Football, the great popular sport
As is the case throughout South America, football is a hotbed of passion. Especially since the national team of the devil Etcheverry and Platini Sanchez, Cristaldo, Moreno and other young students from the Tahuichi Aguilera academy in Santa Cruz, led the country to the USA 94 World Cup. The next event in Bolivia's history was the Copa America in July 1997, when the country played one of the best games in its history and lost the final to Brazil. However, it has to be said that "La Verde", as the national team is known, has not particularly shone at major world and South American tournaments (only three appearances at the World Cup in 1930, 1950 and 1994 and one Copa America victory in 1963). However, thanks to some strokes of genius (and above all to the altitude), it has sometimes managed to defeat some great teams like Argentina, notably in the famous 6-1 inflicted on coach Diego Maradona's Albiceleste in La Paz in 2009 or more recently the 2-0, again in La Paz, in March 2017. The Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz (3,637m above sea level) is the second highest in the world and the highest perched stadium approved by FIFA. The stadium is the second highest in the world and the highest perched stadium approved by FIFA, which means that it is often a trap for visitors who have not had time to acclimatise to the altitude!
While they watch the big international games, Bolivians are also passionate about their national championship. And in every heartland of the country, there is either a supporter of the Strongest Tigers of La Paz (12 Bolivian league titles in 2021) or the Celestes of Bolivar (23 league titles), also domiciled in La Paz. And mind you, this is a choice for life! Football is so important that it leaves little room for anything else. The wealthy may play tennis or racquetball, a type of squash, but it is not a major part of their lives.Many fans of motor sports
Bolivians are crazy about motor sports and racing car competitions and other rallies are organized regularly throughout the country. One is often surprised by so much fervour on the roadsides and circuits. In fact, Bolivia rolled out the red carpet to host the Dakar caravan between 2014 and 2018. And rarely has a country shown so much enthusiasm in hosting this competition, with often hundreds of thousands of people at the finish of the stages!
A trekking paradise
For some, Bolivia is the Nepal of the Americas. The prospects for hikers are as numerous as they are sumptuous. If you have the time and energy, do not hesitate to leave for 2 or 3 days, or even more. The landscapes crossed will largely reward you for the efforts made: glaciers, eternal snow, dry forests, humid forests, savannah or jungle, etc. Delightful! There are several national parks that have defined trails; otherwise, some treks are popular enough that a real route is emerging. It is interesting to combine the pleasure of walking with the joy of discovering beautiful archaeological sites.
Jungle walks. These two terms seem antinomic: in fact, how to "walk" in the middle of lianas and wild animals; the Amazon is not the forest of Fontainebleau. In Bolivia, however, such circuits are now well mastered, and the possibilities are numerous. The biodiversity of the jungle is astounding, and this adventure will leave a lasting impression on you... unless you are really afraid of the heat and the little bugs that, at any moment, can emerge from the exuberant vegetation. We suggest the Kempff Mercado National Park, Amboró National Park, Buena Vista (Amboró Norte), Sendas del Chaco and the Pantanal near Santa Cruz. In the Beni, visit the biological station of the same name, Guayaramerín, Cachuela Esperanza, laguna Ginebra, La Horquila, laguna Anteojos, Loma Chuchini. Near Cochabamba, the Carrasco National Park is a magical place for your excursions. The best time to walk through the jungle is during the dry season, from March to September.
A Mecca of mountaineering
Mountaineering enthusiasts are formal: the Bolivian Andes are often compared to the mythical Himalayan peaks. After a good week of acclimatization on the Altiplano, one will find a large number of snow-covered possibilities, with 50 peaks over 5,000 m in altitude and 13 over 6,000 m. Great options for mountaineers and hikers. Whatever their level
The most famous massif of the country is the Cordillera Real, whose demanding crossing takes about fifteen days. This legendary massif offers spectacular views of the numerous glaciers and their steep walls, but also of cornices, peaks, ridges and immense glacial plateaus. A 125 km crossing which is regularly a delight for the Andinistas!
