Top Bolivia hotels
Traditions and festivals La Paz
7 Reviews This is a traditional festival which happens once a year. there are plenty of dancer that choose to dance a lot of sort of dances. i can name some of them: morenada, diablada, tobas, tinkus, pujllays,...
See All 26 Local Customs in La Paz
Sponsored Links
There are very few blacks in Bolivia. So few that Bolivians consider it good luck to see one. They will point, smile and say 'good luck'. They may also want to rub the head of a black person visiting the region.
Coca Leaves. Did someone said coca? Man, the locals where all over it in these coca stand on Aiquile Market. They chew the coca leaves to get the energy demanded by their jobs. This practice is well known in the Andes. I even chew on Coca leaves myself duringenduring treks in the Andes. Don't leave South America without trying at least the imfamous mate do coca (Coca Tea).
Bolivians are very friendly. Here, with guido, a friend and the best guide to Tiwanacu.los Bolivianos son muy amables y amistosos con los extranjeros. Aquí, con Guido un amigo, y el mejor guía para conocer Tiwanacu.
Of course one of the great things about Bolivia is the Local Ladies in their bowler hats, unforgettable.and how about those strange looking shoe-shine boys, you could not see their faces..very sinister looking in their balaclava's !!There are many churches and cathedrals that are well worth a visit.
For the ones interested in buying music or musical instruments, here you are some tips on the later. Best known Andean bands in the region are Los K'jarkas and Los Jairas. You also have Yayo Joffre, Gilbert Favre, Fernando Jimenez, Ernesto Cavoir and Alfredo Dominguez. For listening to this kind of typical music you must go to the traditional 'peñas' (places where to drink, eat while listening to (sometimes) live music and dancing.As for instruments you have the Charango, the Kena and the Zampoña. Those are a kind or mandoline, flute and pan flute, respectively (if you have some spare room in you luggage, of course !)
You might know about this already (or maybe not ?) but it's interesting to know that our famous Lambada, yes, the one that in 1989 made everybody dance on its hot rythm, has its origin in ... Boliva ! (and not in Brasil as, I confess, I belived. The original song is not from the band Kaoma, but from Los K'Jarkas, the most famous bolivian band, stars of the Andean music all over this big continent. The song was edited in 1981 and by mistake attributed to Kaoma. The rythm is much older, coming from the Afro-american slaves who went through Brasil to Bolivia to work on the Silver mines at Potosi. So guys and gals, now you know !
Coca leaves are part of the culture in Bolivia (_not_ cocaine - they are very strict about drugs, just visit the La Paz jail to find out).Buy a big bag (it costs about one boliviano per 'scoop') and chew leaves all day! It takes a bit of getting used to but you basically chew a few leaves into a ball and then leave it at the side of your mouth and munch every now and again. In some areas, they will strip out the stalks before putting the leaves in their mouth.Use the leaves for tipping - everyone is always grateful for them and it is a good way to strike up a friendship with a tour guide / bus driver etc.I've read that they have almost eradicated all coca growing plantations in Bolivia now (which is quite sad in some ways) so make sure you try them while you can....
Bolivia is full of culture and folklore, it is a very diverse country with indigenous people who keep their traditions from the Inca's time in the ever snowed Andes, extroverted happy go lucky people in multiethnic Santa Cruz, and Mennonite farmers in the country side of Santa Cruz who look just like Amish people from Pennsylvania. You will have a mind-blowing experience seeing the kaleidoscope of colorful cultures that inhabit this country. Do not miss the Carnival in Santa Cruz (check out the picture underneath) it is lots of fun, and if you are more into Andean culture check out the one in Oruro. If you go in September go to 'La Feria de Exposición' (an international exposition fair for international trade and amusement) in Santa Cruz where several Bolivian and foreign bands play every night in an open-air theater. Bolivia is very different from other Latin American countries; it is...
The indigenous natives represent a large part of the population here, as many as 50%. Many of them wear their native clothing, it is practical for their purposes.The further out of town you get, the more sensitive they are about having thier pictures taken. Develop a means of asking befor clicking and if they just shake their head and turn away, find someone else. Lots of them will cooperate.
later
Residencial Rosario La Paz
7 Reviews and 211 Opinions Hotel Rosario is pretty nice. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The rooms are very clean and...
Hotel Tayka del Desierto Uyuni
0 Opinions
Colonial Hotel Potosí
25 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Bolivia attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Bolivia sightseeing.
More Cities in Bolivia
More Regions in Bolivia
Q: Hi. Can anyone help me with the best way to get from La Paz to Salar de Uyuni to Arica? We plan to take a 2-4 day tour in...
A: Anna, I don't actually know how to do it but when I did the Salar de Uyuni tour in 2003, there was a Dutch couple that got off at the little station near Laguna Blanco...
Read 3 Replies
Sponsored Links
