Bolivia is a country which has fiercely held onto its indigenous cultures and traditions, making it among the more unique countries to visit in South America. It also has a wealth of natural beauty including the outstanding salt flats in Uyuni and the serine beauty of Lake Titicaca. Welcomingly to backpackers it is also a cheap country to travel. However, it is also one of the least developed countries in the region, so be prepared for bumpy roads, dubious looking hostels and, as we found out, the occasional robbery. Despite this it is certainly a country not to be missed.

Average Cost per Day for a Couple – Bolivian Boliviano BB$700

Our average cost includes

• Transport 
• Hotels/Hostels
• Daily spends 
• Treks/excursions

In total we spent 13 days in Bolivia choosing to visit Uyuni, La Paz and Lake Titicaca.

Typical Costs

Hotels/Hostels: Dorm beds can be found for as cheap as BB$50. Decent looking doubles with on-suites are around BB$150-250.

Food: Street food is the cheapest way to enjoy the local cuisine with a typical dish of meat, potatoes and maize costing around BB$10-15. Bread, fruit and cheese can be found in most markets for BB$1-2. Around Lake Titicaca trout is the speciality. A freshly caught fish with chips, rice and salad costs BB$25.

Beer: Around BB$15-35 for a large beer in a restaurants.

Entrance Fees and Activities

Below are some examples of costs although prices may vary in different parts of the country.

• Flamingo National Park - BB$150pp
• Coca Museum La Paz – BB$15pp
• Isla del Sol – You need to pay a fee to access various sections of the island. We walked from North to South and paid a total of BB$30pp
• Salt Flat Tour, 2 nights 3 days – We took this tour from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile, however similar tours can be booked from Uyuni for around US$100-150pp

Transport

The busses are the cheapest way to get around although the journeys aren’t always that comfortable. It is worth paying a few more Boliviano for a Cama (full reclining bed seat) rather than a Semi Cama (half relining seat) especially if you are travelling at night.

• Bus Uyuni to La Paz – BB$180pp
• Bus La Paz to Lake Titicaca BB$45pp
• Boat Copacabana to Isla del Sol (North) BB$25pp
• Private boat from Isla del Sol to Yampupata BB$100
• Bus Copacabana to Cusco BB$140pp

Highlights

• Uyuni Salt Flats – Out-of-this-world reflections and a never ending horizon
• La Paz Witches Market - Has to be seen to be believed
• Lake Titicaca – Hike around this tranquil lake for some stunning views
• Mountain Biking Death Road