Bolivia

Bolivia [1] is a beautiful, geographically diverse, multiethnic, and democratic, country in the heart of South America. It is surrounded by Brazil to the northeast, Peru to the northwest, Chile to the southwest, Argentina and Paraguay to the south. It shares with Peru control of Lake Titicaca (Lago Titicaca), the world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m).

Sometimes referred to as the Tibet of the Americas, Bolivia is one of the most "remote" countries in the western hemisphere; except for the navigable Paraguay River stretching to the distant Atlantic, Bolivia and Paraguay are the only two landlocked nations in the Americas. It is also the most indigenous country in the Americas, with 60% of its population being of pure Native American ancestry.

Regions

• The Altiplano
• The Chaco
• The Highland Valleys
• The Tropical Lowlands
• The Yungas and Chapare

Administrative divisions

Departments (departamentos, singular - departamento):

• Chuquisaca
• Cochabamba
• Beni
• La Paz
• Oruro
• Pando
• Potosi
• Santa Cruz
• Tarija

Cities

• La Paz - Capital (seat of government);
• Sucre - (legal capital and seat of judiciary)
• Santa Cruz - the second-largest, and most affluent, city.
• Cochabamba - the country's third-largest city, with a pleasant climate and the best food.
• Potosí - once one of the wealthiest cities in the world due to its silver mines.
• Oruro - famous for its carnival
• Tupiza - is a small town in Bolivia close to the border with Argentina.

Other destinations

• Samaipata - ancient ruins 2 hours east of Santa Cruz
• Riberalta - an interesting town with a serious frontier-like feeling, set in the northern Bolivian jungle.
• Tiwanaku - ancient ruins, a UNESCO world heritage site
• Uyuni - starting point for trips to the spectacular Salar de Uyuni (the largest slat flats in the world) and the Laguna Colorado and Laguna Verde
• Copacabana - a small resort town on Lake Titicaca
• Coroico - set in a jungle valley, and accessible via the World's Most Dangerous Road
• Rurrenabaque - a popular base for jungle and pampa trips.
• Madidi National Park - located a few miles North of Apolo, is one of the world’s most extensive biodiversity reserves. Its humid tropical climate has spawned one of Bolivia’s richest woodlands.
• Chacaltaya - The world's highest ski resort 25 km from La Paz.
• Huayna Potosi - A very popular mountain about 30 km from La Paz.
• Sorata

Culture and History

History

Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon Bolivar, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in the 1980s, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and drug production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, and waging an anti-corruption campaign.

Climate

Bolivia's climate varies with altitude from humid and tropical to cold and semiarid. In most parts of the country winters are dry and summers are somewhat wet. Despite its tropical latitude, the altitude of cities like La Paz keeps things cool, and warm clothing is advised year-round.

Travel to Bolivia, visa requirements

Flights to Bolivia, airtickets

The only direct flights to Bolivia from the United States are from Miami, daily on American Airlines and several times a week on AeroSur [2], which also has connections from Buenos Aires and São Paulo. Troubled national carrier Lloyd Aereo Boliviano suspended all flights in March 2007.

By train

There are many train lines in Bolivia, each with varying degrees of quality and efficiency. However, adequate transportation via train can be found.

The FCA timetable can be found at http://www.fca.com.bo/fca1/itinerarios_tarifas_1.htm Watch your belongings.

By car

It is common for tourists to travel through a land border at the north-east of Chile/ South-West of Bolivia.

Keep in mind that only about 5% of all the roads in Bolivia are paved. However, most major routes between cities are paved (Aka big cities, Santa Cruz, La Paz, Cochabamba, Sucre) . 4x4 is particularly required when off the flatter altiplano. Be aware that in mountainous regions traffic sometimes switches sides of the road. This is to ensure the driver has a better view of the dangerous drops.

An international drivers license is required but *most* times EU or US drivers licenses will be accepted. There are frequent police controls on the road and tolls to be paid for road use.

Buses to Bolivia

There are many options for traveling from Argentina to Bolivia by bus. Check out the Bolivian Embassy's website in Argentina ( http://www.embajadadebolivia.com.ar/turismo/acceso.htm ) for specific options.

By boat

It is common for tourists to arrive in Bolivia by boat, by navigating from the port city of Puno, Peru, over Lake Titicaca.

Get around

Transportation strikes (bloqueos) are a common occurrence in Bolivia, so try to keep tuned to local news. Strikes often affect local taxis as well as long-distance buses; airlines are generally unaffected.

Flights to Bolivia, airtickets

Flying within Bolivia is quick and fairly economical. Lloyd and AeroSur connect most major cities.

