The Ultimate 2 Weeks in Bolivia Itinerary
Bolivia was the first country we visited when we started traveling full-time and it may have been the best choice ever! It was an enjoyable trip to plan, and through our experience, we have created the best 2 weeks in Bolivia Itinerary for you to use as a guide to plan your unforgettable trip.
These 2 weeks in Bolivia will allow you to see much of the country and smaller towns you may have skipped otherwise. Of course, 2 weeks is still not enough time to fully explore this incredible country, but it will leave you with fond memories that will last a lifetime.
Brandon and I still talk about how this was the perfect way to kick off our full-time travel. Though some may be nervous about going to Bolivia, we will give you the tools and knowledge to be confident in your travels. So, let’s get started with two weeks in Bolivia!
Things to know before your 2 Weeks in Bolivia
Before you take off on your incredible 2 weeks in Bolivia, there are a few things you need to consider before hopping on that plane! We did a lot of research, and here are the most important things to know.
Visa Requirements:
Different countries have different visa requirements for entering Bolivia. Upon arrival, U.S. Citizens must pay $160 USD for a ten-year visa. Make sure you have all the correct documentation to enter the country.
Consult your country’s Bolivian consulate or embassy to verify whether a visa is needed, what type of visa to apply for, and any necessary documentation or fees. Additionally, be aware of any specific entry requirements related to health, such as vaccinations, to ensure a smooth journey for your 2 weeks in Bolivia.
Bolivia’s Climate – When is the best time to visit Bolivia?
Although Bolivia is small, it has very diverse climates. Generally the dry season is during the winter (May – August) and the wet season is in the summer (November – February).
Altiplano (High Plateau) is a cold and dry area. Located around La Paz, Alto, and Potosí. Be ready to wear some layers and travel in high altitudes.
Yungas and Valleys have mild, subtropical climates. With mild temperatures year-round, they are spring-like. This is a delightful climate to travel through!
The Amazon basin and lowlands are hot and humid. The average temperature is around 80°F, but it can vary between months. The Amazon experiences a wet season (December-March) with constant torrential rains and potential flooding and a drier season (April-October), but it’s still humid.
Chaco Region is a hot and semi-arid area located in the Southeastern part of the country.
How do you prevent altitude sickness?
Most of Bolivia sits well above sea level, with La Paz at about 11,942 ft, Uyuni at about 11,995 ft, and Sucre at 9,186 ft, just to name a few. So, you’ll likely feel the altitude right away. Here are a few tips to help:
- Take the first few days slow.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
- Try the local Coca Leaves or Coca Tea.
- Acclimate gradually (If possible).
- Know the symptoms!
How to get around for 2 weeks in Bolivia?
Getting around Bolivia was relatively easy! You can take busses or flights depending on what suits you.
Flights are quicker but more expensive, and buses are cheap but can take a long time. You can purchase bus tickets online or at the bus stations!
There mode is easy to use! We only used busses during our time in Bolivia and really enjoyed how easy they were to use and we found them very reliable. We used online websites for our bookings like busbud.com and ticketsbolivia.com.
2 Weeks in Bolivia Itinerary
Now, let’s dive in. Depending on your travels, this itinerary can be completely flipped around! My husband and I took South to North, traveling to Peru after Bolivia, but if you are traveling first to Peru and then to Bolivia, feel free to flip it around!
- Day 1 – Arrive in Uyuni
- Day 2 – 4 Uyuni Salt Flat Tour
- Overnight bus to Sucre
- Day 5 – 7 Explore Sucre
- Overnight bus to La Paz
- Day 8 – 10 La Paz
- Day 11 Copacabana
- Day 12 – 13 Isle del Sol
- Day 14 Travel back to La Paz
Day 1 – 4 Uyuni Salt Flats
If you’re traveling to Bolivia, you must visit the world’s largest salt flat – Salar de Uyuni. And if you are spending 2 weeks in Bolivia, we highly recommend a 3 day/2 night tour of the area.
