edit Bolivia Travel Guide

• Samaipata - Ancient ruins 2 hours east of Santa Cruz
• Riberalta - An interesting town with a serious frontier-like feeling, set in the northern Bolivian jungle.
• Tiwanaku - Ancient ruins, a UNESCO world heritage site
• Uyuni - Starting point for trips to the spectacular Salar de Uyuni (the largest slat flats in the world) and the Laguna Colorado and Laguna Verde
• Copacabana - A small resort town on Lake Titicaca
• Coroico - Set in a jungle valley, and accessible via the World's Most Dangerous Road
• Rurrenabaque - A popular base for jungle and pampa trips.
• Madidi National Park - Located a few miles North of Apolo (La Paz)|Apolo, is one of the world%uFFFDs most extensive biodiversity reserves. Its humid tropical climate has spawned one of Bolivia%uFFFDs richest woodlands.
• Chacaltaya - The world's highest ski resort 25 km from La Paz.
• Huayna Potosi - A very popular mountain about 30 km from La Paz.
• Villa Tunari - A town between Santa Cruz and Cochabamba known for the volunteer organisations Inti Wara Yassi]] and Angels of Hope.

By plane

Air travel is the obvious way to get to Bolivia - but many peple make the mistake of trying to book a flight direct to La Paz and end up paying 100s of dolars more than they should. The cheapest and most direct flights into Bolivia land in Viru Viru international aiport, Santa Cruz.

From the USA

There is at least 1 flight daily betwen Miami and Santa Cruz, Aerosur flies 4 times a week to/from Miami and American Airlines also flies a number of times. So your option here is to find the best deal to Miami and then purchase your flight to Santa Cruz. Flights to La Paz are expensive because of the altitude - its difficult for planes to land at 4000m and uncomfortable for the passengers.

From Europe

There are several direct flights between Spain and Santa Cruz every week, on both Aerosur and other european airlines - so everyone travelling to and from Europe here is your chance to keep practicing that spanish or have a lovely beach holiday in mallorca before the slog of south america.

Once you have your international flight booked - its far easier and cheaper to organise your internal flights from the point of departure.

From within South America

Gol airlines will hav your best deals to Brazil, and Aerolinea Argentina the best deals to Argentina. LAN Chile/Peru will always have flights between Bolivia and these countries but many budget travelers still find them a bit expensive and prefer overland options
The only direct flights to Bolivia from the United States are from Miami, daily on American Airlines and several times a week on AeroSur , which also has connections from Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo (city)|S%uFFFDo Paulo. Troubled national carrier Lloyd Aereo Boliviano suspended all flights in March 2007.

By train

There are many train lines in Bolivia, each with varying degrees of quality and efficiency. However, adequate transportation via train can be found.

The FCA timetable can be found at their website .

Watch your belongings.

By car

It is common for tourists to travel through a land border at the north-east of Chile/ South-West of Bolivia.

Keep in mind that only about 5% of all the roads in Bolivia are paved. However, most major routes between cities are paved (Aka big cities, Santa Cruz, La Paz, Cochabamba, Sucre) . 4x4 is particularly required when off the flatter altiplano. Be aware that in mountainous regions traffic sometimes switches sides of the road. This is to ensure the driver has a better view of the dangerous drops.

An international drivers license is required but

• most
• times EU or US drivers licenses will be accepted. There are frequent police controls on the road and tolls to be paid for road use.

By bus

There are many options for traveling from Argentina to Bolivia by bus. Check out the Bolivian Embassy's website in Argentina for specific options.

By boat

It is common for tourists to arrive in Bolivia by boat, by navigating from the port city of Puno, Peru, over Lake Titicaca.

Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon Bolivar, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in the 1980s, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and drug production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, and waging an anti-corruption campaign.

The national currency is the boliviano. As of September 2006, the exchange rate is generally Bs8.05/$USD. Bills come in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20, and 10; coins are in 5, 2, and 1 bolivianos, and 50, 20, and you will find sometimes 10 centavos (1/100 of a boliviano). Bills larger than Bs20 can be hard to break, but a quick phone call or internet session at a Punto Entel (see Contact, below) will usually get you change.

