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Bolivia Insider’s Guide: The Salt Flats Are Just the Beginning
Bolivia’s salt flat—the Salar de Uyuni—radiates with a lunar beauty. Photo: Shutterstock
The insider advice on this page is from one of Wendy’s Trusted Travel Experts for Peru and Bolivia: Marisol Mosquera of Aracari.
A native Peruvian, Marisol chucked a career in the financial world to become a pioneer in experiential travel to Peru and Bolivia; she also plans trips that combine the Galápagos with either country. She and trusted colleague Mark Green—a Brit who guided trips in South America for many years and is married to a Peruvian—work with a network of prominent historians, chefs, museum directors, and fashion designers to deliver privileged access to people and places throughout the region. They are used to working with high-powered businesspeople for whom seamless execution is a prerequisite, but sustainability is also part of their bottom line. Call on Marisol if you want an out-of-the-box version of the region’s iconic sites—a private tented camp in the rainforest, or tips for avoiding the lines at Machu Picchu—or if you want to explore the hidden pockets that most travelers miss, from the oldest city in the Americas to a little-known protected reserve next to Bolivia’s Uyuni salt flats.
Iglesia de San Felipe Neri overlooks Sucre’s red-roofed buildings. Photo: Shutterstock
What to See and Do
Most underrated place
Founded by the Spanish in the late 16th century, Sucre now shares capital-city status with La Paz. It’s one of the most appealing cities in South America, and hands-down the most beautiful city in Bolivia. Whitewashed buildings and pretty patios shape its historic center, where you’ll find a variety of museums, historical landmarks, and convents. And nearby you can visit Tarabuco (one of the most authentic markets in South America), indigenous ethnic villages known for their hand-woven textiles, and even the world’s largest set of dinosaur footprints.
Most overrated place
Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage locale and easy to get to from La Paz, the archaeological site of Tiwanaku is not all that visually impressive: The megalithic architecture is poorly restored and the setting isn’t particularly scenic. It’s worth a visit only for history buffs who want to learn about the Tiwanaku culture—the longest-lasting empire in the Americas, which gave birth to the Incas.
Flamingoes are but one photo-worthy element in the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. Photo: Shutterstock
Hidden gems
Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve is the ultimate photographer’s playground. Sitting right next door to Salar de Uyuni in the far southwestern region of Bolivia, Eduardo Avaroa has sublime, otherworldly scenery. Notable natural highlights include Laguna Colorada (a red-hued salt lake), hot geysers, active volcanoes, bright-pink flamingoes, and trippy coral and rock formations, including the Arbol de Piedra (“stone tree”). Eduardo Avaroa’s close proximity to the Chilean border makes it convenient to visit en route between the Atacama Desert and Uyuni. The best accommodations you’ll find are in basic, locally run lodges—but that’s more than made up for by the experience.
The Chiquitos Jesuit Missions. Situated in the tropical lowlands of east-central Bolivia, the Chiquitos Missions are six towns spread throughout this sparsely populated region that have preserved the impressive churches constructed by the Jesuit missionaries in the 17th and 18th centuries—the only remaining churches of this type in all of South America. The Jesuit missionaries taught locals how to play European music, and every two years in April visitors are treated to an International Festival of Baroque and Renaissance Music, which celebrates this unique hybrid culture.
Cheap thrill
In La Paz, take a ride on Mi Teleferico, or the “subway in the sky.” It’s the highest and longest urban cable-car system in the world. A one-way ride costs about 50 U.S. cents and gives you incredible sweeping views of the city.
Playful cholet buildings are eye candy in El Alto, Bolivia. Photo: Aracari Travel
In El Alto, gawk at the cholets, buildings designed by self-taught (and now world-renowned) architect Fredy Mamani in a style known as Neo-Andean. They look almost like Transformers robots from the outside; elaborately decorated inside as well and originally constructed for wealthy Aymara families, many are now conference halls or rented out for weddings and parties.
Memorable day trip
Head out from La Paz for a day on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. From the town of Copacabana, take a boat ride to the picturesque island of Isla del Sol. There are a number of Incan ruins there, including Pilko Kaina at the southern end and the Chincana complex in the north. The latter hosts the legendary Puma stone, believed to be the birthplace of the Incan empire.
Quinoa fields offer vivid strokes of color around Lake Titicaca. Photo: Aracari Travel
Worth the detour
Potosí, along with Sucre, is one of the most historically influential cities in all of South America. Potosí was founded in 1545, after the discovery of silver deposits in the area, and in its heyday had a population larger than that of Paris or London. It was also home to the Spanish colonial empire’s mint, which today is the highlight of a visit, occupying an entire block. It’s even possible to head down a silver mine, many of which remain active. Potosí is best visited en route between Sucre and Salar de Uyuni, as there are no standout accommodations here.
