South America Travel Blog

Flying a drone in Bolivia sounds like a cracking way to capture surreal salt flats, Andean peaks & dusty colonial towns from the sky. But before you fire up the DJI & go full Spielberg, you’ll want to know Bolivia drone laws – they’re not quite Wild West but they’re not exactly streamlined either. Short…

The Wiphala flag colours might look like a psychedelic rainbow, but there’s method to the madness. Each colour has its own meaning – not random, not just rainbow vibes. The layout tells a much bigger story, rooted in Indigenous beliefs, cosmic cycles & Andean identity. The Meaning Behind Each Colour Here’s what each diagonal stripe…

Thinking of heading to Bolivia & wondering what the internet situation is like? Whether you’re planning to work remotely, stay connected with friends or just upload your latest travel snaps, here’s what you need to know about getting online while travelling in Bolivia. Wi-Fi Availability in Bolivia In major cities like La Paz, Santa Cruz…

Even if you’ve never heard of the Bolivian Altiplano before, chances are if you’re heading to Bolivia, you’re already planning to go. You just might not realise it yet. From salt flats to sacred lakes, the Altiplano is where Bolivia gets all dramatic & high-altitude – and home to many of Bolivia’s top sights. So,…

Not sure what you actually need for Bolivia entry requirements in 2025? Whether you’re visa-free or dealing with embassy forms, here’s what you really need to sort before stepping off the plane or rocking up at the border. We’re talking about entry documents, health stuff, yellow fever quirks and that one time a border guard…

If you’re planning a trip to Bolivia & wondering what to book in advance vs what’s fine to figure out on the fly – you’re in the right place. I’ve been through the salt, sweat & surprising calm of Bolivian travel myself, so this guide is based on that sweet combo of lived experience &…

You’ve probably seen the photos – endless white, sky-mirror reflections, tiny people standing on Pringles cans. That’s Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia’s salt flats. But if you’re wondering when to go to actually see those surreal reflections, the answer isn’t as obvious as you’d think. Let’s break down the best time to visit Bolivia’s salt flats…

You’ve probably seen it – That rainbow flag flying beside Bolivia’s tricolour… yep the one that looks like Tetris on shrooms. It’s called the Wiphala, & it’s not just a splash of colour. Whether it’s called the Quechua flag, Aymara flag, or just Bolivia’s Indigenous flag… the Wiphala tells a much bigger story. So what…

There’s something brilliant about learning random facts about Bolivia – especially the kind that make you go “wait, nah, you’re chatting sh*t?” Bolivia’s full of them. Some are surprisingly historical, others are just straight-up odd. Either way, here’s a stack of facts about Bolivia that’ll stick in your head long after the WiFi’s gone. I…

You’ve probably heard the name Bolivia loads of times – maybe while planning a trip, or playing GeoGuessr or like me as a teenager trying to remember the order of countries in South America (yes I was a bit odd). But have you ever stopped to ask: who is Bolivia actually named after? Turns out,…

So you’re packing for Bolivia, maybe wondering if your stomach’s about to go on a wild ride. One of the most common questions? Can you drink the tap water in Bolivia? Short answer: nope. Longer answer: still nope, but let’s get into the details so you don’t end up spending your holiday closer to a…

Ah, visas, the bit of trip planning that somehow manages to be both boring and stressful. So, do you need a visa for Bolivia? Short answer: it depends where you’re from. But don’t worry, it’s not a nightmare & I’ve broken it down so you’re not stuck Googling things last minute at the border. If…

Bolivia holidays and traditions are wild in the best way. A full-on mix of Indigenous customs, Catholic influences, family time, parades, costumes, fireworks, dancing, food… honestly it’s all going on. It’s one of those places where a ‘public holiday’ doesn’t mean a sleepy day off. It usually means drums, colour, devils with sequins & maybe…

If you think Bolivia’s just a Spanish-speaking country, you’re not wrong… but you’re not totally right either. Ask someone what languages are spoken in Bolivia & you might get a different answer every time. Turns out, Bolivia’s not just bilingual – it’s basically the Eurovision of South America minus the sequins & petty voting rows…

When people found out I went to Bolivia, one of the first things they asked is whether it felt safe. Not “how was the salt flat sunrise” or “did you try llama steak” – just straight into the crime chat. So let’s have a proper look. Not based on what someone’s cousin said on Reddit,…

When I came back from my long South America stint, I had a couple people back home ask me is Bolivia a good place to live? the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want modern infrastructure, Amazon Prime deliveries & an easy visa process,…

When I first started planning my Bolivia trip, I kept hearing it was one of the cheapest countries in South America. Naturally, a cheapo like me was buzzing – more snacks, more buses, more random museum entries just because they cost 50p. But is Bolivia actually cheap to travel? After a few weeks on the…

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably Googled “best time of year to visit Bolivia” and found about 47 different answers. Some swear by the dry season. Others hype up the wet season for that mirror-effect salt flat shot. So what’s the deal? After spending time zigzagging across the country, from the high-altitude madness of…

Travelling to Bolivia? Here’s what vaccines you actually need.Most travellers to Bolivia don’t need jabs to enter – unless you’re arriving from a yellow fever area. That said, vaccines like Hep A, Typhoid & Tetanus are strongly recommended, especially if you’re eating local or heading to rural spots. Here’s the full breakdown without the fluff….

If you’re eyeing Bolivia for your next trip, one question probably comes up straight away – is Bolivia safe for tourists? It’s a fair shout, especially when you’re scrolling through forums & hearing everything from “totally fine” to “don’t even think about it”. But here’s the thing – safety in Bolivia isn’t black & white….

What is the climate in Bolivia? It’s a fair question, especially since the weather here isn’t exactly one-size-fits-all. You’d think being a landlocked South American country would make things simple – but Bolivia’s got everything from tropical heat to chilly mountain air, sometimes in the same day. If you’re planning a trip or just curious…

Right, let’s talk Bolivia. Landlocked in South America, bordered by the likes of Brazil & Peru, Bolivia tends to get overshadowed by its more flashy neighbours. And while it might not make headlines, Bolivia is actually the sixth largest country in South America – it just doesn’t shout about it. Machu Picchu gets the crowds,…

Most countries have one capital. Bolivia? Nah, they went for two – Sucre and La Paz, or La Paz and Sucre, whichever way you fancy. So why does Bolivia have two capitals I hear you ask? I’ve been to both and they could not be more different. This led to me asking questions and poking…