories and languages during a trip. We present you The 8 must-see places to discover Bolivia.  

Sucre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, is the constitutional capital of Bolivia / photo: Tiffany Flour

 

1- The Uyuni Salt Flats 

With a surface area of almost 11,000 km², the Uyuni Salt Desert is the largest salt desert in the world, but it is also known as one of Bolivia's leading destinations. Feeling lost in the middle of a salt expanse as far as the eye can see, surrounded by a few mountains, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Offering an incredible spectacle all year round, you can choose between the dry season, from April to December, and enjoy the dazzling white and try to take the typical photos playing with perspective. Or the rainy season from January to March to admire the water-covered salar, transforming it into an infinite mirror. From the village of Uyuni or Tupiza, agencies offer tours from one day to a week in the desert of the South Lipez region, and sometimes taking you to Chile, to the Atacama desert. A unique adventure to live in one of the most beautiful and impressive places on earth.  Travel tip: Daytours4u takes you for a full day to discover the Salar d'Uyuni and its island of Incahuasi.  

The Salar of Uyuni is the largest salt desert in the world with an area of nearly 11,000 km²/ photo: Tiffany Flour

 

2- Lagoons

In the south of Bolivia, don't miss the South Lipez region and more precisely the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. Several agencies starting from the villages of Tupiza or Uyuni offer you excursions of several days to cross this incredible Bolivian nature reserve, sometimes including access to the salar of Uyuni. During this excursion, you will be able to enjoy magnificent mountain landscapes as far as the eye can see but also a series of colorful lagoons. Red lagoon, white lagoon, green lagoon, black lagoon, blue lagoon... You will be amazed! This diversity of nature can be explained by the different climates that inhabit the reserve, extending over more than 7,000 km² and reaching up to 5,000 meters above sea level. Each of these lagoons is thus unique in its environment and its colours, letting you discover its amazing ecosystem.   

Red lagoon is a breeding ground for thousands of Andean flamingos / photo: Tiffany Flour

 

3- Sucre

The constitutional capital of Bolivia, Sucre has kept all the charm of its colonial past and stands out from the country's other cities with its white-painted buildings. Sucre is the political and historical theatre of Bolivia since its creation, and today is considered as a true cradle of its culture and heritage, listed since 1991 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking up and down the streets of Sucre is a real pleasure as you visit some of its many museums and beautiful parks. Don't miss the viewpoint of La Recoleta, a romantic and enchanting place where you can admire the sunset behind the mountains overlooking the city. But also the central market, an emblematic place of Bolivian culture, this large market offers you delicious menus at low prices, the opportunity to discover the country's gastronomy and the specialties of the region!    Travel tip: Check out our article on the best activities for discovering Sucre to prepare your stay in the Bolivian capital.  

The city of Sucre is known for its white-painted buildings and its important cultural activities / photo: Tiffany Flour

 

4- Potosi 

  Potosi is one of the highest cities in the world at 4,070 meters above sea level, and is home to a ladened  historical and economic colonial past, which has made it so unique and mystical. In the past, Potosi was one of the richest cities of the Spanish colony, exploiting the "Cerro Rico" which dominates the city at more than 4,700 meters and developing a large economy for the benefit of mining. This mining community is still today very strong and culturally marked, it is an integral part of Bolivian history and culture. From a visit to Potosi, you can admire these 33 churches, true vestiges of the rich and dazzling past of the city, mixing Christianity and Andean culture and also these numerous museums. Agencies propose you to visit the mines, still exploited today, to discover the important mining culture of the region, to meet the miners and to become aware of the harsh working conditions that still exist in the heart of the mountains. Highly strongly advised against people suffering from claustrophobia or who are sensitive to oxygen depletion, this visit to the mines is a real adventure that will raise your awareness and impress you. 

