festivites
Here are some of the major holidays and festivities in Bolivia:
1. Carnival: Celebrated in February or March, depending on the lunar calendar. It is a colorful celebration with parades, music, dancing, and water fights in many Bolivian cities.
2. Day of the Sea: Celebrated on March 23rd in memory of Bolivia's loss of its coastal territory to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1883). The day is marked with patriotic speeches, parades, and cultural events.
3. May Crosses: Celebrated on May 3rd, this festival combines Christian beliefs with indigenous traditions. People decorate crosses with flowers, fruits, and other offerings and place them in public places or outside their homes.
4. Corpus Christi: Celebrated sixty days after Easter, this religious holiday is marked by processions and large feasts. It is especially important in the city of Sucre.
5. Bolivian Independence Day: Celebrated on August 6th, this national holiday commemorates Bolivia's declaration of independence from Spain in 1825. The day is marked with parades, speeches, fireworks, and cultural events throughout the country.
6. All Saints' Day: Celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, this is one of the most important religious festivals in Bolivia. People visit cemeteries to clean and decorate gravestones and offer food and drink to the souls of the departed.
7. Christmas: Celebrated on December 25th, Christmas is a religious holiday that is widely observed in Bolivia. Many families attend midnight Mass and then share a meal together. In some parts of the country, there are also traditional dances and music performances.
These festivities and holidays are celebrated throughout Bolivia, but the customs and traditions may vary depending on the region and local culture.
seasons
Bolivia has two main tourist seasons:
1. High season: From May to October is the high season in Bolivia, with July and August being the busiest months. During this time, the weather is sunny and dry, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities such as trekking and sightseeing. However, prices for accommodation and tours may be higher, and popular destinations can be crowded.
2. Low season: From November to April is the low season in Bolivia, with December and January being the wettest months. During this time, the weather is more humid and rainy, which can make some roads and trails impassable. However, prices for accommodation and tours are generally lower during this time, and there are fewer crowds at popular destinations.
Recommendations:
- If you're visiting Bolivia during the high season, it's best to book your accommodation and tours in advance.
- Be prepared for colder temperatures at higher altitudes, especially during the night.
- If you're visiting during the low season, be aware that some attractions may be closed due to weather conditions.
- Bring appropriate clothing and gear for the weather and activities you plan to do.
visa
Some special VISA rules for Bolivia are:
1. Visa Exemptions: Citizens from some countries do not require a visa to enter Bolivia for tourism, business or transit purposes, if their stay is less than 90 days within a 180-day period. The list of exempted countries can be found on the Bolivian government's website.
2. Visa on Arrival: Citizens from some countries who do not qualify for a visa exemption may apply for a visa on arrival at the airport in Bolivia. This type of visa costs $55 USD and allows a stay of up to 30 days.
3. Consular Visa: Citizens from some countries must obtain a consular visa before traveling to Bolivia. The requirements vary depending on the type of visa and the country of origin. The cost of a consular visa ranges from $30 USD to $100 USD.
4. Business Visa: Citizens who wish to travel to Bolivia for business purposes must obtain a business visa. The cost of a business visa varies depending on the country of origin and the length of stay, but it ranges from $30 USD to $200 USD.
5. Student Visa: Citizens who wish to study in Bolivia must obtain a student visa. The cost of a student visa ranges from $30 USD to $100 USD, depending on the country of origin.
It's important to note that these costs are subject to change and may vary depending on the embassy or consulate processing the visa application. It's recommended that travelers check the official websites of the Bolivian government or the nearest Bolivian embassy or consulate for more information.
souvenirs
Here are some popular souvenirs to buy in Bolivia, along with their average prices and where to find them:
1. Alpaca wool products - such as scarves, gloves, and hats. Prices vary depending on quality and location, but expect to pay around $20-30 for a good quality scarf or hat. You can find these at local markets like La Paz's Witches' Market or the Mercado 16 de Julio in El Alto.
2. Bolivian textiles - including colorful blankets and ponchos. Prices can range from $30-100 depending on size and quality. Look for these at markets like La Cancha in Cochabamba or the Tarabuco Sunday market.
3. Silver jewelry - Bolivia has a long tradition of silver mining and crafts. Expect to pay around $50-100 for a high-quality silver necklace or bracelet. Check out jewelry shops in cities like Sucre or Potosi.
