Home > Bolivia
Overview
General Information:
In the very heart
of South America, a colorful and adventures country is
found- Bolivia. Some would say it’s so poor and dirty it
makes you wanna run away, but really Bolivia is rich with
ancient cultures, the Andes and the mighty Amazon...
Bolivia is named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, who
helped Bolivia brake away from Spanish rule in 1825. If you
are looking for a beautiful place and an extremely cheap to travel
this is your venue!
Capital:
Sucre
is
the judicial capital, where most of the government establishments
are placed.
La Paz (3657m), the one that used to be the capital and now is considered as the center and cultural capital of Bolivia.
Strange as it may sound there are 2 capitals, and if you’ll ask a local which of the two is the capital be ready for both answers with various explanations...
Land: stretched over 1.1 million square kilometer and
borders with 5 countries:
Population:
approx’ 9 million people
mostly populated in the west and the mid west areas...
Languages
Spoken:
Quechua, Spanish, Aymara.
Currency:
Boliviano (BOB) exchange rate is app 1US$= 7B$ (updated Aug
‘08)
Weather:
Most of Bolivia is near the Equator, but the extreme
altitude difference makes it very hard to predict. The major
difference is between north and south. The north is more hot &
humid and the south is ice-cold & windy.
Summer (November to April) is the wet season and the winter (May to October) is actually the drier season.
The high tourist season is late June to early September, due not only because of the weather but also European and North American summer holidays.
Useful Information:
Visa is not required from most countries in order to visit Bolivia, when you enter you usually receive a 30 days visa, but if you manage to explain that you’re looking to stay for longer it’s possible to get a 90 days visa. Timezone: GMT -4 Electricity:: 220V 50HZ. Country dialing code: +591
Sample Price Guide:
1 Liter of bottled water – US$ 0.50 1 Liter local beer - US$ 1.00 Average Room Prices – US$ 3-10 low – mid rates, US$ 10- 30 rates for higher quality hostels. Average Meal Prices – US$ 2-5 local food, US$7-15 tourist’s restaurants
Where to go:
La Paz - This city is a definite must see in the country! For its altitude, for its colors, for its architecture, for its museums, for endless markets and many more!This should be your home base in Bolivia (from here you leave and return to any area or activity). Copacabana & Lake Titicaca- on the Bolivia- Peru border this small marvelous town which is mainly about visiting before or after the Lake Titicaca (depends which way you’re going)one of the world’s highest lakes (3810m). Uyuni & the salt flats- This isolated frizzing town is the place to leave for the salt lakes (flats), which are a beautiful phenomenal that made looks now like a huge salt desert. Full of beautiful lagoons, Volcano Mountain and hot springs. Rurrenabaque- From here you leave for the rainforest jungles and the pampas (swamps), and then when you’re back it’s a hell of a place to chill on a hammock....
If you are after pink dolphins, anacondas, large caimans, crazy piranhas, or any other of the jungles wild life the Alto Madidi Park and the Beni River are all you can wish for... Death Road- This road is the old road between La Paz and Coroico and used to be essential when traveling north, this outrageous name was given after many accidents that had no other ending than hundreds of meters fall taking dozens of lives year after year. This road isn’t used anymore for transportation and is left there for the memory and adventures tourists. If you like mountain biking and adrenalin don’t miss on this great adventure. Great view is guaranteed!
