- Bolivia
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The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is one of the most stunningly beautiful places I have ever seen. If you're into your landscapes, forget Peru and Machu Picchu, head instead for Bolivia and for US$90 you can spend three days in paradise.
Serere lodge is the ecology project of Madidi Travel to recover a reserve of flood plain in the Bolivian rainforest (one of the Amazon's major tributaries).
We spent four blissful days at the lodge, got to within a stone's throw of various monkeys, snakes etc. and some of the most amazing flora I've ever seen. However, the kicker is every penny of your money goes into the project and helps re-establish the community and wildlife from a shadow of its former self.
www.madidi-travel.com/
Fly from La Paz on Amazonsas or TAM
Sprawled across Calles Jimenez and Linares is the best and bizarrest market that I have ever been to. You won't find plastic witches' fingernails, toy broomsticks, plastic pumpkins or daft monster masks here... this is proper Witchyness! The hundreds and hundreds of stalls sell all manner of potions and lucky 'charms'. The biggest seller, found swinging from the frames of most market stalls (mind your head) is dried llama foetus. Considered to be good luck if you are moving house... the idea being that you bury it in the garden or the foundations of the house (can't see it catching on with Barratts) and it will bring you prosperity.
Sadly llamas are not the only animals considered to have healing properties or be considered lucky - dried turtles, monkeys and even beaks of certain tropical birds are displayed to entice.
It's an eye-opening experience and I'd argue that to miss it is to miss an important part of Bolivian culture. I wouldn't recommend it to the faint hearted or for youngsters who might be expecting their own Latin America Diagon Alley... this place is definitely more Lord Voldemort than it is Professor Dumbledore.
Calle Jimenez, Calle Linares, La Paz Bolivia
Sustainable Bolivia provides volunteer placements, family-stay opportunities, Spanish and Quechua language classes and sustainable ecotourism excursions throughout Bolivia. All the people at Sustainable Bolivia were extremely friendly and always looking to help me in any way necessary. I volunteered for 4 months and it was an experience I will never forget. In this time I lived with a family who treated me as if I was their own son. I only took two weeks of language classes but I was extremely satisfied with the instruction and professors. Additionally they have their own travel agency and provided invaluable travel tips.
Generally speaking I had a wonderful experience and if anyone is looking to travel, volunteer or take language classes in South America, I recommend you contact Sustainable Bolivia.
Calle Alfredo Michel No. 1174
Zona Las Cuadras
Cochabamba, Bolivia
+591(4)4231142
www.sustainablebolivia.org
In and around Tupiza the landscape is very similar to the wild west in the USA. Lots of weird rock formations and bold colours. The best way to view all of this is on horseback.
There are quite a few different options for people who have never been on a horse, and some for the experienced rider. You can also do a walk-bike-horseride-jeep combination which is quite challenging but very good. The only problem with Tupiza is that there are few restaurants to choose from, but it does have one or two good ones, and an internet cafe.
Tupiza is south Bolivia, near the Argentinian Boarder and there are many places to book activities, usually at hotels which are all central.
Volunteer Bolivia offers tours of Cochabamba department, home stays, Spanish classes and volunteer work. They are extremely professional, they have the best teachers in Cochabamba for Spanish. My family was very nice and helpful and became a second family to me. They work with small organisations so their volunteer work is specialised and you will be the only gringo there. To have a "real" experience of Bolivia, there is no one better than Volunteer Bolivia.
www.volunteerbolivia.org/
342 Calle Ecuador, Cochabamba, Bolivia
Tel: +591 (4) 452 6028
info@volunteerbolivia.org
Just outside Uyuni, and on the edge of Salar de Uyuni, is the Train Graveyard - a collection of rusting hulks, former trains from as far afield as the UK, that have now been left to the elements. Dust devils whirl around you and the silence is eery.
Uyuni, easy to take in as part of a tour of Salar de Uyuni.
