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Bolivia travel guide

High-altitude cities, salt flats and Amazon lowlands in one landlocked country

Best: May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Photo: mtorrazzina / Pixabay

Capital
Sucre
Languages
Aymara, Guarani, Quechua
Currency
Bolivian boliviano
Time zone
UTC-04:00
Plugs
Type A, C · 230 V / 115 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
911

Why visit Bolivia

Bolivia suits travellers who want dramatic altitude swings in one trip: La Paz and Sucre sit high in the Andes, while Rurrenabaque opens onto the Amazon lowlands. May to August is the best window for the main circuit, with dry, cooler weather across La Paz, Sucre and Santa Cruz de la Sierra. One honest limitation: the famous Uyuni salt flats peak later, from September to October, so you may need two visits to catch both highlights at their best.

  • Two capitals, two characters

    Bolivia has two capitals. Sucre, the official one, holds 360,544 people, while La Paz, the seat of government, is home to 755,732. Both have their best weather from May to August, making it easy to combine a visit to each.

  • Santa Cruz de la Sierra's scale

    With 3,122,605 people, Santa Cruz de la Sierra is Bolivia's largest city by far, dwarfing the Andean capitals. Its driest, clearest months run June to August, a good window for exploring a lowland city that feels different from highland Bolivia.

  • Uyuni on a different clock

    Uyuni's best months are September, April, October and May, not the June-to-August window that suits most of the country. That gap matters if you're planning a wider Bolivia trip and want good conditions in more than one place.

  • Copacabana and Lake Titicaca season

    Copacabana, on the shore of Lake Titicaca, is at its best in July and August. That overlaps with La Paz's good months, so a lakeside stop fits neatly onto a highland itinerary without extra planning.

  • Potosí's narrow window

    Potosí, a former mining city of 189,652 people high in the Andes, has just two recommended months: May and August. Timing a visit matters more here than almost anywhere else in Bolivia.

Is Bolivia right for you?

Great for

  • Dry-season travellers who want La Paz highs near 16°C and only 2-3 rain days in June and July
  • Visitors chasing the Uyuni salt flats, with best months in April, May, September and October for drier conditions
  • Inland trips combining La Paz, Sucre and Santa Cruz, all sharing June to August as peak dry months
  • Travellers who don't mind cool nights, since La Paz lows drop to 1-3°C from June to August
  • Those wanting more sun hours, with 10.8 to 11.6 hours a day from May through October

Less ideal for

  • Beach seekers, since Bolivia is landlocked with no coastal cities in this list
  • Travellers avoiding heavy rain, as La Paz sees 124-127 mm of rain in January and February with 20+ rain days
  • People who dislike cold mornings, since La Paz lows fall near 1°C in June and July

Bolivia right now: October

6.2/10
Avg high
18°C
Avg low
5°C
Rain days
13

Averages for La Paz.

Weather by month

This chart uses climate data for La Paz. May to August is driest and sunniest, with only 2 to 6 rain days a month and highs near 15 to 16°C, though lows drop to 1°C at night. January and February are toughest, with around 20 rain days a month, 124 to 127mm of rain, and cooler, cloudier conditions.

Average highs and lows in La Paz by month January: high 16°C, low 6°C , 22 rain days . February: high 15°C, low 6°C , 20 rain days . March: high 15°C, low 6°C , 21 rain days . April: high 16°C, low 5°C , 12 rain days . May: high 16°C, low 3°C , 6 rain days . June: high 15°C, low 1°C , 3 rain days . July: high 16°C, low 1°C , 2 rain days . August: high 16°C, low 2°C , 4 rain days . September: high 17°C, low 3°C , 9 rain days . October: high 18°C, low 5°C , 13 rain days . November: high 18°C, low 6°C , 13 rain days . December: high 17°C, low 6°C , 19 rain days . 16°C 6°C JAN 22d 15°C 6°C FEB 20d 15°C 6°C MAR 21d 16°C 5°C APR 12d 16°C 3°C MAY 6d 15°C 1°C JUN 3d 16°C 1°C JUL 2d 16°C 2°C AUG 4d 17°C 3°C SEP 9d 18°C 5°C OCT 13d 18°C 6°C NOV 13d 17°C 6°C DEC 19d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

La Paz · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Bolivia: month-by-month weather →

Bolivia's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Andean Highlands

    La Paz, Sucre

    La Paz and Sucre stay cool year-round, with highs near 17.5°C in both January and July. With about 144 rain days a year, the driest and clearest weather runs May to August.

    Best: May, Jun, Jul, Aug

  • Lowland Tropics

    Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Rurrenabaque

    Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Rurrenabaque are warm and humid, with highs of 30.3°C in January cooling slightly to 26.3°C in July. Rain falls on about 171 days a year, so July stands out as the best month.

