What Bolivia lacks in money is makes up in soul. It might one of the poorest countries in South America, but it oozes culture. Grab the latest Bolivia travel guide before boarding your flight to Bolivia. A quick history lesson will serve travelers well.
Simon Bolivar was a leader of several sovereign movements in South America during the 1800s. He is credited with leading the fight for independence in the countries known today as Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and his namesake, Bolivia. Bolivia is landlocked by Peru to the northwest, Brazil to the north and east, and Paraguay to the southeast. It is the world’s 28th-largest country and boasts almost twice as much land space as Texas.
It's easy to be captivated by the country's culture and rich history. Book a flight to Bolivia and let the journey to this enriching country begin.
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Due to the altitude, the climate in Bolivia is fairly temperate with cold nights and warm days. Temperatures get down to freezing on winter nights. Rain is likely over the summer months (November to March).
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Bolivia is a haven for the outdoor adventure seeker. Book flights to Bolivia during peak season for trekking and climbing activities, but be sure to plan ahead. Bolivia flights and accommodations must be booked early for peak-season travel.
Peak Season:
April through October is peak season for the country. It is the winter, however the weather is dry and generally sunny. It is the best time to visit for trekking.
Off season:November through March is when most travelers find cheap flights to Bolivia. Trekking is not possible during this time, however, most other travel to the country is still good. Weather varies depending on destination, especially with varied altitude.
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There are a number of carriers for flights to Bolivia within the country and air is by far the most convenient and reliable means of transport. LAB, TAM, Aereoste, Amazonas and Aereo Sur all fly domestic routes. There is a regular service between La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz and all link Bolivia flights to smaller cities.
The train service is not good in Bolivia. There are two major lines in the east and west of the country. However, only the ferrobus operates effectively. All other lines are very slow, though inexpensive.
Buses are the cheapest means of travel, though breakdowns, especially in remote places, are not unusual. Roads are often poor.
The following chart gives approximate journey times from La Paz (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Bolivia.
| | Air | Road | Rail |
|---|
| Cochabamba | 0.25 | 6.00 | - |
| Santa Cruz | 0.50 | 24.00 | - |
| Tarija | 1.00 | 18.00 | - |
| Sucre | 0.35 | 11.00 | 13.00 |
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- Potosi was once one of the most important and wealthiest towns in all of South America because of its silver mines. But after nearly 300 years of mining, the silver was depleted in around 1800 and production switched to the far less popular tin. Though no longer a mining town, in 1987 the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today, the main appeal for travelers are its “mine experience tours”. Visitors can crawl through the extensive mining tunnels and see what life was like for workers.
- La Paz is the highest capital city in the world and a lively starting point for many trips to the country. Don’t miss the Mercado de Hechiceria, or witches market, in downtown La Paz. Herbal remedies for everything are available here: candles to ward off evil spirits, potions to increase libido, or llama fetuses which bring good luck when buried under your house. Perhaps not the best place for souvenirs, but endlessly fascinating to tourists.
- Bolivia could have been built for adventure travel. From trekking in the Andes, to white-water rafting, or cruising on a boat across Lake Titicaca there is an activity for every sports enthusiast. One of the most dangerous is Gravity Assisted Mountain Biking down the “Death Road”. Companies organize the experience in La Paz and then drive the bikers and equipment up to La Cumbre. A guide leads the group down the road, descending to Coroico, 12,000 feet below. On the way – if you can bear to look around instead of concentrating on the road – you’ll see mountain ranges and the Amazonian Jungle.
- Located in a valley in the Andes, Cochabamba is supposed to have the best climate in the world and is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” or the “Garden City” throughout South America. There is plenty to see and do in the town, which is home to the biggest open air market in South America, La Cancha.
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Few airlines offer direct flights to Bolivia, but there are many airlines offering Bolivia flights through connecting airports in Chile and Peru. The two major airports in Bolivia are:
La Paz (LPB) (El Alto) is 8.5 miles southwest of La Paz.
Santa Cruz (VVI) (Viru-Viru) is 10 miles from the center of Santa Cruz and is the largest airport in Bolivia.
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All visitors who require a visa must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the length of stay; if no visa is required then only a passport valid on entry to Bolivia is necessary. All visitors should also have return tickets as well as sufficient funds to see them through their stay.
Make sure to have passport identification ready before boarding flights to Bolivia. Identification will be checked frequently and having a passport readily available will save time.
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U.S. travelers must have a passport but do not require a tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days.
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