21 absolute BEST things to do in Bolivia

I’m often asked about the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited. And that’s easy, it’s Bolivia.

Although Iceland, Slovenia, and Norway come close, there’s something extraordinary about Bolivia.

I’ve handpicked my favorite things to do in Bolivia that include nature (so you can see what I mean) and the best Bolivia tourist attractions.

This is what you shouldn’t miss on your trip to South America.

Bolivia tourist attractions

The best things to do in Bolivia

1. Explore Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats

The number one place you should visit in Bolivia is Uyuni!

Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats are the biggest salt flats on the planet.

It’s a huge area of over 10,000 square kilometers where the earth is made of salt.

In the rainy season (November to March), the whole place turns into a massive mirror that makes it hard to tell where the sky ends and the ground begins.

Honestly, this is the most amazing place I’ve ever visited.

2. Visit the High-Altitude Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is really high up – it’s the highest lake in the world that you can travel across by boat.

It’s surrounded by a bunch of old myths, like one that says it’s where the sun came from. You can take a boat ride there, see the handmade reed boats, and visit the Uros Islands.

These islands are made entirely of reeds and the people living there have been doing so since before the Incas were around. The lake is also shared by two countries, Bolivia and Peru.

3. Learn about Potosí’s Silver Mining past

Potosí was once home to the biggest silver mine in South America.

When you visit, you can tour the Cerro Rico mines and see for yourself how tough the miners’ work was.

Check out the old buildings too, like the Royal Mint House, where they used to turn the silver into coins and ship it off to Europe.

Potosí was founded in 1545 and at one point was one of the largest cities in the Americas because of the silver boom.

4. Discover the Tiwanaku ruins

Tiwanaku is an old site in Bolivia where you can explore the ruins of a civilization that was around way before the Incas.

You’ll find some massive stone structures and really intricate artwork. It’s impressive because they built all this without any of the equipment we have today.

Tiwanaku was an important cultural and political center from around 500 to 1000 AD.

5. Take in the view from Cochabamba’s massive Christ statue

One of the best things to do in Bolivia is to check out the view from the Cristo de la Concordia in Cochabamba.

It’s even bigger than the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil!

You can get up the hill by cable car or if you’re up for it, climb the stairs. The statue stands at about 34.20 meters tall, not including its pedestal, and it was completed in 1994.

6. Visit the Witches Market in La Paz

Another top activity in Bolivia is visiting the Witches Market in La Paz.

You can browse through all sorts of interesting items like herbs, llama fetuses (that’s right!), and charms that locals buy hoping for good fortune and health.

This market is also a place where you can get your fortune told by Aymara seers.

7. Visit the Sacred Inca Ruins on Isla del Sol

If you’re into history, you should definitely visit the sacred Inca ruins on Isla del Sol.

This peaceful island sits on Lake Titicaca and is scattered with ancient ruins.

You can walk on paths that have been there for centuries, check out places like the Pilko Kaina temple, and soak in the quiet and awesome views of the lake.

8. Discover the carvings at El Fuerte de Samaipata

For a bit of mystery, head to El Fuerte de Samaipata. It’s a pre-Columbian World Heritage site with a bunch of old carvings right on top of a mountain.

People can’t quite figure out if they’re religious or astronomical, or maybe something else. But that’s part of the fun. El Fuerte is considered the largest carved rock in the world.

When you’re in Samaipata, don’t just stop at the rock. There’s a whole area with beautiful scenery to see, including valleys with hidden Inca ruins and some great waterfalls where you can cool off.

9. Ride the world’s highest cable car in La Paz

For a unique view of La Paz, take a trip on the Mi Teleférico cable cars. They’re the highest in the world.

You’ll float above the traffic and the city’s hills, getting a bird’s-eye view of everything going on below while you’re in your own quiet bubble.

The system was designed to help with transportation in the city and has become a popular attraction since it opened in 2014.

10. Join a traditional Bolivian cooking Ccass

Dive into Bolivia’s food scene by taking a traditional Bolivian cooking class.

You’ll get hands-on experience with local ingredients like quinoa and chili peppers and learn from a chef who knows all the classic recipes.

Cooking classes and food tours are my favorite ways to explore a new country because you get to understand the country’s food traditions and learn lots of inside tips about what and where to eat.

11. Go hiking in Sorata

If you’re into outdoor adventures, Sorata is the place to be. It’s a cute town in the Andes that’s perfect for hiking or mountain biking.