The Cerro Rico mine is one of the last fully-functional mines in Bolivia. As long as you are fit, healthy, and not claustrophobic in the slightest, you can climb down into the damp, dark chambers and experience what life is like for the miners. In exchange for being gawked at by tourists, you can bring the miners gifts of coca leaves and cigarettes.
Arrange a tour with your hostel/hotel and you will be picked up in a minibus. The entrance to the mine lies just outside the city and you must go with a guide
The view from the bell tower of the cathedral is awe-inspiring. You can see the entire city, which is not very big, and the surrounding hills and mountains against the backdrop of the permanently clear blue sky. It really makes you feel like you are 4070 metres above sea level!
The shady side of the central plaza
A couple of agencies in the main tourist/backpacker areas run bike trips down to Coroico. From a pass above La Paz (4800m altitude) the road passes through the mountains and into the tropical jungle for 60-odd km to the lovely village/town of Coroico (1800m altitude) You are on the bike with guides all the way. Bring sunglasses to protect against the dust, and strong wrists to keep the brakes locked on...it's an awesome experience.
www.realadventures.com/listings/1038619.htm
but a few operators run this trip
You pass beautiful local villages and people and the landscape and views are breathtaking - every one should do it!
Copacobana - Bolivia.The walk is detailed in the Lonely Planet and various agencies in Copa.
A really friendly but quiet little place, which, while slightly on the expensive side for mains, is unmissable for the chocolate cake – the best in Bolivia I've found (five months and counting…)
Sucre, about two blocks away from the plaza - just ask someone
This is possibly one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced. Central La Paz lies in a valley, or chasm (make no mistake, this "valley" is still at an altitude of 3,500m), surrounded by a high plateau.
Get a cab way before dawn and ask to be dropped off at a panoramic point somewhere halfway up the mountain: the views at sunrise are breathtaking, and due to La Paz's unique geographical location this experience will probably stay with you for a long time.
Obviously you should not do this alone or take valuables.
Ask a cab driver, preferably one that has been recommended by your hotel or hostel, to drop you off at a panorama point that he knows and recommends. This should be about halfway up the mountain, between central La Paz and the city of El Alto at the top
A very friendly, non-profit making language school providing lessons in Spanish, English and Quechuan along with many volunteering opportunities as a teacher or as a much needed assistant in one of the town’s nurseries and orphanages.
Calle San Alberto 30, 2nd Yard; www.foxacademysucre.com
I suggest you walk from Copacabana 17km to Yamaipata, a village on the end of the island. And take a rowing boat to the Inca ruins then walk to the first village and stay in a hostel.
The best international-standard restaurant in town has an impressive old Europe setting and a strong Germanic influence. It’s not cheap by Bolivian standards, but a good excuse to dress up and mix with the local high society; the set lunch is a good value way to soak up the atmosphere.
Calle Frederico Zuazo #1905
Tel: 244 1660
www.restaurantvienna.com
For an unrivaled view of Sucre visit the restuarant beside La Recoleta. Jump in a cheap taxi, or walk uphill for 10 minutes from the main Plaza to reach La Recoleta. The restaurant is down a few steps next to the market stalls, you'll not miss it.
After 2 days of luxury in Hotel Rosario, we moved to Alojamiento Juan XXIII, which although in the budget category was a great base to explore the city. At around Bs. 45 per room (£3-£4) it is incredibly good value for a clean, freshly decorated room with hot showers (unusual in Bolivia). With great hosts, a pretty garden and stunning views over the city I can thoroughly recommend this place for a great budget option.
Alojamiento Juan XXIII
Calle Juan XXIII No 24
Tel: 2312207 - 77525468
La Paz’s best overall hotel for value and service, comprises an adapted 19th-century colonial house built around a sunny courtyard. Rooms are tastefully decorated, facilities good and both the on-site coffee/internet bar and restaurant offer good-quality snacks and meals.
Avenida Illampu #704; tel: 245 1658; www.hotelrosario.com
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