Plurinational State of Bolivia

Key facts

• Region: South America — Sovereign states
• Capital: Sucre is the constitutional capital; La Paz is the seat of government and the administrative capital
• Currency: Bolivian boliviano (BOB)
• Languages: Spanish plus 36 official languages, including Quechua, Aymara and Guaraní
• Main airport: VVI — Viru Viru International Airport, serving Santa Cruz
• Best time to visit: May to October, the dry season and the best window for the Altiplano and salt flats; the lowlands are wettest December to March

Overview

Bolivia is a landlocked high-altitude country whose scale and cultural continuity set it apart from its neighbours. It has one of the largest indigenous populations in South America as a share of the total and combines Andean altiplano, Amazon basin and the world's largest salt flat within one territory. Travel here is rougher and less developed than in Peru or Chile, which is part of its appeal.

Airports

El Alto International Airport (LPB), the highest international airport in the world at roughly 4,060 m, serves La Paz. Viru Viru International Airport (VVI) serves Santa Cruz de la Sierra and is the country's busiest international gateway. Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (CBB) serves Cochabamba, the third city. Smaller airports include Juan Mendoza (ORU) at Oruro and Capitán Oriel Lea Plaza (TJA) for Tarija.

Main cities

La Paz, the administrative capital, is built into a canyon below the Altiplano and is the country's most striking city. Sucre is the constitutional capital and a well-preserved colonial city popular for Spanish-language study. Santa Cruz is the lowland business hub and the departure point for eastern Bolivia and the Chiquitania. Potosí is the historic mining town at the foot of the Cerro Rico, and Cochabamba offers a milder climate and a strong food culture.

Places to go

The Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, is Bolivia's signature destination and is usually combined with the nearby coloured lakes and geysers. Lake Titicaca's Bolivian shore includes the town of Copacabana and the Isla del Sol, traditionally held to be the birthplace of the Inca sun. Tiwanaku, near La Paz, is the most important pre-Inca archaeological site in the country. Potosí's Cerro Rico and the colonial mint trace the silver economy that shaped the region. Madidi National Park and the Yungas near Coroico give access to Amazon and cloud-forest environments.

Getting there

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Where to stay

Practical information

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