Wednesday - August 04, 2010
Bolivia
Let there be no misunderstanding - No, you don't have to go to these places. No, these are not by definition the best spots. After having travelled in South America for several years we realize that it's no problem here to find your own beautiful spots for camping. We decided to continue the page anyway, for people who would like some tips about camping spots which we enjoyed or found practical - please note that this is always our personal experience.
N.B. We use the following system:
HDDD.MM.MMM -WGS 84
1. Bush camping, east of Entre Rios [1368 metres / Aug '07]
Beautiful, quiet spot on top of a hill.
gps: S 21.25.220 - W 063.56.613
2. Tarija [1948 metres / Aug '07]
A few kilometres north of the city, at a YPF petrol station. Quiet place, toilet and cold shower.
gps: S 21.28.414 - W 064.45.500
3. Tupiza [2971 metres / Aug '07]
Spent the night at the lovely, friendly, clean Hotel El Torre [price around 70 bolivianos for double room]. The car was parked in the street and unfortunately at night two drunk, young people tried to break into the car.
The first time we were in Tupiza, we parked in the same street and slept in the car. It was a quiet night and without any problems.
gps: S 21.26.739 - W 065.43.117
4. Mina Candelaria [3968 metres / Aug '07]
About 70 kms northwest of Tupiza [towards Uyuni]. Quiet place, friendly custodian of the mine who let us camp here.
gps: S 21.06.103 - W 066.03.169
5. Sud Lipez, from Laguna Verde to Ollaguë [Nov '08]
Laguna Verde [4364 metres / Nov '08]
Along the long lake you'll see a small building, to change clothes, adjacent to a wonderful thermal bath.
Perfect place for bush camping.
gps: S 22.47.197 - W. 067.49.196
Fumaroles / geysers [3672 metres / Nov '08]]
The geysers are a bit away from the main road [not indicated].
gps: S 22.26.126 - W 067.45.431
Aduana [5032 metres / Nov '08]]
When you enter Bolivia, you'll find Immigration to stamp your passport [21 bolivianos for the honor, please. [Nov 2008]] and a bit down the road is the entrance to Reserva National Eduardo Avaroa], entrance fee 150 bolivianos per peson [Jan '10]. De Aduana, to get the stamp for your car, is 80 kms further north.
gps: S 22.26.448 - W 067.48.353
Laguna Colorada [4318 metres / Nov '08]]
Beautiful spot for bush camping, along the lake.
gps: S 22.12.784 - W 067.47.868
Laguna Honda [4150 metres / Nov '08]]
Another awesome bush camp, between the flamingos.
gps: S 21.37.244 - W 068.03.780
Read here to learn more about driving this stretch.
6. Uyuni [3683 metres] and Salar de Uyuni [3669 metres / Aug '07, Jan '10]
Uyuni [Jan '10]
entrance/exit east side Salar [in Colchani, northwest of Uyuni / Aug '07]
gps: S 20.18.973 - W 066.58.853
entrance/exit south side Salar [northeast of Colcha K / Aug '07]
gps: S 20.36.313 - W 067.35.003
Salt hotel Playa blanca [Aug '07]
gps: S 20.19.828 - W 067.02.802
Ihla Inca Huasi [sometimes incorrectly called Ihla Pescadora / Aug '07]
Favorite lunch stop for tour groups. Entrance fee 10 bolivianos [1 euro] to visit the beautiful island. It has a small restaurant.
gps: S 20.14.417 - W 067.37.365
Ihla Pescado [20 km northwest of Ihla Inca Huasi / Aug '07]
Awesome spot for bush camping. During the day maybe 2 or 3 tour-cars stop by but during the evening we had the place to ourselves.
gps: S 20.08.522 - W 067.48.609
Volcano Tunupa [village Colquesa / Aug '07]
Another nice place to spend the night. Walk up to the volcano or watch flamingos.
gps: S 19.54.078 - W 067.37.500
San Juan, located south of the Salar [3625 metres / Jan '10]
Spent the night in the parking lot of Alojamiento Sicancahur, shower for 5 bolivianos. Friendly owner.
gps: S 20.54.018 - W 067.46.025
More information on the Salar de Uyuni and Sud Lipez:
- van San Pedro de Atacama [Chili] naar Sud Lipez
- jeep tours to Salar de Uyuni
- 4WD excursions to Sud Lipez
- off-roading on the Salar de Uyuni
- bush camping on the Salar de Uyuni
- transportation to Salar de Uyuni
7. Potosí and surroundings [Jan '10]
20 Kilometres on the road to Oruro lies Tarapaya. Pass the village on your right side, take the narrow bridge on the left side that crosses a stream and follow 'laguna'. At the top is a great thermal bath of 35 degrees and is a lovely camping spot. [3427 metres].
