Basic Boliva

Chacaltaya

The world's highest ski resort, at 18,438 feet. It offers one of the best views of the Andean plateau (day passes about $4, instruction and rental about $35 daily). There is a chalet and restaurant. The ski season runs from October to June, and the high season between April and June. 35 mi (56 km) north of La Paz.

Cochabamba

(pop. 600,000) This is the nation's third largest city. It is noted for its climate, handicrafts, archaeological museum, and Inca ruins at nearby Incallajta. See the San Francisco Monastery, the temple of Santo Domingo. Don't forget the Portales Palace and Pairumani, built by the once Bolivian tin magnate Simon Patino. In Cochabamba there are hotels and typical food. 150 mi (241 km) southeast of La Paz.

Copacabana

Generally seen on a trip from La Paz to Puno/Peru (via hydrofoil across Lake Titicaca) or as an overnight stop on a trip from La Paz to Cuzco/Peru. The town has a large Cathedral, with the 400-year silver and gold-encased Virgin of Copacabana, reputed to have healing powers. At the entrance of Copacabana is La Horca del Inca, where a celebration takes place on August. 70 mi (113 km) west of La Paz.

Lake Titicaca

The highest navigable lake in the world and home to reed island and boats. Titicaca, the sacred lake of the Incas, holds several islands. The Island of the Sun and the Island of the Moon are inhabited by the Uros Indians. 35 mi (56 km) west of La Paz.

La Paz

Bolivia's administrative capital and its largest city. It sits at 12,000 ft/3,600 m above sea level. The city is home to more than 1 million "pacenos, " as the city residents are called. The area around La Paz is arid with deserts, cacti, and dry terrain, with snow-capped Mt. Illimani (21,000 feet) in the background. La Paz's main boulevard (running down the center of the city) holds several of the city sights including the 16th Century San Francisco Church (at Calle Sagarnaga, where artisans sell their products), and the boulevard El Prado. Also in the downtown area are the National Museum of Art (built in 1775), the Calle Jaen, the Cathedral's Museum, the temple of La Merced, and the Tiahuanaco Arts Collection.

In Miraflores you find the Open Air Museum of Tiawanacu and the Botanical Garden (with Andean plants and early colonial ceramics). In Sopocachi you can see the Monticulo, which offers a panoramic view of the city. Near the city are the Moon Valley and Mallasilla. The pre-Inca ruins of Tiahuanacu lie only an hour away, and the valleys of Yungas are also accessible for excursions. Another excursion may be made to the thermal baths of Urmiri and Viscachani (on the road to Oruro). Urmiri has a hotel and pleasant mountain environment. La Paz's feast is known as The Great Power (Gran Poder), and occurs on the first Saturday of June.

The Alasitas Fair takes place between January 24-31, be sure to go. There is a variety of miniature items displayed. Valle de la Luna (Spanish for "Valley of the Moon") comes from the maze of rock formations in the area. Located just outside of La Paz, Valle de la Luna offers rich natural scenery.

If you like the golf, Mallasilla's Golf Course, is at 11,000 ft (3,300 m) the highest in the world. You'll find it 8 miles (13 km) southeast of La Paz.