The Best Time to Visit Bolivia
Like most of its South American neighbors, Bolivia’s climate varies based on altitude and season, making it a great destination throughout the whole year. However, most agree that the best time to visit Bolivia is during its dry season between May and October, with a tourism spike around August (so book early!).
The high & dry Altiplano desert, at over 10,000 feet above sea level, covers much of Bolivia’s geography, and nighttime temperatures can drop well below freezing between June and August, even when the day time temperatures are warm, so make sure to pack warm clothes and layers.
The shoulder season from April-June & September-November, brings in a bit warmer temperatures and less rain, making it a decent alternative to the dry season.
From December to March, there are occasional floods in the highland salt desert, which makes this a bad time to visit much of the country.
Dry Season (winter): May-October – Clear, sunny skies, shorter days, colder nights; slightly lower temperatures and less humidity in the Amazon.
Wet Season (summer): November-March/April – Because of the steady & heavy rains, many roads in the rainforest region especially are muddy and impassable. Conversely, river travel increases during this time.
The low-lying Amazonis generally much warmer, with daytime temperatures in the 80s-90s F (26-32ºC) cooling to a brisk 68ºF (20ºC) in the night all year. Even though the climate usually corresponds to the wet (November-April) and dry (May-October) seasons of the highland region, there are regular showers during the dry season, and the wet season also has frequent periods of sunshine. However, during the wet season, flights can be more unpredictable so including an extra day in your travel plans is usually a good idea.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.