    Best: Jul

  • High Plateau Towns

    Potosí, Copacabana

    Potosí and Copacabana sit high and cold, with highs around 12.3-12.8°C in both January and July. About 162 rain days a year fall here, with July and August the clearest months.

    Best: Jul, Aug

  • Uyuni Salt Flat Area

    Uyuni

    Uyuni swings from 17.6°C highs in January to a cooler 11.5°C in July, and gets far less rain than the rest of the country, only about 59 days a year. The shoulder months of April, May, September and October give the best mix of mild temperatures and dry skies.

    Best: Apr, May, Sep, Oct

Where to go in Bolivia

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

La Paz, Copacabana and the Uyuni Salt Flats

  1. Day 1–3

    La Paz

    Settle into Bolivia's high-altitude capital city. Walk the steep streets, visit the markets and take the cable car network for views over the city before heading out to the countryside.

  2. Day 4–5

    Copacabana

    Reach the shores of Lake Titicaca. Spend time by the water and take a boat trip to the nearby islands before the next leg of the trip.

  3. Day 6–7

    Uyuni

    Explore the salt flats, one of Bolivia's most striking landscapes. Join a tour across the white expanse and watch the light change over the salt crust.

10 days

Highlands, Lake Titicaca and the Silver City

  1. Day 1–3

    La Paz

    Start in the capital. Explore the old town, visit local markets and take a cable car ride for views across the surrounding mountains.

  2. Day 4–5

    Copacabana

    Travel to Lake Titicaca's shore town. Walk along the waterfront and take a boat trip out onto the lake.

  3. Day 6–7

    Uyuni

    Head south to the salt flats. Spend two days touring the white plains and surrounding scenery by jeep.

  4. Day 8–9

    Potosí

    Visit this former silver-mining city set high in the Andes. Walk through its colonial streets and learn about its mining history.

  5. Day 10

    Sucre

    Finish the trip in Bolivia's constitutional capital. Spend the day among its white colonial buildings before departing.

Getting around Bolivia

Typical journey times and fares between the main places.

Route By Time Price
La Paz → Copacabana Operators: Manco Kapac, Trans Titicaca and Vicuña Travel, from the La Paz bus terminal. Fares come from aggregator listings in USD; I couldn't find a Bs fare. Local buses take about 3 h and run hourly. Timetabled coaches take about 4 h (Busbud lists departures from 7:00). The trip includes a short boat crossing at the Strait of Tiquina. A traveller blog says tourist double-decker buses cost about Bs 50, run twice a day and should be booked ahead. bus 3 h 4–7 USD ↗
La Paz → Uyuni Overnight bus taking about 9–12 h. Bolivia Hop recommends Todo Turismo, which offers semi-cama and cama seats with blankets, a meal and a toilet. Fares start at about USD 43 (Bs fare not found). VIP seats cost extra. Another option is a bus to Oruro (about 4 h), then a train to Uyuni (about 7 h). bus 9 h 43 USD ↗
Sucre → Potosí Direct buses take about 3 h. There are about 13 departures a day between 6:00 and 19:00, run by companies including Trans Emperador. Potosí buses use the new terminal on Av. Las Banderas. A 2014-era traveller blog gives the fare as Bs 30; check current prices. Shared taxis are also available. bus 3 h 30 BOB ↗
Potosí → Uyuni 204 km on a paved road, about 3 h. Leaves from Potosí's old bus terminal on Av. Universitaria. A traveller report says Uyuni–Potosí buses leave around 9:00–9:30 and 18:00–18:30. Fare not found. bus 3 h – ↗

Staying connected

If your phone plan doesn't include Bolivia, an eSIM set up before you leave gives you data on arrival.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

Rosario

La Paz

Good for first-timers, backpackers, budget

This is the traveller hub around Calle Sagárnaga and the Witches' Market, just above San Francisco church, with tour agencies, cafés and craft shops all close together. It is the easiest base for booking day trips and walking to the main sights. The streets are very steep, traffic is loud, and pickpockets work the busy areas.

Centro Histórico

Sucre

Good for first-timers, sightseeing, cafés

The grid of white colonial streets around Plaza 25 de Mayo puts you within walking distance of the main churches, museums, cafés and Spanish schools. It is the easiest base for a first visit. Rooms facing the plaza or busy streets can get traffic, horn and festival noise, especially on weekends.

Equipetrol

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Good for nightlife, business travellers, dining

This modern district north-west of the centre has the city's main cluster of bars, clubs, restaurants and newer hotels. Stay here if you want evenings out and a more upscale feel. Bars can be loud on weekends, and you will need a taxi to reach the old centre.

