Tourist Attractions in Bolivia

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Bolivia

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Bolivia

Tourism in Bolivia is developing rapidly and there are all the conditions for it. There are attractions for every taste. The natural beauty of South America in Bolivia is complemented by ancient architecture and colourful cities.

The most popular cities in Bolivia are La Paz, Sucre and Potosí. La Paz and Sucre compete for the title of the country’s main city, but the forces are equal and it is worth visiting each of them. In the former you can find a huge market with shamanic devices, while Sucre’s architecture is unparalleled. Bolivia is rich in unique places. To such can be attributed the Uyuni salt marsh, the Moon Valley, the Colorado Lagoon. Here you can also see the largest freshwater lake, walk along the most dangerous path in the world, look at the highest statue of Christ. There are many places in Bolivia that you can talk about using adjectives in the superlative degree.

Bolivia is home to an incredible number of different species of animals. It is often visited by naturalists and explorers who are attracted by the national parks and forests. In many places, wild, pristine nature has been preserved here. Therefore, this country is more than rewarding for any traveller who wants to discover the real Bolivia.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Bolivia

La Paz

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It is the de facto capital of Bolivia. The city is home to most government offices, and together with its suburbs, La Paz ranks first in terms of population. The city is very colourful, combining ancient culture and modern trends. It is located in a stone “cup” of a dried-up river, on the slopes of which new buildings are constantly appearing.

Uyuni Salt Flat

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In the south of the Altiplano Plain is the largest salt marsh in the world, which was formed after the lake dried up. It is a snow-white canvas with an area of 10,588 km². Among the attractions of the salt marsh are the Forest of Stones, made up of natural stone statues, and Fishing Island with its huge cacti. And during the rainy season, Uyuni turns into a huge mirror. For tourists, salt hotels have been built on the lake.

Tiwanaku

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Even before the Incas began to develop their empire, another, pre-Inca civilisation had existed in South America for 400 years. Its centre was the city of Tiwanaku. Its area is 2.6 kilometres square. At the height of civilisation, it was home to about twenty thousand people. Surprising the size of the stones from which the city was built. And the inscriptions on them scientists cannot decipher until now.

North Yungas Road

 4.6/5

19 reviews

One of the most dangerous roads in the world that has claimed more than one life. It runs through the Andes and was built in 1930 by Paraguayan prisoners. The road is almost 70 kilometres long and the chasm is 600 metres deep. The road is barely 3.2 metres wide. On average about 300 travellers die here a year and more than 30 cars are crashed, but there is no other way from Corocoyco to La Paz.

Open time

Lake Titicaca

 4.5/5

2789 reviews

It is the largest freshwater lake in South America. It is located in the Andes on the border of Peru and Bolivia, at an altitude of 3,812 metres, which makes it unique. The lake has an area of 8,300 kilometres². It consists of two sub-basins. The maximum depth of the first is 284 metres and the second is 40 metres. Titicaca has many islands, some of which are inhabited by people. Isla del Sol is one of the most popular destinations in Bolivia.

Valle de la Luna

 4.4/5

5214 reviews

In the driest desert on the planet, in some places it has never rained before, here is an amazing place – the Moon Valley. It is as desolate and lifeless as the whole Atacama, but it is very attractive to tourists. With its landscapes and reliefs it resembles the surface of the moon. The salt hills cast unusual shadows, and the columns, rocks and caves create amazing views.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sucre

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Official capital of Bolivia, white city, one of the centres of tourism in the country. Sucre was founded in 1538. It is located in a mountain valley at an altitude of 2750 metres, surrounded by the Andes. You can easily get dizzy here, but not from the high pressure, but from the amazing colonial architecture. The city is full of UNESCO heritage buildings. There are also many museums, cathedrals and churches.

Potosi

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The Spaniards searching for Eldorado found Potosí and must have achieved their goal. It is said that the silver mined there would have been enough to build a bridge from Potosí to Madrid. In the 17th century, the city was one of the richest in the world. The population grew, as did the number of casualties in the mines. But when the silver reserves ran out, the Spanish abandoned the city with all its churches, monasteries and luxurious mansions.

Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado

 4.3/5

229 reviews

In the eastern part of Bolivia lies one of the largest parks in the Amazon basin. It has an area of 15,838 kilometres². It is a very old area, more than a billion years old. It has savannahs, mountainous evergreen forests, rivers and waterfalls. The most famous of them is Arcoiris. Its height is 88 metres. The national park is home to more than 250 species of fish, 4000 species of plants and 130 species of mammals.