Currency can be exchanged for US dollars and most South American currencies at casa de cambio agencies or street vendors. Expect to negotiate for a favorable exchange rate, as most vendors will try to make money off a tourist.

U.S. dollars are widely accepted in hotels, tourist shops, and for large purchases.

Bolivia's climate varies with altitude from humid and tropical to cold and semiarid. In most parts of the country winters are dry and summers are somewhat wet. Despite its tropical latitude, the altitude of cities like La Paz keeps things cool, and warm clothing is advised year-round.

The cuisine of Bolivia might be called the original "meat and potatoes" -- the latter (locally called papas from the Quechua) were first cultivated by the Inca before spreading throughout the world. The most common meat is beef, though chicken and llama are also easily found. Pork is relatively rare. Deep frying (chicharron) is a common method of cooking all sorts of meat, and fried chicken is a very popular quick dish; at times the smell permeates the streets of Bolivian cities. Guinea pigs (cuy) and rabbits (conejo) are eaten in rural areas, though you can sometimes find them in urban restaurants as well. A common condiment served with Bolivian meals is llajhua, a spicy sauce similar to Mexican salsa.

Some notable Bolivian dishes:

• Charque kan - llama jerky
• Pique a lo macho - grilled chunks of meat with tomatoes and onion, on potatoes
• Silpancho - beef pounded to a thin, plate-sized patty, served on a bed of rice and potatoes, with a fried egg on top (Similar to wiener schnitzel).

Street food and snacks:

• Anticucho - Beef hearts grilled on a skewer, served with potatoes and a spicy corn sauce
• Salchipapa - Thinly sliced sausage fried with potatoes
• Choripan - Chorizo (spicy sausage) sandwich, served with grilled onions and lots of sauce

Breakfast (desayuno) typically consists of any of several of meat-filled buns:

• Salte%uFFFDa - A baked bun filled with meat and potatoes in a slightly sweet or spicy sauce. Be careful when you take a bite, as the sauce will drip all over!
• Tucumana - Like a salte%uFFFDa but fried
• Empanada - Similar to a saltena, often filled with cheese as well as meat
• Culape - A small roll filled with cheese, similar to Brazilian p%uFFFDo de queijo. The bread is made from cassava flour.

Many people also start off the day with some concoction involving fruit:

• Ensalada de frutas - Many different fruits chopped in a bowl of yogurt. Very filling. Some stalls may have honey, nuts or gelatin on top, if you like.

Drink

Juice bars appear at most markets. Shakes (either with water or milk) are 2-3Bs. Locals can be seen to drink Vitaminico an egg, beer and sugar concoction or "Vitima" which includes coca leaves.

• Licuado - Water or milk blended with your favorite fruit combination. A big spoonful of sugar will be added unless you specifically ask them not to. Try the milk and papaya licuado.
• Vitaminico - Don't ask what's in here. Many fruits, milk, sugar, a shot of beer, and, if you wish, a whole egg (with shell).

Alcohol

Bolivia's traditional alcoholic drink is chicha, a whitish, sour brew made from fermented corn and drunk from a hemispherical bowl fashioned from a hollowed gourd (round-bottomed so you can't put it down). It's customary to spill a bit of chicha on the ground before and after drinking it as an offering to Pachamama, the Inca earth godess.

• Singani is a grape liquor that's mixed with Sprite or ginger ale with lime garnish to make a cocktail called chuflay.

• There are a number of local beers, the largest being Paceña and its high-end brand Huari. El Inca is a very sweet low-alcohol beer. Orange Cocktails are a popular drink too!

Offering a favorable exchange for Western tourists, lodging can be found at very reasonable prices throughout the country, from hostels to luxury hotels. During a 3 week trip in 2003 I stayed in hostals and the going rate per night was never more than the equivalent of US $ 3.50.

