Best time to visit Bolivia

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Bolivia

Best time of year to visit Bolivia

The mild and dry winter of May through October is considered to be the best time to visit Bolivia. The middle of spring might reward you with lower prices and fewer crowds, but as you dive deeper into the dry season, the rates get significantly higher and places get busier. The sun shines brightly, making this period suitable for climbing Bolivian Highlands, sightseeing, and hiking. Don't miss a chance to party at the famous Fiesta de la Cruz or Fiesta del Gran Poder.

As the wet season starts in November, prepare for ubiquitous mud in Amazon areas. Salar de Uyuni looks fantastic, but there's nothing left to do on lowlands except dealing with summer heat, humidity, and mosquitoes.

In the highlands, rainfall is a rare occurrence, although some roads may get closed. But you'll definitely find a load of lavish landscapes in the Andes with quinoa and wildflowers in bloom.

20 THINGS TO DO IN BOLIVIA (JUNE 20 - JUNE 29)

The Death Road (Camino de las Yunga)

The Death Road (Camino de las Yunga)

June–August • activity

If you have the courage to cycle down the formidable frozen Andes into the hot jungles, you will be considered a true hero

Walk the Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats

Walk the Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats

May–October • nature

It's easy to explore the world's largest salt flats during the dry season

Isla del Sol and Lake Titicaca

Isla del Sol and Lake Titicaca

May–October • nature

These ancient ruins are the only remnants of a more severe Bolivian past when death was the verdict for those accused of lies, laziness, or theft

Capybara

Capybara

May–October • nature

These large Bolivian rodents love bathing in the mud, feeding, and never stop being cute

Llamas

Llamas

May–November • activity

Meeting llamas on an island​ set amidst the salt flat is no problem, the tricky part is getting there

Coca Leaves Harvest

Coca Leaves Harvest

March | late June | October–November • food

If your first association with "coca" is cocaine or Coca-Cola, you are on the right track

Hiking

Hiking

May–September • activity

Hiking from the lush green subtropics to glacial mountain peaks you can enjoy the full palette of nature's colours

Train Cemetery

Train Cemetery

May–October • activity

Abandoned, disassembled, and covered with graffiti these trains resemble toys of a giant naughty child

Float the Amazon

Float the Amazon

May–October • activity

The waters of the Amazon river surprise with pink dolphins and the banks reveal splendid jungle abounding with birds and mammals

Potosi Mines

Potosi Mines

May–October • activity

The Devil rules in grueling Bolivian mines, and the miners' destiny depends on his mood

Squirrel Monkeys

Squirrel Monkeys

May–October • nature

Watching these pretty long-tailed fellows play is truly amusing

Pink Dolphins in the Amazon River

Pink Dolphins in the Amazon River

May–October • nature

Swimming with these bizarre-colored friendly creatures is a lot of fun

Сycling and Motorbiking

Сycling and Motorbiking

May–October • activity

There's no better way to enjoy the scenery of Bolivia than on two wheels!

Inti Raymi or Aymara New Year

Inti Raymi or Aymara New Year

June 21 • event

The two-faced and twelve-horned Aya Uma and dancing circles worship sun and nature through ancient Aymara rituals

Valle de la Luna

Valle de la Luna

June–September • nature

Check out the unique beautiful shapes and colours of Bolivia's Moon Valley

Cholita Wrestling

Cholita Wrestling

every Sunday • activity

If you think women can't be ruthless wrestlers, you may be surprised by the indigenous Bolivians

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

May–December • activity

Bolivian birdlife is splendid from the lowland jungles and Amazon to the Andes and high altitude lagoons

Dinosaur Footprints

Dinosaur Footprints

May–October • activity

Thousands of ​dinosaur​ tracks have been here for nearly 70 million years—an amazing historical site

Piranha Fishing

Piranha Fishing

May–October • activity

Waters seem to boil as a school of piranhas devours your bait—both frightening and awe-inspiring!

