Best travel time for Bolivia
In the summer rainy season (November to April), overland transport becomes difficult, in some regions even impossible. In the lowlands it can get very uncomfortable with mud, high humidity, stinging insects and relentless tropical downpours. The most popular and probably most pleasant time to travel in Bolivia is winter from May to October with its dry, clear days. This is also the best season for mountain climbing. Visit handbagpicks for Bolivia Tour Plan.
The high tourist season is between the end of June and the beginning of September, not only because of climatic factors, but mainly because of the European and North American summer holidays and the fact that it is Bolivia’s big fiesta season. Both international visitors and many South Americans travel during this period, so prices are usually higher than the rest of the year.
Bolivia – traveling in the country
Bolivia has an extensive transportation system that covers most of the country. However, it can happen that the transport is interrupted by road blockades, floods, damaged roads (especially in the lowlands in the rainy season) and on the Amazon by low water levels. There are usually regular bus connections to the tourist regions.
Airplane: Air travel in Bolivia is relatively quick, reliable and inexpensive. Aircraft are also the only mode of transport in Bolivia that is not restricted to the west during the rainy season. Although weather-related outages do occur, there is always a flight in the foreseeable future.
AeroSur, Aerocon, TAM and Amaszonasconnect the big cities in Bolivia with remote regions. The military airline Transportes Aéreos Militares operates domestic flights in smaller planes. Prices are more than 40% lower than other airlines, but flight schedules are subject to change without notice and reservations can only be made at the departure point. The maximum weight of the luggage is 15 kg.
Ship: The only public ferry in Bolivia runs on Lake Titicaca between San Pedro and San Pablo via the Estrecho de Tiquina (Strait of Tiquina). Motor boats or row boats can be rented to visit islands on Lake Titicaca. There are boat tours from Huatajata to the Huyñaymarka Islands in the southern part of the lake. To visit Isla del Sol, you can take a tour in Cochabamba or rent a motorboat.
Buses are the most popular form of Bolivian transportation. They are relatively safe and cheap by Bolivian standards, if a little uncomfortable. Modern coaches use the well-developed main traffic routes, while older vehicles sometimes also drive on secondary routes.
For reasons of traffic safety, you should travel by bus during the day, and the views of the landscape are better. Drunk driving is of course prohibited, but bus drivers may have had too much to drink the night before. It happens again and again that luggage is stolen during the bus trip. It is best to always keep an eye on your bags on the bus. Backpacks and bags in the hold are usually safe.
On long journeys you can choose between coche cama (sleeping car) and común (normal bus).
The prices are based on the duration of the journey on the various standards of the buses – from luxury sleeping car service to old Bluebird buses.
Automobile:A car offers the flexibility to reach remote areas as well as to be able to stop at places worth seeing. More and more Bolivian roads are paved (for example between La Paz and Potosí), but most of them are only lightly paved or not paved. High speeds are therefore hardly possible in Bolivia. The mountain roads are particularly narrow and winding. Most of the roads are in the Andes as well as the Altiplano region.
Remember that replacement parts are hard to find outside of cities. An all-terrain vehicle is absolutely necessary for remote areas in Bolivia. Be sure to bring tools, spare tires, a tire repair kit, enough fuel and as many spare parts as needed (although the amount is difficult to determine in advance, of course).
Petrol (85 octane) and diesel are available in all cities and towns.
Hiring a local driver can be a comfortable alternative to the bus on bad roads.
In La Paz you can find representatives of national car rental companies and, as an international representative, Hertz. Motorcycles are popular in the
lowlands, where temperatures are high and roads are rather poor. They can be used to reach areas that are not served by public transport. Agencies in larger cities also offer motorcycle tours through the rugged highlands. Note, however, that many travel insurances will not cover injuries from motorcycle accidents.
Bicycle:
For cyclists who want to face the challenges of cold wind, bad road conditions, heights and steep roads, Bolivia is very suitable. Heavy traffic is not a serious problem, but with buses and trucks it can be smarter to get off the road. However, it is often difficult to find supplies in remote regions, so cyclists in remote areas should have enough food and water with them. Given these challenges, many cyclists prefer to take a tour with a tour operator.
The bicycles in Bolivia are usually inexpensive models that come from China. The quality is not particularly high. If you have serious plans for a bike tour in Bolivia, you should bring your own, well-equipped bike and spare parts.
