Salar de Uyuni
The world's largest salt flat — mirror in the wet, hexagons in the dry. Either trip is unforgettable.
where we live
Bolivia.
South America's most underrated country. High, hard, and impossibly beautiful. Here's how to do it right.
start with the why
It isn't always easy. That's why it's worth it.
Bolivia rewards travelers who arrive with a little local knowledge. The altitude is real, the distances are long, and bus schedules change with the weather. But the upside is rare: the wildest landscapes in the Andes, a culture that hasn't been polished for visitors, and prices that still make a longer trip possible.
Most travelers we meet at the café tell us the same thing afterwards: Bolivia ended up being the part of the trip they remember most. Explore it with a little local knowledge, and the whole country opens up.
why we know this place
We live, write and create from La Paz.
Travel del Mundo was started by Elin, originally from Sweden and the founder of Café del Mundo — a small travel cafe in La Paz where people swap routes across Bolivia and the rest of South America. Most of what's on this page started as a conversation across one of those tables.
Read our storywhere to go
Five regions, five different trips.
La Paz
The capital that lives in the sky.
View regionSalar de Uyuni
The salt flats — mirror in the wet, hexagons in the dry.
View regionLake Titicaca & Isla del Sol
The Inca side of the highest navigable lake.
View regionSucre
Whitewashed colonial Bolivia at a sane altitude.
View regionBolivian Amazon (Rurrenabaque)
Jungle and pampas, on a budget that still surprises.
View regionbest time to visit
When to go to Bolivia.
Jan
Rainy in the highlands. Uyuni mirror starts forming.
Feb
Carnaval de Oruro — one of the great festivals.
Mar
Mirror season peaks at Uyuni. Wet roads elsewhere.
Apr
Rains taper. Green hills, fewer travelers.
May
Dry season opens. Clearest skies of the year.
Jun
Cold nights at altitude. Best for trekking.
Jul
High season. Book Uyuni tours early.
Aug
Still dry, still busy. Reliable buses.
Sep
Shoulder begins. Warming up, fewer crowds.
Oct
Soft light, occasional showers.
Nov
First rains. Dry Uyuni still possible.
Dec
Rainy season returns. Día de los Muertos region-wide on Nov 2.
Dry Shoulder Wet
If you can pick, go in May or September — dry skies, fewer crowds, soft light. January–March is amazing for the Uyuni mirror, and the country turns beautifully green; rain can slow travel a little, but the landscapes are worth it.
the practical stuff
Two things every traveler asks us first.
Altitude & health
La Paz sits at 3,600 m. El Alto airport is even higher. Plan the first 48 hours carefully and the rest of the trip gets a lot easier.
- Arrive low if you can — Sucre or Santa Cruz first, La Paz second.
- Coca tea and leaves help mildly. They're not a substitute for sleep and water.
- If a headache turns into nausea or breathlessness, descend. Don't push through.
Getting around & borders
Bolivia is bus country. Domestic flights are cheap but unreliable; overnight buses cover most classic routes.
- Buses for La Paz ↔ Uyuni / Sucre / Copacabana. Fly only for Rurrenabaque.
- Copacabana ↔ Puno is the easiest crossing on to Lake Titicaca's north shore — a half-day on minibuses.
- Cash is king outside La Paz. Bring USD as a backup; ATMs run dry on weekends.
don't miss
Five experiences worth coming to Bolivia for.
Death Road by bike
The old Yungas road, 3,600 m down to cloud forest. Less scary than the name, more beautiful than the photos.
Isla del Sol sunrise
Walk the spine of the island on the Inca side of Lake Titicaca. No cars, no rush.
Tiwanaku ruins
Pre-Inca civilization an hour from La Paz. Go at solstice if you can.
Madidi jungle
Amazon access from Rurrenabaque. Pampas tours for wildlife, jungle lodges for the trees.
the classic two-week route
La Paz → Uyuni → Titicaca → Sucre.
The route most travelers come for. We have a step-by-step version with timing, buses, and where to sleep at each stop.
Explore the itinerariesgo deeper
The full guide, in your pocket.
where to sleep
Your stay in La Paz.
Hotel · $$La Paz
Hotel Sagarnaga
Historic center
Right in the historic center, steps from the markets, and next door to Travel del Mundo, Café del Mundo and Tambo. Your local experience starts on day one.
Apartment · $$La Paz
La Paz Apartment — Andean Homes
Historic center
A cozy home-style apartment in the historic center, close to the markets, cafés, and the walking streets of La Paz. Great if you want space, your own kitchen, and a local feel. Same place as Andean Homes.
read more
From the Bolivia travel blog.
5 min read
The Witches’ Market in La Paz: More Than a Tourist Stop
Just around the corner from Café del Mundo, the Witches’ Market opens a window into Andean traditions and everyday life. Come with curiosity, walk slowly and ask questions.
8 min read
Best Things to Do in Sopocachi, La Paz: Cafés, Culture, Food and Views
A slower afternoon, a good coffee and another side of La Paz. These are my favourite ways to enjoy Sopocachi, from its creative corners and restaurants to viewpoints and relaxed evenings out.
7 min read
What Altitude Feels Like in La Paz, and How to Plan Your First Two Days
Wondering how altitude in La Paz will feel? Here is an honest, reassuring guide to common symptoms and a gentle plan for your first two days.
7 min read
The Best Viewpoints in La Paz, and When to Visit Them
Discover five of the best viewpoints in La Paz, from Killi Killi and El Montículo to lesser-known panoramic spots, plus the best time to visit each one.
6 min read
What to Book Before Arriving in Bolivia, and What Can Wait
A café story about Machu Picchu sold out, and a practical Bolivia guide: what is worth booking before you arrive and what can safely wait until you are here.
7 min read
What to Eat in La Paz: 10 Bolivian Dishes to Try
Taste your way through La Paz with this 3-day food map of Bolivian dishes — from salteñas and sopa de maní to anticuchos and plato paceño.