7 finest street journeys in Bolivia

Although the highways are principally well-maintained, driving in Bolivia could be worrying resulting from unpredictable drivers, landslides relying on the season and last-minute roadblocks that derail your schedule. However the beautiful landscapes – together with Lake Titicaca, the world-famous Uyuni Salt Flats and Tarija wine nation – make any street journey value it.  

These eight itineraries vary from essentially the most well-known points of interest in Bolivia to rising traveler locations, from the hovering Andes to the relaxed vibes of japanese villages.

1. The street to Sorata

Greatest street journey for beautiful surroundings
La Paz–Sorata; 142km (88 miles); enable two days 

Driving in La Paz could be worrying resulting from its ups and downs and messy site visitors disruptions, but it surely’s value it for every little thing you’ll see later. 

Alongside the street to Sorata, by Nationwide Route 2 and Street 16, there are spectacular views of the Cordillera Actual mountains and Lake Titicaca, one of many high locations in Bolivia. Plus, at any time when it is clear you may see the towering, snowcapped peaks of Ancohuma and Illampu.

Sorata is a city with a laid-back environment that lies in a valley beneath majestic mountains and canyons – an excellent spot for hikers.

Detour: Thirty minutes away from Sorata on a dusty street, there’s a navigable lagoon inside a cave, which is the city’s fundamental attraction. You may see it strolling on a three-hour straightforward hike. 

2. The Andes to the Amazon rainforest

Greatest street journey for nature lovers
La Paz–Coroico; 108km (67 miles); enable two days

This route has an excellent variety of landscapes, departing from the bustling metropolis of La Paz and ending up within the heat and pleasant village of Coroico by Street 3. In two hours, you’ll descend from the summit and snowy peaks of the Andes into the Amazon rainforest – a drop in altitude of three,600m (11,482ft) with many scenic spots to take photographs alongside the way in which.

Essentially the most well-known option to get to Coroico is by bicycle on what’s referred to as “Dying Street,” although that may be difficult for some folks. Street-tripping on a distinct route provides a much less dangerous different – and equally fantastic views. 

Planning tip: It’s possible you’ll expertise fog and rain within the descent, so it’s higher to not journey to Coroico at night time. 

3. La Chiquitania 

Greatest street journey for architectural heritage
Santa Cruz–Santa Cruz; 934km (580 miles); enable 5 to 6 days

Uncover a number of centuries-old Jesuit Mission cities amongst epic landscapes and pure points of interest in japanese Bolivia’s La Chiquitania. On this multi-day itinerary, you’ll get the possibility to go to at the very least 4 small cities and discover their historic baroque structure.

Between Santa Cruz and San Jose, you must make three must-see stops in San Javier, Concepción and San Ignacio. Go to the church buildings and museums for a whole expertise.

Detour: Should you’re not in a rush to get again to Santa Cruz, you may pivot 150km (93 miles) to the east and go to Aguas Calientes for a brief break in enjoyable thermal baths.

4. Historical cities and historic points of interest

Greatest street journey for historic immersion
Sucre–Potosí; 155km (96.3 miles); enable three days

Sucre is among the best-preserved historic cities in South America, the place colonial and republican buildings emerge from the white-painted downtown. From there, hit Street 5 to Potosí to discover what as soon as was the world’s largest and most essential metropolis, because of silver manufacturing in colonial occasions. Each cities have a number of historic points of interest that make them properly value a go to.

The street additionally has fascinating spots. Only a few minutes after departing, you’ll discover El Castillo de la Glorieta, an eclectic fort constructed in the course of the late-Nineteenth century for Francisco and Clotilde Argandoña, who acquired an honorary title declaring them prince and princess, turning into the one royalty in Bolivia’s historical past.

You may additionally go a number of small agricultural cities that will not be an excellent attraction for vacationers, however do have fantastic artisan markets to go to.

Planning tip: Potosí is the very best metropolis on this planet, at an altitude of 4,067m (13,343ft). Drink coca tea and loads of water in the course of the journey to keep away from illness.

5. Uyuni Salt Flats

Greatest street journey for a once-in-a-lifetime expertise
Potosí–Uyuni; 205km (127 miles); enable 5 days

There are numerous methods to achieve Bolivia’s most famous attraction: the otherworldly Uyuni Salt Flats. The best is a three-hour drive on Street 5 from Potosí to Uyuni, a well-maintained route with spectacular views of the Andean wildlife and surroundings.

Though Uyuni is an underfunded city with few facilities, it’s the principle entrance to the salt flats and its environment. Reserve at the very least 4 days for a whole tour that features the volcanos, geysers and weird colorful lagoons inside Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve.

Planning tip: This can be a harsh surroundings for automobiles, and breakdowns might occur. You may need to rent a neighborhood information and automobile to get into the flats. There are a number of tour operators in Uyuni, but it surely’s higher to guide upfront.

6. Tarija wine nation

Nice street journey for getting off the crushed path
Potosí–Tarija; 348km (216 miles); enable three days

It’s not a secret anymore that Bolivia produces good high quality wines. On this route, which winds from Potosí to Tarija by Street 1, you may go by Camargo and Villa Abecia, two small cities devoted to the artisanal manufacturing of wine and singani, a beverage distilled from white grapes that is solely made in these valleys.

Should you go in summer season, it’s an ideal time to benefit from the space’s pure points of interest, together with river bathing and simple mountain climbing trails.

The journey ends within the charming metropolis of Tarija, the place the wine trade is among the fundamental financial actions. There you may discover loads of wineries in epic surroundings, surrounded by hills and vineyards paying homage to Tuscany. 

Native tip: The perfect time to go to these valleys is by mid-March, when the Grape Harvest Competition takes place.

7. Samaipata and the valleys of Santa Cruz

Greatest street journey for tenting and waterfalls
Santa Cruz–Samaipata; 121km (75 miles); enable two days

Samaipata and the path to the valleys of Santa Cruz have loads of pure points of interest right through Street 7. On an undulating street bordering rivers and climbing hills, you’ll go by Las Cuevas, an ideal cease to camp safely and benefit from the waterfalls.

The small city of Samaipata is quiet and peaceable, however with a broad vary of lodging and meals facilities, it’s turning into the area’s favourite vacationer vacation spot and one of many fundamental entrances to Amboró Nationwide Park.

You may uncover close by points of interest at your personal tempo, mountain climbing into the well-known fern forest or visiting the pre-Columbian archaeological ruins of El Fuerte, an enormous, sculpted rock listed as a Unesco World Heritage web site.

Planning tip: Weekends and holidays are significantly crowded and bustling in Samaipata. If you’re on the lookout for a quiet expertise, select to go on weekdays.

Ideas for driving in Bolivia

Driving in Bolivia can grow to be fairly difficult, even for essentially the most skilled drivers. Street situations differ broadly, however the principle routes listed below are usually well-maintained.

Nevertheless, roadblocks will not be unusual; ask locals for recommendation, and keep in mind to verify the Bolivian Roads Administration website for updates. 

On the street, there are a number of checkpoints the place you simply pay the toll, however in some instances you’ll have to stroll to a close-by police station to point out your driver’s license.

Within the cities, site visitors could be heavy, drivers are sometimes unpredictable and there’s an absence of correct site visitors indicators, which may trigger greater than a headache behind the wheel. Be careful for sudden potholes and pace bumps which may not all the time be seen.