Centro Histórico

Potosí

Good for first-timers, sightseeing

The old colonial grid around Plaza 10 de Noviembre holds the main churches, the Casa Nacional de Moneda and most tour agencies for the Cerro Rico mine trips. You can walk to almost everything, which matters at this altitude. Streets are steep and narrow, and traffic and horns can be loud in the daytime.

Avenida Potosí

Uyuni

Good for budget travellers, tour shoppers

This street runs through the centre and is lined with tour offices, simple guesthouses and places to eat. It is handy for booking a salt flat trip and grabbing food before departure. Tour jeeps load and leave here early, so expect engine noise and activity in the morning.

Riverfront

Rurrenabaque

Good for couples, sunset views, short stays

The streets along the Beni River give views of the water and the forested hills on the far bank, with a cooling breeze in the evening. Boats to the national park and to San Buenaventura leave from here, and the centre is a short walk away. Low-lying spots can be damp and buggy, especially in the rainy season.

Plaza 2 de Febrero

Copacabana

Good for first-timers, sightseeing, short stays

This is the town's main square, beside the white Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana. You can walk to the basilica, the market, the bus stops and the lake in a few minutes. Church bells, festivals and car blessings outside the basilica can make it noisy, especially at weekends.

Food to try in Bolivia

Salteña

A baked pastry filled with a sweet, juicy meat stew. Bolivians eat it as a mid-morning snack. Bakeries often sell out by lunchtime, so go early.

Api with pastel

A thick, hot drink made from purple corn and spices such as cinnamon. It is a cold-morning breakfast in highland markets, often served with a fried cheese pastry.

Silpancho

A thin, breaded beef cutlet on rice and potatoes, topped with a fried egg and fresh tomato and onion. It comes from Cochabamba but is served across the country.

Sopa de maní

A creamy peanut soup, often topped with fried potato sticks. It is a common first course on the set lunch menus that many local restaurants serve at midday.

Majadito

Rice cooked with dried or shredded beef, usually served with a fried egg and fried plantain. It is a typical dish of Santa Cruz and the eastern lowlands.

Singani

A grape brandy made in Bolivia's highland valleys, especially around Tarija. It is the national spirit, often drunk as a chuflay, mixed with ginger ale or lemon-lime soda.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Sockets take plug types A and C. Both 230 V and 115 V supplies are listed for Bolivia, so check the voltage before you plug in. Dual-voltage chargers are the safest choice.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and when overtaking.
  • Emergency number: Call 911 in an emergency. Save it in your phone before you arrive, along with your accommodation's address.
  • Currency: The currency is the Bolivian boliviano. Check the exchange rate before you travel so you can spot a poor rate when changing money.
  • Language: Spanish is an official language, along with Quechua, Aymara and Guarani. Learning some basic Spanish phrases will help with transport, food and directions.
  • Time zone: Bolivia uses UTC-04:00. Check the time difference with home before you book calls or connecting flights.
  • Phone calls: The country calling code is +591. Use it when giving your Bolivian number to people abroad, or when calling Bolivian numbers from a foreign phone.

Bolivia: frequently asked questions

Is Bolivia good to visit in August?

Yes. August scores 7.8 out of 10 and counts among the best months. In La Paz it has a high of 16.2°C, a low of 1.6°C, and only 3.7 rain days with 16 mm of rain, so days stay dry and sunny with 11 hours of sunshine.

What is the best time to visit Bolivia?

The best months are July, June, August and May, all scoring 7.6 to 8.1 out of 10. This is Bolivia's dry season, when La Paz sees as few as 2 to 5.5 rain days a month and highs around 15 to 16°C. Nights get cold, dropping to 1°C in July.

Is Bolivia rainy in January?

Yes. January is one of the wettest months in La Paz, with 21.5 rain days and 124 mm of rain. It scores 5.3 out of 10, rated 'ok', with a high of 15.6°C and a low of 6.1°C, so warmer nights come with frequent rain.

How long is the bus from La Paz to Uyuni?

The bus takes about 9 hours and costs around 43 USD. It is a common route for travellers heading to the Uyuni salt flats, with Potosí to Uyuni as another 3-hour onward leg.

When is the best time to visit the Uyuni salt flats?

Uyuni's best months are September, April, October and May. These months sit outside the heaviest wet season in the surrounding highlands, giving more stable travel conditions for crossing the flats.

Is La Paz cold at night?

Yes. Nights in La Paz are cold year-round because of its high altitude. Lows drop to around 1°C in June and July, and even in the warmer months of November and December, nights only reach 5.8°C and 6.2°C.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Bolivia.