Exploring The Weekend: Bolivia's Final Day Off

Bolivia is a country of contrasts, from bustling cities to indigenous communities, volcanoes to salt flats, and colonial architecture to rural villages. It is a destination that caters to holiday-makers, long-term travellers, adventure seekers, and history and culture lovers alike.

One of the poorest countries in South America, Bolivia is a rewarding place to visit, offering enrichment for both mind and body.

La Paz

Day One: Arrive in La Paz

Fly into El Alto International Airport, and take a taxi to your hotel. The airport is at 13,325 feet, making it the world's highest international airport. La Paz itself is at an elevation of roughly 3,650m.

Day Two: Experience La Paz

Stroll through Plaza Murillo, where you'll find several of Bolivia's government buildings, including the National Congress of Bolivia and the Presidential Palace. Walk down Calle Jaen, the only remaining colonial-era street in La Paz, and visit the Witches' Market.

Day Three: Take a Teleférico Ride

Take a ride on La Paz's cable car system, Mi Teleférico. It's the longest aerial cable car system in the world, and costs just 43 cents a ride.

Day Four: Visit Tiwanaku

Take a day trip to Tiwanaku, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tiwanaku was the capital of an empire that stretched from Bolivia into areas of Peru and Chile.

Day Five: Explore More of La Paz

Visit the San Francisco Church, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Plaza de San Francisco.

Lake Titicaca

The lake is made up of two nearly separate subbasins, connected by the Strait of Tiquina, which is 800m across at its narrowest point. The larger subbasin, Lago Grande (or Lago Chucuito), has a maximum depth of 284m, while the smaller, Wiñaymarka (or Lago Pequeño), has a maximum depth of 40m. The lake is fed by five major river systems, and more than 20 smaller streams. It has 41 islands, some of which are densely populated.

The lake is accessible via the Peruvian city of Puno, or from Cusco. From Bolivia, travellers can reach the lake by travelling from La Paz to Copacabana.

Sucre

Bolivia's judicial capital, Sucre, is a city steeped in history and cultural significance. Located in a fertile valley crossed by the Cachimayo River, Sucre sits at an elevation of 9,150-9,480 feet (2,790-2,890 metres) above sea level. This relatively high altitude lends the city a subtropical highland climate, with cool temperatures and summer thunderstorms throughout the year.

As the first capital of Bolivia, Sucre holds significant national importance. It is an educational and governmental centre, housing the Bolivian Supreme Court and one of the best-preserved Hispanic colonial and republican historic city centres in the Western Hemisphere. The city's architecture showcases a blend of local and European styles, with narrow streets laid out in a grid pattern, reminiscent of Andalusian culture. Sucre is also home to several well-preserved 16th-century religious buildings, such as San Lázaro, San Francisco, and Santo Domingo.

Today, Sucre remains a cultural and commercial hub, with roads connecting it to nearby cities and agricultural centres. Its pleasant climate, low crime rates, and rich historical fabric continue to draw both foreigners and locals alike, making it a popular destination in Bolivia.

Salar de Uyuni

The last day of the week in Bolivia is Sunday. Now, here is some information about Salar de Uyuni:

The Salar was formed as a result of transformations between several prehistoric lakes that existed around 30,000 to 40,000 years ago but eventually evaporated. It is now covered by a few meters of salt crust, which has an extraordinarily flat surface with average elevation variations of within one metre over the entire area of the Salar. The crust serves as a source of salt and covers a pool of brine, which is exceptionally rich in lithium. The large area, clear skies, and flatness of the surface make the Salar ideal for calibrating the altimeters of Earth observation satellites.

During the rainy season (from December to April), a thin layer of water transforms the flat into the world's largest mirror, featuring a stunning reflection of the sky. This phenomenon is known as the "mirror effect" and is particularly striking in March and April. Located in the Lithium Triangle, the Salar contains a large amount of sodium, potassium, lithium and magnesium, as well as borax. As of 2024, Bolivia holds about 22% of the world's known lithium resources, most of which are found in the Salar de Uyuni.

The area surrounding the Salar de Uyuni is largely devoid of wildlife and vegetation. However, it is a prime breeding ground for several species of flamingos, including Chilean, Andean, and the rare James's flamingos. About 80 other bird species are also present, along with the Andean fox, or culpeo. The vegetation in the area is dominated by giant cacti, which can grow up to 12 metres (39 feet) tall. Other plants include Pilaya, Thola (Baccharis dracunculifolia), quinoa plants, and queñua bushes.

The best time to visit the Salar de Uyuni depends on the season and the desired experience. The rainy season, from December to April, offers the mirror effect, while the dry season, from May to November, provides colder temperatures and easier access to certain areas. Tour operators typically consider June through August as their high season, with rates tending to be higher during this period.

The Salar de Uyuni has also served as a filming location for several movies, including "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" (2017), "The Fall" (2006), and "Salt and Fire" (2016), among others.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

The city was founded in 1561 by Spanish explorer Ñuflo de Chavez and was moved several times due to attacks from local tribes before being established on the Pirai River in the late 16th century. Santa Cruz played an important role in the region for the Spanish Empire, containing the incursions of Portuguese Bandeirantes and serving as a staging point for Jesuit missions to Chiquitos and Moxos, which led to the conversion of thousands of indigenous people.

Santa Cruz has a tropical savanna climate, with an average annual temperature of around 25 °C (77 °F). The city is known for its mestizo and Creole identity, with a smaller indigenous population. The main sectors driving the economy are oil, forestry, agribusiness, and construction. Santa Cruz contributes more than 80% of national agricultural production and has received over 40% of all foreign direct investment in the country.

The city is served by Bolivia's largest airport, the Viru Viru International Airport, and is home to natural history, ethno-folkloric, and other museums, as well as several art galleries. Santa Cruz is also a popular tourist destination, with attractions such as Kaa-Iya National Park and Plaza 24 de Septiembre.

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