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, don't hesitate to set off for 2 or 3 days, or even longer. The landscapes you'll cross will more than reward you for your efforts: glaciers, eternal snow, dry forests, rainforests, savannah or jungle, and so on. Delightful! There are several national parks with well-defined trails; otherwise, some treks are popular enough for a real trail to emerge. It's interesting to combine the pleasure of walking with the joy of discovering superb archaeological sites.
Jungle walks. These two terms may seem antithetical: the truth is, you can't "walk" through creepers 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 jungle's biodiversity is staggering, and this adventure will leave a lasting impression on you... unless you're really afraid of the heat and the little bugs that can pop out of the exuberant vegetation at any moment. We suggest the Kempff Mercado National Park, Amboró National Park, Buena Vista (Amboró Norte), Sendas del Chaco and the Pantanal near Santa Cruz. In Beni, visit the biological station of the same name, Guayaramerín, Cachuela Esperanza, laguna Ginebra, La Horquila, laguna Anteojos and Loma Chuchini. Near Cochabamba, Carrasco National Park is a magical place for excursions. The best time to explore the jungle is during the dry season, from March to September.
A Mecca of mountaineering
Mountaineering enthusiasts agree: the Bolivian Andes are often compared to the mythical Himalayan peaks. After a good week's acclimatization on the Altiplano, there are plenty of snow-covered possibilities, with 50 peaks over 5,000 m and 13 over 6,000 m in altitude. These are prime options for mountaineers and hikers alike. Whatever their level.
The country's best-known massif is the Cordillera Royale, a demanding two-week trek. This legendary massif offers spectacular views of the numerous glaciers and their sheer walls, as well as cornices, peaks, ridges and immense glacial plateaus. A 125 km crossing that is a regular delight for Andinists!
To the south of the Cordillera Real, the famous Huayna Potosí and its 6,088 m allow the uninitiated (albeit very athletic) to do their "first 6,000" just a few kilometers from La Paz, while to the north, the Laguna Chiarkhota is a base camp for several climbs (Pequeño Alpamayo, 5,370 m; Tête du Condor, 5,648 m; as well as Aile du Condor, Pyramide Blanche, Pic Illusion, etc.). Also worth mentioning are Chachacomani (6,074 m), overlooking the Altiplano, Lake Titicaca and 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 Cordillera Quimsa Cruz offers less well-marked itineraries.
Finally, the northern Cordillera offers the difficult ascent of Illampu (6,368 m) and Ancohuma (6,427 m). But these are just a few examples, as Bolivia offers a host of possibilities for mountaineers of all levels, who can also tackle numerous volcanoes (not very technical, but very physically demanding), such as Parinacota (6,330 m), Pomerape (6,280 m) or Acotango (6,032 m).
Climbing. It goes without saying that with so many peaks, Bolivia is a paradise for rock-climbers. There's no need to get lost in the depths of the country: some magnificent routes can be found just a few hours from La Paz. Beginners or Sunday climbers can head for Zongo Uma - Palca Botijlaca (2 days), or for the pre-Columbian Los Lagos route (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, there's Nevado Sajama (6,548 m, Bolivia's highest peak), on the border with Chile.
Cycling, mountain biking: dream roads and trails
There's not a lot of traffic on Bolivian trails, but pedaling at altitudes of over 3,000 or 4,000 m is neither common nor easy. You might as well know. Incidentally, those who have spent months criss-crossing the country by bike have told us with rare enthusiasm of their shared happiness. And for thrill-seekers, there's no better way to enjoy the thousands of Bolivian slopes, some of the most spectacular in the world, than on a mountain bike.
The best spots are perhaps the Salar d'Uyuni and the lagoon sector; the Yungas (Coroico, possibly as far as Caranaví.. with the famous and dangerous "road of death", now a veritable 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 offering superb views of the Huayna Potosi and Tikimani glaciers; from Milluni to the Represa Tuni Condoriri (a classic).
On the water too, sensations guaranteed
Rafting and kayaking. An extensive river network ensures a first-class tourism future for these two increasingly popular activities. Some consider Bolivia to be a true rafting paradise. The rivers are powerful and varied, and the landscapes crossed are truly impressive. We recommend the Yungas Paceños: ríos Coroico, Unduavi, Takesi, Zongo, Huarinilla; or the Sorata area: río San Cristóbal, for example; or río Beni, río Tuichi; or Cañón del Diablo, Chapare near Cochabamba. Unlike other sports, the best season is from November to March, when river flows are highest.
Sport fishing. Bolivia's Amazon region is a great place for sport fishing, where you can tease trout, pejerrey, carachi, suche, carp, dorado, pacú, mauri, piraña, surubí and more. These beautiful beasts are sure to give you a hard time! This activity can be enjoyed 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!
