Stunning landscapes, charming locals and high altitudes
Bolivia, a charming country with high altitudes and landscapes that take your breath away! This country is home to a kind people with unique traditional clothes, simple food and places that make you doubt if you’re still on planet earth!
This backpacking Bolivia travel guide gives you tips on activities to do, route suggestions, budget and safety tips to help you plan your trip to this charming country!
How much time do I need?
For Bolivia I recommend spending two weeks. This is sufficient time for most to explore one of the smaller countries of South America. The time you need really depends on if you’re visiting the Amazon in Bolivia, hiking Huayna Potosí and doing a multi-day tour to Salar de Uyuni.
Routes
Most people start their Bolivian adventure in La Paz. Either flying into the capital or coming from Peru by land. From La Paz you can go to the Amazon or go down to the second capital of Sucre (Bolivia has TWO capitals!). From there make your way to the old mining town of Potosí, before the final stop in Uyuni. From this little town you have access to the Salt Flats as well as the border to Chile.
If you are entering from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile then do the above route in reverse. For those flying out of La Paz make your way back after visiting the Salt Flats.
Top Activities
Bolivia might be one of the smaller countries in South America but there’s plenty of action here, and here are some of my top activities.
Salar de Uyuni
Visiting the Salt Flats of Uyuni is a must do in Bolivia. This place is so unique and something you won’t forget! If you opt for a multi day tour you will also witness some of the most stunning nature mother earth can offer, making you question if you woke up on the moon or another planet.
Survive the Death Road
Book a tour to go up into the mountains outside of La Paz to ride the famous Death Road on a bike! The road famous for being extremely dangerous for cars to drive has led to many unfortunate deaths over the years. Now it is a popular activity for tourists to ride a bike down to get the adrenaline going.
Although caution has to be made, the road is much more comfortable and less scary to go down on a bike than in a car. It’s only when you see a car passing that you realize how tight the road is and the potential danger. Overall this is such a cool experience to do!
Explore La Paz on the Teleferico
Unlike many other cities around the world, the teleferico of La Paz is actually a part of the public transportation system. This means the prices are extremely cheap, and not overpriced touristic prices. La Paz is a city that can feel very chaotic on the ground, but once you are on the teleférico, the city’s beauty really starts to come out.
I recommend looking at the map of all the lines and heading out in a big circle to see most of the city from above. Also, it’s perfect for tourists to use if you need to head to another part of town for some activities!
Visit the mines in Potosí
Head into the silver mines near Potosí and see one of the places made by the Spanish to increase its wealth. Put on a helmet and boots and explore deep into the mines with a local guide for an interesting day if history.
Climb Huayna Potosí
If you like hiking and want a challenge, then Huayna Potosí is just that. At 6088 meter above sea-level, this mountain is a step up for most people and requires a bit more, but still manageable for backpackers. Plenty of agencies in La Paz to book a trip to the top if you are up for it, with the specialty gear needed included.
Visit Copacabana and Isla del Sol
If you are coming from Peru, then a logical stop is in Copacabana on the border. Here you can relax by Lake Titicaca and head over to Isla del Sol to spend the night there.
Budget
After travelling through nine countries in South America, Bolivia was by far the cheapest. For a budget backpacker you can expect to pay between $25-30 per day. This includes staying in dorms, eating local food and using local transportation. It also includes basic activities. If you plan on a multi-day visit to the Salt Flats or hiking Huayna Potosí, you need to budget extra money for this.
Food
Tradition Bolivian food consist mostly of potatoes, quinoa, corn and beans. Eating at local restaurants and street food you can expect to pay only a few dollars for a meal. Fancier restaurants or international food can cost you between $5-10 per meal.
A great way to fill up is buying empanadas or Salteñas as they are called in Bolivia. These can be found everywhere and usually costs less than a dollar for two. A great snack while exploring town, or for breakfast!
Accommodation
For a bed in a dorm in Bolivia expect to pay less than $10 per night. In some places and depending on the season a bed can cost a little over $10 bucks, but often includes breakfast.
Because it gets cold at night, especially at higher altitudes, all hostels come with plenty of blankets for you to keep warm during the night.
Transportation
Transportation in Bolivia is extremely cheap. Using the teleferico in La Paz costs cents depending on the distance you are covering.
Between cities there are basic buses to take you anywhere you want. For longer distances you can find good night buses with big reclining seats. Longer rides like La Paz to Sucre will set you back $10-15 depending on the company. For shorter distances like Sucre to Potosí, expect less than $5.
If you are going to the Salt Flats and plan on continuing to Chile, this can often be added to your tour for less than $15 and is a great way to combine a once in a lifetime activity with transportation to your next destination.
When to go
The best time to visit Bolivia is during the dry season between May and October. During this time you will have the best weather, although it can get chilly at high altitudes. Visiting during the rainy season can be difficult in some places because of all the water.
Most people visit Bolivia in July and August. If you’re visiting the Salt Flats then the dry season gives you dry salt everywhere, and during the wet season the famous mirror look.
Safety
Bolivia is pretty safe for backpackers. Like its neighbour Peru it can suffer from political unrest, and you should always follow local recommendations. In general you should follow some general precautions and never travel without insurance!
Safety Tips:
- Always have some cash at hand in case someone wants to rob you. Better to hand over a few notes than to be caught with nothing or lose your credit card.
- Always keep your valuables safely on you on night buses and never put your backpack in the overhead compartment.
- In large crowds be careful with your belongings. Things in your pocket can easily be taken, but also smaller backpacks, bum bags etc. Make sure you secure them to avoid pickpockets in these situations.
- Do not wander around alone at night in places you are not familiar with. If you have to, stick to well lit streets as much as possible. Preferable where there are more people. If you need to use your phone for maps, do it discreetly and never wave your phone or wealth around.
- Don’t wear flashy things and leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- Bring a padlock and use the lockers in hostels for all your valuables.
- Be careful with how much you drink, accepting drinks from others or the use of drugs. There are many stories out there, so try not to overdo anything unless you have people with you to take care of you.
By taking some precautions you will be fine in Bolivia, and come back with wonderful memories of this beautiful little paradise.
Resources
So, are you ready for an adventure to Bolivia? Here are some of the resources I personally use when I travel. Great value and support, in addition to the best deals out there!
BOOKING – The best place to book accommodation. In my experience the site with the best prices, deals and selection. Perfect for a budget traveller.
HOSTELWORLD – The best place to find hostels, and also has group chats for all your bookings and places you’re going to make it easier to meet people. Perfect for solo travellers!
SKYSCANNER – When I need to find the cheapest days and ways to fly somewhere, Skyscanner is always the first place I go.
GET YOUR GUIDE – A massive marketplace for inspiration and booking of tours and activities for each place you visit.
AIRALO – What I use to stay connected on the road. A slightly more expensive option than buying local sim cards, but nothing beats having e-sim installed and ready to go as soon as you cross the border.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from products or services I recommend. For more, see disclosure.
