If you’re asking yourself what’s a fun things to do in Bolivia, you’re probably picturing llamas, salt flats, and maybe some high-altitude chaos. You’re not wrong. But Bolivia has this way of surprising you—not with luxury or polish, but with moments that feel raw, strange, and oddly unforgettable. Here’s my real-talk guide to the best things I did while backpacking through this rugged, beautiful country.
1. Walk on the Moon at Salar de Uyuni
Let’s start with the obvious: if you’re looking for a fun thing to do in Bolivia, the Salar de Uyuni salt flats are where you need to be. I’d seen photos online, but nothing prepares you for the scale of it. We went in March and got that perfect mirror effect—blue sky above, blue sky below, and your brain doing backflips.
Our guide took us to Incahuasi Island, this cactus-covered hill in the middle of the flats. We had quinoa salad and chicken for lunch on top of salt blocks. Honestly? Way better than it sounds. And at night, we stayed at a hotel made of salt (beds, walls, the whole thing). Just… don’t lick anything. Trust me.
Local tip: Book a 3-day tour from Uyuni town. Day trips are rushed, and you’ll want time to just sit and soak in the silence.
Also Read: 10 Cheapest countries to visit in South America (Updated 2025)
2. Mountain Bike the Death Road
Okay, so this was hands down the most terrifying fun thing to do in Bolivia I ever said yes to. The North Yungas Road—nicknamed Death Road—drops from snowy mountain tops into rainforest, and yes, you actually bike it.
I’m not a pro biker. Not even close. So when the guide handed me a full-face helmet and said “just go slow and don’t look down,” my stomach did a little flip. But then… wow. Waterfalls on one side, cliffs on the other, jungle smells getting stronger as you descend. At one point we passed a group of local school kids walking uphill like it was nothing. Respect.
Local tip: You’ll be sore. Bring a second shirt, extra water, and absolutely rent from a company with solid gear and a support van.
3. Wander Around La Paz
Some cities feel like a punch in the face. La Paz? More like a slow squeeze on your lungs. At over 3,600 meters above sea level, it takes a few days to adjust, but once you do—man, it’s a vibe.
A fun thing to do in Bolivia that surprised me? Riding the Mi Teleférico cable cars all over the city. Not just scenic, they’re actual public transport. You glide from one hilltop neighborhood to another, looking down at the chaos of markets and rooftops. I also stumbled into the Witches’ Market, where they sell dried llama fetuses for rituals. Didn’t buy one, but I did grab a tiny charm that allegedly attracts good luck (still waiting).
Local tip: If you’re feeling the altitude, grab some coca tea or candies—they help more than you’d think.
4. Visit Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol
Here’s a peaceful fun thing to do in Bolivia: sail across Lake Titicaca to the Isla del Sol, where the Inca creation myth says the sun was born. I wasn’t expecting much, but that boat ride? Calming. That island? A complete escape.
No cars, barely any electricity, and everything—hotels, food, people—is slow and sincere. We did a short hike along ancient Inca trails, and I remember sitting on a rock during sunset thinking, this is what I came here for. Pure stillness, broken only by wind and distant donkeys.
Local tip: Stay overnight. Day-trippers miss the best part—sunrise over the lake, with coffee in hand and zero notifications.
5. Explore the Amazon in Rurrenabaque
Think the Amazon’s just a Brazil thing? Nope. Another fun thing to do in Bolivia is heading to Rurrenabaque, your entry point to Bolivia’s lesser-known jungle. It’s humid, green, full of bugs—and incredibly beautiful.
We took a motorboat into the Pampas, saw capybaras lounging like royalty, and even caught sight of pink river dolphins. I got freaked out during the night walk (so many eyes watching), but it was worth it. We stayed at a family-run eco-lodge with no electricity after 10 PM. Just candles, frogs, and jungle sounds.
Local tip: Fly in from La Paz. The bus takes forever and is super rough—unless you love 20+ hour road trips.
6. Shop and Snack at the Tarabuco Market
Every Sunday, Tarabuco turns into a wild swirl of colors, textures, and smells. This was honestly one of the most fun things to do in Bolivia for people-watching and picking up woven souvenirs that don’t feel mass-produced.
I tried bargaining with a woman selling shawls, and she laughed at me so hard she gave me a discount out of pity. Grabbed a llama steak sandwich from a street cart and sat near a fountain, watching families chat in Quechua and Spanish. It was just… real. No tourists shouting into cameras, no “Insta spots.”
Local tip: Get there early (by 9 AM) for the best stuff and avoid the midday sun.
7. Sucre: Easy on the Eyes, Easier on Your Feet
After La Paz and Uyuni, Sucre felt like a sigh of relief. Colonial charm, clean streets, slow cafes, and warm weather. It’s a chill city—and yes, another seriously underrated things to do in Bolivia is just… being here.