Day 1 – Arrive in Uyuni
Getting to Uyuni
Getting to Uyuni can depend on where you start your travels. We flew into La Paz and took an overnight bus, arriving in Uyuni in the early morning. You can also purchase flights from La Paz to Uyuni, which are quicker but more expensive.
We spent one day relaxing and enjoying the area’s beauty at a hotel made entirely of salt. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that refreshed us for our upcoming adventure in the Salt Flats.
It also made it easy to start our tour the next morning!
However, if you are starting your journey in Chile, you can begin your salt flat tour directly from San Pedro de Atacama.
Booking a Salt Flat Tour
Many companies offer 3D/2N salt flat tours. You can book online, but you can also book in person a day before for better deals.
We booked with Perla de Bolivia and had a wonderful time! For more details, read our guide about the Uyuni Salt Flat Tour here!
Day 2 – Start of Uyuni Salt Flat Tour
On the first day of the tour, you will visit the abandoned train in Uyuni, a town that processes salt, a salt hotel, and the salt flats. Depending on your season, you may also visit Cactus Island!
Tours typically end their first day with a sunset of the salt flats, which is magic.
This will be your only day in the salt flats, so get all your pictures! If you want more tips about the Salt Flat Tour check out this blog post!
Day 3 – Lagoons, Flamingos, Volcanoes – Oh my!
On day two of the tour, you will drive through various rock formations, valleys, and dormant and active volcanoes—the landscape is truly incredible. You will also visit different lagoons and see flamingos!
Day 4 – Geysers and Hot Springs
This will be an early day. You will start with geysers and hot springs and then make your way back to Uyuni. It will be a long drive (about 5 hours), and you’ll arrive back in Uyuni around midday.
The afternoon is a great time to enjoy dinner and purchase souvenirs you may want from Uyuni.
You will then take an overnight bus to Sucre!
Day 5 – 7 Sucre
Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia and will surprise you! It is one of the most beautiful cities in Bolivia, with well-preserved colonial buildings and a rich history and culture.
It is often said that Sucre has permanent springtime and temperate weather year-round. And we can agree that the weather was wonderful in Sucre and well worth a few days during your 2 weeks in Bolivia.
Day 5 – Explore Sucre Slowly
Once arriving early in Sucre, get checked into your accommodation. We stayed close to the main square, making exploring the city very easy! Many accommodations also have luggage drop-offs, so you can start exploring immediately.
Enjoy a slow morning with breakfast at Salteñeria El Patio. They have incredible Salteñas, and close once they run out of stock. It is located in a beautiful colonial building, too!
Then start to explore the central plaza (Plaza 25 de Mayo). Enjoy the colonial architecture and watch local life unfold. If you’re up for it, take a free walking tour (they often start mid-morning) to get the lay of the land and some history.
Then head to one of the many museums to learn more about this incredible area and country!
Head up to La Recoleta Mirador in the evening for stunning city views and a relaxed vibe. Grab a coffee or lemonade at Café Mirador nearby and then head downtown to grab dinner at a rooftop restaurant.
Day 6 – Culture and History of Sucre
The next morning, explore Parque Cretácico, where you can see real-life dinosaur footprints! You can visit an outdoor museum before heading down to the quarry floor to get up close and personal with these ancient footprints.
Head back to Sucre and visit the vibrant central market. Grab some food and explore the surrounding streets—Sucre is full of quiet charm, little artisan shops, and photogenic alleys. You can even visit Bolivia’s “Eiffel Tower.”
Enjoy a slow night with a dinner and show at Espacio Cultural Origenes where you can see folk dance performances and learn their history and meaning!
Day 7 – Final Day in Sucre
Enjoy some more time diving into Sucre’s beauty or visit another museum. One area we recommend exploring is Cementerio General. This might not seem like something to do on a vacation, but it truly is.
Head to San Felipe de Neri convent to take pictures from the rooftop and admire the beautiful architecture!
And be sure to taste some Bolivian chocolate! There are two chocolatiers in Sucre: Taboada and Para Ti. Pop into their stores and see which is the best!
Pack up and get ready for an overnight bus ride to La Paz.