Open time

Puma Punku

 4.5/5

892 reviews

Very close to the Tiwanaku structures is the Puma Punku complex. It consists of huge stone blocks. Puma Punku means “gate of the puma”. On the territory of the 2 km² complex there is an embankment lined with megaliths. Their weight starts at 22 and ends at 400 tonnes. The stones fit together so well that it is impossible to slip a piece of paper between them.

Open time

Laguna Colorada

 4.7/5

406 reviews

Within the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve is the Colorado Lagoon, called the Bloody Lagoon. It is a shallow saltwater lake with an area of 54 kilometres. During the day and with changes in temperature, the colour of the lagoon changes from red to purple-brown. This is caused by sedimentary rocks and algae. The landscape of the lake is complemented by desert rocks. The landscape is often adorned by flamingos that live in the area.

Parque Nacional Madidi

 4.5/5

425 reviews

The park is famous for its hiking trails. It has tropical forests, valleys and mountains. There are more than a thousand species of animals. There are safe areas for tourists, but other parts of the park are extremely dangerous. During a tour to the forest, you can live in ecological villages, catch piranhas, look for monkeys, jaguars, do photo hunting. Going to the pampas, you can see a giant anteater.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Cerro Rico

 4.4/5

188 reviews

It is the mountain that has brought Potosí extreme wealth and claimed thousands of miners’ lives. It rises above the town and is known as “the mountain that eats people.” Because of unsafe silver mining, the mountain is riddled with shafts and holes. Its height has been reduced by 400 metres, but miners continue to dig, risking their lives every day. If the mountain collapses, it will bury all of Potosí underneath.

Cristo de la Concordia

 4.4/5

5362 reviews

Cochabamba is home to the tallest statue of Christ in the Southern Hemisphere. Its height is 34.2 metres, and together with the pedestal it is 40.4 metres high. It is built on San Pedro Mountain, so it is 2840 metres above sea level. The statue has a viewing platform. There are 1399 steps leading up to it. From there you can see an incredible panorama of the city.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM

The Jesuit mission to Chiquitos

It is a cultural and historical monument located in the department of Santa Cruz. It consists of six ancient settlements. Many churches are found in them, which are the result of the fusion of Amerindian and European culture. They were built by the Jesuits in the 18th century. The churches have been restored and have been inscribed on the UNESCO heritage list.

Parque Nacional Amboró

 4.5/5

1790 reviews

The park was established in 1984 in northern Bolivia. The park has tropical mountain forests and valleys. The central part of the park is almost inaccessible to tourists. There, untouched nature has been preserved. Other areas of the park, through which hiking trails pass, have very rich animal and plant life. If you go up into the mountains, you can see volcanoes, gorges and waterfalls.

Open time

Sol de Mañana

 4.8/5

89 reviews

These are geothermal springs in the south-west of Bolivia. They cover an area of 10 km² and are located at an altitude of 4,800-5,000 metres above sea level. There are sulphur fields, mud lakes and pools of boiling mud in this area. There is volcanic activity here. After an attempt to set up industry here, holes were left in the springs. From them come out jets of steam that reach a height of 50 metres.

The Witches Market

 4.1/5

8230 reviews

This is a market in La Paz where shamans and witches are the sellers. They sell everything: charms, amulets, healing herbs, amulets, amulets and magical paraphernalia. But even here you can bargain. Also here you can buy a toad to attract wealth or items to communicate with the ancestors. And if that doesn’t suit you, there are plenty of silver and woollen jewellery.

Open time

Monday: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Arco Iris Waterfalls

 5/5

5 reviews

The waterfall is located in the Noel-Kempf-Mercado National Natural Park. It was formed on the Pauserna River. It is approximately 90 metres high and 50 metres wide. The name of the waterfall translates from Spanish as “rainbow”. All because in the afternoon the sun’s rays fall on the waterfall in such a way that they form a beautiful rainbow. The waterfall can be reached by plane, by river or by walking through the jungle.

Open time

Oruro

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It is a masterpiece of the intangible heritage of humanity, inscribed on the UNESCO heritage list. Carnival has become Bolivia’s main cultural event. The celebration is based on the traditions of the indigenous Bolivian Uru people. The carnival is now dedicated to the Virgin Mary of the Purification. It is celebrated for three days and three nights, during which time 48 different dances are performed. 28 thousand dancers and 10 thousand musicians take part.