Fun Thing to Do in Bolivia – A No-Fluff Travel Guide from Someone Who Actually Went
If you’re asking yourself what’s a fun thing 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.
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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 fun thing 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.
Final Thoughts
So yeah, what’s a fun thing 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.
Fun thing to do in Bolivia? Go. Just go. See where the road, river, train, or salt flat takes you.
