MAIN Travel South America Bolivia

Located in the very heart of South America, the country is an exciting mix of modern and ancient, remote and accessible.

Its natural, rugged beauty provides for one of the world's most epic vistas from Chacaltaya mountain near La Paz) while Madidi National Park ("where the Andes meet the Amazon") -- offers the richest, most biodiverse tropical jungles on the planet.

Travel superlatives in Bolivia also include a trip to the famous salt desert, the Salar de Uyuni, the worlds largest salt flat -- for as far as the eye can see!

Bolivia also shares the world's highest navigable lake, Titicaca, with its neighbor Peru.

Its very remoteness, in fact, is the reason that Bolivia is high on the list of world ecotourism centers, and also of special interest to anthropologists. For a glimpse back in time, all one need do is look to Bolivia's population, more than half of which boasts pure Native American ancestry.

La Paz, the capital city, is where many travelers touch down for a first taste of the ancient and exotic. Must-sees include a stroll down Sagarnaga Street, the main tourist thoroughfare, and a stop at the nearby "Witches' Market" for everything from native musical instruments to dried frogs used in native Indian rituals.

A native of Madidi National Park poses for the camera.

Farther afield, a stop at Cochacomba is also required for sampling the local cuisine, with great eating at some of Bolivia's best restaurants. While here, also don't miss the hustle and bustle at South America's largest and most colorful open air market, La Cancha.

Finally, if you're traveling through Bolivia in early spring, don't miss the trip to Oruro for one of the country's most exciting and colorful carnivals.

Have fun!

DID YOU KNOW? Bolivia Travel Fun Facts

Moon walking in Bolivia.

From La Paz, take the day trip to the “Valley of the Moon” for a one-of-a-kind photo op of a desolate, lunar-like landscape featuring monoliths and rock formations formed by thousands of years of erosion.

• Bolivia boasts the world’s largest butterfly sanctuary at the Guembe Biocenter in Santa Cruz.

• If traveling to the famous salt flats don't miss a side trip to the antique train cemetery, a collection of steam engines and trains abandoned there in the 19th century.

.
More about Bolivia tourist destinations around the Web:

Bolivia Web - Make your way up the Andes, or get great suggestions on what else to do with more on hotels, accommodations and tours, weather info, recipes, art and culture, image galleries, visa requirements, country facts and more.

La Paz travel guide - Wikitravel guide to the city and its people with photos, information on top attractions, good suggestions on hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs, plus practical tips on getting around.