{"id":22465,"date":"2017-10-01T09:53:59","date_gmt":"2017-09-30T22:53:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=22465"},"modified":"2025-02-27T03:04:13","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T16:04:13","slug":"bolivia-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/bolivia-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"10 reasons why Bolivia should be on your bucket list"},"content":{"rendered":"

For all of the fresh seafood and sandy beaches Bolivia may be lacking as a landlocked nation, it makes up for in otherworldly nature scenes, centuries-old tangible history, and bucket list-worthy adventures at every turn.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Consider this: Bolivia<\/a><\/strong> is in the unique position of sharing a border with five very distinct South American countries, sharing some of the best features of all five of them. Think indigenous culture, the wildlife-filled Amazon Rainforest, snow-capped Andean peaks, and multi-hued Atacama Desert all in one place.<\/p>\n

So, why is Bolivia an afterthought on so many travelers\u2019 itineraries? Personally, I think its lack of information, so am here to fix that! And offer up some tantalizing photos…<\/p>\n

\"Bolivia

Salar De Uyuni<\/p><\/div>\n

Here are 10 reasons why Bolivia is underrated:<\/p>\n

Bolivia is home to the Salar de Uyuni<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This magnificent salt-filled expanse is reason enough to pack your bags for Bolivia.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve probably seen one of those cool perspective pictures with larger-than-life toy dinosaurs and Pringles cans flash across your screen on more than one occasion. The reality is Bolivia\u2019s Salar de Uyuni is unbelievably beautiful. Seriously. This site alone is worth putting Bolivia front and center on your South America itinerary.<\/p>\n

(Check out Intrepid’s guide to it here<\/a><\/strong>!)<\/p>\n

\"Bolivia

Salar De Uyuni<\/p><\/div>\n

READ MORE: WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE VISITING BOLIVIA WITH INTREPID<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Bolivia is one of the few places in the world where you can view real-life dinosaur footprints (and there are thousands)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Who else is fascinated by even the thought of dinosaur life? In Bolivia, near the town of Sucre, you can see a series of tracks and trails from a wide variety of dinosaurs of the Crestaceous Period. Head to Cal Orcko Parque Cret\u00e1cico for a US$4.00 dinosaur thrill, to include laying eyes on the 347-meter trail left behind by a baby Tyrannosaurus Rex nicknamed \u201cJohnny Walker\u201d.<\/p>\n

Bolivia has a slice of the Amazon Rainforest too<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Many people don\u2019t know this but Bolivia is where you can set off on some pretty epic jungle adventures into the same \u201clungs of the world\u201d Brazil and Peru boast about on the daily, and at a much more affordable price too. Most jungle excursions set off from the town of Rurrenabaque, where you can venture into the pampas (the wildlife-rich wetlands) or embark on a classic jungle trek.<\/p>\n

\"Bolivia

The Bolivian jungle<\/p><\/div>\n

Bolivia has a ton of wow-worthy National Parks<\/strong><\/h3>\n

From Kaa Iya National Park, famous for its large population of jaguars, to the beautiful trails and falls of Ambor\u00f3 National Park, the untouched wilderness of Noel Kempff National Park, and the jungle paradise of Madidi National Park, Bolivia protects some pretty stunning nature. It\u2019s no wonder Bolivia\u2019s indigenous populations hold\u00a0Pachamama<\/em> (Mother Earth) in such high regard.<\/p>\n

Within Bolivia\u2019s half of Lake Titicaca, the Inca civilization is believed to have found its start<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Lake Titicaca alone is a sight to see, being the largest lake in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world (sitting on the border between Bolivia and Peru).<\/p>\n

To the indigenous cultures still inhabiting its islands and shores, it\u2019s a highly sacred site. As legend has it, the first Inca (Manco Capac) and his wife (Mama Occlo) emerged from the depths of Lake Titicaca on what is today Bolivia\u2019s Isla del Sol to look for a place to build their empire.<\/p>\n

\"Peru

Lake Titicaca (the Peru side)<\/p><\/div>\n

Bolivian culture is fierce. Literally.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

So fierce that traditionally dressed women facing off in WWE-style smack downs are actually a weekly ritual, at least they are in Bolivia\u2019s capital city of La Paz (pictured below).<\/p>\n

The fighting cholitas, as they are known, are a group of indigenous women from the Aymara and Quechua cultures of Bolivia who are making a statement against the historic oppression of their communities in South America via some highly entertaining body slams and head locks.<\/p>\n

Attend the spectacle and, as strange as it may seem, you\u2019ll be supporting the local indigenous populations.<\/p>\n

SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF BOLIVIA AND ARGENTINA ON THIS EPIC 15-DAY TRIP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Bolivia is breathtakingly beautiful<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While Bolivia\u2019s Salar de Uyuni easily steals the show, the country is loaded with breathtaking scene after breathtaking scene.<\/p>\n

Do not forget your camera when traveling through Bolivia because there will be turquoise lakes, crimson lagoons, cascading waterfalls, bubbling mud pools, snow-capped Andean peaks, barren deserts, exotic jungle, and still active volcanoes to capture. You\u2019ll be snapping away the entire journey, guaranteed.<\/p>\n

\"Bolivia

Salar De Uyuni<\/p><\/div>\n

Bolivia is the cheapest country in South America<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Who doesn\u2019t love an affordable destination? From meals to lodging to tours and entrance fees, Bolivia will not break the bank. For backpackers or just those on a budget, that\u2019s a very good thing.<\/p>\n

Pro tips Look for the\u00a0almuerzo completo<\/em>\u00a0at lunchtime for a full meal with soup, main course, and dessert for roughly 12 Bolivianos (about USD$1.50).<\/p>\n

Bolivia is the creator of the mouthwateringly\u00a0<\/strong>salte\u00f1a<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

Should you need a snack in Bolivia, the delicious\u00a0salte\u00f1a<\/em>\u00a0will always be close by. And thank god for that. A masterpiece of spices, meat, egg, sauce, and vegetables baked inside pastry dough, the Bolivian\u00a0salte\u00f1a<\/em>\u00a0will quickly earn a place in your heart and stomach. Costing just a few cents to a little more than a dollar, the\u00a0salte\u00f1a\u00a0<\/em>is the perfect go-to snack or meal for the budget-conscious traveler.<\/p>\n

\"Bolivia

Salte\u00f1as<\/p><\/div>\n

Don\u2019t believe what you hear \u2013\u00a0Bolivia is safe<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In contrary to popular opinion, Bolivia has one of the lowest crime rates in all of South America, with violent crime and theft far less probable than in any of Bolivia\u2019s neighboring countries. Of course, you should always keep an eye on your things and use caution as you go, but you can rest easy knowing that Bolivia isn\u2019t the scary, dangerous place you may have once thought.<\/p>\n

What do you think? Should Bolivia be on every South America traveler\u2019s itinerary? After reading this list, I hope I\u2019ve convinced that it most definitely should be.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Want to give this stunning, underrated country a visit? Check out Intrepid’s range of small group tours in Bolivia.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Image credits from top to bottom: Intrepid Travel, Laura Varela, Rosie Horton, Intrepid Travel x4, Facebook image c\/o Olivia Reeves\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bolivia is in the unique position of sharing a border with five very distinct South American countries, sharing some of the best features of all 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