4. Ceramics - Bolivia is known for its ceramics, especially the handmade pieces from the town of Copacabana. Prices vary depending on size and intricacy, but expect to pay around $20-50 for a small piece. Visit the markets in Copacabana or La Paz to find these.
5. Musical instruments - Bolivia has a rich musical heritage, and you can find unique instruments like panpipes, charangos, and quenas. Prices vary widely depending on the instrument and quality, but expect to pay anywhere from $50-200. Look for music shops in La Paz or Sucre.
Remember that bargaining is common practice in Bolivia, so don't be afraid to haggle a bit to get a fair price.
If you have 1 week
Welcome to Bolivia! As a DAN, I suggest you start your itinerary by exploring the stunning natural beauty of the country. You can begin by visiting the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat. Witness the breathtaking views at sunrise or sunset when the sky reflects on the mirror-like surface of the salt flats. Don't forget to take some fun perspective photos with the vast landscape!
Next, head to La Paz, the highest administrative capital in the world. Take a cable car to enjoy the stunning views of the city and its surroundings. Visit the Witches' Market, where you can find all kinds of herbs and traditional Bolivian remedies.
For a taste of Bolivian history and culture, visit the Tiwanaku ruins. This ancient pre-Columbian archaeological site displays the rich cultural heritage of Bolivia. The museum on-site provides an excellent overview of the history and significance of the site.
Another must-see destination is Lake Titicaca, located on the border of Bolivia and Peru. Take a boat tour to explore the lake's islands, including Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna, where you can learn about the Inca civilization and their impressive farming terraces.
Finally, end your trip with a visit to the Yungas region, which offers diverse flora and fauna and a charming tropical climate. Take a scenic drive along the "Death Road," considered one of the most dangerous roads globally, due to its steep cliffs and narrow pathways. But don't worry, it's now closed to cars and reserved for mountain bikers seeking an adrenaline rush.
In summary, Bolivia offers a wide variety of attractions that showcase its unique culture, history, and natural landscapes. From the stunning Salar de Uyuni to the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku and the tropical Yungas, you'll have an unforgettable experience.
If you have 2 weeks
Bolivia, a landlocked country in South America, is known for its diverse culture, stunning natural landscapes, and rich history. For your two-week itinerary, I suggest the following:
Week 1:
- La Paz: Start your trip by exploring the vibrant city of La Paz, Bolivia's administrative capital. Visit the Witches' Market, which sells traditional herbs and potions, and take a ride on the Mi Teleférico cable car system for breathtaking views of the city. Don't forget to check out the funky street art and colorful architecture around the city.
- Salar de Uyuni: Head to the largest salt flat in the world, Salar de Uyuni, located in southwest Bolivia. Take a tour of this otherworldly landscape, which also includes colorful lagoons, geysers, and hot springs. Stay overnight in a salt hotel for a truly unique experience.
- Potosi: Visit the historic mining town of Potosi, known for its colonial architecture and silver mines. Explore the Casa Nacional de Moneda museum, where the Spanish minted coins during the colonial era, and take a tour of the still-active Cerro Rico silver mine.
Week 2:
- Lake Titicaca: Travel to the stunning Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, located on the border of Bolivia and Peru. Take a boat tour to visit the floating islands of the indigenous Uros people and the scenic island of Taquile, where you can learn about traditional weaving techniques and enjoy beautiful views of the lake.
- Madidi National Park: Finish your trip with a visit to Madidi National Park, located in the Amazon Basin. Take a guided tour through the rainforest to spot wildlife such as monkeys, macaws, and jaguars while learning about the importance of conservation efforts in the area.
These are just a few of the amazing places to visit in Bolivia. From bustling cities to breathtaking natural wonders, Bolivia has something for everyone. Enjoy your trip!
Culture
Bolivian culture has been heavily influenced by the Spanish, the Aymara, the Quechua, as well as the popular cultures of Latin America as a whole.
The cultural development is divided into three distinct periods: precolumbian, colonial, and republican. Important archaeological ruins, gold and silver ornaments, stone monuments, ceramics, and weavings remain from several important pre-Columbian cultures. Major ruins include Tiwanaku, El Fuerte de Samaipata, Inkallaqta and Iskanwaya. The country abounds in other sites that are difficult to reach and have seen little archaeological exploration.
