Bolivia - how to get there and what to do?

solas geal

Hi all,

I'm on a RTW trip, in the middle at the moment, and have some flights in South America. We hadn't planned on Bolivia but everybody we've met who has travelled SA highly recommend it. We have flights from Santiago to Buenos Aires to Sao Paulo to Lima. I don't want to lose these flights as I understand that flights are meant to be pretty expensive in SA and we're a bit short on time. So I was wondering, using those places as a base, what would be the best way for us to travel into Bolivia? Can pay for an internal return flight, just wondering where it's best to do it from so that we can fly into the best/most accessible part of Bolivia?
Also, what are the highlights of Bolivia?
Thanks for any help!

RATM

Probably the best way to do it (if your stuck for time) is to get a return flight from Lima to La Paz. I was there a few months back and I remember someone doing just that and it cost them approx €200.

When in Bolivia Id recommend Lake Titicaca, Potosi (for the working mines) Sucre (an old Spanish colonial town with a nice charm) Rurrenbaque (this is a 18hr bus ride from La Paz, some peeps fly for €50 one way) . Finally the Salt Flats tours which leave from Uyini and end in San Pedro, Chile are unmissable. A true highlight not just of Bolivia, but of the whole continent.

solas geal

Thanks for the info, do you think Cuzco to La Pax would be any better? Was thinking of maybe fly into La Paz and possible out of Santa Cruz (just so don't have to do same journey back). Was just wondering if you know how long it takes from La Paz to the salt plains?

Thanks for your help!

Valmont

Well don't join any mercenary gangs, that's for sure.

RATM

solas geal wrote: »

Thanks for the info, do you think Cuzco to La Pax would be any better? Was thinking of maybe fly into La Paz and possible out of Santa Cruz (just so don't have to do same journey back). Was just wondering if you know how long it takes from La Paz to the salt plains?

Thanks for your help!

Yeah getting a flight from Lima to Cusco would be far better-that way you can stop off and see the Inca ruins in Machu Pichu. Also near Arequipa you can visit the Colcan Canyon and go condor spotting. Then you can easily take trainsport to the Bolivia border and go overland to La Paz. Lake Titicaca and her islands are on the way. Its a fabulous road trip through stunning scenery. Go for it.

kraggy

Valmont wrote: »

Well don't join any mercenary gangs, that's for sure.

What the hell has that got to do with travel or the Op's question?

OP, I would advise going overland from Lima to La Paz via Cusco (Machu Pichu). One good reason for this is that if you fly into La Paz from Lima, you'll be going from sea level to the highest capital city in the world and risk getting altitude sickness. It's a serious illness that POTENTIALLY could disrupt your whole time in S.America. I've heard of people being hospitalised for weeks on end in La Paz.

Also, if you go overland from Lima to La Paz you get to see some brilliant stuff. What I did was:

Lima

Huacachina (just outside Ica, which itself is just 4 hours bus from Lima). Here there is an oasis in the desert with a few hostels alongside it. Each hostel has a buggy that holds about 12 people and they drive you up and down MASSIVE sand dunes. Brilliant craic. Lovely setting.

Arequipa, lovely old town with nice square. Use here as base to go down into Colca Canyon, very deep canyon, 3 day trek. Amazing scenery. Do it through The Point Hostel in Arequipa.

Cusco, base for Machu Pichu. Nice town to spend a couple of nights in.

Copacabana/Lake Titticaca, spend a night here. No more. Unless you are staying overnight on one of the islands on the lake. Breaks up the journey to La Paz from Cusco.

That brings you to La Paz. In La Paz, make sure you cycle down the "World's Most Dangerous Road". Amazing scenery. Mind yourself up there. Very high drop off side of road = certain death. But if you go slow, then there's nothing to be afraid of.

Other places in Bolivia, to reiterate RATM:

Rurrenabaque - north of the country, did a river trip for 3 days and saw all kinds of wildlife. Swam in alligator-infested waters on last day. Amazing.

Sucre - east of La Paz. Lovely colonial town. All buildings terracotta in colour. Nice restaurants etc. They're trying to make their town the official full capital.

Salar di Uyuni (The Salt Flats). - Whatever else, do not miss here. One of the most beautiful, amazing, awesome places I've ever been. Can't wait to go back there.

Bolivia is amazing. Really is. Probably best country I've been to.

darrenh

Valmont wrote: »

Well don't join any mercenary gangs, that's for sure.

I think it was a joke. In fact I'm sure. I found it funny!

Bolivia is an amazing country. Dont think you'll end up spending weeks in hospital from altitude sickness. If it affects you, you just have to drop to a lower level or get out of there if it comes to the stage of weeks in hospital. It only takes a day or two to adjust if it does affect you. After that you will just be out of breath even thinking about having to walk up a hill.
Lots of people think Bolivia is the best country, but for a wrong reason. Cocaine. It's cheap plentiful but gladly it's not my thing. Some stay in hostels and never leave them for days on end, coked up and thinking their legends.

What Kraggy has said to do is probably your best bet.