Bolivia - Cheap Holidays from Co-op Travel

Bolivia Travel Guide

Bolivia is known as the 'Tibet of the Americas', the highest and most remote of the countries in South America. It is a landlocked region with two Andean mountain ranges binding the Altiplano, or High Plain, between them. This plain has an altitude ranging from 9,000 to 13,000 feet (3,000 to 4,000m), and is where the majority of the population lives.The history of the region dates back to the pre-Columbian times, from the ancient Aymará civilisation in 1500 BC who lived on Lake Titicaca, to the Tiahuanaco and the Inca Empire of the Altiplano, until the conquest of the Spanish in 1538. Traces of these civilisations are evident in the architecture of the colonial cities, displayed in informative museums that can be visited at the sites of ancient ruins.Bolivia is one of South America's most intriguing countries, as the nation with the most concentrated indigenous population on the continent, the majority of whom still maintain their traditional culture and beliefs. This living historical culture is one of the reasons that Bolivia is such an exciting and increasingly-popular tourist destination. The landscape is imbued with traditional houses and age-old methods of agriculture, and visitors will find remarkable traditions kept alive in the ancient techniques of weaving, handcraft and food production. The sounds of this cultural legacy echo in the haunting melodies of the panpipes from the high Altiplano or in the lively tunes emanating from the warmer lowlands.The dramatic geography affords many adventure opportunities: explorers can track wildlife in the Amazonian basin, drive across the surreal landscape of the Salar de Uyuni, take a boat trip on the world's highest navigable lake, Titicaca, scramble through muddy shafts in the silver mines of Potosi, or hike in the magnificent Andes mountains. There is enough diversity to meet many tastes.A holiday in Bolivia is a juxtaposition of extraordinary altitudes and spectacular landscapes, fascinating remains of ancient civilisations, a rich indigenous culture and vast colonial treasures.

Bolivia Travel Guide

Need To Know

Money:

The official currency is the Boliviano (BOB), which is divided into 100 centavos, and is tied to the US Dollar. Money can be exchanged at exchange bureaux called casio de cambiosin the main centres, at banks and hotels. Banking facilities are good in the main cities and ATMs cater for Visa, Cirrus and MasterCard. Many hotels and other tourist-oriented institutions accept US Dollars. Major credit cards, including MasterCard, Diners, Visa and American Express, are accepted in the bigger hotels, restaurants and shops. Travellers cheques can be exchanged in casio de cambiosin the major cities and are best taken in US Dollars to avoid additional charges.

Time:

GMT -4.

Electricity:

220 volts, 50Hz. US flat two-pin plugs and one with round grounding pin are used.

Language:

Spanish is the official language, but only 60 to 70% of the people actually speak it, and then often only as a second language. The other main languages are Quechua and Aymar.

Health:

Altitude sickness is the most common complaint in Bolivia with much of the country lying above 10,000ft (3,050m). This is particularly relevant to diabetics, those with heart complaints or chest problems, who should seek advice before travelling to Bolivia. Take Acetazolamide (Diamox) or drink coca tea to alleviate symptoms. A yellow fever vaccination is strongly advised, as outbreaks do occur, particularly after flooding, and it is a requirement for those entering from infected areas. Malaria is prevalent in some parts of the country, and dengue fever is on the increase. Sanitation and hygiene are poor in some areas so be wary of what is eaten; avoid under-cooked meat and unpeeled fruit and vegetables, and only drink bottled water. Medical insurance is strongly recommended.

Tipping:

A service charge is normally added to restaurant and hotel bills but it is customary to add a 5 to 10% tip. Hotel porters also expect a small tip. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped unless they are hired for a full day, in which case 10% is acceptable.

Safety:

Street protests and strikes often affect La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz as well as the regions of the Central Highlands (Altiplano) and the Yungus. Main tourist centres may be affected and visitors should keep up to date with current conditions. Strikes also often disrupt transport to and from the international airport in La Paz and to the regions. Travellers should avoid demonstrations and not attempt to pass through or go around roadblocks, and monitor the local media. Due to operational difficulties being experienced by national airline LAB, air travel in Bolivia can be disrupted and flights have been cancelled.Although Bolivia is generally a safe country, visitors should still be vigilant at all times. Pick-pocketing on buses or in crowded areas is common and baggage theft occurs at stations. Many thieves work in teams to distract their victims. Female tourists should avoid taking jungle and pampas tours on their own and always avoid unlicensed guides. Express kidnappings are also on the increase and travellers should be vigilant at all times. Penalties for drug possession are extremely severe and visitors should be vigilant with luggage and any belongings. Criminals posing as police officers and taxi drivers are targeting foreign tourists; there have been increasing incidents of robberies of this nature and visitors are warned to be cautious at all times. Violent attacks have occurred recently in Copacabana, especially targeting those travelling overland between Peru and Bolivia. Months of heavy rainfall are usually responsible for flooding and mudslides throughout the country, which can severely affect transport; the rainy season is usually from November to March.