The Spanish brought their own tradition of religious art which, in the hands of local native and mestizo builders and artisans, developed into a rich and distinctive style of architecture, painting, and sculpture known as "Mestizo Baroque". The colonial period produced not only the paintings of Pérez de Holguín, Flores, Bitti, and others but also the works of skilled but unknown stonecutters, woodcarvers, goldsmiths, and silversmiths. An important body of Native Baroque religious music of the colonial period was recovered and has been performed internationally to wide acclaim since 1994.
Bolivian artists of stature in the 20th century include María Luisa Pacheco, Roberto Mamani Mamani, Alejandro Mario Yllanes, Alfredo Da Silva, and Marina Núñez del Prado.
Bolivia has a rich folklore. Its regional folk music is distinctive and varied. The "devil dances" at the annual carnival of Oruro are one of the great folkloric events of South America, as is the lesser known carnival at Tarabuco.
In 2008, following UNESCO standards, Bolivia was declared free of illiteracy, making it the fourth country in South America to attain this status.
Bolivia has public and private universities. Among them: Universidad Mayor, Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca USFX – Sucre, founded in 1624; Universidad Mayor de San Andrés UMSA – La Paz, founded in 1830; Universidad Mayor de San Simon UMSS – Cochabamba, founded in 1832; Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno UAGRM – Santa Cruz de la Sierra, founded in 1880; Universidad Técnica de Oruro UTO – Oruro, founded in 1892; Universidad Evangélica Boliviana UEB – Santa Cruz de la Sierra, founded in 1980; and Universidad Autónoma Tomás Frías UATF – Potosi, founded in 1892.
According to UNICEF under-five mortality rate in 2006 was 52.7 per 1000 and was reduced to 26 per 1000 by 2019. The infant mortality rate was 40.7 per 1000 in 2006 and was reduced to 21.2 per 1000 in 2019. Before Morales took office, nearly half of all infants were not vaccinated; now nearly all are vaccinated. Morales also put into place several supplemental nutrition programs, including an effort to supply free food in public health and social security offices, and his desnutrición cero (zero malnutrition) program provides free school lunches.
Between 2006 and 2016, extreme poverty in Bolivia fell from 38.2% to 16.8%. Chronic malnutrition in children under five years of age also went down by 14% and the child mortality rate was reduced by more than 50%, according to World Health Organization. In 2019 the Bolivian government created a universal healthcare system which has been cited as a model for all by the World Health Organization.
With the election of Evo Morales to the presidency in 2005, "chola" or "cholitas" women, who had long been despised, gained new rights and social recognition. More generally, the 2009 Constitution improves the rights of Bolivian women.
Despite a 2013 law against violence against women, a decade later Bolivia is the Latin American country with the highest rate of femicide.
Thanks to a quota policy, by 2022 Bolivia will be the second country in the world, after Rwanda, to have as many women parliamentarians (52% in the Legislative Assembly and 47% in the Chamber of Senators).
Football is popular. The national team is the Bolivia national football team.
Racquetball is the second most popular sport in Bolivia as for the results in the Odesur 2018 Games held in Cochabamba. Bolivia has won 13 medals at the Pan American Games and 10 of them came from racquetball events, including their only gold medal won in the Men's Team event in 2019.
Basketball is especially popular and influential in the Potosí Department.
Religion
Bolivia is a constitutionally secular state that guarantees the freedom of religion and the independence of government from religion.
According to the 2001 census conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Bolivia, 78% of the population is Roman Catholic, followed by 19% that are Protestant, as well as a small number of Bolivians that are Orthodox, and 3% non-religious.
The Association of Religion Data Archives (relying on the World Christian Database) records that in 2010, 92.5% of Bolivians identified as Christian (of any denomination), 3.1% identified with indigenous religion, 2.2% identified as Baháʼí, 1.9% identified as agnostic, and all other groups constituted 0.1% or less.
Much of the indigenous population adheres to different traditional beliefs marked by inculturation or syncretism with Christianity. The cult of Pachamama, or "Mother Earth", is notable. The veneration of the Virgin of Copacabana, Virgin of Urkupiña and Virgin of Socavón, is also an important feature of Christian pilgrimage. There also are important Aymaran communities near Lake Titicaca that have a strong devotion to James the Apostle. Deities worshiped in Bolivia include Ekeko, the Aymaran god of abundance and prosperity, whose day is celebrated every 24 January, and Tupá, a god of the Guaraní people.
Demographics
According to the last two censuses carried out by the Bolivian National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estadística, INE), the population increased from 8,274,325 (from which 4,123,850 were men and 4,150,475 were women) in 2001 to 10,059,856 in 2012.
