Bolivia Travel Specialists
Our Bolivia specialists are experienced and passionate about the country - between them they have spent many weeks a year researching new experiences and ensuring everything is of the highest standard. They know Bolivia inside out.
NickBolivia Specialist01993 838 607
If you are looking for a new guitar then La Paz is the ideal place to purchase one. They are cheap, good quality and the shops will package and send them home for you.
Bolivia travel specialist - Nick
SarahBolivia Specialist01993 838 623
No trip to Bolivia is complete without trying the delicious salteñas, the local version of cornish pasties! They are sold everywhere.
Bolivia travel specialist - Sarah
Practical Information
Bolivia has long been one of our favourite Latin American countries, and our extensive knowledge of Bolivia comes from many years of operating tailor-made and group travel in this region.
We return regularly and are always on the look out for new tours and hotels as they open up.
Getting around
We use internal flights between the main towns, but outside of these areas a lot of the travelling is done on bumpy roads in four wheel drive vehicles, accompanied by a guide and skilled driver.
We are aware that travelling extensively through Bolivia can be a little arduous due to the distances involved, the altitude and the frequent delays, but firmly believe that it is more than worth it.
Combining Bolivia with other countries
As well as a stand-alone destination, Bolivia fits in perfectly with itineraries to Peru or Chile (or both), and we have researched the best land routes between these three countries.
Language
Spanish is the official language, English is rarely spoken. Many indigenous communities in the highlands still have the ancient languages of Quechua and Aymara as their mother (and in many cases only) tongue.
Food and drink
Grains and potatoes form the staple diet of the highlanders, often cooked with chilli-like sauces. There are many nourishing varieties of soups, and little meat pastries are very popular. In the lowlands, food is based more around the rice, yucca and bananas grown there. The local beers are cheap and tasty, and chicha is a traditionally potent Andean alcohol made from fermented corn.
Tipping
Tipping for good service is an accepted fact. Amounts are obviously discretionary.
Money and expense
The Bolivian currency is the boliviano (divided into 100 centavos), and it is relatively stable. It is virtually impossible to change outside of the country. Change is usually in short supply. Changing US dollars or traveller's cheques (not sterling) in banks and bureaus de change is relatively easy, automatic cash dispensers are becoming more widespread in the major cities and towns. Visa and Mastercard are quite widely accepted.
Under The Skin
Read
'Marching Powder' by Rusty Young, about life in the infamous San Pedro prison in La Paz.
Listen
Bolivian music has an Amerindian style (originating from the Quecha and Aymara speaking Indians) and is based around the use of wind and percussion instruments such as panpipes, guitars, quenas (flutes), prehispanic trumpets and drums.
Eat
You cannot avoid potatoes, especially in the highlands where the varieties literally number hundreds. Quinoa (a type of grain) is also a mainstay of traditional Bolivian food.
Drink
Chicha, the traditional Andean drink made from fermented corn. Coca tea - great for helping with the altitude.
Trademarks
Indigenous culture, amazing scenery.
Llama and Alpaca wool knitted garments can be bought very cheaply throughout the country and are an excellent souvenir. Muiscal instruments are also good to buy, especially the flutes and mandolins.