Customs:

In conversation rural Bolivians should be referred to as campesinos (subsistence farmers) rather than Indians. 'Machismo' is very much alive and husband and wife roles within the family are very traditional. Homosexuality is frowned upon, particularly in the Altiplano.

Business:

Relationship building in Bolivia is important and getting down to business might take some time, so do not rush things. Negotiations are generally quite slow, and face-to-face communication is preferred over phone calls or written communications, therefore be prepared to make many trips before a deal can be made. Punctuality is expected, even if the meeting doesn't start on time, and schedules are often just a guideline and fairly unstructured; deadlines are not important. Business people are expected to wear suits. Meetings begin and end with handshakes, although wait for a woman to extend her hand first. It is important to include a person's professional title in the greeting if applicable, otherwise use Señor (Mr) or Señora (Mrs) with the surname. Business cards should also include any academic qualifications, and should have one side translated into Spanish; most business is conducted in Spanish and materials will need to be translated into Spanish. Women are considered insubordinate in the workplace and visiting businesswomen should ensure to emphasise their qualifications and work experience. Office hours are generally 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday with a long break over lunch.

Duty Free:

Travellers to Bolivia over the age of 18 years can bring the following items into the country without incurring customs duty: 100 cigarettes, 25 cigars and 200 grams of tobacco, 1 bottle of alcoholic beverage and a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use. Technology such as cameras, laptops and cellphones are limited to one per person for personal use. Newly purchased goods to the value of US$1,000 per person are also duty free. Travellers departing from the country should note that it is illegal to leave with the following items without prior written permission from the appropriate local authority: pre-Colombian artefacts, historical paintings, items of Spanish colonial architecture and history and native textiles.

Communications:

The international access code for Bolivia is +591. The outgoing code depends on what network is used (e.g. 0010 for Entel, or 0013 for Boliviatel), which is followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001044 for the United Kingdom). The area code for La Paz is 2, but the access code to make a call within the country from another area also depends on what network is used (e.g. (010)2 for Entel, or (013)2 for Boliviatel). Mobile phones operate on a GSM network. Internet cafes are widely available in La Paz and other tourist areas.

Bolivia Travel Guide

Bolivia Attractions

Iglesia de San Francisco

Description:

People congregate in the plaza in front of this imposing church, a mixture of neo-classical Spanish and mestizo architecture. Construction began in 1549 but it was only finished in the mid-18th century. On Saturday mornings it is often possible to see colourful Quechua or Aymara wedding processions leading to and from the church while on any day of the week this is an ideal place to pass the time and watch Bolivian life go by. Don't miss the atmospheric stairway to the fabulous rooftop, offering great views of the city below.

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Avenida El Prado

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The Witches' Market (Mercado de Brujas)

Description:

Situated in a maze of narrow alleyways in La Paz is one of the most bizarre markets in the world. An unusual collection of merchandise is sold here, from herbs and remedies used in Aymara traditions to potions, charms, and dried llama foetuses. Stretching up and around it is the traditional market scene, selling a huge variety of goods for everyday needs, as well as Andean art and handicrafts. Expect to see yatiri(traditional healers) with their dark hats and coca pouches offering to read the fortunes of locals.

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Sagarnaga, Linares and Illampu streets

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Museo de Coca (Coca Museum)

Description:

This is a relatively new museum that describes the place of coca in the traditions and culture of the Bolivians. From as far back as they can remember, coca has been a part of their culture and has a place in legendary history when the gods and goddesses used the divine coca leaf to alleviate hunger, cold, fatigue and pain. At first the chewing of leaves was restricted to use in religious ceremonies and by upper-class families but the Spaniards soon became aware of its stimulating effects. They began to promote it widely among the Indian labourers to increase output and numb the senses against the hardships and anxieties they faced. The displays are very provocative and educational, and also include the use and exploitation of coca in the soft drink and pharmaceutical companies.

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906 Linares Street

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(2)231 1998

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info@cocamuseum.com

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www.cocamuseum.com

Cooperative Mines of Cerro Rico

Description:

Entering the mines is like a step in to the past. It is a demanding, shocking yet memorable experience. Visitors can experience conditions much the same as when the Spanish used Andean peasants as slave labourers to work the wealth from the silver deposits in the hills. Guided tours lead groups along the narrow tunnels and up rickety ladders, stopping along the way to chat to the miners at work. Working conditions are primitive, shafts are poorly ventilated and safety provisions barely exist. The miners work by hand, chipping away at the rock and hewing out rough shafts in which to place their dynamite. An occasional blast shakes the tunnels and deafens the ears. Thousands of miners work their way through the mountain with no overall control or plan, chewing their way through bags of coca leaves to fend off hunger and exhaustion, in the hope of hitting a rare vein of silver.