Bolivia has three official languages : Spanish (often called Castellano), Quechua, and Aymara. In rural areas, many people do not speak Spanish. Nevertheless, you should be able to get by with some basic Castellano. Bolivia is one of the best places in which to learn or practice your Spanish because of their very clean, deliberate accent. There are many options for studying Spanish in Bolivia, and they are usually very good (often, the program includes a very good homestay component).

Some parts of Bolivia like La Paz (3650), Potosí (4010), Oruro (3950) and the Lake Titicaca region are high altitude, so adequate precautions against "soroche" altitude sickness should be taken.

At local pharmacies they sell soroche pills, that are supposed to help with altitude problems. In many parts of the Altiplano you can purchase coca leaves, which are reputed to be useful against soroche. Coca tea ("mate de coca") is available in tea bags in many markets.

However, severe cases of high altitude disease can be treated at the High Altitude Pathology Institute at Clinica IPPA . This Clinic has the most advanced technology including a hyperoxic/hypoxic adaptation chamber. In addition, the sun's ultraviolet rays are much stronger -- up to 20 times -- than at sea level. A sun hat, sunglasses, and skin protection (sunblock or long sleeves) are advised.

• Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for those who plan on spending time in the Bolivian Amazon. It must be taken 10 days prior to the person’s arrival into the country if the visitor plans to visit rural areas.

• Malaria prophylaxis is recommended if the visitor plans to visit tropical-rural areas.

• As a preventive measure, taking the following vaccines is recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Tetanus, Diphtheria and Measles Booster-Vaccines.

Transportation strikes (bloqueos) are a common occurrence in Bolivia, so try to keep tuned to local news. Strikes often affect local taxis as well as long-distance buses; airlines are generally unaffected. Do not try to go around or through blockades (usually of stones, burning tires, or lumber). Strikers may throw rocks at your vehicle if you try to pass the blockade. Violence has sometimes been reported. Many of these only last a day or two. It is usually better to wait.

By plane

Flying within Bolivia is quick and fairly economical. AeroSur connects most major cities.

• Aerocon - flies from Trinidad to the harder to reach places of Bolivia like Cobija, Guayaramerin, Riberalta and Santa Ana (La Paz region). They also fly to La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. In Santa Cruz, their office is in Aeroperto El Trompillo and their website is listed below.

• Aerosur - the best known national airline. Aerosur flies from Santa Cruz to Sucre, La Paz and Cochabamba everyday. You can book your ticket at any of the many Aerosur offices around the city of Santa Cruz or any travel agency. Flights can be booked as late as 1 hour beforehand if seats are available.

• Amaszonas Most famous for their La Paz to Rurrenabaque route but also fly to Trinidad, Guayaramerin, Riberalta, Cobija, San Borja, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. Fares are listed under "tarifas" on their website, listed below. Their office in Santa Cruz is in El Trompillo airport.

• GOL - has a nightly flight from Santa Cruz into Campo Grande for just US$50.

• TAM This airline provides utilizes small planes but is actually one of the most well organized and reliable. Their office in Santa Cruz is in El Trompillo Airport, also where all of their planes leave from. Flights from Santa Cruz to Sucre or La Paz 4 times a week from U$45. Confirm weight restrictions. It is rumored to be only 15kg checked and 3kg carry on.

By bus

Bus transportation in Bolivia is a nice cheap way to get to see the beautiful scenery while traveling to your destination. Unfortunately the buses often travel solely at night. Keep in mind that the road from La Paz to Cochabamba is occasionally blocked due to protests, often for several days. So, if you are planning to use the bus, you should also be willing to spend a few days sleeping on the bus. Also be wary of the "World's Most Dangerous Road" that goes from La Paz to the Amazon. Bus travel is usually pretty cheap. Estimate that it will cost you about 1 USD for every hour of travel (it's easier to find travel times online than actual price quotes). Prices do change based on supply and demand. Sometimes you can get a deal by waiting until the last minute to buy. Hawkers are constantly crying out destinations in the bus stations cajoling potential riders to take their bus line.

By taxi

For longer trips between towns and cities that aren't served by bus, shared taxis are common.