Things to do in Bolivia
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AndesXtremo
Offers climbing, rafting, canyoning, trekking, and paragliding excursions.
reviewed
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Minuteman Revolutionary Pizza
This convivial spot, inside the Toñito Hotel, run by Chris from Boston and his Bolivian wife Sussy, is a deserved travelers’ favorite with the best pizzas in town, tasty alternatives like salads, pastas and sandwiches and fantastic desserts. It’s also a cozy spot for a beer or candlelit glass of Tarija wine or a hearty breakfast (B$20 to B$30) with all you can drink coffee or tea. If you have old sunglasses, you can do a good deed – drop them off here and they’ll be donated to the salt workers in Colchani.
reviewed
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Florín
Rapidly turning into the place to be seen in Sucre, this atmospheric bar-restaurant serves a mixture of typical Bolivian food and international dishes, including a ‘Full English’ breakfast. Popular with locals and gringos alike, who line up along the enormous 13m-long bar (surely the biggest in Bolivia?) at night during the two-for-one happy hour.
reviewed
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Salar de Uyuni
The world's largest salt flat sits at a lofty 3653m (11,985ft) and blankets an amazing 12,000 sq km (4633 sq mi). It was part of a prehistoric salt lake, Lago Minchín, which once covered most of southwest Bolivia. When it dried up, it left a couple of seasonal puddles and several salt pans, including the Salar de Uyuni. The savage beauty of this vast salt desert makes it one of South America's most awe-inspiring spectacles.
From strange islands in a sea of blindingly bright salt to delicately colored mineral lakes in the Andean mountains, this is an unforgettable Bolivian landscape.
However, travellers should take great care in choosing which tour operator to go with…
reviewed
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Lake Titicaca
Traditionally regarded as the highest navigable body of water in the world (though there are higher lakes in Chile and Peru), Lake Titicaca is immense: its dimensions measure 233km (145mi) from northwest to southeast and 97km (60mi) from northeast to southwest, and it features an indented shoreline, 36 islands and exceptionally clear sapphire-blue water.
Titicaca is revered by the Indians who live on its shores; the Islas del Sol and de la Luna, two islands in the lake, are legendary sites in Incan creation myths.
The main town in the area is Copacabana, which has a sparkling white Moorish-style cathedral and is host to the Fiesta de la Virgen de Candelaria. Isla Suriqui…
reviewed
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San Miguel del Bala
San Miguel del Bala is a glorious community ecolodge in its own patch of paradise right on Madidi’s doorstep, 40 minutes upstream by boat from Rurre. Accommodations are in cabins with mahogany wood floors, separate bathrooms and beds covered by silky mosquito nets. There are several guided walks, including a visit to the San Miguel community. This Tacana community consists of around 230 inhabitants who’ll be happy to show you their traditional agricultural methods or weaving and wood-carving. Guests can also chill in hammocks in the communal hut. What the guides lack in English, they make up for with their enthusiasm and knowledge. If you go for the three-days/two-nights…
reviewed
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Sole Mio
The best pizzas in Cochabamba are to be found here. The owners, encouragingly, are from Napoli and import the ingredients for their robust brick-oven, wood-fired pizzas – thin crust, light on the sauce. Soft opera music, rich Italian wines and excellent service make this a comfortable place to linger a while over a meal. They also serve a range of meat and pasta entrées.
reviewed
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Tupiza Tours
Based in Tupiza, runs reliable tours from there to Uyuni or vice versa.
It's impossible for us to reliably recommend Uyuni agencies, and we strongly suggest that you speak to several companies after doing some research of your own in town. This company was performing well in travelers' eyes when Uyuni was researched.
reviewed
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Páprika
One of the ‘in’ spots, this is a block removed from the roar of Av Ballivián, and is a quiet leafy place popular for its food – both Bolivian and international, including tasty baked potatoes and fondues. After dark it becomes a trendy spot for a late drink and is also a good place to meet up with young Bolivians.
reviewed
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Alexander Coffee & Pub, Santa Barbara
Trendy café serving all manner of java drinks, pastries and sandwiches. It's the place for a cappuccino hit, and has reliably good fruit juices and tasty snacks, from pastries to vegetarian quiche – don’t miss the torte de quinoa.