In the last fifty years the Bolivian population has tripled, reaching a population growth rate of 2.25%. The growth of the population in the inter-census periods (1950–1976 and 1976–1992) was approximately 2.05%, while between the last period, 1992–2001, it reached 2.74% annually.
Some 67.49% of Bolivians live in urban areas, while the remaining 32.51% in rural areas. The most part of the population (70%) is concentrated in the departments of La Paz, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba. In the Andean Altiplano region the departments of La Paz and Oruro hold the largest percentage of population, in the valley region the largest percentage is held by the departments of Cochabamba and Chuquisaca, while in the Llanos region by Santa Cruz and Beni. At national level, the population density is 8.49, with variations marked between 0.8 (Pando Department) and 26.2 (Cochabamba Department).
The largest population center is located in the so-called "central axis" and in the Llanos region. Bolivia has a young population. According to the 2011 census, 59% of the population is between 15 and 59 years old, 39% is less than 15 years old. Almost 60% of the population is younger than 25 years of age.
According to a genetic study done on Bolivians, average values of Native American, European and African ancestry are 86%, 12.5%, and 1.5%, in individuals from La Paz and 76.8%, 21.4%, and 1.8% in individuals from Chuquisaca; respectively.
The vast majority of Bolivians are mestizo (with the indigenous component higher than the European one), although the government has not included the cultural self-identification "mestizo" in the November 2012 census. There are approximately three dozen native groups totaling approximately half of the Bolivian population – the largest proportion of indigenous people in the Americas. Exact numbers vary based on the wording of the ethnicity question and the available response choices. For example, the 2001 census did not provide the racial category "mestizo" as a response choice, resulting in a much higher proportion of respondents identifying themselves as belonging to one of the available indigenous ethnicity choices. Mestizos are distributed throughout the entire country and make up 26% of the Bolivian population, with the predominantly mestizo departments being Beni, Santa Cruz, and Tarija. Most people assume their mestizo identity while at the same time identifying themselves with one or more indigenous cultures. A 2018 estimate of racial classification put mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian) at 68%, indigenous at 20%, white at 5%, cholo at 2%, black at 1%, other at 4%, while 2% were unspecified; 44% attributed themselves to some indigenous group, predominantly the linguistic categories of Quechuas or Aymaras. White Bolivians comprised about 14% of the population in 2006, and are usually concentrated in the largest cities: La Paz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cochabamba, but as well in some minor cities like Tarija and Sucre. The ancestry of whites and the white ancestry of mestizos lies within Europe and the Middle East, most notably Spain, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Lebanon and Syria. In the Santa Cruz Department, there are several dozen colonies of German-speaking Mennonites from Russia totaling around 40,000 inhabitants.
Afro-Bolivians, descendants of African slaves who arrived in the time of the Spanish Empire, inhabit the department of La Paz, and are located mainly in the provinces of Nor Yungas and Sud Yungas. Slavery was abolished in Bolivia in 1831. There are also important communities of Japanese (14,000 ) and Lebanese (12,900 ).
Indigenous peoples, also called "originarios" ("native" or "original") and less frequently, Amerindians, could be categorized by geographic area, such as Andean, like the Aymaras and Quechuas (who formed the ancient Inca Empire), who are concentrated in the western departments of La Paz, Potosí, Oruro, Cochabamba and Chuquisaca. There also are ethnic populations in the east, composed of the Chiquitano, Chané, Guaraní and Moxos, among others, who inhabit the departments of Santa Cruz, Beni, Tarija and Pando.
There are small numbers of European citizens from Germany, France, Italy and Portugal, as well as from other countries of the Americas, as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, the United States, Paraguay, Peru, Mexico and Venezuela, among others. There are important Peruvian colonies in La Paz, El Alto and Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
There are around 140,000 Mennonites in Bolivia of Friesian, Flemish and German ethnic origins.
The Indigenous peoples of Bolivia can be divided into two categories of ethnic groups: the Andeans, who are located in the Andean Altiplano and the valley region; and the lowland groups, who inhabit the warm regions of central and eastern Bolivia, including the valleys of Cochabamba Department, the Amazon Basin areas of northern La Paz Department, and the lowland departments of Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz, and Tarija (including the Gran Chaco region in the southeast of the country). Large numbers of Andean peoples have also migrated to form Quechua, Aymara, and intercultural communities in the lowlands.
