Bolivia Travel Guide

Best Time To Visit

When to go

The best months to visit Bolivia are from April to November, although night time temperatures can be very cold at higher altitude. The rainy season is between January and March whilst the Amazon remains hot and humid at all times.

Getting there

There are no direct flights from the UK to Bolivia. La Paz in Bolivia is less accessible than many other cities in Latin America with the probability of flying via Miami or another South American city.

Time Zone

GMT -4 hours

Visas

British passport holders do not require a visa to enter Bolivia. However if you are travelling via the US, it will be necessary to obtain the ESTA.

Health

There are no compulsory vaccinations required to enter Bolivia. Precautions against malaria and yellow fever, if travelling to the Amazon, are suggested, but check with your GP. Always consult your doctor at least six weeks before travel and refer to this useful NHS website - Fit for Travel - which has details of recommended vaccinations for your Bolivia.

Things To Do

• Look out over the lights of La Paz at dusk from a rooftop bar
• Experience the spectacular Uyuni Salt Flats
• See the quieter Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca
• Spend time exploring the colonial city of Sucre
• Take on the Bolivian Amazon from Yungas

Amanda Sweeney, one of our much-travelled South America experts, explains why Bolivia is her favourite country.

“When I first went to Bolivia over a decade ago, I was bowled over. The whole of South America is awash with spectacular scenery, but for me it is in Bolivia that it is at its most memorable. Bolivia is much less developed than other South American countries, and the accommodation, though comfortable, is nothing to write home about. However, the dramatic landscapes really take your breath away, and so much is true wilderness. Luxury whilst on holiday in Bolivia means the luxury of being the only people for miles and miles.

Whether Lake Titicaca is best viewed from the Bolivian or Peruvian side is an ongoing debate. But if you want vast, sweeping views of the electric blue waters untouched by any kind of development, then Bolivia wins hands down!

Another real highlight for me was visiting the Urus Iruitos community on the floating reed islands. Our local agent provides support for these communities, so that they can continue their traditional lifestyle, much as they’ve done for thousands of years.

But my favourite place in Bolivia has to be the Salar de Uyuni salt flats. They’re dazzling, beautiful and eerie all at the same time - and you can even see the curvature of the earth. The salt hotel, Luna Salada, is a lot of fun: everything, including the furniture, is made from salt.”

Bolivia is a country waiting to be explored and the video below showcases the countries highlights, including its spectacular Salt Flats.