Sports and leisure activities Bolivia

Budget & Tips

Most of the treks can be done without a guide, but we strongly recommend that you hire the services of a qualified guide. It would be a pity to get lost in the mountains at an altitude of 4 500 m... The nights are polar cold!

Some examples of prices: a local guide will ask you about 200 Bs the day, count about 400 Bs all included for a descent in mountain bike of the Death Road, 40 US$ for the descents in tyrolienne, 250 US$ for 3 days of trek all included (guide, meals, nights, etc.), about 200 US$ for a circuit 4 days and 3 nights in the South-Lipez and 700 US$ to climb Illimani at the sides of guides certified by the IVBV-UIAGM-IFMGA

What's very local

The national game is cacho, a dice game. In most bars in the country, you'll see people sitting around with beers and dice, tossed into a leather glass.

Cholitas escaladoras . In recent years, a group of Aymara women, cholitas, have been climbing Bolivia's major peaks, before overcoming their ultimate challenge in early 2019, the ascent of Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas. For more than 25 years, these women had been confined to a logistical support role during ascents of Huayna Potosí, one of the most touristy and accessible peaks, despite its 6,088 m. They accompanied the trekkers to the camp located at 5,100 m, Campo Alto. From there, they waited for the return of the Andinistas and prepared meals and coca mate for them. The curiosity to go further won them over little by little and in 2017, they formed a group of cholitas escaladoras, and undertook the ascents of various Bolivian peaks. Ranging in age from 24 to 50, these women have gradually become a symbol of the struggle for gender equality and indigenous visibility. Their action highlights the preponderant role of women in mountain activities and encourages younger women to get involved in qualified guide training.

Your documents please

No papers required for mountain activities, however you must be in good health and be aware of your limits, the efforts required at altitude surprise more than one experienced hiker...

To be booked

For all sporting activities (Andeanism, climbing, hiking, kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, etc.), reservations should be made at the latest the day before, with the exception of night activities (soccer matches, cholitas wrestling...). It is best to use the services of a serious agency and a qualified guide, especially for mountain trips and the descent of the Death Road by mountain bike.

The website www.eventrid.bo allows you to book your tickets for various national sporting events (marathons, bike races, etc.)

The AGMTB, association of professional mountain guides in Bolivia, is composed of official members of the International Union of Mountain Guides Associations IFMGA / UIAGM / IVBV, an international organization born in 1960 in the European Alps, gathering all the professional mountain guides who meet high technical standards. Before going to the high mountains, contact the travel agency of your choice and ask for a professional guide certified UIAGM(www.agmtb.org), having received a high mountain rescue training by the Socorro Andino Boliviano organization (www.socorroandinoboliviano.org).

Main events

Every year, the National Sports Day (Día del Deporte Nacional ) is celebrated on July 7, to encourage the country's citizens to engage in physical activity.

Tourist traps

Beware: many operators in La Paz offer mountain biking down the Death Road; some offer unbeatable prices, but you should be aware that the most expensive agencies are generally those that offer top-quality equipment and supervision, both of which are essential for your safety.