Bolivia

Bolivia Flag

Why visit Bolivia?

Nature lovers interested in archaeological ruins, birdwatching, culture, ecotourism, festivals, fishing, golf, hang gliding, hiking, horseback riding, jungle rivers, markets, mountain biking, music, natural landscape, rich folklore, silver mines, skiing, trekking, wilderness and wildlife.

Uyuni (World's Largest Salt Flats), Bolivia. Photo Credit: phcsantos/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Bowler hat, ceramics, hammocks, place mats, ponchos, rugs, silver jewelry, silver ornaments, sweaters, weavings and wooden carvings.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Charque (jerky), Fricasé (soup), Pique Macho (bite size beef and fries), Salteñas (filled dough). Silpancho (rice and potatoes).
• Local Drink to Try:  Mocochinchi (cold peach drink). Singani (liquor). Yungueño (cocktail).

La Paz, Bolivia. Photo Credit: Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• In 1545, mining founded.
  
• In 1825, became independent.
  
• In 1884, signed a truce with Chile.
  
• In 1904, Chile built a railway (Arica and La Paz) to transport goods between ports.
  
• In 1909, lost the basin of the Madre de Dios River and Purus territory in the Amazon to Peru.
  
• In 1976, Juan José Torres González  (1920-1976), President of Bolivia (1970-1971) was assassinated.
  
• In 1997, Ernesto "Che" Guevara (1928-1967), Guerrilla Leader was killed by Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Bolivian Army left in a mass grave (La Higuera).
• Late 2002, the government owed $4.5 billion to foreign creditors.
  
• In 2008, fourth country in South America to attain "free of illiteracy" status.
• Was known as Charcas under the authority of the Viceroy of Lima (Peru). 
• Birthplace claims to chili peppers, peanuts, peppers and yucca. 
• Miners were known to chew coca leaves.
  
• Coca, cultivated plants are processed into cocaine and commonly transported to North America a lucrative cash crop.
  
• Has two capitals, La Paz and Sucre.
• Once upon a time a woman in the mines was considered to bring bad luck.
• They have lost over half of its territory to neighboring countries since independence.
  
• Entrance of the mine shaft, small figure with blue eyes, El Tio (uncle) represents the past brutal Spanish Foramen. Customary tradition for good luck to leave alcohol, cigarettes or coca leaves.
• Nearly 20% of the world's tropical glaciers are located within the country.
  
• Spain built their empire from mining their silver. 
• Home to over 3,000 species of medicinal plants.
  
• Produces over 4,000 kinds of potatoes.
  
• Globally recognized for thier 'Law of the Rights of Mother Earth".
  
• The government has recruited youths of 14 when during declined voluntary registration.
  
• Second largest natural gas reserves in South America.
  
• Annually over 25,000 bikers cycle along "world's most dangerous road" (Yungas Road).
  

Cochabamba, Bolivia. Photo Credit: Jamie Norman/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: Alasitas Festival (January), Carnaval (February), Festival of the Virgen de la Candelaria (February), Pujllay Festival of Tarabuco (March), Fiesta del Gran Poder (May), San Juan Festival (June), Urkupiña Festival (August) and Festival de la Virgen de Guadalupe (September). 
  
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Plurinational State of Bolivia Anniversary, Feast of the Virgin of Candelaria, Labor Day, Andean New Year, Agrarian Reform Day, Independence Day, All Saints Day and Christmas Day.

Lake Titicaca, Bolivia. Photo Credit: mailanmaik/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Second poorest country and least developed in South America.
  
• Known tourist scam of undercover police imposters requesting to show your wallet or ID. Decline, insist going to the nearest police station.
  
• Businesses often close between 12PM-3PM for lunch.
  
• Never agree to having your baggage tied to any exterior bus top for theft reasons.
  
• Remote areas do not offer ambulance or police services!
• Beware of altitude sickness.
• Majority of the population has no healthcare access or health insurance.
  
• Dinner is a lighter often eaten around 8PM or later.
  
• Protests and strikes are common. Anticipate closures and delays.
• Few roads are paved (less than 5%).
  
• Ferry service available from San Pedro and San Pablo (Lake Titicaca).

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA not required.
• Vaccination: Yellow River. 
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.

Árbol de Piedra "Stone Tree", Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, Sur Lípez Province, Bolivia. 

Photo Credit: Leah Davis/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: May - November
• Coldest Months: June - July
• Hottest Months: December - January
• Peak Season: June - September

Laguna Verde, Altiplano, Bolivia. Photo Credit: Kaniri/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: El Fuerte de Samaipata, Inca Road System, Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos, List of Foundings of the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos, Kalasasaya, Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, Potosí, Pulacayo, San Javier Ñuflo de Chávez, San José de Chiquitos, San Miguel de Velasco, Santa Ana de Velasco, Sucre and Tiwanaku.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Photo Credit: Fernando Aguirre Guzmán/Pixabay 

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                                               All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.