Bolivia
La Paz, the seat of national government, is situated 3632m (11,910ft) above sea level and is the world’s highest capital city. Mount Illimani stands in the background. The city contains many museums and is well provided with modern and comfortable hotels. Nearby attractions include Lake Titicaca, the Yungas Valleys, the Chacaltaya ski resort and the exceptional rock formations in the Moon Valley. Cochabamba, known as the garden city, is 2558m (8390ft) above sea level and boasts a long tradition of local culture and folklore.
The state of Santa Cruz is rich in natural resources; the city itself, despite considerable modernization, still retains much of its colonial past and is characterized by its ethnic diversity (owing to the large number of immigrants it has attracted in recent years). Santa Cruz, which shares many historical links with neighboring Argentina and Brazil, is Bolivia’s fastest-growing city, as well as the center of the country’s economic growth. This region around the city is rich in tradition and folklore and the nearby rainforest offers abundant opportunities to lovers of outdoor activities (such as fishing or swimming). The area’s rich cuisine is also to be sampled.
Potosí is known as the imperial city and is situated at the foot of Rich Mountain, famed for its mineral wealth. In early colonial times, Potosí was the most important and populous city on the continent, and is now one of its greatest historical memorials. The House of Coins is just one example of this.
Oruro is a traditional mining center, and preserver of many relics of a colonial past. Every year the town hosts one of the most extraordinary and faithful expressions of folklore in South America during the famous carnival (February/ March).
Sucre, in the state of Chuquisaca, played an important part in the struggle for independence, and is rich in museums, libraries and historical archives. Among the most important are the Cathedral Museum, the National Library, the Colonial Museum, the Anthropological Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Recoleta Convent.
Tarija stands 1957m (6480ft) above sea level. The area enjoys an excellent climate, and is festive and hospitable. With its beautiful flowers and fine wines, Tarija is the ideal place for finding peace and quiet.
The states of Beni and Pando, situated in the heart of the Bolivian jungle, occupy a region which offers the visitor landscapes of warmth and color. The ‘Golden’ Pantiti, with many navigable rivers, is a popular place for excursions by both land and water. Good fishing is also possible in the region. The major towns in the area are Cobija and Trinidad.

Activities

An increasing number of local and international tour operators offer customized adventure tours to Bolivia, with a strong focus on trekking, mountaineering, ecotourism, and wildlife and jungle tours. For further information, contact the Viceministerio de Turismo (see General Info section).

Trekking
Bolivia’s large range of geographical regions and climates makes for an exceptional variety of ecosystems, flora and fauna. There are currently 10 national parks and eight protected areas, as well as another dozen or so areas that are being re-evaluated for park or protected area status. La Paz is the most popular starting point for trekking excursions, many of which follow ancient Inca routes through the Cordillera Real and end up in the Yungas - an area of deep valleys that separates the high Andes from the Amazon basin. Well-known trekking routes include the La Cumbre to Coroico trail (three days); the Taquesi route through the Cordillera Real (two days), also known as the Inca Trail; and the El Camino de Oro route (six days), starting at Sorata and ending at the Río Tipuani gold fields. Good maps of Bolivia can be obtained from the Instituto Geográfico Militar in La Paz and other major cities.

Jungle tours
Most treks to the Amazon jungle start from Rurrenabaque (235km/145 miles northeast of La Paz). Typical jungle trips include a motorized canoe trip up the rivers Beni and Tuichi, with rainforest walks and camping en route. Most tours are led by local guides who have an intimate knowledge of the indigenous plants and wildlife (which includes hundreds of species of tropical birds). Further popular itineraries for treks in the Amazon region include expeditions to the pampas (good for wildlife viewing); the remote Parque Nacional Noel Kempff; and river trips along the Río Mamoré.

Mountaineering
The best opportunities are in the Cordillera Real, which has several peaks above 5000m (14,500ft). Climbing excursions (complete with mules, porters and guides) can also be booked in Sorata, which is set in a beautiful valley with an abundance of trees and flowers. .

Skiing
At an altitude of 5486m (18,000ft), Mount Chacaltaya (55km/35 miles from La Paz) is reputedly the world’s highest ski resort. Visitors should note, however, that lift and accommodation facilities are fairly basic and that low oxygen levels and icy snow often make for difficult conditions. The best time to attempt skiing here is from April to June.

Fishing
Bolivia is reputed to offer some of the best lake fishing in the world, especially for trout.

La Paz - Bolivia

Bolivia travel tips

Social Conventions
Normal social courtesies in most Bolivian families and respect for traditions should be observed. Remember to refer to rural Bolivians as campesinos rather than Indians, which is considered an insult. Western dress and diet are gradually being adopted by the campesinos (although great poverty remains further to the north); a suit and tie for men and dress for women should be worn for smart social occasions. Casual wear is otherwise suitable. Smoking is accepted except where indicated.