* Andean ethnicities
* Aymara people. They live on the high plateau of the departments of La Paz, Oruro and Potosí, as well as some small regions near the tropical flatlands.
* Quechua people. They mostly inhabit the valleys in Cochabamba and Chuquisaca. They also inhabit some mountain regions in Potosí and Oruro. They divide themselves into different Quechua nations, as the Tarabucos, Ucumaris, Chalchas, Chaquies, Yralipes, Tirinas, among others.
* Uru people
* Ethnicities of the Eastern Lowlands
* Guaraníes: made up of Guarayos, Pausernas, Sirionós, Chiriguanos, Wichí, Chulipis, Taipetes, Tobas, and Yuquis.
* Tacanas: made up of Lecos, Chimanes, Araonas, and Maropas.
* Panos: made up of Chacobos, Caripunas, Sinabos, Capuibos, and Guacanaguas.
* Aruacos: made up of Apolistas, Baures, Moxos, Chané, Movimas, Cayabayas, Carabecas, and Paiconecas (Paucanacas).
* Chapacuras: made up of Itenez (More), Chapacuras, Sansinonianos, Canichanas, Itonamas, Yuracares, Guatoses, and Chiquitanos.
* Botocudos: made up of Bororos and Otuquis.
* Zamucos: made up of Ayoreos.
Bolivia has great linguistic diversity as a result of its multiculturalism. The Constitution of Bolivia recognizes 36 official languages besides Spanish: Aymara, Araona, Baure, Bésiro, Canichana, Cavineño, Cayubaba, Chácobo, Chimán, Ese Ejja, Guaraní, Guarasu'we, Guarayu, Itonama, Leco, Machajuyai-Kallawaya, Machineri, Maropa, Mojeño-Ignaciano, Mojeño-Trinitario, Moré, Mosetén, Movima, Pacawara, Puquina, Quechua, Sirionó, Tacana, Tapieté, Toromona, Uru-Chipaya, Weenhayek, Yaminawa, Yuki, Yuracaré, and Zamuco.
Spanish is the most spoken official language in the country, according to the 2001 census; as it is spoken by two-thirds of the population. All legal and official documents issued by the State, including the Constitution, the main private and public institutions, the media, and commercial activities, are in Spanish.
The main indigenous languages are: Quechua (21.2% of the population in the 2001 census), Aymara (14.6%), Guarani (0.6%) and others (0.4%) including the Moxos in the department of Beni.
Plautdietsch, a German dialect, is spoken by about 70,000 Mennonites in Santa Cruz. Portuguese is spoken mainly in the areas close to Brazil.
Bilingual education was implemented in Bolivia under the leadership of President Evo Morales. His program placed emphasis on the expansion of indigenous languages in the educational systems of the country.
Bolivia is a constitutionally secular state that guarantees the freedom of religion and the independence of government from religion.
According to the 2001 census conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Bolivia, 78% of the population is Roman Catholic, followed by 19% that are Protestant, as well as a small number of Bolivians that are Orthodox, and 3% non-religious.
The Association of Religion Data Archives (relying on the World Christian Database) records that in 2010, 92.5% of Bolivians identified as Christian (of any denomination), 3.1% identified with indigenous religion, 2.2% identified as Baháʼí, 1.9% identified as agnostic, and all other groups constituted 0.1% or less.
Much of the indigenous population adheres to different traditional beliefs marked by inculturation or syncretism with Christianity. The cult of Pachamama, or "Mother Earth", is notable. The veneration of the Virgin of Copacabana, Virgin of Urkupiña and Virgin of Socavón, is also an important feature of Christian pilgrimage. There also are important Aymaran communities near Lake Titicaca that have a strong devotion to James the Apostle. Deities worshiped in Bolivia include Ekeko, the Aymaran god of abundance and prosperity, whose day is celebrated every 24 January, and Tupá, a god of the Guaraní people.
Approximately 67% of Bolivians live in urban areas, among the lowest proportion in South America. Nevertheless, the rate of urbanization is growing steadily, at around 2.5% annually. According to the 2012 census, there are total of 3,158,691 households in Bolivia – an increase of 887,960 from 2001. In 2009, 75.4% of homes were classified as a house, hut, or Pahuichi; 3.3% were apartments; 21.1% were rental residences; and 0.1% were mobile homes. Most of the country's largest cities are located in the highlands of the west and central regions.
Cities:
