Places to Visit in Bolivia - A Glimpse into the Diverse Terrain of South America

Bolivia is a country of diverse landscapes - from the vast arid expanses of Bolivian salt flat Salar de Uyuni to the Amazon covering five departments. With the rugged landscapes, views of the snow-covered mountains and the palpable energy of the welcoming locals, Bolivia is full of unique encounters.

Located in the heart of South America, much of the country’s charm is derived from off-the-beat destinations and the rugged terrain surrounding its cities. The country is also popular among travellers for its eye-opening experiences, stunning photo-worthy biodiversity, adventure activities, colourful festivals and fascinating tales of history. The deep roots of Bolivia’s heritage can be seen in its tourist attractions.

Yet, the country remains relatively untouched and less crowded than its neighbours. This lack of crowd means you can enjoy Bolivia's tourist attractions at your own pace.

Places to Visit in Bolivia

• La Paz
• Sucre
• Train Cemetery
• Salar de Uyuni
• Laguna Colorada
• Cochabamba
• Tiwanaku

Like most countries in the South American continent, Bolivia is more than what a tour guide or the internet shows. The country is close to the heart of many travellers and it reciprocates the emotion one carries within themselves. Therefore, when you visit the popular tourist attractions in Bolivia, visit with an open heart for its authentic experiences filled with beautiful cities, fun-filled fiestas and carnivals, geographical marvels and a quick friendly banter with the locals.

La Paz

The administrative capital city of Bolivia, La Paz has some of the most breathtaking places to travel to in Bolivia. Located at a high altitude and surrounded by the Cordillera Real Mountains, La Paz is a bustling metropolis that offers a glimpse into how the Bolivian indigenous traditions and colonial architecture blend with the modern period. Connecting La Paz to the rest of the world is El Alto, which is home to the La Paz airport but most tourist attractions are situated in the La Paz city. The Mi Teleférico cable car system connecting El Alto to La Paz offers the best aerial views of the sprawling city. Some of the distinctive tourist places to enjoy are Valle del la Luna or Killa Qhichwa, the Museo Nacional De Etnografía Y Folklore, the old colonial colonies of Calle Jaén, the Witches Market, Plaza Murillo among others.

Sucre

The constitutional capital of Bolivia, Sucre is named after Antonio José de Sucre, a revolutionary leader and the second president of Bolivia post-independence. The capital is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a well-preserved colonial heritage. Complementing the incredible charm of the city are the Republican-style buildings, basilicas and civic buildings with a blend of Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical and Mudejar architecture. Dotting the capital are the white-washed walls and red-tiled roofs that give it a distinctive Spanish look. Sucre has plenty for travellers and history buffs. Home to some of the oldest tourist places in Bolivia, the city is an essential stop on any tour - from the Casa de la Libertad, where Bolivia's Declaration of Independence was signed to the dinosaur footprints on Cal Orck’o, Tarabuco Market selling vibrant textiles and handicrafts, the Castillo de La Glorieta castle, the Freedom House, Plaza 25 de Mayo and so much more.

Train Cemetery

Among the places to travel in Bolivia, the raw and wild beauty of this abandoned train cemetery is something else. Located about a seven-hour drive from Sucre, on the outskirts of the small town of Uyuni, the train graveyard or Cementerio de Trenes was to originally connect through the silver mining towns of Uyuni and Potosi but now remains abandoned except for the skeletal remains of the rusting train carriages. The Train Graveyard in Uyuni is a memorable highlight and one of the must-visit places to visit in Bolivia, on the way to salt mines.

Salar de Uyuni

Salar de Uyuni is what remains of an inland ocean that once covered most of the altiplano in South America. The vast, flat and reflective salt mines are located at the crest of the Andes mountains and are nothing short of an otherworldly landscape!

What makes Salar de Uyuni one of the best places to go to in Bolivia is the unique experience it offers. The remote location of the salt mines and the outcroppings of cacti and fossilised corals on the Isla del Pescado make it a photographable haven for tourists. The beauty of this Bolivian landscape is further enhanced during the rainy season, from December to February. As the salt flats are covered with a thin layer of rainwater, it creates a breathtaking mirror effect. With the blue sky reflecting perfectly on the ground, it feels like an endless play of mirrors, offering a surreal and dreamlike experience.

Laguna Colorada

Now called the Los Lipez, Laguna Colorada is a remote region in the Potosi department of southwestern Bolivia. The shallow salt lake is known for its jaw-dropping landscape. The lagoon is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bolivia. It has a high concentration of borax and the red sediments from the algae inhabiting the water give it a vivid reddish colour. The lagoon is situated within the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve besides the erupting volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, lakes, mountains and fumaroles. One of the biggest attractions of Laguna Colorada is the endemic species of flamingos gathering here. Los Lipez is among those famous places in Bolivia that will take your breath away.

Cochabamba

Previously known as the Villa de Oropeza, Cochabamba is located in a valley in the Andes Mountains and is one of the largest cities in Bolivia. Unlike the conventional tourist attractions of Bolivia surrounding the city, Cochabamba is a hub of activity and hosts several gastronomic fairs and festivals every year. The city is geared more towards volunteers and expats and is a gateway to Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna on Lake Titicaca. Both islands are famous for their scenic and serene beauty. Isla del Sol offers a glimpse into the history of Bolivia and the indigenous people who inhabited the country. On the island lies the museum containing sacred relics and a natural stream, Fuente del Inca which is believed to have magical powers, making it one of the most visited places to go see in Bolivia.

Tiwanaku

This is a pre-Columbian archaeological site near Lake Titicaca in Cochabamba and home to several ancient ruins like the Akapana pyramid and the Sun Gate. Tiwanaku also served as the capital of a pre-Hispanic empire that spanned present-day Peru, Chile and Bolivia. Visiting the ruins of the Tiwanaku heritage is like setting foot thousands of years ago. All that remains today are the foundations and ruins of the public buildings that have been well preserved by the government. Tiwanaku was made a World Heritage Site in 2000 and is among the most popular tourist places to visit in Bolivia.

Your trip to Bolivia is bound to last a few days to several months. There is so much to see and explore in this beautiful country that a mere blog post cannot cover and it is best to allow some leeway in your travel plans.

From the Huayna Potosi to Fort Samaipata, Parque Nacional de Torotoro and Noel Kempff Mercado National Park to the Badidi National Park; there is a lot you can cover during your travels to Bolivia. Our Bolivia tour package from India covers most of the most essential experiences and places to visit in Bolivia. Book your tour with us and leave all your worries behind as we take you on the memorable journeys of your life.