Bolivia Travel Guide

Bolivia has two faces. One face is sweating in the dense jungle, the other is shivering at the top of a high mountain. Considered the most remote of South America's countries, Bolivia has much to offer the rugged traveler looking to really escape both the hassles and the comforts of home.

What to do

Bolivia's attractions range from ancient monuments and archaeological sites to national parks and wildlife preserves. The people here are, for the most part, too poor to support much of a nightlife scene and there aren't enough travelers for tourists to support bars and dance clubs.

The ancient Samaipata ruins are located just two hours east of Santa Cruz and the UNESCO endorsed Tiwanaku archaeological site is said to be an amazing and peaceful destination where they work to uncover Bolivia's history.

Getting there

There are daily flights from North America and Europe, and both flights and trains from South America. The train system in Bolivia is seemingly always being overhauled and trains vary in quality. Trains are cheaper than flights but may not be worth the extra time and the extra cold if you're not of the disposition that shared discomfort with locals makes traveling worthwhile.

Where to stay

La Paz is Bolivia's capital city, the highest capital in the world, and home to much of Bolivia's lodging. The accommodations run the gambit of quality, but you would have stopped reading long ago if you were looking for five star resorts.

Bolivia's hostels are more widespread than the hotels and often in a city without a hotel there will be one hostel or guesthouse.