La Paz: What to do in La Paz, Bolivia

La Paz from the Cable Car Mi Teleferico

A sprawling city, La Paz is the highest capital city in the world.  At 3640 metres above sea level, it really does take your breath away!  Technically the constitutional capital remains Sucre but holds the seat of government so they still manage to claim the top spot.  I came to spend a day and night […]

Samaipata: What to do in Samaipata Bolivia

Waterfalls at Las Cuevas, near Samaipata

If Santa Cruz was a busy, traffic filled, pollution swamped city, Samaipata was the perfect antidote. I loved Samaipata, a peaceful town in the middle of the beautiful Bolivian countryside. A 3 hour drive from Santa Cruz, it was definitely worth the journey. You could take a bus or even a taxi from Santa Cruz […]

Tupiza Tours: Uyuni Salt Flat Tours from Tupiza Bolivia

Uyuni Salt Flats: El Salar de Uyuni Tour in Bolivia - 4x4s crossing the Salar

The Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia are truly incredible.  One of the highlights of my time in South America as a whole, and an experience not to be missed in Bolivia, a tour of the Uyuni Salt flats is something you will remember for a long time to come.  The first time I went to […]

Death Road Bolivia – The World’s Most Dangerous Road

Biking down Death Rpad La Paz

The first time I went to La Paz in Bolivia I didn’t want to bike down the world’s most dangerous road.  I mean, who would want to ride down “Death Road”?!  The second time I went I still didn’t want to do it, but for some reason, I thought it would be character building or some […]

Lake Titicaca: Crossing from Bolivia to Peru

Copacabana on Lake Titicaca - Backpacking South America

We had left La Paz early in the morning in our faithful truck Rosita, and our first day on the road took us to Lake Titicaca and Copacabana on the shores of the lake.  Copacabana feels like a little seaside town. Paddle boats and white fisherman’s trawlers line the shore, and the lake is so […]

Dragoman Overland: Tour from La Paz to Cusco & Machu Picchu

Our Dragoman Truck Rosita - Backpacking Tours in South America

Visiting Machu Picchu by myself seemed way too complicated. I looked online for the traditional Inca Trail trek, to find it was already sold out for the dates I wanted. Apparently you need to book it around 6 months in advance, as they only allow a certain number of people on the trail at one […]

Colibri Camping & Eco-Lodge in La Paz Bolivia

Colibri Camping, near La Paz Bolivia

After my experience in Santa Cruz, I wasn’t looking forward to another Bolivian City.  I spent some time looking for quiet and peaceful places instead of party hostels in La Paz, and was thrilled when I found Colibri Camping!  Just outside the city, it was a perfect place to escape the crowds and relax in […]

Sucre: What to do in Sucre Bolivia

Backpacking Bolivia - Cholitas in Sucre Bolivia

I had heard great things about Sucre, and was looking forward to my visit.  After my lovely stay in Samaipata, I returned for one night to Santa Cruz, to catch a flight the next morning to Sucre. For the rest of my trip I’d promised myself I would take buses or trains, but as time […]

Biocentro Güembé: An Oasis in Santa Cruz

Parrots at the BioCentro Guembe

Having exhausted Santa Cruz’s city attractions in one afternoon, I turned my attention to the Biocentro Güembé, a nature & swimming park around 30 minutes outside the city. I woke late, around 9am after going to bed around 10pm – sleeping well and long, despite my epic naps the previous day, thus hopefully catching up […]

Santa Cruz: First Impressions of Bolivia

Some peace in the Plaza Principal of Santa Cruz

Unfortunately, Santa Cruz didn’t provide the best first impressions of Bolivia.  It was my first destination in South America and marked the beginning of my 10-month backpacking adventure.  But I hated it.  Is hate a strong word?  Perhaps.  But I certainly didn’t like it!  Perhaps it was the jet-lag, the culture shock, or simply that […]