Price: 40 bolivianos [2 persons and car].
gps: S 19.28.027 - W 065.47.681
8. San Matthias, border Brazil [Caceres/ Oct '09]
Aduana [car papers]
gps: S 16.21.229 - W 058.24.593
Migraçion [visa]
gps: S 16.21.668 - W 058.23.877
Accommodation
Spent a tranquil night in our car at the central square.
gps: S 16.21.601 - W 058.23.979
9. Guayaramerím, border Brazilië [Guajara Mirim, Rondônia / Dec '09]
Good spot for camping at the terrain of eco hotel Ituaba with a very friendly owner. Located 3 kms outside town towards Riberalta.
gps: S 10.50.435 - W 065.22.185
10. Route Riberalta - Rubbenaque, bush camping [174 metres / Dec '09]
Lovely spot for bush camping, well hidden from the road thanks to high bushes.
gps: S 13.22.038 - W 066.39.109
11. 80 kms south Yucumo [road to La Paz, 950 metres / Dec '09]
Fine spot for bush camping, hidden behind an abandoned hut.
gps: S 15.31.347 - W 067.15.083
12. La Paz, Copacabana and surroundings [Dec '09 / Jun '10]
Hotel Oberland, Mallase [3252 metres / Dec '09]
This is a well-known place for overlanders to camp in the parking lot. Use of shower, swimming pool and WIFI included in the price. From here regular minibuses go downtown La Paz [or take a taxi].
www.h-oberland.com
price: 60 bolivianos per night [2 persons + car]. Only car parking B10 / night.
gps: S 16.34.080 - W 068.05.360
Driverland Metal Mecanica [welding / Dec '09]
The broken windowpanes were professionally welded MigMag [for a good price].
address: Calle 31, nr 567 [hoek Las Retamas]
Laguna Cota, La Paz
tel: 2-799084 / cell: 720 - 15605
gps: S 16.32.615 - W 068.03.702
Official Toyota workshop at Miraflores [between Mallase and downtown La Paz / 3369 metres / Dec '09]
gps: S 16.31.181 - W 068.06.904
El Alto: DAB – Aduana Boliviana to arrange extension of car papers
Along the highway that leads through El Alto lies the DAB, nearby the airport [when driving in the direction of Oruro it's on your right hand side – other travellers gave us this waypoint but we didn't check it: S 16.51.942 -W 68.16.856].
Here you can arrange an extension of your car papers. The car is checked on its license plate and chassis, so don't go there without your car. Bring your paspoort and car papers [and make copies to hand over] as well as an official letter requesting this extension [see here for an example of such letter]. The extension is free of charge.
Coroico [1750 metres / Dec '09]
Coroico is a small town east of La Paz. Camped at a private parking above Hostel El Cafetal, right outside Coroico's centre.
price: B10 / night
gps: S 16.11.733 - W 067.43.542
More information on La Paz:
- Fiesta de las Alasitas in La Paz
- Sightseeing in La Paz
- Archaeological museum in La Paz
- Día del Mar [Day of the Sea] in La Paz
- Public Transportation in La Paz
- Aymara New Year in Valle de la Luna, La Paz
- Bolivia's Place of Pilgrimage at Copacabana, Lake Titicaca
- Car Blessings at the Cathedral of Copacabana, Bolivia
13. Cochabamba and surroundings [Dec '09]
Hotel Casa Campestra [2576 metres / Dec '09]
At 10 kilometres west of Cochabamba in the parking lot of the luxurious hotel of Casa Campestra. B90 per night, including use of shower [when room is available] and extensive breakfast buffet.
gps: S 17.22.838 - W 066.15.039
Hotel de la Torre, Apart-Hotel [2494 metres / Dec '09]
At 32 kilometer west of Cochabamba. Spent the night in the parkinglot. Has a thermal bath. Price negotiable.
gps: S 17.31.063 - W 066.19.951
More information on Cochabamba:
- Visit the Religious Festival of Urkupiña in Cochabamba
14. Sucre and surroundings [Aug '10]
Near Rio Misque ten noorden van Sucre, bush camping [1320 meter, Aug '10]
gps: S 18.51.714 - W 064.17.717
Information on Sucre:
- Meet Shoeshine Boys During a Unique City Tour in Sucre
- How to Become a Volunteer at a Children's Home in Sucre, Bolivia
- Three Good Reasons to Visit Sucre
- Characteristics of Tarabuco's Weaving Techniques
- How to Recognize Jalq'a Traditional Weaving Techniques, Bolivia
15. Vallegrande [1995 metres / Aug '10]
Petrol station on the northside of town.
gps: S 18.28.702 - W 064.06.806
Informatie over Vallegrande en omgeving:
- Follow the Che Guevara Trail in Vallegrande
- Bolivia's Ruta del Che from Santa Cruz to the Chaco
16. Santa Cruz and surroundings [Sep '10]
Santa Cruz [411 metres]
Parking lot Pilot Club.
gps: S 17.47.985 - W 063.10.541
Buena Vista, 100 kilometres northwest of Santa Cruz [388 metres]
Perfect,shady parking spot at the plaza.
gps: S 17.27.652 - W 063.39.617
Information on Buena Vista:
- Accommodation at Hacienda El Cafetal in Buena Vista, Bolivia