Remote, rugged, and breathtakingly beautiful, Bolivia is one of the most dazzling countries in South America. Home to vast salt pans, deep inland lakes, towering volcanoes, snow-capped peaks, and dense rainforests, its diversity is staggering. Yet, despite its wealth of natural, historical, and cultural attractions, Bolivia remains underexplored compared to its neighbours Peru, Argentina, and Chile.
But Bolivia’s beauty is mesmerising and, unlike more touristy stops on the backpacker trail, its authenticity shines through at every turn. This is a country to explore slowly, taking time to experience the local culture, appreciate your surroundings, and form a meaningful connection with the land and people around you.
Authentic, awe-inspiring, and mostly untainted by mass tourism, Bolivia encompasses everything that’s most magical and mysterious about South America. So which sights are most captivating? To get you inspired, here are 10 must-visit attractions in Bolivia.
1. Salar de Uyuni
Regularly cited as one of the most otherworldly travel destinations, the Salar de Uyuni salt flats are Bolivia’s top tourist attraction for a reason. Located high up in the bone-dry plains, the world’s largest salt flats were formed by the disappearance of an inland ocean, and the land is still covered by a crust of salt so thick it’s believed to be a staggering 120 metres deep in parts.
The flats stretch on for 4,000 square miles, and driving over this seemingly endless landscape can feel like you’re on another planet. With only the blazing blue sky above, and snow-capped peaks looming faintly in the distance, there’s a unique sense of peace to be found here. When dry, the flats are almost blinding in their whiteness; and, when wet, they turn into mirrors that reflect the desolate landscape so seamlessly that the horizon disappears.
2. La Paz
Sprawled a dizzying 3,500m above sea level, the world’s highest (administrative) capital can quite literally take your breath away. And La Paz’s setting, tucked in a canyon beneath the snow-capped Andes, is only part of the reason. While not as glamorous as some of South America’s more famous cities, La Paz has its own appeal, and it’s worth spending a few days here – not least so your lungs can adapt to the altitude.
La Paz is an intriguing city of contrasts: it’s a bustling metropolis, home to modern buildings, sleek stadiums, art museums, a growing food scene, and lively nightlife. Yet, it’s also a place where history seems to live on, both in enduring indigenous traditions and well-preserved colonial architecture. For truly jaw-dropping city views, be sure to take a ride on the new cable car system.
3. Madidi National Park
As the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystem, visiting the Amazon rainforest is on many travellers’ bucket lists. While most of this vast jungle is located in Brazil, large swathes are in Bolivia, and the best place to experience the sights and sounds of the rainforest is Madidi National Park. Spanning nearly 19,000 square kilometres, Madidi is home to over 270 species of mammal, 1,200 species of bird (14% of the world’s species!), and around 1,000 butterfly species.
The gateway to Madidi is the town of Rurrenabaque and, from here, it’s a three-day boat ride to reach the park itself. But the journey is part of the jungle experience and, en route, you might spot all kinds of wildlife, including pink river dolphins. Tours also often stop at Indigenous villages, and these are excellent ways to get a feel for how tribal communities live. Once in the park, adventure abounds, and you can hike, go on a jungle safari, or even stay at an eco-lodge.
4. Death Road
If you’re a keen cyclist – or a thrill-seeking daredevil – you won’t want to miss cycling along the infamous Death Road. Connecting La Paz with the town of Coroico, this narrow path is chiselled out of precipitous mountains in Bolivia’s verdant Los Yungas valley. Once widely regarded as the most dangerous road in the world, between 200 and 300 drivers and passengers fell to their deaths every year, and the road was eventually closed to cars and buses in 2007.
However, the road is still accessible by bicycle. While there are sheer drops of more than 1,500 ft (and no guard rails!), banning cars has made it infinitely safer. Aside from the obvious appeal for thrillseekers, this is one of the most awe-inspiring and scenic roads in the world. It winds past narrow gorges, thundering waterfalls, tropical valleys, and dense cloud forests, and the mesmerising views will leave you speechless.
5. Lake Titicaca
Straddling the Bolivian/Peruvian border, the vast, shimmering Lake Titicaca is one of the iconic symbols of South America. This sapphire-blue lake was sacred to the Incas, and the world’s largest high-altitude body of water is still venerated by the Indigenous communities who live here. The best place to explore the Bolivian side of the lake is the town of Copacabana – which is also a lovely place to spend a few days.
From here, you can take a boat trip to Isla del Sol, believed to be the birthplace of Inca culture. According to Incan legend, the sun god was born here, and this sacred site is a beautifully preserved slice of ancient Bolivia. Hiking around the island takes you past Incan ruins and a natural stream believed to grant eternal youth. The views of the lake and islands are sensational, and nowhere else can you get such a meaningful grasp of Bolivia’s remarkable indigenous heritage.
6. Sucre
Named after Bolivia’s revolutionary leader, Antonio José de Sucre, Sucre is the country’s most elegant and beautiful city. Though it’s the official capital, all meaningful power has long since passed to La Paz – yet, a visit to this city is a must, especially for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts. Sucre is home to some of the finest colonial architecture on the continent, from ornate basilicas to sugar-white homes that seem to sparkle in the sun.
Located in a broad highland valley, Sucre enjoys mild weather and plenty of sunshine and, thanks to its well-regarded university (one of South America’s oldest), it has a fun, youthful atmosphere. The relaxed pace of life can draw you in and, if you’re keen to learn Spanish, there are many excellent yet inexpensive language schools to choose from. The food scene is also thriving and you can sample all kinds of local delights (Bolivian food is similar to Peruvian cuisine).
7. Samaipata and Amboró National Park
Some places in Bolivia, like Uyuni and La Paz, are on almost all travellers’ itineraries – but if you want to step off the beaten track and discover a true hidden gem, you might want to visit Samaipata. Tucked into a lush valley, this quaint town of just 3,000 people is home to a surprising amount of expats, and boasts a bohemian ambience, temperate climate, and wonderfully slow pace of life.
It’s the perfect place for a relaxing rural break, and the surrounding countryside boasts numerous natural wonders, including the Las Cuevas waterfalls. But Amboró National Park is the big draw. One of the most ecologically diverse places in the world, it’s a great place to spot local wildlife, including jaguars, pumas, and spectacled bears. It’s also home to 60% of all Bolivia’s birdlife, so keep your eyes on the skies; you have a good chance of spotting condors!
8. Potosi
Way up in the desolate plains of Bolivia’s highlands is Potosi, a legendary silver mining town. One of the highest cities in the world, Potosi’s barren setting, in the shadow of the dramatic Cerro Rico mountain, is only part of its appeal. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a treasure trove of architecture and art, home to over 2,000 colonial buildings, as well as hundreds of grand mansions with red-tiled roofs.
But it’s the silver mines Potosi is most known for. The Cerro Rico mountain was rumoured to be ‘made’ of silver, and during colonial times, 13,000 local men were forced to work in the mines, enduring terrible and dangerous working conditions. Mining still goes on in the mountain today, and you can take tours of the narrow, claustrophobic tunnels, meet local miners, and gain a fascinating insight into Spanish colonialism in this part of the world.
9. Santa Cruz and the Jesuit Missions
To discover a very different side to Bolivia, head east to the tropical city of Santa Cruz. Vastly different from highland cities like La Paz and Sucre, this modern metropolis is Bolivia’s commercial hub. While it has all the shops, museums, and restaurants you’d expect from a big city, it’s what’s outside the city that’s most intriguing. Santa Cruz is the gateway to Chiquitos Province, a vast, sparsely populated plain covered in fast-disappearing forest.
Scattered across these lowlands are some of South America’s most impressive colonial churches. In the 1700s, Jesuit priests established thriving mission towns, converting locals to Catholicism and building truly spectacular churches. Six of the 10 mission churches still survive, and their incongruous splendour amid the desolate wilderness is a fascinating sight. The tropical landscape here is also remarkable, so touring these towns won’t just appeal to history buffs.
10. Valle de la Luna
If you have a few days in La Paz but get the urge to escape the busy streets, one of the best places to go is Valle de la Luna – or Moon Valley. Technically, Moon Valley isn’t a valley at all; the dry, eroded terrain is known as a badlands…although the lunar-like comparison is pretty apt. Just 10km from the city centre, you can easily head here for a pleasant morning or afternoon walk.
The cactus-strewn terrain has an eerie, alien-like quality, and trails weave through a rugged maze of canyons and strange rock formations. Years of rain have carved the rock into pinnacles that look rather like church organs, so you’ll want to bring your camera! To extend your day out, you can combine your visit with a hike to the Muela del Diablo – Devil’s Molar – to enjoy excellent city views.
Final thoughts…
Bolivia is a country difficult to sum up in a few sentences – and its complexity and diversity are part of its appeal. Barren salt flats give way to snowcapped peaks, lush green valleys lead to tropical rainforests, and high up in the plains you’ll find shimmering blue lakes and dusty savannahs.
As one of the poorest nations on the continent, transportation can be frustrating, the roads are famously run-down, and the scars of colonialism are still apparent. But Bolivia is still one of the most intriguing, and rewarding, countries to explore in the Americas, and, if you put in a bit of time, a whole world of wonder will be revealed.
For further reading, check out our list of South America’s 10 best cities.
Have you ever been to Bolivia – or are you interested in going? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.