I took Spanish classes at a local school and spent afternoons sipping coffee in courtyards with other travelers. One day we took a short trip to Cal Orck’o, a cliffside with legit dinosaur footprints. Not a gimmick—real fossils, clear as day. Totally wild.
Local tip: The central market is great for cheap almuerzo (set lunch) with fresh juice. Just bring coins and a smile.
8. Ride the Rough Rails – Bolivia’s Local Trains
Okay, this isn’t your “fun” in a rollercoaster sense—but riding the Train of Death from Santa Cruz to the Brazilian border is a whole vibe. It’s slow, loud, sometimes smelly—but deeply human.
We shared snacks with locals, listened to someone play guitar in the middle of the night, and arrived covered in dust but full of weird joy. Bolivia’s trains are like time machines—clunky, nostalgic, kind of broken, but full of stories.
Local tip: Bring snacks, wet wipes, and low expectations. You’ll enjoy it more that way.
9. Potosí: Where Empires Rose and Fell
Last but not least, a fun thing to do in Bolivia that isn’t exactly “fun”—but unforgettable—is touring the silver mines of Potosí. These mines once funded the Spanish Empire. Today, miners still work in brutal conditions.
We went with a local ex-miner. At one point, crawling through narrow tunnels, my heart was racing. He handed us coca leaves and told us, “Chew. It helps.” That stuck with me. This city tells hard truths, and it deserves respect.
Local tip: Don’t go just for photos. Ask questions. Tip well. And skip buying silver trinkets unless you’re sure where it’s from.
10 .Go Horse Riding in Tupiza
So, I ended up in Tupiza, Bolivia, kinda by accident. Some backpacker I met in Sucre said, “You’ve got to do the horse riding there — it’s like a mini Wild West,” and I was like… bet. And honestly? He wasn’t wrong.
I signed up for a half-day ride, and next thing I know, I’m on a horse named “Gringo” (yes, seriously) trotting through these insane red rock canyons. The landscape looked like Mars had a baby with Arizona. Dry, dramatic, beautiful. And peaceful — no crowds, no honking, just hoof beats and the occasional “vamos” from my guide.
At one point, my horse decided he wanted to race — I nearly flew off. But that weird thrill? Kind of unforgettable. We passed cactus fields, little streams, and these rock formations called “El Cañón del Inca.”
Local tip: Wear sunscreen and bring water — it’s hot and dry out there. And don’t worry if you’ve never ridden a horse before — they give you the chill horses if you ask. Tupiza’s not just cheap, it’s full of unexpected adventure.
11. Relax in the Hot Springs at Sajama National Park
Sajama National Park was freezing when I reached — like, jacket-plus-gloves-plus-hat kind of cold. But then someone told me there were natural hot springs nearby, and I thought, “Okay, let’s try.” I walked for about 15 minutes from my lodge, and there it was — a small pool with steam coming out, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Looked fake, but it was real.
I changed into my shorts (yes, in the cold), quickly jumped in, and bro… that warm water hit different. It was quiet, no crowd, just birds and mountain views. I didn’t want to leave. Some local sheep were grazing nearby, and I just sat there thinking, “This is peace.”
Tip: Go early in the morning or evening — less people, better view. And don’t forget a towel, because the wind after the dip is ice cold. Simple place, simple joy. One of those spots where you don’t need Wi-Fi — just hot water and mountains.
12. Watch a Cholitas wrestling match
One day I was in La Paz just chilling, and this guy at my hostel was like, “Wanna go watch Cholitas wrestling?” I was like, huh? Wrestling? In skirts? I didn’t know what to expect, but I went anyway — and honestly, it turned out to be one of the most unique things to do in Bolivia.
We took a ride up to El Alto on a Sunday evening. It was cold, kind of a simple setup — plastic chairs, snacks being sold, and a big ring in the middle. Then the Cholitas came out, dressed in their traditional skirts and long braids, but totally ready to fight. They threw each other around, climbed ropes, even jumped off corners like pro wrestlers. At one point, one did a flying kick and the whole crowd went nuts. I couldn’t stop laughing.
Tip: Get there early for good seats, and go with a tour or trusted local since it’s in El Alto at night. It’s not fancy, but the energy is wild. Honestly, watching this is something you’ll never forget — definitely a unique thing to do in Bolivia that you won’t find anywhere else.
Final Thoughts
So yeah, what to do in Bolivia? Turns out, it’s not one thing—it’s ten. Or maybe a hundred. Some will blow your mind. Some will test your patience. But all of them will leave a mark.
Bolivia isn’t polished. It’s real. If you’re ready for surprises, altitude headaches, and moments that don’t fit on a postcard—you’ll love it here.
Go. Just go. See where the road, river, train, or salt flat takes you.
