February 17, 2021 to February 26, 2021
My 123rd country visited on my journey beyond #lakbay100, 93rd solo backpacking trip, 6th country in South America and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. Bolivia served also as the 10th country on my 2020-2021 America Pandemic Adventures Filipino Solo Trip, the new normal of traveling.
Bolivia is a beautiful, geographically diverse, multiethnic, and democratic country in the heart of South America. It is surrounded by Brazil to the northeast, Peru to the northwest, Chile to the southwest, Argentina and Paraguay to the south. It shares with Peru control of Lake Titicaca (Lago Titicaca), the world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805m). Sometimes referred to as the Tibet of the Americas, Bolivia is one of the most "remote" countries in the western hemisphere; except for the navigable Paraguay River stretching to the distant Atlantic, Bolivia and Paraguay are the only two landlocked nations in the Americas. It is also the most indigenous country in the Americas, with 60% of its population being of pure Native American ancestry.
https://wikitravel.org/en/Bolivia
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| 8 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Bolivia |
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BOLIVIA
timezone - UTC -0400H capital - La Paz / Sucre language - Spanish currency - Boliviano (BOB)
1. Bolivia technically has two capitals. La Paz (administrative & governmental); Sucre (legal capital & judicial seat)
2. Bolivia is home to the largest proportion of indigenous people in Latin America.
3. Bolivia is home to the highest navigatable lake in the world
4. In Bolivia, you’ll find Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat.
5. Two of the highest cities in the world are in Bolivia. At an altitude of 3,640 metres, La Paz is the highest capital city in the world. However, the La Paz suburb of El Alto is actually higher at 4,150 meters.
8 DAYS SOLO PANDEMIC TRIP IN RAINY BOLIVIA ITINERARY
Day 13: Feb. 17, 2021 Wed / Santa Cruz
Day 14: Feb. 18, 2021 Thu / Santa Cruz
Day 15: Feb. 19, 2021 Fri / Sucre & Potosi
Day 16: Feb. 20, 2021 Sat / Uyuni
Day 17: Feb. 21, 2021 Sun / Cochabamba
Day 18: Feb. 22, 2021 Mon / La Paz
Day 19: Feb. 23, 2021 Tue / La Paz
Day 20: Feb. 24, 2021 Wed / La Paz
Day 21: Feb. 25, 2021 Thu / Copacabana
Day 22: Feb. 26, 2021 Fri / La Paz
GRAND TOTAL: B2,584 + 567 USD / Exchanged USD: 385
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| 8 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Bolivia |
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| 8 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Bolivia |
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| 8 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Bolivia |
BOLIVIA SOLO TRAVEL TIPS DURING PANDEMIC:
Airport Immigration Issues: one of the easiest / fastest / relax airport entry I ever had. In just less than 2 minutes I have my passport already.
Places Visited: Santa Cruz, Sucre, Potosi, Uyuni, Cochabamba, La Paz, Tiwanaku, Copacabana
1. It is cheaper to buy tickets directly in the bus station rather than booking online via https://www.ticketsbolivia.com.bo. Besides, bus terminal is doing the booking manually, just arrive 1 hour in advance. There are lots of departure schedules available in different bus companies even if pandemic. What I did was I checked and screenshot ny preferred schedule online then upon visit of the bus terminal, I just go directly to the bus company. Bolivia has regular bus departures and is not affected by pandemic.
2. In Santa Cruz, I did not visit the Samaipata intentionally because it will eat too much of my day trip. From bus terminal which will leave only if there's enough passengers (I arrived around 645am but the driver decided to leave on 8am), there's 3 hours travel to Samaipata for B35 fare. Then taxi to El Fuerte with 30 mins travel for B100 return fare. Then B50 entrance fee. To sum up, there will be around minimum 8 hours plus B220 ($33) expenses.
3. I did not provide enough time in Sucre and Potosi because there's not much point of my interest.
4. The road from Potosi to Uyuni, sightseeing awesome Bolivian desert, reached as high as 4,100masl elevation. Thus, be prepare for altitude sickness. I felt light chest pain, dizziness and headache.
5. Cochabamba's Cristo de la Concordia (World's 2nd tallest Christ the Redeemer, 1st in Poland 3rd in Brazil) is doable on morning hike within less than 2 hours (45mins up, 30mins top, 20mins down). It is located on 2,840masl height with 265m altitude gain.
6. Valle de la Luna (van #902), Valle de las Animas (van #965) and Canyon de Palca (van #965) is doable to hike on one day. These hikes have short, easy and non-technical trails.
7. Chacaltaya mountain top cannot be visited by Uber ride or ordinary taxi, trip should be a 4x4 ride which only tours or hire cars can do.
8. Sunset views on La Paz Mi Teleferico (cable car) as high as 4,120masl with 11 lines and 3 average stations per line at B2 (PhP14) fare
9. On airport arrival, Bolivia requires Negative PCR Test within 7 days validity.
10. On airport departure, my next destination (Paraguay) requires Negative PCR Test within 72 hours validity, Covid19 travel insurance (https://www.insubuy.com/covid19-travel-medical-insurance/) and registration per this link http://dgvs.mspbs.gov.py/webdgvs/views/paginas/vista_viajeros_nor.html. Rescata Medlab provides Covid19 PCR Test for B450 (65 USD) with 24 hours result (physical passport is always required as identification) and appointment via this link https://rescatabolivia.com/. This test served as my 17th PCR Nasal Swab Test (all negative result).
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| 8 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Bolivia |
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| 8 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Bolivia |
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