Basic Boliva

Sucre

The Constitutional Capital of Bolivia (pop 120,000) is home to The Supreme Court and a 17th Century University. A colonial town in a scenic valley at an elevation of 8,900 ft/2,713 m, it offers several interesting sites, among them the Cathedral and Chapel of Guadalupe, the House of Liberty, the Colonial Museum, the Anthropological Museum, and the Inmaculada Convent (shop there for handicrafts). Also see the Ruins of Calle-Calle in the Zudanez barrio (neighborhood). There is also a day trip to nearby Tarabuco, to visit the colorful Tarabuco, fair where dance and clothing are important features. The Castle of the Glorieta, the national military academy (3 mi/ 5 km from the city, in the mountains) has a museum, 260 mi (418 km) southeast of La Paz.

Tarija

(pop 80,000) Located in a beautiful valley and has a rich musical tradition; instruments such as violin, guitar, erque, canes, and caja (small drum). Tarija is well known for its cuisine and expanding wine industry. See the Golden House, and don't miss Tarija's Carnival (in February).

Tiahuanacu

The most important archaeological site in Bolivia. Tiahuanacu thrived between 600 BC and 1200 AD. The Gate of the Sun, is the most famous stone monument. The mounds on area hilltops were the ruins of entire cities, rather than just temples. Scientists also found "camellones", antique and forgotten agriculture techniques. Visit on a day trip from La Paz. 50 mi (81 km) west of La Paz.

Yungas

A beautiful area of deep valleys separating the high Andes form the Amazon basin. The steep topography ensures a constant variety of landscapes, and the cloud forest in the higher reaches differs considerably from the low-land jungles. There are thermal baths and good fishing. While Los Yungas is sometimes visited as a day trip from La Paz, there are hotels in Coroico and Chulumani. Horses are available for hire to tour the terraced rural fields, or ride along the tranquil rivers. You can also walk from La Paz to Coroico along the Inca Trail. The trip takes three to four days, and follows a stone walkway over a high pass (15,750 ft/ 4,800 m), descending toward the humid Yungas. 60 mi (96 km) NE of La Paz. Read Patrcia Muse's account of this trek.

Special thanks to the Bolivian Times, Pasaje jauregui 2248 (Sopocahi), Cassila No. 1696, La Paz, Bolivia, for providing this material.