Buses to Bolivia

Bus transportation in Bolivia is a nice cheap way to get to see the beautiful scenery while traveling to your destination. Unfortunately the buses often travel solely at night. Occasionally, keep in mind that the road from La Paz to Cochabamba is blocked due to protests, often for several days. So, if you are planning to use the bus, you should also be willing to spend a few days sleeping on the bus. Also be wary of the "World's Most Dangerous Road" that goes from La Paz to the Amazon. Bus travel is usually pretty cheap. Estimate that it will cost you about 1 USD for every hour of travel (its easier to find travel times online than actual price quotes). Prices do change based on supply and demand. Sometimes you can get a deal by waiting until the last minute to buy. Hawkers are constantly crying out destinations in the bus stations cajoling potential riders to take their bus line.

By taxi

For longer trips between towns and cities that aren't served by bus, shared taxis are common.

Talk

Bolivia has three official languages : Spanish (often called Castellano), Quechua, and Aymara. In rural areas, many people do not speak Spanish. Nevertheless, you should be able to get by with some basic Castellano. Bolivia is one of the best places in which to learn or practice your Spanish because of their very clean, deliberate accent. There are many options for studying Spanish in Bolivia, and they are usually very good (often, the program includes a very good homestay component).

Shopping, Bolivia souvenirs

Foreign currency It can be difficult to change money other than euros and US dollars, even currency from neighboring countries! You might find more flexible exchange offices at airports, but be prepared for service fees and poor exchange rates.

The national currency is the boliviano. As of September 2006, the exchange rate is generally Bs8.05/$USD. Bills come in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20, and 10; coins are in 5, 2, and 1 bolivianos, and 50, 20, and you will find sometimes 10 centavos (1/100 of a boliviano). Bills larger than Bs20 can be hard to break, but a quick phone call or internet session at a Punto Entel (see Contact, below) will usually get you change.

Currency can be exchanged for US dollars and most South American currencies at casa de cambio agencies or street vendors. Expect to negotiate for a favorable exchange rate, as most vendors will try to make money off a tourist.

U.S. dollars are widely accepted in hotels, tourist shops, and for large purchases.

Good restaurants and cheap meals

Coca leaves Coca has been part of Andean culture for centuries, and chewing is still very common (and perfectly legal) in Bolivia. You should be able to buy a big bag of dried leaves at the local market. Coca is a stimulant, and it also suppresses hunger. Chewing a wad of leaves for a few minutes should bring slight numbness to your lips and throat. Remember the slogan (printed on souvenir T-shirts): La hoja de coca no es droga ("The coca leaf is not a drug"). But cocaine most definitely is an illegal drug. Remember this, only chew the leaf; if you eat the coca leaf you will get a very sick stomach. Another important word of advice: if you drink coca tea or chew coca leaves, you might fail a cocaine test for up to a month afterwards. Airline pilots occasionally get into trouble in La Paz, Bolivia by failing drug tests after drinking coca tea.

The cuisine of Bolivia might be called the original "meat and potatoes" -- the latter (locally called papas from the Quechua) were first cultivated by the Inca before spreading throughout the world. The most common meat is beef, though chicken and llama are also easily found. Pork is relatively rare. Deep frying (chicharron) is a common method of cooking all sorts of meat, and fried chicken is a very popular quick dish; at times the smell permeates the streets of Bolivian cities. Guinea pigs (cuy) and rabbits (conejo) are eaten in rural areas, though you can sometimes find them in urban restaurants as well. A common condiment served with Bolivian meals is llajhua, a spicy sauce similar to Mexican salsa.

Some notable Bolivian dishes:

• charque kan - llama jerky
• pique macho - grilled chunks of meat with tomatoes and onion, on potatoes
• silpancho - beef pounded to a thin, plate-sized patty, served on a bed of rice and potatoes, with a fried egg on top (Similar to wiener schnitzel).

Street food and snacks:

• anticucho - beef hearts grilled on a skewer, served with potatoes and a spicy corn sauce
• salchipapa - thinly sliced sausage fried with potatoes
• choripan - chorizo (spicy sausage) sandwich, served with grilled onions and lots of sauce

Breakfast (desayuno) typically consists of any of several of meat-filled buns:

• salteña - a baked bun filled with meat and potatoes in a slightly sweet or spicy sauce. Be careful when you take a bite, as the sauce will drip all over!
• tucumana - like a salteña but fried
• empanada - similar to a saltena, often filled with cheese as well as meat
• cuñape - a small roll filled with cheese, similar to Brazilian pão de queijo. The bread is made from cassava flour.

