Bolivia
Bolivia is high, raw and still lightly visited. Its showpiece is the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on earth, but the country also holds La Paz in its mountain bowl, Lake Titicaca and the colonial streets of Sucre. Expect altitude, strong culture and a travel style that rewards flexibility.
Why it is on my list
The Uyuni salt flats in rainy season, when the sky meets the ground. A thin sheet of water turns the salt into a mirror that runs to the horizon. I want to stand in the middle of it at sunrise and not know where the ground stops.
Best time to go
Jan to Mar: Peak rainy season. Shallow water creates the mirror effect, though some routes close and storms are common.
Dec and Apr: Often a good compromise, with some water and fewer disruptions.
May to Oct: Dry season. The salt is hard and patterned in hexagons, tours reach everywhere, and nights are very cold.
Crowds: Light by world standards. July is busiest.
Where to stay
Uyuni town: Practical base for tours, with simple hotels.
Salt hotels: Several lodges near the flats are built partly of salt blocks. Palacio de Sal is the best known.
La Paz: Stay in Sopocachi or near Plaza Murillo for food and walkability.
Sucre: A calm white colonial city at a lower altitude, good for recovery.
Copacabana: The lakeside base for Lake Titicaca.
Getting there and around
Flights: Fly to La Paz (LPB) or Santa Cruz (VVI). Boliviana de Aviación flies from Miami to Santa Cruz. Others connect via Lima, Bogotá or Panama.
To Uyuni: A short flight from La Paz, or an overnight bus of about ten hours.
Tours: Multi-day jeeps run between Uyuni and Tupiza or the Chilean border. Choose operators with good reviews and safe vehicles.
Altitude: La Paz sits near 11,900 feet and Uyuni near 12,000. Arrive rested.
What to eat
Salteñas: Baked, juicy pastries eaten mid-morning.
Silpancho: Breaded beef over rice and potatoes with an egg.
Pique macho: A heap of beef, sausage, fries and chili.
Llama steak: Lean and tender, best in Uyuni and La Paz.
Sopa de maní: Peanut soup, a Bolivian classic.
What to drink
Singani: A grape brandy distilled in Tarija, mixed into Chuflay with ginger ale and lime.
Wine: Tarija makes some of the highest vineyard wines on earth.
Beer: Paceña and Huari are the main lagers.
Api: A warm purple corn drink with cinnamon, served with fried pastries.
Don't miss
Salar sunrise and sunset: Plan a tour that stays on the flats at both ends of the day.
Isla Incahuasi: An island of giant cacti in the salt.
Train cemetery: Rusting steam locomotives outside Uyuni.
Laguna Colorada: A red lake full of flamingos.
Sol de Mañana: Steaming geysers at 16,000 feet.
La Paz Teleférico: A cable car network with city-scale views.
Sucre: The white city, a UNESCO site.
Day trips and side trips
Valle de la Luna: Eroded rock formations near La Paz.
Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol: Inca sites and village life.
Tiwanaku: A pre-Inca ruin site near La Paz.
Potosí: A silver mining city with a famed mountain.
Festivals and events
Alasitas: Usually January in La Paz, a fair of miniature goods.
Carnaval de Oruro: Usually February or March, a UNESCO-listed parade.
Gran Poder: Usually May or June in La Paz, a huge folk dance procession.
Urkupiña: Usually August in Cochabamba.
Music and dance
Andean folk: Panpipes, quena flutes and the charango.
Morenada and caporales: Large costume dances in festivals.
Diablada: The devil dance of Oruro.
Nightlife
Bolivian nights are social and local, built around music, singani and long dinners. La Paz has the strongest scene, while Uyuni goes quiet early.
When people go out: Thu to Sat, from about 10 pm in La Paz.
Where the action is: Sopocachi bars, Zona Sur clubs and folk peñas.
Good to know: Use radio taxis or ride apps at night.
Photography spots
Salar de Uyuni: Mirror shots in the wet season, perspective games in the dry.
Laguna Colorada: Red water and flamingos.
Killi Killi and Mirador: Viewpoints over La Paz.
Isla Incahuasi: Cactus silhouettes.
Drones: Allowed in many areas with caution, though nature reserves and cities may need permission. Check current rules.
Cost of living
Overall: $ to $$ compared with New York.
Coffee: $1.50 to $3.
Local lunch: $3 to $5.
Dinner for two: $20 to $40.
Beer: $2 to $3.
Mid-range hotel: $40 to $90.
Daily budget: $50 to $100, plus tour costs.
Bolivia is among the cheapest countries in South America, and tours are where most money goes.
Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.
Working remotely
Wi-Fi: Decent in La Paz and Santa Cruz, patchy elsewhere.
Coworking: A few options in La Paz.
Time zone: One hour ahead of US Eastern in winter, the same in summer.
Visas: Rules for US citizens have changed in recent years. Check current rules before booking.
Nomad rating: 2/5.
Good to know
Language: Spanish, with Quechua and Aymara widely spoken. English is limited.
Currency: The boliviano. Carry cash, as cards and ATMs can be unreliable.
Plugs: Types A, C and G, 230 V.
Entry for US citizens: Check current rules for visa and vaccine requirements.
Getting around: Taxis, minibuses and the Teleférico. Uber works in some cities.
Tipping: About 10 percent in restaurants.
Water: Drink bottled water.
SIM/eSIM: Entel is the strongest network.
Useful phrases
Buenos días: Good morning.
Gracias: Thank you.
¿Cuánto cuesta?: How much?
Un poco más despacio: A little slower.
Salud: Cheers.
Meeting people
Social scene: Hostels and tour groups are the easiest places to meet travelers.
Apps: Couchsurfing and travel Facebook groups.
Etiquette: Greet with a handshake and ask before photographing people.
Stay smart: Altitude sickness is real, so ascend slowly and rest.
Staying safe
Altitude: Drink water, eat lightly and go slow on day one.
Tours: Vet operators and vehicles. Road accidents are the biggest risk.
Theft: Watch bags in crowded markets and bus stations.