Potosi is one of the highest cities in the world, it holds one of the ladened colonial past in South America / photo: Tiffany Flour

 

5- Amboro National Park and Samaipata 

In the east of Bolivia in the region of Santa Cruz, opposite to the typical Andean tourist circuit, you will find a small peaceful village at the foot of the Amboro National Park. Samaipata is a place that overflows with good energy and offers you to discover a tropical ecosystem by its proximity to the Amazon region. Several public or private transports take you to these places where nature is queen and green is omnipresent: Las Cuevas, El Fuerte, Pajcha, etc... Several small magical places that promise you peace and fresh air. Several agencies also take you to the Amboro National Park to go on trekking lost in the Bolivian jungle, you will discover the "Herechos", large trees with branches as impressive as original, Volcan Lagoon or Los Condores. But also, the emblematic and historical figure of Latin America, Che Guevara, lived his last days in this region before being captured by the Bolivian army in 1947, agencies set up circuits "ruta del Che" (the road of Che) proposing you to traverse by step his last adventures in the jungle.  Many beautiful places to discover this part of Bolivia that marks its diversity.  

Samaipata is a village with a tropical climate located at the foot of the Amboro National Park / photo: Tiffany Flour

 

6- Cochabamba

Nicknamed the city of Bolivia's eternal spring, Cochabamba is best known for its gastronomy and is the pride of the country. It's not surprising to ask a local what to do in Cochabamba and that he tell you: to eat! It is the perfect place to discover Bolivian gastronomy, but not only. The city is very flowery and very green, it is very pleasant to walk in its many parks and along its famous Alalay lake. Cochabamba being relatively flat, you can rent a bike and ride the bike path that runs from the center of the city and around the whole lake for incredible views and to watch the sunset. Another must-see place for spectacular views and a sunset not to be missed is the Christ of Concordia, an emblematic symbol of Cochabamba perched on Mount San Pedro, accessible by cable car or by climbing several hundred steps. In its surroundings in the mountains overlooking the city, several havens of peace await you to enjoy the Cochabamba ecosystem.   

Lake Alalay is a symbol of Cochabamba, the city of eternal spring in Bolivia / photo: Tiffany Flour

 

7- La Paz

Administrative capital, but also a true symbol of Bolivia, La Paz is a unique city of its kind, stretching in the valley for several kilometers. From the beautiful neighbourhoods of the South Zone at 3,200 metres above sea level to the neighbouring city of Alto at 4,000 metres above sea level, La Paz invites you to get lost in its labyrinthine streets filled with markets, museums, parks, cultural places and spaces. You can also admire its grandeur from the top of its many watchtowers, but also from the cable cars that connect the main points of the city. Located in the heart of Bolivia's Altiplano, its surroundings are full of enchanting places to visit such as the 7 lagoons, Coroico, Sorata, the Luna Valley or the Valley of the Animas for the most famous. Without forgetting the famous Death Road for a descent of 4,700 to 1,200m by mountain bike. La Paz remains a must for your trip in Bolivia. Travel tip: Don't miss our article on The top 6 for discovering La Paz and discover the City tour organized by Daytours4u  

Peaking at 4,000 meters above sea level, La Paz offers breathtaking views over its valley / photo: Tiffany Flour

 

8- Copacabana

Landlocked country in South America, Bolivia has no access to the sea, but it enjoys the beauty of Lake Titicaca on nearly 3,790 km². True seaside resort of the country, Copacabana is an enchanting village which will not leave you indifferent. Mount Calvario, the major attraction of the destination, dominates the village and offers an incomparable point of view on Copacabana and the Titicaca lake. Several short hikes are accessible at the entrances of the village to admire the landscapes that border the lake as far as the eye can see. Several small islands are populated there such as the island of the Moon and the island of the Sun for example, which you can visit by paying a boat crossing. A unique experience for one or more days, because you can spend the night there. On the other side of the lake, you will find Puno, one of the main and unavoidable destinations in Peru.  

Copacabana is one of the favorite destinations for Bolivians to enjoy Lake Titicaca / photo: Tiffany Flour

  These are the must-see destinations to discover all the diversity of Bolivia, through its landscapes, food and culture. A true historical, cultural and natural jewel of South America, Bolivia is a fascinating country to visit at least once in a lifetime. To best prepare for your trip to the Andean country, read our article on the 5 things you should know before traveling to Bolivia.   

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  By: Tiffany Flour, traveller soul and web content editor for Daytours4u.