To the south of the Royal Mountain Range, the famous Huayna Potosí and its 6,088 m allows the uninitiated (who are nonetheless very athletic) to make a "first 6,000" a few kilometres from La Paz, while to the north the Laguna Chiarkhota is a base camp that allows you to envisage several ascents (Pequeño Alpamayo, 5,370 m; Tête du Condor, 5,648 m; but also the Wing of the Condor, the White Pyramid, the Illusion Peak, etc). Also worth mentioning is Chachacomani (6,074 m), which dominates the Altiplano, Lake Titicaca and the tropical valleys, and Chearoco (6,127 m), a more technical and challenging peak.
To the south-east of the capital, the legendary Illimani massif, La Paz's "protective" peak, still offers unique views and attracts experienced mountaineers. Not far away, the Quimsa Cruz mountain range offers less marked routes.
Finally, the north of the Cordillera offers the difficult ascent of the Illampu (6 368 m) and the Ancohuma (6 427 m). But these are obviously only a few examples, as Bolivia offers a host of possibilities to mountaineers of all levels, who can also tackle numerous volcanoes (not very technical, but very demanding physically), such as Parinacota (6,330 m), Pomerape (6,280 m) or Acotango (6,032 m).
Climbing. It is obvious that with such peaks, Bolivia is a small paradise for climbing lovers. There is no need to get lost in the depths of the country: magnificent routes are located just a few hours from La Paz. Beginners or Sunday climbers can go to Zongo Uma - Palca Botijlaca (2 days), or to the pre-Columbian path Los Lagos (3 days of arduous walking) to reach the Zongo valley, in the province of Murillo. With a little more experience, try the Macizo (massif) Condoriri (Monte Ilusión at 5 350 m or Monte Alpamayo Chico at 5 400 m). In the Illimani there are five peaks, the three most important being Sur (6,462 m), Central (6,287 m) and Laika Khollu (6,159 m). Finally, we can mention the Nevado Sajama (6 548 m, the highest peak in Bolivia), on the border with Chile.
Cycling, mountain biking: dream roads and trails
The traffic is not intense on the Bolivian trails; pedaling at an altitude of 3,000 or 4,000 m is not common or easy. You might as well know that. In fact, those who have spent months cycling around the country have spoken to us with a rare enthusiasm about their shared happiness. And thrill-seekers will be able to enjoy the thousands of Bolivian slopes, among the most spectacular in the world, on a mountain bike.
The best places are perhaps the Salar of Uyuni and the lagoon sector; the Yungas (Coroico, possibly up to Caranaví.. with the famous and dangerous "death road", today a real tourist institution), the Cordillera Real (Urmiri, Chacaltaya, Sorata); Quillacollo and Pairumani near Cochabamba; the route from Achacachi to Sorata; from Ancoma to Sorata (even more demanding); the Represa Zongo sector, a demanding circuit with superb views of the Huayna Potosi and Tikimani glaciers; from Milluni to Represa Tuni Condoriri (a classic).On the water too, sensations guaranteed
Rafting and kayaking. A large river network ensures a first class tourist future for these two activities which are becoming more and more popular with travelers. Some consider Bolivia to be one of the true rafting paradises. The rivers are powerful and varied and the landscapes crossed are really impressive. We recommend the Yungas Paceños: the Coroico, Unduavi, Takesi, Zongo, Huarinilla rivers; or the surroundings of Sorata: the San Cristobal river, for example; or the Beni river, the Tuichi river; or the Cañón del Diablo, the Chapare near Cochabamba. Contrary to other sports, the best season is from November to March, because the rivers have a higher flow rate
Sport fishing. Bolivia is a great place for sport fishing because of its Amazonian nature. You can fish for trout, pejerrey, carachi, suche, carp, dorado, pacu, mauri, piraña, surubí, etc. Beautiful animals that should give you a hard time! You can practice this activity all year round, depending on the type of fish you choose to catch.
After the effort, the comfort!
Thermal cures. Afraid to get in the water for a crazy rafting trip? No binoculars for bird watching? No problem! If you need to get back into shape, if you're at the end of your rope, there are places to rest for a while from the dust of the road. The volcanic cordillera Occidental (from Jucuri to the Sabaya river), called Cordillera de Lípez and Cordillera de Chocaya, abounds in mineral-rich thermal waters. A good bath will put you back in shape! An ideal activity to recover from a long hike or the ascent of a 6,000 m mountain!
