Bolivia lies in the heart of South America. It is surrounded by several other famous countries (Peru, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina) so it often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. But there are numerous reasons why everyone should travel to Bolivia at least once in their lives. This blog post will hopefully serve as inspiration for anyone planning a trip to Bolivia as we explore just a few of the country’s most beautiful places. You can visit our Bolivia tours page if you’re looking to make the most of your time there!
1. Copacabana at Lake Titicaca
The journey will begin at Copacabana. Titicaca is famous for being the “largest navigable lake” in the world. It is very high above sea level, in the Andes between Bolivia and Peru. The city, Copacabana, is situated on its shore and is frequently visited by tourists as it is the main city close to Titicaca. Copacabana is cherished for its Basilica of our Lady of Copacabana, which is incredibly well preserved, given that it was built in the 16th century. In Copacabana, you can also take boats to the Isla del Sol — a sacred Inca island.
2. La Paz
Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace) is the full name of the de facto capital city of Bolivia. It is the home to many beautiful churches, cathedrals, and Bolivia’s presidential palace. Hovering over it is the Teleferico (a system of cable cars), which allows visitors to gain a unique view over this incredible city. The Teleferico also serves as a means of transportation as one can reach one side of the city to the other.
3. Cochabamba
Cochabamba is referred to as ‘The City of Eternal Spring’ due to its pleasant climate that persists all-year-round. Cochabamba is a less touristic place, making it the perfect place to relax, unwind, and enjoy traditional Bolivian cuisine. You can take the cable car up city’s hill and you’ll find a beautiful statue of Christ. In fact, this statue is even higher than Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro! For all natural history lovers out there, the National Park, Torotoro, is worth the visit too, as numerous fossils and dinosaur footprints can be found.
4. Sucre
After relaxing in Cochabamba, Sucre (‘The White City’) and capital of Bolivia is the perfect place to go next. Around Sucre, there are several treks and climbs to enjoy. Or you can simply take in the amazing architecture of the city itself. Sucre is also the ideal place to acclimatize to the altitude as our next stops lie even higher in the Andes.
5. Potosi
Potosi is one of the highest cities in the world; it is located next to the mountain Cerro de Potosi which is said to be made of silver. Potosi was once a major silver source for much of the world. The most popular attraction here, is the mines — even though the mining nowadays is concentrated on metals other than silver. The silver resources dried up many years ago causing severe poverty problems in Potosi. However, it is still a fascinating and worthwhile place to visit.
6. Uyuni
The city of Uyuni is rather small and plain. But the city itself is not the reason why so many tourists travel to that region every year. The real attraction is the Uyuni Salt Flats. This natural site offers some amazing, utterly unique views.
7. Tarija
Tarija is perfect as the last stop on our travels through Bolivia. As there aren’t as many tourists to be found here, it is easy to meet locals who often decide to go to Tarija on vacation themselves. Relax with good cuisine and beautiful landscapes, visit vineyards, the Cordillera of Sama Biological Reserve, or even hike the Inca Trail while looking out for the country’s diverse wildlife.
We hope this guide has encourages a few readers to finally start planning their dream trip to Bolivia. There is more to Bolivia than the seven places mentioned in this blog, but they’re all great places to start.
If you have any more questions about Bolivia, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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