Exploring Bolivia – where the journey can be as thrilling as the destination

You've heard the adage that it’s not just about reaching your goal but enjoying the ride? Few places in the world offer journeys as grand as in Bolivia, which compresses a continent’s diverse landscapes – towering mountains, high plateaus, and lush jungles – into a compact area.

Traveling from one location to another often means ascending or descending – sometimes thousands of meters – on buses that meander along twisting roads. This is the go-to transport for many Bolivians and an exhilarating adventure.

However, it’s not for everyone, and there are other options. Planes, trains, and even cable cars can make your travels smoother for those who prefer a gentler ride. Here’s how to navigate Bolivia.

Observe the ever-changing scenery from your bus seat

Bus travel is undoubtedly the most popular way to move between locations in Bolivia. Plus, you’ll have the chance to meet fellow travelers and experience the remarkable diversity of the country's ever-changing landscapes.

That being said, bus journeys are not for the faint-hearted, especially if you're starting or ending in La Paz, which sits at nearly 4000m (13,123ft) above sea level. Be prepared for significant altitude changes, unexpected stops, and winding roads without guardrails. Always keep an eye on your belongings; theft can occur in both terminals and on the buses.

When traveling during the rainy season (November to April) or heading to the Amazon Basin, it’s wise to inquire about road conditions beforehand.

For added comfort, regardless of the circumstances, it's worth spending a little more for a cama (reclining seat) or semicama (partially reclining seat). Additionally, here are some terms to remember: flotas are long-distance buses, buses refer to large regional vehicles, and micros are minibuses.

Among the more reputable bus companies in Bolivia are Todo Turismo, Trans Salvador, and Trans Copacabana. For comparing prices and booking trips, TicketsBolivia and EnBus are excellent English-language resources.

Many travelers leaving La Paz for Peru opt for the convenience of Bolivia Hop, a private service that provides various multi-day hop-on, hop-off bus routes past Lake Titicaca to either Lima or Cusco (for Machu Picchu).

Reduce your stress and take a flight

Flying is undoubtedly the quickest and most hassle-free method to navigate this mountainous country. The primary airports are Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz and El Alto International Airport, which is perched high above La Paz (so high that oxygen tanks are available in the arrivals area for those who may suffer from altitude sickness!).

If you’re planning to visit the Amazon Basin but dread the idea of a 24-hour bus journey, both major airports offer flights to Trinidad and Cobija, though the more popular destination of Rurrenabaque can only be accessed from La Paz.

Cities like Sucre, Tarija, and Cochabamba are all well-connected, with the latter being the sole airport servicing Uyuni, famous for its nearby salt flats.

Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) serves as the national airline of Bolivia, fully owned by the government, and boasts the most extensive flight network throughout the country. Amaszonas is BoA’s primary competitor and often the only option for northern flights to the Amazon Basin.

On the other hand, EcoJet offers a budget-friendly alternative, operating a limited route network with just three jets. Flights with all three airlines are usually quite economical, but schedules can change suddenly, and cancellations are common. During the summer rainy season, flying may be the only viable option to reach many locations, especially in the north.

Take a ride on a scenic train

Similar to much of Latin America, train travel in Bolivia is quite fragmented. There is a well-known tourist train that departs from El Alto (above La Paz) to the ruins of Tiwanaku, ending at Guaqui on Lake Titicaca before making a return trip in the evening.

Another train service runs from Oruro to Uyuni, but you'll likely need to reach either station by bus or plane, which makes it less practical. You can find the latest routes and schedules through Ferroviaria Andina.

A separate service operates in eastern Bolivia, featuring passenger trains from Santa Cruz east to Quijarro and south to Yacuiba. For the most current schedules on these routes, check with Ferroviaria Oriental.

Navigate the streets of Bolivia by car

Given the complexity of Bolivia’s road network, few international travelers opt to rent a vehicle. However, having a car can be beneficial for quick trips in and around Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, or Sucre, where the traffic is more manageable.

Renting motorbikes (or moto-taxis) for day excursions is also popular in the warmer lowland cities. Cars are generally not advisable for journeys into the Amazon Basin unless you are fluent in Spanish and can handle various challenging conditions, such as flash floods, muddy terrain, and large potholes.

Many visitors to La Paz prefer to hire a car with a driver who knows the winding roads that lead to the high mountain passes or down to the cloud forests of the Yungas. International rental agencies like Hertz and Europcar operate in La Paz and Santa Cruz.

Hail a taxi or catch a trufi

Taxis can be found in most major cities and are quite affordable. One of the easiest and safest ways for tourists to utilize them is through a taxi app like Uber, though it’s primarily available in larger cities such as La Paz and Santa Cruz.

Keep in mind that many taxis are actually trufis (shared taxis) that operate on fixed routes and pick up additional passengers along the way.

La Paz offers accessible transportation and accommodations

Unfortunately, Bolivia is not well-equipped for travelers with disabilities, mainly due to its outdated infrastructure. The notable exception is Mi Teléferico in La Paz, which is the first public transport system in the country designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.

La Paz boasts the highest number of hotels with wheelchair-accessible rooms, including Atix and Hotel Camino Real located in the quieter Zona Sur area. For additional information, visit Dinogo Planet’s accessible travel online resources.

Why Mi Teleférico is my top choice for getting around Bolivia

There are few cities worldwide where I would use public transportation just for the fun of it, but La Paz is one of them. This is largely due to its possession of the longest aerial cable car system on the planet: Mi Teleférico.

These vibrant cabins float above the city like a scene from a sci-fi film, linking the upscale Calacoto neighborhood with the historic Casco Viejo, as well as the predominantly Indigenous city of El Alto, which sits about 500m (1640ft) higher.

From this perspective, gazing out the window of a cable car, you can finally appreciate the remarkable setting of Bolivia’s cloud-enveloped capital, nestled within a deep earthen bowl high in the Andes.

Along the horizon rise peaks that soar to 6000m (19,685ft). Below, you can see the scattered homes and towering buildings of around two million residents. The view – much like the altitude here – is truly breathtaking.