About Bolivia

  Official name Republica de Bolivia (Republic of Bolivia) it has the city of La Paz as the seat of government and Sucre as the country's capital and seat of judiciary branch with an area of 1,098,581 sq km (424,164 sq mi).

Bolivia is a photographer's Dream. It offers everything from incredible nature with the high Andes with its glaciers and rugged summits to the magical Lake Titicaca to vast deserts and tropics. But not only nature is there for you to shot also there's architecture, history and religious and cultural events are also available waiting for you just bring plenty of film you'll need it.

Bolivia Facts

Full name: Republica de Bolivia (Republic of Bolivia)

Population: 9.1 million (UN, 2005)

Capital: Sucre (official), La Paz (administrative)

Largest city: La Paz

Area: 1.1 million sq km (424,164 sq miles)

Major languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani

Major religion: Roman Catholic

Life expectancy: 62 years (men), 66 years (women) (UN)

Monetary unit: 1 boliviano = 100 centavos

Exchange rate: Around 7.38 Bolivianos per US Dollar (As of 4/24/2008)

For an updated exchange Rate click here

Main exports: Natural gas, zinc, gold, silver, lead, tin, antimony, wood, sugar and soy beans

GNI per capita: US$1,010 (World Bank, 2006)

Internet domain: .bo

International dialing code: +591

Know more of Bolivia see it for your self on our selection of videos click here

Bolivia has 5 distinctive geographical and climatologic regions:

Andes and Altiplano

Located in the western side of the country at altitudes normally above the 2,500 meters above see level (around 9,000 feet), the Bolivian Andes have normally cold weather.   During the day the weather can be mild but it can get bitterly cold at night, and well below freezing the higher you go. The landscape is rough and normally dry except for the rainy season (from December through March).

The Yungas and Chapare

The Yungas and Chapare regions are subtropical areas located between the highland (the Andes and Altiplano) and the Amazon Forest. Their geography for the most part is steep and rugged, mixed with exuberant vegetation and white water Rivers, which are abundant. This region is generally hot and humid and the climate does not change much during the year, except when the rain comes, during the wet season (December through March).

Valleys

These valleys region are located in the central and south-central part of the country has some of the most pleasant climates in the country. The climate is mild with warm to hot days and pleasant nighttime temperatures.

The Chaco Scrub and Plains

Hot, dusty and dry would describe better the Chaco except in the rainy season when it's hot and the dust turns to mud In general the Chaco is known as the Bolivia desert. It is generally flat with some rolling hills and valleys and a few rivers that cross the dry landscape.

The Tropical Lowlands

Hot and humid would describe the lowlands' climate. The lowlands include the Amazon basin in the north and northeast regions and the Parana basin in the east and south-east region. These tropical lowlands have in general hot and humid weather year round, during the rainy season (December to March) the rain is constant and torrential downpours are the norm.

Best Seasons for Travel

The dry season is best for travel (from May to September) due to the better road conditions and generally sunny skies and warm temperatures during the day. Travel to most regions of Bolivia is certainly possible year round.

Climate

The climate varies a lot in Bolivia, depending on the region and geography, going from freezing cold in the Andean region to scorching hot in the Bolivian Chaco and Amazon region.   Located on the southern hemisphere the cold seasons (fall and winter) go from May to August and the hot seasons (spring and summer) from September to April, also considered as the rainy season.  

How to get here

By air

There are many options to get to Bolivia by Air, there are several Airlines going there year round. Most flights arrive either at El Alto International Airport near La Paz or Viru Viru in Santa Cruz, the two busiest airports in Bolivia. To find itineraries and flight availability please click here.

By land

From Peru: Most travelers coming to Bolivia from Cuzco cross the border at Puno near Lake Titicaca, arriving to La Paz at the Cementerio (La Paz Municipal cemetery).  

From Brazil: The travelers coming from Brazil use the railroad starting at Puerto Quijarro and arriving at Santa Cruz.

From Chile:   The travelers coming from Arica come by bus arriving at La Paz Land terminal at Av. Montes.

From Argentina: Most travelers arrive by bus starting at Yacuiba and arriving to Tarija. If by train most travelers use the railroad on the route form La Paz - Oruro - Uyuni – Tupiza to Villazon (close to the Argentinean border, where the line now ends).