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The mines are located in the outskirts of Potosi

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Museo de la Casa de la Moneda

Description:

The Casa de la Moneda was the Royal Mint House used by the colonial Spanish to turn the silver from the mines into coins to be shipped back to Spain. This is one of Bolivia's best museums, explaining the history of silver production and its influence. Inside are restored presses and wooden minting machines, coins and coin stamps. It also has rooms containing religious art, many by indigenous Andeans, the country's first locomotive and Tiahuanaco artefacts.

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Calle Ayacucho

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(2) 622 2777

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www.casanacionaldemoneda.org.bo

Salar de Uyuni

Description:

Covering an area of 4,680 square miles (12,121 sq km), the Salar is the world's largest salt desert set at an elevation of 11,970ft (3,650m) and filled with an estimated 10 billion tons of salt. With picks and shovels the local people harvest the salt from the lake that once covered most of southwestern Bolivia. This region is one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Bolivia, a photographer's delight. It is a surreal landscape combining salt pans, wind-eroded rock formations, and wandering llamas in a completely unspoilt region. In the middle is Isla de Pescadores, a landmass appearing as a mountain out of the white nothingness, covered in towering stands of cactus. Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde are other isolated marvels. One a fiery-red and the other a deep blue-green, these lakes are inhabited by flamingos and surrounded by extinct volcanoes. Nearby Sol de Mañana reeks with the smell of sulphurous gases from the geysers, fumaroles and bubbling mud pools. The village of Uyuni, to the south east of the Salar, is the best base from which to explore the area and tours can be arranged from here. 'Salt Hotels' around the periphery of Salar are a unique form of accommodation where everything (walls, furniture, etc.) is made from salt blocks cut from the flats. Another popular attraction at the Salar de Uyuni is the train cemetary, containing trains abandoned by mining companies.

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Tupiza

Description:

This little mining town in the Potosi department may not be an attraction in itself, but it serves as a popular base for tours to nearby San Vicente, the major draw card of this region. San Vicente has a bit of 'Wild West' history to it: two of the world's most famous outlaws, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, fled the United States in 1901 to escape pursuit from the Pinkerton Detective Agency (which later became the FBI). Lured by the Bolivia's silver wealth, they headed for South America. The outlaws are rumoured to have been gunned down by the Bolivian army in San Vicente over a century ago, just days after robbing the payroll of a Bolivian mine.Organised tours from Tupiza lead tourists along the 'death trail' of Butch and Sundance, giving visitors the unique opportunity to follow the outlaws' last days all the way to their supposed final resting place, where the billboard reads, 'Welcome to San Vicente: Here lie the remains of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'. Although many attempts to exhume the unmarked graves have been made over the years, no remains with DNA matching the outlaws' living relatives have yet been discovered.

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Rurrenabaque

Description:

Rurrenabaque is the starting point for holidaymakers planning an eco-tour to the Amazonian pampas and jungle. This little frontier settlement, perched between the surrounding jungle and the River Beni, is the loveliest of the Bolivian lowland villages. A trip on the river in a dugout canoe is an unforgettable experience, while the rainforest in Madidi National Park and surrounding Pampas is abundant in wildlife and many holidaymakers come to see anacondas, capybaras (the world's largest rodent), monkeys, turtles, macaws, caymans, piranhas, and even to swim with the pink dolphins. The tapir and armadillo are difficult to spot, often deep in the impenetrable tangle of the jungle, but there is plenty of bird life to be seen and heard. The rainforest is known for its immense biodiversity, ranging from mountain cloud forest to dry tropical forest, humid lowland rainforest to savannah, to wild rivers and lakes.

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Yungas Road

Description:

Not an attraction for the faint of heart, the dangerous Yungas Road, which has been dubbed the 'El Camino de la Muerte' (Road of Death), stretches between La Paz and Coroico in Bolivia and is estimated to claim the lives of approximately 200 to 300 travellers each year. Built during the 1930s Chaco War by Paraguayan prisoners, the road is situated high in the Yungas region of Bolivia and has extreme drops of up to 610 meters (2,000 ft) and has ironically become a popular tourist destination, drawing some 25,000 thrill seekers each year, particularly mountain bikers who love the adrenalin of the continuous downhill riding along 40 miles (64km) of treacherous road. The beautiful location of the road also adds to its allure, but it remains a serious danger as at least 13 cyclists have died since 1998, and trucks have serious problems passing each other. Crosses dotted along the road mark the spots where cars have plunged off the edge of the steep cliff. Drivers on Yungas Road must obey a strict set of rules, as rain and fog often reduce visibility and there are no guard rails. Contrary to normal Bolivian driving, drivers keep to the left, and uphill vehicles always have the right of way. Yungas Road has been upgraded in the last decade with many new safety measures, but the original route, now called North Yungas Road, is still in use by tourists.

