Out of the Beaten Tracks places to visit in Bolivia
Explore Bolivia's hidden gems: from the surreal Desierto de Dalí to mystical Samaipata.
Unexplored Sights in the Andes
Sajama National Park
Nestled near the Chilean border, Sajama National Park is home to Bolivia’s highest peak. The park is a less-visited haven for mountaineers and trekkers seeking solace and a challenge. Spotted with ancient queñua trees, the oldest in the world, it’s a place that gives “tree-hugging” a new, record-breaking meaning.
Kari Kari Lagoon
Potosí isn’t just for silver; venture beyond the mines to the Kari Kari Lagoons. These artificial lakes, crafted by Inca engineering, offer serene vistas and a hefty dose of tranquility. Local lore speaks of hidden Inca gold in these waters, but the real treasure is the undisturbed picnic spot you’ll find here.
Sorata’s Cave Systems
Not for the claustrophobic, the cave systems near Sorata are vast, eerie, and untouched. Spelunking here feels like an audition for a role in a B-movie about lost civilizations. Just remember, if you stumble upon ancient artifacts, Indiana Jones ethics apply: “It belongs in a museum!”
The Enchantment of the Amazon Basin
Madidi National Park’s Deeper Regions
Madidi National Park is vast, but its deeper realms are where the wild things skulk. With biodiversity that scoffs at the very idea of a “top ten” list, venturing here means you’re choosing to share your room with more species than most countries host.
The Pampas of Yacuma
The Pampas of Yacuma is where the Amazon gets its cowboy boots on. This aquatic savannah is teeming with wildlife, from pink river dolphins to capybaras, the rodent monarchs of cute aggression. It’s the Animal Planet, with a touch of the Wild West.
Mojos Plains Archeological Sites
In the Mojos Plains, you’ll find mounds that make the average ant hill look like child’s play. Created by a pre-Columbian civilization, these earthworks are a testament to human ingenuity. Forget crop circles; these are the real extraterrestrial signs, except made by our industrious ancestors.
Cultural Havens Beyond the Tourist Trail
Tarabuco’s Sunday Market
Tarabuco’s Sunday Market is not your average flea market. Here, the Yampara culture is sewn into every textile. On Sundays, the town explodes with color and tradition, making it the perfect place to improve your haggling skills or simply soak in the vibrant atmosphere.
The Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos
The Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos are not just churches, they’re a Baroque symphony in architecture form. Nestled in the jungles of Santa Cruz, these religious relics are where Jesus meets the jungle. A UNESCO site without the selfie sticks? Amen to that.
El Fuerte de Samaipata
El Fuerte de Samaipata is not a fort but a riddle carved into rock. Some say it’s a religious site, others an alien landing pad. Whatever it is, it’s the perfect place to unleash your inner conspiracy theorist while enjoying panoramic views that even your camera will find spiritual.
Adventurous Paths in the Altiplano
The Lipez Volcanoes
The Lipez Volcanoes are a geological boy band of craters and calderas. Each one offers a unique trekking adventure, complete with lunar landscapes and the occasional flamingo photobombing your shots. Bring warm clothes; the volcanoes may be hot-headed, but the nights here are cold-hearted.
The Uyuni Train Cemetery’s Outskirts
The Uyuni Train Cemetery is where locomotives go to die and Instagrammers to thrive. But beyond the rusted metal carcasses, the outskirts are a starkly beautiful expanse where silence is the only thing that echoes, and the horizon is the only thing that crowds you.
The Coipasa Salt Flats
Sure, the Uyuni Salt Flats are the prom king, but the Coipasa Salt Flats are the mysterious exchange student. Less trodden and equally stunning, here you can have a salt flat so to yourself; your footprints might be the first extraterrestrial signs for future generations to ponder.
Bolivia’s Untouched Natural Beauty
Carrasco National Park
Carrasco National Park is so diverse; it could start its own ecosystem-only dating app. From cloud forests to canyons, the park is a treasure trove for nature lovers. Bring your binoculars, as the bird-watching here turns even the most reserved ornithologist into a paparazzo.
The Apolobamba Mountain Range
The Apolobamba Mountain Range is a place where the condors fly high and the trekkers aim higher. With trails that see more llamas than humans, it’s an off-the-grid trekker’s paradise. Remember, a selfie with a llama is mandatory here, or it didn’t happen.
The Sand Dunes of Lomas de Arena
In the Sand Dunes of Lomas de Arena, you can indulge in your Lawrence of Arabia fantasies, sans the scorching heat. Located just outside Santa Cruz, these dunes are a mini Sahara, perfect for when you tire of green scenery and need a quick desert fix.
Bolivia’s Lesser-Known Historical Sites
The Ruins of Incallajta
The Ruins of Incallajta remain a mystery wrapped in an enigma, wearing a hat of obscurity. This vast Incan site was once a fortress and a ceremonial center, and today, it’s an open-air history lesson waiting for those who prefer ruins without the queues.
Tiwanaku’s Remote Corners
While most flock to the main attractions of Tiwanaku, the site’s remote corners are where the tranquility of the past whispers. The hordes of tourists are replaced by stoic stone faces that seem to judge you for not visiting them sooner.
The Mining Towns of Potosí
The Mining Towns of Potosí offer a gritty slice of history. Once home to the silver that lined the pockets of empires, these towns now tell a story of boom and bust, a bygone era, and the resilience of the human spirit. Plus, you can buy dynamite in the market; talk about explosive shopping!