Cruise and Sail on Lake Titicaca

Cruise and Sail on Lake Titicaca

May–September • activity

One shouldn't miss the world's most navigable lake, its islands full of Inca ruins, and rare giant frogs

22 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Lake at Salt Flats or Salar de Uyuni

Lake at Salt Flats or Salar de Uyuni

out of rangeNovember–April • nature

Sky beneath and sky above, eternal peace and infinite beauty—this must be what Heaven looks like

Flamingos

Flamingos

out of rangeDecember–April • nature

The seemingly lifeless blood-red lake, plain rocks, and salt deposits may surprise with rare flamingos and other wildlife

Oruro Carnaval

Oruro Carnaval

out of rangeFebruary 9–12, 2024 • event

Symbolic costumed performances and water fighting traditions that go back over 2,000 years

Laguna Verde

Laguna Verde

out of rangeNovember–March • nature

The afternoon sunshine turns this desolate lake into mesmerizing turquoise to emerald colours

Fiesta del Gran Poder

Fiesta del Gran Poder

out of rangeMay 25, 2024 • event

The Lord delights in watching Bolivians trying to outdance one another to please the Gran Poder

Fiesta de la Cruz

Fiesta de la Cruz

out of rangeMay 03 (first weekend of May) • event

Instead of oppressive sadness, the cross and crucifixion​ is commemorated through vivid costumed dances

Try a Guinea Pig or Cuy

Try a Guinea Pig or Cuy

out of rangeDecember 24 • food

An offer of a guinea pig plate is the highest privilege in Bolivia, and refusal is unacceptable!

Day of the Skulls

Day of the Skulls

out of rangeNovember 8 • event

A remarkable mixture of pagan and Christian traditions turns into sombre but festive celebration of skull in the city of La Paz

Feria de las Alasitas

Feria de las Alasitas

out of rangeJanuary 24 (TBC) • event

Do you believe in miracles? Many locals testify that Ekkekko makes small trinkets big

Tinku Festival

Tinku Festival

out of rangeearly May • event

When Bolivians let their anger out, even the police are powerless and violent street fights break out

Mountain​ Climbing

Mountain​ Climbing

out of rangeJuly–August • activity

Climbing the highest Bolivian peaks is an important lifetime achievement for any mountaineer or adventure enthusiast

Blooming Cacti

Blooming Cacti

out of rangeSeptember–October • nature

Whether in the dry lowland or wet Andean Altiplano, Bolivian cacti thrive everywhere

Wild Flowers

Wild Flowers

out of rangeNovember–March • nature

A wide range of beautiful sleeping wild flowers are awakened by the abundant rainfalls

Quinoa Bloom

Quinoa Bloom

out of rangeJanuary–March • nature

Red and yellow fields dazzle beautifully during quinoa blooming season

Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead

Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead

out of rangeOctober 31–November 2 • event

Is it common in your country to celebrate this occasion with a barbeque at the cemetery​?—In Bolivia it is!

Quinoa Harvest

Quinoa Harvest

out of rangeApril • food

The perfect occasion to try a range of traditional specialties made of fresh harvested grain

Semana Santa (Holy Week) & Easter

Semana Santa (Holy Week) & Easter

out of rangeMarch 24–31, 2024 • event

Dramatic hooded robes, the smell of wax in the air, and the overall sense of deep mourning ensure a mysterious​ atmosphere

Butterflies in Tucavaca Valley

Butterflies in Tucavaca Valley

out of rangeNovember–December • nature

This lime-coloured confetti is just butterflies in disguise

Search for Anaconda

Search for Anaconda

out of rangeNovember–April • nature

If you don't have a phobia of snakes, this is the place for an amazing adventure

Grape Harvest

Grape Harvest

out of rangeFebruary–March • food

The world's highest vineyards caressed by loving sun and cooled by caring winds bear top-notch grapes and excellent wines​

Virgen de la Candelaria

Virgen de la Candelaria

out of rangeFebruary 2 • event

The celebration consists of a festive mass, colorful dancing, and the Road to Cavalry which bestows the mercy of the virgin

Toborochi Tree in Bloom

Toborochi Tree in Bloom

out of rangeJuly • nature

If not for the toborochi trunk that enabled the birth of Bolivia's savior, the country might still be haunted by evil spirits

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