Bolivia

Backpacking Bolivia: Don’t Call This a Vacation. Start reading with this quote in mind:

“The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes "sight-seeing.””

The American historian Daniel Boors tin had it right. As backpackers, we search for the experience, rather than letting the experience search for us. Simply setting foot in Bolivia qualifies you for the former.

This isn’t an easy place to travel. In Chile, Peru, and Argentina, backpackers will find English speakers in larger cities, and even in some of the smaller towns. In Bolivia, don’t forget your phrasebook. The country has never had the education system necessary to teach a large proportion of the population English.

Don’t let that scare you off, though. While there may be some communication issues, these will almost certainly be offset by the friendliness of the average Bolivian. Though many are extremely poor, they still find it easy to share their love of the land. Especially once you move outside of La Paz, people tend to want to stop and find out how you’re enjoying the country.

Aside from the people, Bolivia’s main draw is its scenery. Majestic mountains covered in snow tower over beautiful lakes and rivers. There’s no shortage of opportunities for backpackers to hike, bike, and explore virgin untouched nature.

Most people backpacking in Bolivia on a tight schedule will head straight to Lake Titicaca. The only thing funny about this gem is its name. It’s strongly suggested you head out to Isla del Sol, a small island in the middle of the lake. While facilities are limited, the beauty of the surrounding lake more than makes up for it.