Where to Stay and Eat
Unique places to sleep
Opening in spring 2026, Casa Gastón is positioning itself as both a luxury hotel and a museum. Set in the remote village of Jirira at the foot of the sacred Tunupa Volcano and overlooking the vast expanse of the Salar de Uyuni, the property is a habitable artwork conceived by the late Gastón Ugalde, widely regarded as the father of contemporary Bolivian art, and built from volcanic stone and coral.
Situated beside the Uyuni Salt Flat, Casa Gastón is a sanctuary of art and architecture. Photo: Casa Gastón
For those seeking movement across the Altiplano, Explora’s Atacama–Uyuni journey pairs adventurous days between Chile and Bolivia with restorative nights in beautifully designed lodges. The weeklong trip begins at Explora Atacama before continuing to three intimate Bolivian outposts—Ramaditas, Chituca, and Jirira—each with just a handful of rooms set amid volcanoes, salt flats, and high-altitude lagoons. Thoughtful design, locally inspired cuisine, and a strong sense of stillness define the experience.
Best bang-for-your-buck hotels
The MET Hotel is a sleek boutique property in La Paz’s Zona Sur neighborhood. It has 76 rooms, a stylish spa (a rarity in the city!), and an on-site bakery and bar. The location is ideal for dining, with top restaurants such as Ancestral and Gustu just a short walk or drive away. Since the rates are quite reasonable, it’s worth splurging on a higher-floor room or suite with floor-to-ceiling windows and views over the surrounding mountains.
The Alfonsina Hotel—named after one of Bolivia’s greatest poets, Alfonsina Storni—is one of just a few boutique hotels in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and among the most stylish places to stay in the city. The 20-room property is fashionably decorated, with an eclectic art collection, outdoor swimming pool, and on-site wine boutique and pizzeria.
Dishes to try
Any of the plant-based dishes at Ali Pacha. Meaning “Universe of Plants” in the native Aymara language, this fine-dining spot—started by an alumnus of renowned restaurant Gustu (one of La Paz’s top restaurants)—has a menu based entirely on foraged plant products, with the aim of showcasing under-used produce while championing micro-producers from around Bolivia. Located in the downtown area of La Paz, it offers three, five, and seven-course vegan tasting menus.
Ali Pacha is an upscale vegan restaurant in La Paz. Photo: Ali Pacha
Salteñas Potosinas are a popular street snack available throughout Bolivia, best described as juicy, meat-filled empanadas. The original recipe comes from Potosí (hence the name), where miners were consuming them as far back as the 16th century.
Meals worth the splurge
In La Paz, Ancestral has established itself as a cornerstone of the city’s fine-dining scene, showcasing the best of Bolivian produce, with meats and fish cooked over a wood-fired grill. Led by the former head chef from Gustu, it remains one of the capital’s most sought-after tables.
Another standout is Popular Cocina Boliviana, where the tasting menu highlights native ingredients in inventive, beautifully plated dishes. The setting feels both intimate and adventurous, making for one of the most exciting restaurant experiences in Bolivia today.
Brightly colored sauces are a trademark of Popular Cocina Boliviana. Photo: Aracari Travel
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Best Times to Go
Outside of the rainforest (where it rains year-round), Bolivia’s dry season runs from May to October. At this time, the Salar de Uyuni salt flats look like a never-ending carpet of hexagonal white salt. But they are equally spectacular in the rainy season (December to March), when a thin layer of water creates an otherworldly, mirror-like reflection on the landscape. April and May are the sweet spot, when it is not too cold or crowded, and the Salar is dry enough to cross but you still get some reflections.
Worst Time to Go
January and February, when the Salar is at its busiest with the tour-bus crowds.
Biggest Rookie Mistake
Skipping La Paz. While it’s not the continent’s most beautiful city, seeing La Paz is essential to getting under the skin of contemporary life in Bolivia. You’ll see native Aymara and Quechua people going about their days, dressed in traditional attire, as new buildings spring up around them. A modern cable car criss-crosses the city, and there’s also an ever-expanding gourmet dining scene.
Don't Forget to Pack
Any personal props for classic photos on the Uyuni salt flats that play with perspective. The Salar is all white, so brightly colored clothing or balloons make for a wonderful effect.
Airport Intel
At 13,325 feet, La Paz’s international airport is the highest in the world. Drink plenty of water on the plane and eat lightly on arrival.
Bragging Rights
Take a guided foraging excursion with celebrated chef Marsia Taha, whose work has redefined Bolivia’s place on the global culinary map. Named Latin America’s Best Female Chef in 2024, Marsia is at the forefront of a movement that honors Bolivia’s biodiversity. Arami, her first solo restaurant, shines a light on the Amazonian pantry through refined use of deeply rooted Indigenous knowledge. Her guided excursions provide a hands-on encounter with Bolivia’s native ingredients.
Can't-Miss Photo Op
Salar de Uyuni, day or night (see “Don’t Forget to Pack”). The unobstructed expanse of the isolated salt flats, located at a high altitude and with almost no light pollution, is particularly magical in the evening for stargazing. Head out with an astronomer and telescope or just your camera to photograph the salt flats under the night sky.
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