In the highlands of Bolivia you can watch llamas and alpacas graze with pleasure, look forward to the warm smile of the friendly, colorfully dressed Bolivians and see the snow-capped peaks of the Andes soaring into the blue sky in the distance. Bolivia, a fascinating and contrasting country, draws travelers under its spell, especially through its varied landscapes, and makes the hearts of nature-loving people beat faster.
Contrasting Bolivia
Impressive mountain landscapes, barren and seemingly endless deserts and mystical rainforests – all of this can be seen in Bolivia. Not to be forgotten, of course, are the famous Lake Titicaca and the vast Atacama Desert with its many salt lakes, in which thousands of pink flamingos cavort. Besides Uruguay, Bolivia is the only South American landlocked country and can therefore, after a trip into the fascinating world of the Andean people, be optimally complemented with a detour to the neighboring countries.
Travel information in brief
Travel time
The weather in Bolivia can be described as varied, because the climate varies depending on the region and altitude. Since the country is completely in the tropics, heavy rainfall can occur during the rainy season and we recommend using the dry season between May and October for a trip to Bolivia. The Bolivian winter, which promises many dry and clear days, is ideal for exploring Bolivia. The climate of the highlands is particularly mild and pleasant in April / May and October, as the daytime temperatures are then around 20 ° C. The hot, humid rainforest and Amazon lowlands are easy to travel to all year round. The temperatures are mostly above 30 ° C and there is regular rainfall.
Currency / money
In Bolivia, payments are made in the official national currency, the Peso Boliviano (PBO). In the larger cities of Bolivia, you can withdraw the national currency directly from the ATM in banks or exchange US dollars you have brought with you into Bolivian pesos in exchange offices. It is important to ensure that the US dollar bills do not have any cracks, otherwise they will not be exchanged at all or for a poor exchange rate. When traveling to remote regions, you should bring enough changed Bolivian cash with you, as there are often no ATMs here.
Vaccinations
Tropical medicine and the Foreign Office recommend vaccinations such as tetanus, hepatitis A (and B for longer stays), diphtheria, typhoid and rabies. If you are entering or leaving a yellow fever area after your journey, proof of yellow fever vaccination must be provided when entering / leaving Bolivia. If you are traveling directly from Germany, this is not necessary, but recommended. When traveling to the Bolivian rainforest, proof of gel fever vaccination may be requested. Consult a doctor or tropical medicine specialist in preparation for your trip to Bolivia. Since there may be changes to the regulations at short notice, you should inform yourself about the current status at the Federal Foreign Office.
Visa / entry
Germans, Swiss and Austrians can enter Bolivia as tourists for up to 90 days without a visa. A passport that is still valid for at least 6 months is required for entry and proof of a yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into an area in Bolivia at risk of yellow fever. From our own experience, we can say that sometimes when entering the country you will be asked for an exit document (such as the return flight ticket) in order to make sure that the tourists leave the country again. Find out about the current status at the Federal Foreign Office before you start your journey.
Bolivia – impressive natural spectacles for explorers
Llamas and alpacas roam the bizarre, somewhat barren landscape of the Bolivian Andes and give the breathtaking backdrop a very special atmosphere. Heavily laden and wrapped in innumerable pleated skirts, women run down steep slopes to lower heights to their fertile fields. In addition, you wear a small black hat on your head and your small children in colorful scarves on your back. The famous Andean condor circles high above them.
In addition to the breathtaking Andes, Bolivia has a lot more to offer in terms of landscape. From snow-capped peaks in the west, through fertile valleys to tropical jungles and savannas in the east, there is a lot of beautiful nature to discover in Bolivia. On the huge Salar de Uyuni, the surface of which resembles a honeycomb pattern, the most bizarre holiday photos, including optical illusions, are created. A special highlight in the Andean location is the deep blue Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake on earth. And then there are the beautiful, colonial cities with a lot of cultural heritage like the capital Sucre and Potosí. The big city of La Paz, where the longest cable car in the world overcomes the various heights, combines Bolivian tradition with modernity and lets its visitors immerse themselves in the hustle and bustle of the markets.
In addition to the fascinating landscape, it is the cheerful and very hospitable Bolivians who make a vacation in this country an unforgettable experience. Bolivia is the country with the highest proportion of indigenous people in South America and is therefore considered to be particularly original and traditional. One of the best-known traditions in South America is the carnival, which is particularly colorful and lively in Oruro. From here you can also take a train ride to Uyuni, which is said to be the most beautiful train route in South America, because the journey promises a fantastic view of the Altiplano of Bolivia.
