Planning a Trip to Bolivia

After cycling down the death road from La Paz, staying in the Esmarelda Hostel is the best way to relax and give your thanks to 'whom it may concern' for surviving the famous mountain road. The hostel is placed at the top of a hill with fantastic views across the valley to the road you have just hurtled down on your bike. The swimming pool, sauna, tv room, pool table and buffet restaurant make spending a few days in coroico an inevitability. If you still have the travelling spirit after so much luxury, jump on the 20 hour bus to Rurrenabaque and the Bolivian Pampas. The old buses have a tough time along the road (our wheel fell off three times), and sleeping is almost impossible, but once there, you will realise why you came. Take the plane back to La Paz, if you can afford it. The prospect of another dance with death back UP the 'Death Road' just isnt worth thinking about!

The best way to get around the city is by using the public buses (the "micros" as they call them) as for a small fee (1.5 bs por person) they are going to bring you quickly wherever you want. Taxis could be a good idea but you have to take the "radio taxis" (kinda official ones) to avoid any problems.

If you go far just talk about the price before. You can get around 10 bs for a 10 km fare for example

Driving there is kinda technical, it is advised that you don't go alone the first times as the traffic and the rules applied ... could be kinda different or not applied vigorously.

The whole region is gorgeous, if you plan to visit it is strongly advised to use a 4X4 (SUV, and so on) than an normal city car (who goes perfectly if you only plan to stay within the city).

Best time to go to Oruro is end of February to see the Carnaval de Oruro , the biggest annual cultural event in Bolivia . A fantastic spectacle that is nearly as impressive as Rio's carnaval and was therefore declared one of Mankind's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO in 2001. Over 28'000 dancers and 10'000 musicians participate in the procession that lasts 20 hours.

Take a second shirt with you as you will get wet! (Water baloons and sprays are very popular with kids during carnaval in Bolivia)

The bus from Oruro to Uyuni was HELL haha I don't want to offend anybody- Bolivia is one of my favourite countries, but I would have paid more for a bus with a toilet, in retrospect. 5 hours of agony and it was freezing to death. Anyways, try to get reccomendations from travellers coming the other direction regarding which tour company to go with for the salt flats tour, but most likely you will get met off the bus.

When u wanna go to a lovely internetcafee in la Paz u have to go to chuquiago cafe e internet.
is in the street Lineares 903.
u have to go into a shop and then upstairs.
They sell self made cakes good cafee, have fast internet and good travell tips...
the owner speeks german english and spanish...

If you visit Fish Island, be sure to hike to the top. There is a trail that has great views of the surrounding salt flats, and includes a natural rock "window" arch that makes for great photos.

La Paz, Bolivia is one of the most interesting cities to visit.   It is not for the timid traveller, it is one of the highest elevated cities in the world and many that travel to La Paz suffer from altitude sickness.  Mostly European tourist visit.  Once you get adjusted, it is an amazing city.  The "witch market" is a great place to visit. You can find all sorts of charms from brining good luck to your house to enhancing virility and fertility.  The witches really do not care too much for tourists ogling their wares, as they do take their craft seriously.  The food is outstanding.  Mount Ilimani soup is one of my favorite dishes since it helps in combating the altitude, it is a nice broth with chicken, vegetables and some spicy peppers.  Another common item you will find being sold on the street are coca leaves, the locals chew the leaves as part of custom but they also say that it helps to relieve the altitude sickness!  You can also drink coca mate, a tea infused with coca leaves.  In short, if you are looking for an adventure, a different experience, La Paz is a great place to go.  

Don't even try to play football there, or you can buy some new pulmons ! How is it possible that Bolivia had never been to a world cup playing at this altitude ???????

In April, there is the most exciting carnaval in the world : every one in the city has a small (or a big) water gun, loaded with indelible colored ink ... Unforgetable !!!

In Bolivia, they tell you to be careful and you have to be! However, European cities are more dangerous in my opinion than La Paz. Yes, poverty is everywhere; there are beggars at every corner....But it is a different world out there - go out and see it.

Don't forget to take good shoes: there is no horizontal street in La Paz :)

La Paz, Bolivia is one of the most interesting cities to visit.   It is not for the timid traveller, it is one of the highest elevated cities in the world and many that travel to La Paz suffer from altitude sickness.  Mostly European tourist visit.  Once you get adjusted, it is an amazing city.  The "witch market" is a great place to visit. You can find all sorts of charms from brining good luck to your house to enhancing virility and fertility.  The witches really do not care too much for tourists ogling their wares, as they do take their craft seriously.  The food is outstanding.  Mount Ilimani soup is one of my favorite dishes since it helps in combating the altitude, it is a nice broth with chicken, vegetables and some spicy peppers.  Another common item you will find being sold on the street are coca leaves, the locals chew the leaves as part of custom but they also say that it helps to relieve the altitude sickness!  You can also drink coca mate, a tea infused with coca leaves.  In short, if you are looking for an adventure, a different experience, La Paz is a great place to go.  

In 2003 when I was there there was no ATM. Freezing. Major base for trips to the Salt Plains.

Do the mines tour. It feels quite an important thing to do. Don't bring the Miners cigarettes- it increases the risk they already face of dying far too young. Please be polite on these tours, we were on one with some Danish girls who were very offensive to our guide. We went with Koala Tours, it was very good and we also stayed at their hostel which was very good.

Excelente pueblo de Bolivia para descansar, a orillas del lago Titikaka. Muy tranquilo, muy pequeño. Cuidado con las lanchas que hacen excursiones en el lago! sepan nadar...