reviewed
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Michael Blendinger Tours
Based in Samaipata, biologist Michael Blendinger specializes in tours to the southern Amboró and surrounding region. Also does birding tours as well as trips along the Ché Trail and all around Bolivia. English and German spoken.
reviewed
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Café La Terraza, Sopocachi
This stylish chain offers quality espresso and other coffee treats, as well as rich chocolate cake and cooked breakfasts that include North American-style pancakes and huevos rancheros (spicy scrambled eggs).
reviewed
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Café Banaís
Popular with tourists of all ages for its sunny window seats, handy location next to Plaza San Francisco, and Western-style breakfasts and gourmet sandwiches. Best of all, they know how to make a half-decent coffee.
reviewed
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Para Ti Chocolates
Thanks to Sucre’s status as Bolivia’s chocolate capital, there are plenty of stores that cater to sweet tooths. The best is Para Ti Chocolates, where tasty bonbons are only the tip of the iceberg.
reviewed
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Ben Verhoef Tours
Ben Verhoef Tours, run by Dutch couple Ben and Susanne, can organize a variety of tours around Samaipata, such as a six-hour 'Condor Hike'. It also offers a Ché Guevara tour.
reviewed
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Adventure Climbing & Trekking of South America
Carlos Escobar is a UIAGM/UIAA certified international mountain guide (who climbed Mt Everest) and runs serious climbing expeditions to Illampu, Huayna Potosí and others.
reviewed
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Aqualand
For a real splash, dive into this water park near the airport, north of the city center. The best way to get here is by taxi (around B$30).
reviewed
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Sustainable Bolivia
Cochabamba-based nonprofit organization with a variety of volunteering programs, both short and long-term, through 22 local organizations.
reviewed
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Academia Latinoamericana de Español
The Academia Latinoamericana de Español has a comprehensive program featuring cultural classes and home-stay options.
reviewed
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Liliana Castellanos
Sells stunning llama and alpaca fashion items.
reviewed
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Dumbo’s
A popular ice-cream parlor along the Prado.
reviewed
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Cristo de la Concordia
This immense statue stands atop Cerro de San Pedro behind Cochabamba. It's a few centimeters higher than the famous Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro, which stands 33m high, or one meter for each year of Christ's life. Cochabambinos justify the one-upmanship by claiming that Christ actually lived 33 años y un poquito (33 years and a bit).
There's a footpath from the base of the mountain (1250 steps) but several robberies have been reported, particularly around sunset. Safer and sweatless is the teleférico (cable car). On Sunday, you can climb right to the top of the statue and get an even better overview of the city.
The closest public transportation access is on micro…
reviewed
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Convento de Santa Teresa
The most interesting building in town is the noble, timeworn Convento de Santa Teresa. Visits to this timeless and gracefully decaying complex are by guided tour only and provide a snapshot of the extraordinary lives led by the cloistered nuns that inhabit it. You see the peaceful cloister, fine altarpieces and sculptures (from Spanish and Potosí schools), the convent church, and even get to ascend to the roof for a glorious view over the city. The convent was founded in 1760, then destroyed in an earthquake; the new church was built with an excess of ambition, and was too big to be domed. The existing church was built inside it in 1790. There’s still a Carmelite…
reviewed
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Parque Nacional Amboró
This extraordinary park crosses two 'divides': the warmer northern Amazonian-type section, and the southern Yungas-type section, with cooler temperatures (and fewer mosquitoes!). The village of Buena Vista is a staging point for trips into the spectacular forested northern lowland section of Parque Nacional Amboró.
For a park entry permit and cabin reservations visit Buena Vista's Sernap office, two blocks south of the plaza. There are several places to sleep and eat, and camping is also possible in the park. Try the basic Residencial Nadia (tel: 932 2049), where the owner is a good source of park information. For food, Los Franceses has a savory menu and a jovial très…
reviewed
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Av San Martin
The hippest nightspots are along Av San Martin, between the second and third rings in Barrio Equipetrol, a cheap taxi ride from the center. Hotspots change frequently so it's best to dress to impress and cruise the piranhar (strip, literally 'to go piranha fishing') and see what catches your fancy.
Local kids line up with their cars along the pavements and play unbelievably loud music out of their gigantic car-boot speakers in competition with the music booming from neighboring cars, while drinking beer, dancing and chatting till late. Most places start selling drinks between 18:00 and 21:00 but don't warm up until 23:00, then continue until 03:00 or 04:00.
reviewed