Bolivia Travel Guide

Absolutely. From the salt flats then it works particularly well to travel to or from Chile’s Atacama desert. From La Paz and Lake Titicaca then you can easily reach Peru and Argentina is another possibility from the South of Bolivia.

Luxury isn’t usually a label applied to Bolivia holidays but it is certainly possible to travel fairly comfortably. Part of the charm of the country is that a relatively simple infrastructure prevents more visitors from arriving. In reality, this can make for some bumpy road journeys but internal flights work well for any larger distances. There are some quirky accommodation options such as airstream campers on the salt flats, salt hotels, beautiful colonial hotels and also some boutique options in La Paz.

The incredible Salar de Uyuni is a must when travelling in Bolivia and the best time to travel is usually from April through to October. June to August are the coldest months so you do need to be prepared to wrap up warm, particularly at night. During the coldest months there is also a chance of snowfall that can sometimes disrupt overland border crossings into Chile.

Bolivia is certainly a country with a lot of beautiful areas at high altitude so it is pretty much impossible to travel here and avoid being high above sea level. We can share lots of tips about how to prepare for altitude and to cope with it. The planning of your trip is also essential and we always take into account a slower pace to allow for acclimatisation.

Traditional Bolivian cuisine often includes corn, potatoes, beans & rice as well as chicken, pork and beef. Around Lake Titicaca fresh trout is the speciality. Food is tasty and hearty with lunch being the main meal of the day. In La Paz there are some wonderful restaurants including Gusto, a Claus Meyer restaurant. As well as local food there are international options available in hotels and larger towns and cities.

This is usually recommended for visitors heading to lower altitude areas in eastern and northern Bolivia. For more information, please check with a GP or nurse, and consult the NHS Fit for Travel website (www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk).

Due to Bolivia’s high elevation, many travellers experience the effects of altitude. However, few suffer from altitude sickness. Unfortunately, it is hard to predict who
will be affected. If you have visited high-altitude areas before and been unaffected, then you are likely to be fine.
Whilst altitude sickness can only be cured by descending, the effects of altitude can be mitigated by staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol and ascending slowly. If you are
particularly concerned, then please talk to your local GP, as they can prescribe preventative medicines e.g. Diamox.

Bolivia is four hours behind GMT. It does not observe daylight saving time.

Flights from London to La Paz, via Bogota or Lima, take approximately 17 hours.