Destination attractions things to do in bolivia

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Bolivia is a country steeped in history and culture, drawing upon 21,000 years of civilization. With a natural environment that ranges from the peaks of the Andes to the rainforests of the Amazonian Basin, Bolivia is ripe for exploration and adventure. The climate varies with the geographic region, but in general terms, the weather tends to coolness in most regions. As it is in the Southern Hemisphere, the winter season is from May to October and the summer season is from November to April. Peak tourist time is late June through early September. Less commercially developed than its neighbors, Bolivia offers an authentic and economical South American experience.

Founded in 1549, La Paz, which functions as the capital of Bolivia, is the highest large city in the world. Its 1.5 million residents live 3,625 miles above sea level, in a high mountain valley surrounded by a breathtakingly beautiful landscape that includes both dry desert terrain complete with cacti and the snow-covered Mt. Illimani.

A city with a long history of political and social struggle, La Paz is home to many magnificent historical structures and sites. Some of the finest include its cathedral, the presidential palace, the home of Pedro Domingo Murillo, and several remarkable museums whose exhibits reflect both pre- and post-conquest history and culture.

Built in 1835, the neoclassic cathedral graces the Plaza Murillo. The structure is supported by sturdy Corinthian-style columns. Next to the cathedral is the presidential palace, which is a sight to behold with its lovely lines and classic design. The beautiful Iglesia de San Francisco blends the best of mestizo and Spanish-Baroque architectural designs to create a simply stunning vision. Naturally, this place draws tourists and locals alike to congregate and is the perfect spot for people watching.

La Paz, honoring both the centuries old history of the city itself and the thousands of years of civilization in Bolivia, has many impressive museums. The Museo Nacional de Arte, on calle Comercio, displays a variety of art, including some by Melchor Prez del Holgun and Marina Nu?ez del Prado, in what was once a palace, built in 1775. The Museo Nacional de Arqueologica exhibits ancient Tiahuanacu artifacts. In the Museo Costumbrista, there are numerous ceramic dolls dressed in traditional costumes that offer a demonstration of daily life in the 1800s. The Museo of Historia Natural is devoted to the paleontology, geology, paleontology, zoology, and botany of Bolivia. Located in a house built in the late 1700s, the Museo de Etnografia y Folklore explores the art and customs of the Chipayas and Ayoreos. Pre-conquest works of precious metals are displayed at the Museo del Oro.

With so much of the country being so much less developed than its more commercialized neighbors, Bolivia is a paradise for nature explorers. And, in fact, many of the most popular hiking paths begin just outside of La Paz, following the old Incan trails through the Cordillera Real to finish in the Yungas, a tropical area with lush, deep valleys that separate the high Andes from the Amazonian Basin.

For the serious hiker-explorer, there is the six-day journey from Sorata to the goldfields at the Rio Tipuani, via El Camino de Oro. One of the most popular hiking experiences is the three-day La Cumbre to Corocio Trek, attracting hikers from all over the world. Local travel agent offices are able to help to set up these types of guided hikes, as well as shorter day hikes.

Naturally, the mountain climbing is excellent in Bolivia, with many magnificent sites to choose from C enough to accommodate most skill levels. Many climbers enjoy the challenge and natural beauty of such mountains the 21,080-foot Ancohuma, the Illimani, Huayna Potos, and Condoriri.

For those who prefer the jungle to the mountains, there are numerous guided hiking tours throughout Bolivias Amazon region. Bolivia is home to some fantastic national parks, including Kempff National Park, on the border of Brazil, and Ambroro National Park, which is west of Santa Cruz. Aside from hiking trails that must be experienced to be believed, Bolivias national parks offer a wealth of fascinating and often unique flora and fauna.

A trip to Bolivia simply would not be complete without visiting the ancient ruins at Tiahuanaco, just 50 miles west of La Paz. These impressive ruins date back centuries, making this place the most significant archeological site in Bolivia, attracting researchers, scholars and the simply curious from all over the world.

Bolivia is the perfect vacation destination for the modern day explorer. The variety of terrain and nature is superb, and the connections between the natural environment, Bolivias long history, as well as its indigenous and post-conquest cultures make for fascinating and thoughtful exploration.