I was in the north of Argentina and I was supposed to be around for a week and then find my way to the south of the country. It was the perfect plan and on the map everything seemed very nice and suitable. The problem was the weather.
You might not believe but when I arrived in Salta (north of Argentina) I could not get out of the hostel before 6pm. It was too hot outside. The day after that, the rain came and all my plan changed. YES!! The rain destroyed villages, buildings and the routes got cut. I waited for a while in Jujuy hoping the routes will open and I would visit Purmamarca, Tilcara and the 7 colores mountain. But after 3 days I gave up and I decided to go to Bolivia since I was so close to the border.
Welcome to Bolivia 🇧🇴
Bolivia has made me laugh in so many ways.
Bolivia has showed not everyone has the basics.
I will never forget the first bus I took in Bolivia…
Bus driver after 2 hours of road: “pausa para comprar fruta y baño”
Me in my ignorance: “dónde está el bano?”
Bus driver: “pues el pasto, señorita”
From that moment I knew my trip in Bolivia would be somehow different from the other countries in South America. And it was!
There I saw animals in the buses, I had to buy my own toliet paper even when I was staying in hostels and I learnt that canalanized water and hot water were not a reality in every hostel…
A part from all the technical stuff I just described, Bolivia has been so far the most beautiful country where I have been. I cried sometimes I could not believe how beautiful it was.
I recommend everyone to visit Bolivia!!!
EVEN if the conditions sometimes are not the best;
EVEN if the people are not the best in South America;
EVEN if the food is not the best…
EVEN that…
Bolivia is worth it to visit. So let’s get started because in 2 weeks I did A LOT!!!
Tarija
I was impressed with the mountains in this city. Unfortunately, I did not spend a lot of time around but if I have to pick my favorite bus journey I would say for sure: To Tarija. The mountains, the colores, the small houses in the valleys, the simplicity of the streets. I really really like it.
Potosi
Potosi was a shock city:
- Potosi is located 4600 meters high from the sea so the first 2 days I felt pretty bad.
- The cold! After Brazil and Paraguay, I wanted a country with lower temperatures but not 5 or 6 degrees as I got in Potosi. I was freezing all the time!!!
A part from that: It is a nice city. You can visit the Mint and specially the silver mines.
The 2 visits are around 100 bolivianos (less than 15€) and there are totally worth. In the first one you can know more about the Bolivian money and its evolution. In the second one you, can visit the mines, talk to the miners and get to know more about their work and their work conditions.
Sucre
Sucre is a colonial city. A tiny and sweet city that you will fall in love if you like architecture. It seems an European city… Everything is beautiful: The buildings, the little shops, the squares, street market…
Do not miss the Central Market where you can buy everything and eat typical food (cheapppp)
La Paz
A capital. I was very tired when I got to the capital and I did not find it amazing. It is a busy city with a lot of people and sellers everywhere. You would be impress with the things people sell on the street ahaha
3 things to do:
- The markets – everything is crazy cheap specially if you wanna get some clothes.
- The teleféric – it gives you a view of all the city for 3 bolivianos.
- The death road – one thing I did not do and I still think about it. The road from La Paz to Corioco by bike. Death road because in the past a lot of people died in this road. Today you can do it by bus or by bike. And the road is of course much safer than before!!!
Copacabana
Getting to Copacabana from La Paz I had the chance to see the Titicaca lake and I am so glad I did it.
The sunset in this city is very very beautiful and on top of that: food and accommodation are pretty cheap! This city is the closest to cross the border to Peru and here you can also get the boat to Isla del Sol.
Isla del Sol
The Island is close to Peruvian border and it is very very beautiful. You can not really enjoy the sea because the temperatures in the island are quite low and the water is around 17*C (in January when is suppose to be Summer there ahaha).
If you like the nature: you can hike; you can spend the day on the beach; you can talk to the locals and get to know more about the island and the country… However, my experience there was not the best. The island locals depend on the tourism so you get to pay for everything (and sometimes it is a bit annoying): get to pay for hot water; get to pay to go to the toilet; get pay to get in the island; get to pay to cross the island… Bla Bla Bla (come on we are tourists but let’s not abuse)
Uyuni
The biggest salt flat in the world. I visited and I do not regret 1€ I spent in that 3 days trip. It has been so far one of the most beautiful experiences of my trip. The place is amazing and I was lucky enough to find an amazing group with who I share my trip.
The trip costs around 100€ with transportation, food and entrances.
PS: I am going to do a special post about Uyuni where I will describe the trip, price and so on.
I hope you liked this post about Bolivia. Keep following my adventures in South America.
Beijinho,
Daniela