Best Time to Visit Bolivia

Visiting Bolivia in Autumn: March to May

Autumn in Bolivia (March – May)

Bolivia in March is experiencing the last days of the rainy season, where rainfall typically occurs in short, sharp downpours. By April, the rain in the Andes comes to an end. In the plains and rainforest, the weather is beginning to get less humid and a bit drier too. Particularly in the Andes such as the La Paz and Uyuni regions, the days will start to become dry, sunny, and cold. In May, the Andes are well and truly in the dry season with great weather for travelers. In the lowlands and around the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra humidity continues to fall.

Bolivia Weather in Autumn

Bolivia’s weather in Autumn remains warm but humidity levels start to decrease. In La Paz and Uyuni enjoy highs of 64F / 18C. Though in Uyuni, while the daytime is relatively warm, temperatures can dive down to lows of 19F / -7C at night.

Best Things to Do in Bolivia during Fall

One of the top things to do in Bolivia during Fall is to explore the city of La Paz, where the temperatures do not fall below 53F / 12C. In May, La Paz boasts pleasant, mild weather, perfect for outdoor exploration around the city and the surrounding natural regions.

La Paz is the seat of government in Bolivia, hosting a variety of impressive national monuments like Plaza San Francisco and Plaza Murillo, with the presidential palace. Additionally, the city is bursting with Bolivia’s traditional culture. In every square, the “Cholas” (indigenous women of Aymara or Quichuan descent) sell an endless array of unique handicrafts, clothing, food and drink – everything you could need and much more. The Andes surrounding La Paz offers innumerable hikes along millennia-old Inca trails to Sorata, Tiahuanaco, the Capital of a lost empire which predated even the Incas.

Visiting Bolivia in Winter: June to August

Winter in Bolivia (June – August)

June and July are great months to visit Bolivia as the days during these two months are dry and sunny. However, the highlands can experience chilly temperatures. The dry days may deceive you in thinking that the temperature will be nice and warm, however, in the night, temperatures drastically drop. So it’s best to pack some easy to layer clothing if you travel to Bolivia in June and July.

August in Bolivia also experiences colder temperatures, however, it is the busiest time of the year for travel. Early booking is encouraged.

Bolivia Weather in the Winter

Winter marks the dry season for Bolivia, providing excellent weather conditions. Temperatures drop in the Bolivian Amazon to highs of 89F / 32C and lows of 66F / 19C. With temperatures dropping in Rurrenabaque, this is a great time to visit the rainforest as humidity levels will not be as high.

Best Things to Do in Bolivia during Winter

The top things to do in Bolivia’s winter season are trekking and exploring the ruins of Bolivia’s decorated past. In the province of Chiquitos, in the lowlands of Bolivia, some of South America’s best-preserved Jesuit Mission towns can be explored. Designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1990, the province is dotted with six former missionaries with architecture inspired by European and Amerindian culture. You can visit these monuments at San Javier, Conception, San Miguel de Velasco, and San Jose. Temperatures in Bolivia’s lowlands remain in the high 50’s Fahrenheit, making for comfortable exploration.

For nature enthusiasts, the Trans-Apolobamba Trek is an excellent hike during winter as it is the dry season in the Andes. The challenging five-day hike is one of Bolivia’s finest, taking you deep into the Cordillera Apolobamba, surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery.