A little more
Bolivia.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Bolivia: what to know before you go

Bolivia is a landlocked country in the heart of South America, stretching from the high Andes and the Altiplano down to Amazon rainforest. It has the world's largest salt flat, the highest major city in the world and a strong Indigenous culture. It suits adventurous travellers, photographers and anyone happy to adjust to altitude and rough roads.

Where to go

• Salar de Uyuni. The world's largest salt flat, a white plain more than 10,000 square kilometres in size.
• The Southwest Altiplano. Multi-day jeep tours from Uyuni cross a high desert of volcanoes, geysers and coloured lagoons, including the red Laguna Colorada with its flamingos and the green Laguna Verde.
• La Paz. A city in a deep canyon beneath the snow-covered Illimani mountain.
• Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol. The lake straddles the border with Peru.

Best time to visit

The dry season from May to October is the most popular time, with clear skies, good road conditions and cold nights on the Altiplano. The Salar de Uyuni is best known for its mirror effect in the rainy season from about January to March, when some routes may be flooded.

Staying online in Bolivia

Mobile coverage is good in La Paz, Santa Cruz, Sucre and other cities, and in towns along the main roads. On the Altiplano, on the Salar de Uyuni and in the Amazon basin, coverage is patchy or absent for long stretches, and multi-day tours often go without signal. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and hostels in cities but can be slow in remote towns. Download offline maps, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.