Day 8 – 10 La Paz
La Paz is a vibrant, high-altitude city nestled in a deep canyon surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Sitting at roughly 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) above sea level, it’s one of the highest capital cities in the world. While Sucre is Bolivia’s constitutional capital, La Paz is the administrative and governmental center, giving it an energetic, urban pulse.
There are so many different things to do in La Paz, from food to history to cultural activities, that you can plan another day here, especially if you are a city person!
Day 8 – Get your Bearings
We highly recommend doing a free walking tour of La Paz as your first activity. You will learn much about the city’s history, see fascinating alleys and shops, and gain confidence in navigating the area.
After the tour, we always like to plan a little time to return to some of the areas our guide showed us so we don’t feel rushed looking around. Especially with this one since you will most likely go to many markets and shopping areas.
Midday- head to Calle Jaén, a notable street with many museums and colorful buildings to explore. Nearby is Plaza Murillo, the central Plaza of Bolivia, home to the presidential palace, cathedral, and legislative buildings.
Evening – take a dinner food tour – you will not regret it!! You will try local foods, see the streets at night with a local guide, and leave with a full belly!
Day 9 – La Paz in Depth
Explore the unique local transportation – Mi Teleférico. There is a tour you can take about the line or hop on these popular routes: Red Line – known for its panoramic views of the city and its journey up to El Alto. The Green Line also offers scenic views as it travels from southern Zona Sur to the city center, connecting with other lines.
For Lunch, try out Popular Cocina Bolivian Popular Food. Be prepared for a wait and some good food! You also won’t be disappointed with other local restaurants either!
In the afternoon, head to Mirador Killi Killi, which has one of the city’s best viewpoints, and go to the Museum of Ethnography and Folklore to learn about Bolivia’s diverse indigenous cultures.
Check out the Sopocachi area for dinner and enjoy the hip and vibrant area.
And if you want one of your life’s best cookies, go to Madame Brownie.
Day 10 – Day Trip from La Paz
There are so many incredible things to do close to La Paz; taking a day trip is a great option. Here are a few we would recommend:
- Biking Death Road
- Hiking Valle de la Luna or Valle De Las Animas
- Take a guided trip to Charquini Mountain
Day 11 – 13 Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake, located between Bolivia and Peru. Although Peru owns most of the lake, Bolivia has parts of the lake you need to explore during your 2 weeks in Bolivia.
Day 11 – Arrive in Copacabana
Take the morning bus to Copacabana and enjoy the scenery along the way!
In the afternoon and evening, enjoy the quaint town of Copacabana. Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, climb Cerro El Calvario for panoramic views of the city, walk along the shore, and enjoy the sunset. For dinner, try the local trout!
Day 12 – Isla del Sol
One of the most iconic places you can do is take a boat ride to Isla Del Sol.
According to Incan lore, this island is said to be the birthplace of the sun god and the creation place of the first Incas. The island is filled with history, ruins, and beauty.
It also has hiking trails and places to relax and soak in the beauty.
We recommend spending one night on the island for a fully immersive experience! We stayed here (it was nothing fancy, but we enjoyed it!). You can also take the boat back to Copacabana if you choose.
Day 13 – Lake Life
If you choose to stay the night, enjoy a slow morning on the island. Soak in the area’s beauty and peace. Then head back to the mainland!
You can also explore Isla de la Luna, the Island of the Moon, or take a tour of the floating village nearby for your final day there.
Another favorite is renting paddle boats to boat around yourself!
Feel free to take your time in Copacabana by spending one more night here or head back to La Paz early.
Day 14 – La Paz
Wrap up your two-week adventure by heading back to La Paz to catch your flight, or continue North to Peru via a land border crossing!
Extras for your 2 weeks in Bolivia
If you have extra time or really like to pack your schedule here are a few more areas worth exploring in Bolivia. Like we mentioned earlier, 2 weeks in Bolivia is not enough time to see it all, but it gives you a great feel for the country!
- Santa Cruz de la Sierra
- The Bolivian Amazon Rain Forest