Many people also start off the day with some concoction involving fruit:

• ensalada de frutas: Many different fruits chopped in a bowl of yogurt. Very filling. Some stalls may have honey, nuts or gelatine on top, if you like.
• licuado: Water or milk blended with your favorite fruit combination. A big spoonful of sugar will be added unless you specifically ask them not to. Try the milk and papaya licuado.
• (super)vitaminico: Don't ask what's in here. Many fruits, milk, sugar, a shot of beer, and, if you wish, a whole egg (with shell).

Bolivia nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.

Juice bars appear at most markets. Shakes (either with water or milk) are 2-3Bs. Locals can be seen to drink "(insert name here)" an egg, beer and sugar concoction or "Vitima" which includes coca leaves.

Alcohol

Bolivia's traditional alcoholic drink is chicha, a whitish, sour brew made from fermented corn and drunk from a hemispherical bowl fashioned from a hollowed gourd (round-bottomed so you can't put it down). It's customary to spill a bit of chicha on the ground before and after drinking it as an offering to Pachamama, the Inca earth godess.

Singani is a grape liquor that's mixed with Sprite or ginger ale with lime garnish to make a cocktail called chuflay.

There are a number of local beers, the largest being Paceña and its high-end brand Huari. El Inca is a very sweet low-alcohol beer. Orange Cocktails are a popular drink too!

Hotels, youth hostels, lodging

Offering a favourable exchange for Western tourists, lodging can be found at very reasonable prices throughout the country, from hostels to luxury hotels.

Learn

Visitors who will come to Bolivia for study are usually attracted to reclusiveness of a pointedly cultural country whom most have never visited.

Work

Stay safe

There have been numerous reports of women tourists being drugged and raped during jungle excursions from Rurrenabaque. All tourists should be careful when selecting a travel guide and never accept medication from unverifiable sources.

If possible try to take "radio taxis" private cabs by calling them since there have been some incidents at night of fake cabs taken from the streets that are used to steal their occupants.

It is a good idea to register with the consulate of your country of residence upon entry into the country.

Stay healthy

Some parts of Bolivia like La Paz(3650), Potosí(4010), Oruro(3950) and the Lake Titicaca region are high altitude, so adequate precautions against "sorojche" altitude sickness should be taken. At local pharmacies they sell sorojchi pills, that are supposed to help with altitude problems.

However, severe cases of high altitude disease can be treated at the High Altitude Pathology Institute at Clinica IPPA http://altitudeclinic.com. This Clinic has the most advanced technology including a hyperoxic/hypoxic adaptation chamber. In addition, the sun's ultraviolet rays are much stronger -- up to 20 times -- than at sea level. A sun hat, sunglasses, and skin protection (sunblock or long sleeves) are advised.

• Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for those who plan on spending time in the Bolivian Amazon. It must be taken 10 days prior to the person’s arrival into the country if the visitor plans to visit rural areas.

• Malaria prophylaxis is recommended if the visitor plans to visit tropical-rural areas.

• As a preventive measure, taking the following vaccines is recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Tetanus, Diphtheria and Measles Booster-Vaccines.

Respect

Do not use the word "indigena" or "indio" in Bolivia to describe indigenous people. It is considered offensive. The term they use is "campesino" which translates to farmer. "Cholo" is a campesino who moved to the city, and though originally derogatory, has become more of a symbol of indigenous power. Nevertheless, some locals still use the word cholo as a derogative term.

Contact

Bolivia's national phone company Entel has outlets on practically every block in major cities. Most Punto Entel shops also have internet-connected PCs, typically Bs4/hr.

While traditional payphones still exist, you can also make local calls for Bs1 from cellular phones at kiosks or "walking phone booths" - look for a guy in a green vest with a cellphone on a chain.

In Santa Cruz you can book some great excursions, like a trekking in Park Amboro, Noel Kempff, a river boat trip in the Amazon region, cultural excursions to the Jesuit Missions etc. A good and reliable tour agency is Dutch owned Ruta Verde. They are located 3 blocks from the plaza, Calle 21 de Mayo 332. Website: http://www.rutaverdebolivia.com .

If going trekking, mountainclimbing or biking, a good reliable operator in La Paz is Topas Bolivia. This company is managed by international standards, and receives funds for developing sustainable tourism. Website:http://www.topas.bo

Featured articles
China travel tips: Language / pensions culture in Barcelona / cheap youth hostels singapore / hotels and hostels in Trastevere in Rome / Major Morocco tourist attractions / South Africa political attractions / Vancouver visitors guide, culture & youth hostels / Las Vegas hotels, top casinos, tours and shows . .