You’ve got big mountains all around and lots of green valleys. Some trails go all the way to the beautiful Laguna Chillata, where you can see the Illampu mountain reflected in the lake.

And if you’re into mountain biking, the tough trails will give you a good workout and some amazing views.

12. Check out the unique rock formations in the Siloli desert

If you’re into weird and wonderful landscapes, you should check out the unique rock formations in the Siloli Desert.

The wind has carved out some really strange shapes over thousands of years. The most famous one is the Arbol de Piedra, which looks like a tree made of stone.

This place is near Uyuni and you can visit on a 3-day tour.

13. Visit the otherworldly Valle de la Luna

For an experience that feels like stepping onto another planet, visit the Valle de la Luna near La Paz.

It’s called Moon Valley because the erosion has made it look, well, the moon. The place is mostly clay, not rock, which is why it’s got all these cool shapes, canyons, and spires.

14. Experience the Amazonas

If you want to see some amazing wildlife, head to the Bolivian Amazon. You can start your adventure in the town of Rurrenabaque.

Go on a pampas tour to see pink river dolphins, capybaras, and maybe even an anaconda.

If you’re up for more, you can go deeper into the jungle to find spider monkeys and listen to the sounds of all kinds of birds in the trees.

15. Visit the dunes of Parque Lomas de Arena

Not far from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, you can visit Parque Lomas de Arena, which has big sand dunes right in the middle of the tropical lowlands.

It’s a cool spot for sandboarding or just hanging out and having a picnic.

16. See flamingos at Laguna Colorada

For a really unique sight, check out the flamingos at Laguna Colorada.

It’s a red lake up on the high plains of Bolivia, and it gets its color from algae and minerals. There are little white spots of borax in the water, too.

The best times to go are early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the light is just right. You can see three different kinds of flamingos there, all eating the plankton in the lake.

17. See real dinosaur footprints in Sucre

In Sucre, you can see something really special at Cal Orck’o, which has the biggest collection of dinosaur footprints in the world.

There’s this huge cliff that has over 5,000 footprints from at least eight different dinosaur species.

These prints are super old—about 68 million years—and it’s amazing to think that dinosaurs were walking right where you’re standing.

18. Hike the Cordillera Real Traverse

If you love to hike, the Cordillera Real Traverse is a must-do.

It’s a challenging hike through some of the most beautiful parts of the Andes.

You’ll be walking on trails way up high, seeing glaciers and lakes, and you might even meet some of the local people who live up there, far away from the city.

19. Join the Festivities at the Oruro Carnival

If you’re into big celebrations, you should join the festivities at the Oruro Carnival.

This event is so important that UNESCO has called it a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

When you go, you’ll see more than 150 bands and thousands of dancers in costumes that mix Catholic and native traditions.

20. Bike the Death Road

For a real adrenaline rush, you can bike down the Death Road, also known as Yungas Road.

I did this and it was super fun!

It starts near La Paz and goes down about 3,600 meters to Coroico.

The road is super narrow, with cliffs on one side and walls of rock on the other, plus lots of sharp turns.

21. See wildlife in Amboró National Park

If you want to see some amazing animals and birds, head to Amboró National Park near Santa Cruz.

It’s a great place for birdwatching, with over 900 species of birds.

The park has lots of different kinds of places, like rainforest, mountains, and the Gran Chaco area, so you might see all kinds of wildlife, from pumas to llamas, while you enjoy some quiet time in nature.

FAQ – What to do in Bolivia

What is Bolivia best known for?

Bolivia is famous for its breathtaking natural wonders, like the massive Salar de Uyuni salt flats, and a deep cultural heritage with strong indigenous roots.

What is a common tourist attraction in Bolivia?

When people visit Bolivia, they often head to the Salar de Uyuni because it’s like nowhere else on earth – it’s a salt desert that can even reflect the sky in the rainy season.

Why do tourists go to Bolivia?

Tourists are drawn to Bolivia for its dramatic mix of scenery, from towering peaks to lush jungles, and for a taste of its rich cultural traditions and history.

Is Bolivia a cheap place to visit?

Yes, Bolivia is a budget-friendly place to travel, with costs significantly lower than many other destinations; for example, a meal might only set you back a couple of dollars.

More posts about Bolivia you might like

• Packing list for Bolivia
• 24 Bolivia travel tips (to make visiting Bolivia easier!)

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