How bad is the altitude sickness?

Most people feel headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath for 2-3 days in La Paz. Drink coca tea, avoid alcohol, and rest frequently. Severe symptoms require immediate descent to lower altitude.

Is the Uyuni tour worth the expense?

Yes, it's Bolivia's highlight for most travelers. The salt flats create otherworldly landscapes impossible to see elsewhere. Book the 3-day tour minimum to see colored lagoons and geysers.

Can I do Bolivia on a tighter budget?

Absolutely. Stay in $5-8 hostels, eat at local markets ($1-2 meals), use local buses instead of tourist transport. You can manage on $20-25 per day excluding the Uyuni tour.

What if I only have 10 days?

Skip either Sucre/Potosí OR the jungle. Focus on La Paz (3 days), Uyuni tour (3 days), and one other region (3 days). Don't rush - altitude adjustment takes time.

How to spend 2 weeks in Bolivia

Two weeks in Bolivia lets you experience the Salar de Uyuni, La Paz's high-altitude energy, and colonial Sucre or Amazon adventures. Expect to spend $35-50 per day including accommodation, meals, and transport. Allow 2-3 days for altitude adjustment in La Paz before heading to higher elevations.

Plan your route around altitude. Start in La Paz (3,500m) for 3-4 days to acclimatize. This prevents altitude sickness when you visit Uyuni (3,656m) or Potosí (4,090m). Book your Uyuni salt flats tour for days 5-7, then either head to Sucre for colonial architecture or to Rurrenabaque for Amazon jungle tours.
Book Uyuni tours in advance. Reserve your 3-day Uyuni salt flats tour before arriving. Tours fill up, especially during dry season (May-October). Choose between budget tours ($80-120) or luxury tours ($200-300). All tours include transport, accommodation, and meals.
Secure domestic transport. Book bus tickets at least 1 day ahead through terminal counters or online. La Paz to Uyuni takes 10-12 hours overnight ($15-25). Uyuni to Sucre is 6 hours ($10-15). For jungle trips, book flights La Paz to Rurrenabaque ($90-120) to save 18 hours of rough road travel.
Pack for extreme weather swings. Bring layers for 40°C desert days and -15°C desert nights. Pack altitude sickness medication, strong sunscreen (UV is intense at altitude), and warm sleeping gear if camping. Dry season requires dust protection; wet season needs waterproofs.

How bad is the altitude sickness?: Most people feel headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath for 2-3 days in La Paz. Drink coca tea, avoid alcohol, and rest frequently. Severe symptoms require immediate descent to lower altitude.
Is the Uyuni tour worth the expense?: Yes, it's Bolivia's highlight for most travelers. The salt flats create otherworldly landscapes impossible to see elsewhere. Book the 3-day tour minimum to see colored lagoons and geysers.
Can I do Bolivia on a tighter budget?: Absolutely. Stay in $5-8 hostels, eat at local markets ($1-2 meals), use local buses instead of tourist transport. You can manage on $20-25 per day excluding the Uyuni tour.
What if I only have 10 days?: Skip either Sucre/Potosí OR the jungle. Focus on La Paz (3 days), Uyuni tour (3 days), and one other region (3 days). Don't rush - altitude adjustment takes time.