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La Paz Golf Club

Description:

Founded in 1912 by British railway workers, the La Paz Golf Club members built a 9-hole course in a suburb of the city El Alto, but the course has long since moved to the nearby Mallasilla area of La Paz. Laid out at a dizzying height of 3048 metres (10,800 ft), the La Paz Golf Club is established 18-hole golf course can stake its claim has the highest golf course in the world. With breathtaking views of the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) below, well maintained greens and rolling fairways, the course was rated by Golf Digest among the most attractive courses on earth. Probably one of the most exciting holes on the course is the 12th hole, where the island tee box is reached by two bridges and golfers are required to drive the ball 180 yards (165m) to the verdant fairway across the plummeting gorge below - an experience of a lifetime!

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Mallasilla

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atencionalsocio@lapazgolfclub.com

Website:

www.lapazgolfclub.com

Huayna Potosi

Description:

A popular attraction for more adventurous travellers in Bolivia and located about 18 miles (30 km) north of La Paz, the mountain of Huayna Potosi in the Cordillera Real range is rated as an easy climb, but harsh weather conditions can often make it tricky. Each year only around 1,000 climbers make it to the summit; many of those who attempt the climb turn back due to cold temperatures and the high altitude.The entry point for the treks and base camp are located at 4700m (15,419 ft) on the Zongo Pass. The climb can be done in two daily stages and Rock Camp at 5130m (16,830 ft) offers breathtaking views across the valley and beyond. Several difficult snow and ice routes go up this 1,000 metre (3,280 ft) high face and the easiest route is up the glacier. Those who make it to the summit will be rewarded with breathtaking views over the Cordillera Real range, Lake Titicaca and La Paz.

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Isla del Sol

Description:

Located on Lake Titicaca, Isla del Sol is a major tourist attraction and featuring more than 180 ruins dating back to the 15th century, it's not hard to see why. The rumoured birthplace of the Incan civilisation, Isla del Sol (meaning Island of the Sun) is named so because it is believed to be the birthplace Inti, the Incan god of the sun. Visit the Chincana complex on the north of the island, the site of the sacred rock where the Inca creation legend began, explore the island via the maze of elaborate walking trails (but watch out for altitude sickness) and meet the locals in the villages of Yumani and Cha'llapampa.

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Lake Titicaca

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Coroico

Description:

Coroico is a popular weekend break for La Paz locals and a welcome low altitude chill-out spot for visitors. The trip from La Paz traverses the so-called World´s Most Dangerous Road, which makes for a photogenic and adrenalin-charged entrance into this laid back resort town. Perched atop the peak of Cerro Uchumachi, Coroico offers gorgeous views of cloud covered mountain tops, forested canyons, orchards and in the distance on a clear day, the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real. Coroico is a good base for some interesting hikes into the jungle and for mountain-biking trips into the local area, including guided descents of the precipitous highway.

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Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos

Description:

The Jesuit Church sent missionaries to many rural areas of Bolivia in the 16th century in order to 'civilise' and convert indigenous tribes, but by the 18th century they had been expelled by the Spanish government. The churches have remained active and today many of the vibrant villages are centred around beautiful colonial churches. Some of the most popular mission towns include San Ignacio, Concepción, San Rafael, San Javier, and San José, which are in the Chiquitania region near Santa Cruz. Many local tour operators offer packages that include several villages.

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Samaipata

Description:

Two hours southwest of Santa Cruz lies the tiny village of Samaipata, home to a diverse array of local tribes and some beautiful examples of Spanish colonial architecture. Samaipata has several important attractions, more so than one would expect from a town of its size; including El Fuerte, a set of pre-Incan ruins designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and the waterfalls of Las Cuevas. Samaipata is also conveniently located near stunning natural attractions like the diverse flora and fauna of Amboro Park; the 3.5 mile (5,700m) tall Condor Mountain, considered the Matterhorn of the Andes; and the stunning 262-foot (80m) La Pajcha Waterfall. Samaipata is also home to the former grave of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, and is the start and finish point of the Che Guevara Trail, which visits sites of interest including his guerrilla camp and school.

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www.samaipata.info

Amboro National Park

Description:

Amboro National Park is a nature reserve in central Bolivia that is home to more than 800 species of birds, and many endangered animals such as the puma, jaguar and Spectacled Bear. The diverse terrains offer seemingly neverending vistas and spectacular scenery filled with rivers, waterfalls, forests, canyons and mountains. Visitors can pass the time birdwatching at La Chonta outlook, sunning themselves on the beaches of the Surutu River, or hiking the Yunga Mountains.

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Bolivia Travel Guide

Need To Know

Bolivia Attractions

Holiday Types

Services