Travel Destination Bolivia

This morning we left Bolivia for Peru with two tearful eyes. After all the impressions, altitudes, culinary delights, adrenaline kicks, and big city adventures, it was not easy for us. We felt extremely comfortable in this country. There are several reasons for this, and I would like to summarize our impressions briefly:

People:

In general, people are rather reserved, almost shy, but exceptionally friendly and helpful. Cheerful but always unobtrusive and very polite. Simply likable. We were able to move around undisturbed and freely, which we greatly appreciated.

Language:

Aside from the indigenous languages, Bolivians speak an extremely clear and easily understandable Spanish, and at a moderate pace. Speaking some Spanish is very helpful and opens many doors. The attempt to communicate in Spanish is highly appreciated by the locals, and fortunately, tourists are not immediately addressed in English in Bolivia. Bolivia would be a very good place to learn Spanish.

Safety:

We felt extremely safe in Bolivia, everywhere and at all times, even in the evenings, even in La Paz. In the cities, many people, including women alone, are out and about in the evenings.

Landscape:

The landscapes are simply overwhelming, diverse, and spectacular. The cities were mostly surprisingly clean, full of life, culture, and architectural gems. We have reported on this in detail.

Altitude:

This aspect should not be overlooked when traveling to Bolivia. We felt it. After I thought I had already acclimatized in Potosi, three days followed with constant mild and less mild headaches, upset stomach, and very poor sleep. On the second day in La Paz, it suddenly went away and I felt fit. Drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol (very unsatisfying when you feel like you have a bad hangover at that moment...), and engaging in moderate physical activity help. It was surprising to see many seniors we met on our trip, traveling in groups or individually. Respect!

Cuisine:

Excellent. Of course, the food is traditionally very meat-heavy, but there are now vegetarian options everywhere, probably also due to tourism, which is not surprising given the local crops such as quinoa. The quinoa soups were particularly delicious. Llama meat is also available everywhere, and a llama burger tastes excellent. It is worth mentioning the many desserts, to which Bolivians seem to have a special affinity. Everything is available, from patisseries to bombastic cakes. As a healthier alternative, there are also delicious fresh fruits such as pineapple, papaya, kiwi, bananas, or mango, which are never missing from a breakfast buffet.

There are restaurants in all categories, from gourmet temples to simple snack bars with a few plastic chairs, where you can get a lunch for a few Bolivianos. Not to mention street food. Freshly squeezed juices at market stalls, empanadas, or grilled meat - simply wonderful! By the way, we didn't have any digestive problems at all.

Of course, there is also the usual traveler's junk food, from hamburgers to spaghetti with ketchup to pizzas in terrible variations, but that is up to everyone.

Accommodation:

Simply top and at bargain prices. A 5-star hotel in the center of La Paz cost us CHF 80 per night - for the room, including a breakfast buffet. The standard was consistently at a European level, sometimes even better... Every accommodation, including the hostels where we stayed, offered a rich breakfast buffet, which was often better than what is sometimes offered in Europe.

Infrastructure:

This was the biggest surprise. I had imagined Bolivia to be much more Spartan in this regard. Not so! Progress has also arrived here. ATMs are everywhere, and every third one actually dispenses money. I found it particularly trustworthy when one of them gave me 1000 Bolivianos without any problems after I had only entered 4 digits of my 6-digit code!!?? There are styled cafes, modern hotels, and shops, and practically every Bolivian has a smartphone in their hands. A particularly amusing sight were the indigenous market women in traditional attire playing with their smartphones.

Weather/Climate:

Currently, the beginning of the rainy season is approaching, and it is low season, which is noticeable with relatively few tourists. Actually incomprehensible: we had almost only beautiful weather with a few thunderstorms or showers, and the temperatures are extremely pleasant, even in the high altitudes.

Other:

Bolivia is also a shopping paradise for fans of woolen goods and peculiar artifacts. I had unknowingly imagined only frayed hippie clothes, but there are really beautiful things made of alpaca wool to buy.

Also in line with my taste was the music taste of the Bolivians. The bus driver (not the one in the tourist bus) played Deep Purple and Uriah Heep, 80s Italo-Disco played in the small kiosco, and our tour guide was into Coldplay and Rammstein. Of course, you also hear Latin music, but it seems that Bolivians have a special fondness for 80s and 90s pop and rock.

Downside:

Actually, only one thing: we didn't see a single cat in the first 7 days! The next day, there were 6 of them right away. However, there are thousands of dogs, some of them unfortunately not in the best condition :-(. Normally, during a regular walk, we are accompanied by 1 to 6 dogs, all of them extremely affectionate.

Interested in Bolivia? We can highly recommend it - not for those seeking beaches and relaxation. Nature lovers, those interested in foreign cultures, hobby photographers, friends of exotic food, or simply people who love to travel will all get their money's worth!