International Travel:

Air
The national airline is Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano (LB).

Approximate flight times
From La Paz to London is 14 hours 30 minutes and from Santa Cruz is 14 hours 40 minutes.

Main airports
La Paz (LPB) (El Alto) is 14km (8.5 miles) southwest of La Paz. To/from the airport: Coach services to the city depart whenever there are scheduled flight arrivals (travel time – 20 minutes). Services from the city to the airport depart from Plaza Isabel La Católica. Minibus and taxis are also available.
Santa Cruz (VVI) (Viru-Viru) is 16km (10 miles) from the center of Santa Cruz. Facilities: Restaurant and duty free facilities are available.

Air passes
The Visit South America Pass is valid within Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines include Aer Lingus (EI), American Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Finnair (AY), Iberia (IB), LAN (LA) and Qantas (QF). The pass must be bought outside South America in the country of residence. It allows unlimited travel to 34 cities. A minimum of three flights must be booked, with no maximum; the maximum stay is 60 days, with no minimum, and prices depend on the amount of flight zones. For further details, contact one of the participating airlines.

Departure tax
US$25. Payable in US Dollars for all non-residents. For visitors staying longer than 90 days: US$50.

Sea
Although it is a member of the International Maritime Organization, Bolivia is wholly landlocked. However, it is possible to reach ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Peru by ship and, from there, there are rail connections to La Paz or Santa Cruz. The nearest seaport is Arica in the extreme north of Chile. There are also crossings at Port Heath on the Madre de Dios river (Peru), the Bermejo or Pilcomayo rivers (Argentina) and from Brasilia to Cobija across to the Acre river and from Guayaramerin across the Heinez river (both in Brazil).

Lake
Steamers cross Lake Titicaca to the Peruvian port of Puno from Guaqui, the most important port on the lake. Situated 90km (56 miles) from La Paz, it is accessible both by road and rail, though services are generally slow.

Rail
There is a connection from La Paz to La Quiaca and Pocitos (Argentina), and a connection to Arica (Chile), as well as to Coroba (Brazil). There is also a train to Calama (Chile) with bus connections to Antofagasta.

Road
The Pan-American Highway which links the Argentine Republic with Peru crosses Bolivian territory from the south to the northwest. Driving in the rainy season may be hazardous. During recent years, much attention has been given to new roads, and the principal highways are now well-maintained.

The following goods may be imported into Bolivia by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:
400 cigarettes and 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco; 3l of alcoholic beverages; new articles up to US$1000; photographic camera, non-professional camcorder and accessories, tape recorder, electronic memo book, mobile phone and portable computer for personal use; sporting gear.

Internal Travel:

Note
Visitors should heed the dangers of altitude sickness, especially in the Highlands.

Air
Airlines operating internal flights are AeroXpress, LAB and TAM (the military airline). Because of the country’s topography and tropical regions, air travel is the best method of transport, although delays, cancellations and general unreliability is highly possible. La Paz (El Alto) - which is the highest airport in the world - and Santa Cruz (Viru-Viru) are the chief internal airports.

Departure Tax
Usually Bs15, but variable depending on airport and destination. It is advisable to check locally.

River/Lake
Double-decker passenger boats operate between the various small islands on Lake Titicaca and traverse the many rivers of the Amazon basin (the main thoroughfares being Ichilo, Mamoré, Beni, Madre de Dios and Guaporé rivers); most of them leave from Copacabana.

Rail
Bolivia has 3697km (2297 miles) of track, which goes to make up separate and unconnected networks in the eastern and western parts of the country. Since privatization, the railway services have been reduced and services are, by and large, slow and disorganized. The Eastern network is particularly inefficient. Some trains have restaurant cars, but there are no sleeping-car services. The railways have recently renewed their rolling stock with Fiat railway carriages from Argentina. There are joint plans with the Brazilians to link Santa Cruz and Cochabamba.

Road
The internal road system covers 50,419km (31,330 miles). Work is in progress to improve the condition of major highways, since the overall road network is rather poor, due to the lack of paved roads. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: Long bus trips off the main routes can be erratic. Most long-distance bus trips are overnight. Taxi: All have fixed rates and sharing taxis is a common practice. Tipping is not necessary. Car hire: Hertz and local companies exist in La Paz. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. This can be issued by Federación Inter-Americana de Touring y Automóvil on production of a national license, but it is wiser to obtain the International Permit before departure.

Urban
Bus services in La Paz are operated by a confederation of owner–operators. There are also some fixed route taxi ‘Trufi’ and ‘Trufibus’ systems which show colored flags for particular routes. Fares are regulated. In some cases, catching a 'truck' can prove a better means of transport, being half the price of a bus and usually more reliable - although transportation is less comfortable.