Things to do in  Altiplano

In Bolivia’s Altiplano, Salar de Uyuni—a 4,086-square-mile (10,582-square-kilometer) stretch of land encrusted with thick etchings of salt—is the world’s largest salt flat. Salar de Uyuni is famed for its massive scale and mirror effect during the wet season, a feature that has led it to be named a natural wonder of the world.

At the Train Cemetery (Cementerio de Trenes) on the outskirts of Uyuni, hollowed out locomotive shells from Bolivia’s Gilded Age sit out in the open, many heavily corroded from the salt of the nearby Salar de Uyuni—the world’s largest salt flat. The train bodies are climbable, and one has even been converted into a swing.

High on the Bolivian Altiplano, the city of Tiwanaku sits like a frozen time capsule of Andean history. One of the most fascinating and mind-boggling sites in South America, the UNESCO-listed ruins are believed to be the ancient capital of the Tiwanaku Empire, which once stretched across Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina.

Linking the borders of Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America, and at 12,510 feet (3,813 meters), it's also the highest navigable lake in the world. From the colorful town of Copacabana to windswept islands, Lake Titicaca dazzles with proud culture, reflected peaks of the Andes Mountains, and hearty meals of fresh-caught trout.

Plunging from high-altitude La Paz to the lush forest of the Yungas region, the North Yungas Road—often called Death Road—is a dramatic downhill route through constantly changing scenery. Popular as a bike tour, the road has an elevation loss of more than 11,800 feet (3,600 meters) between La Cumbre Pass and the lowland town of Coroico.

La Paz’s Plaza Murillo is a pigeon-filled public square steeped in history, conquest, conflict, and tragedy. Surrounded by imposing buildings such as the Presidential Palace, the La Paz Cathedral, and the National Congress of Bolivia, many of the country’s most notable political events have taken place on the large, open square.

Sometimes considered one of the world’s most doable high-altitude summits, Huayna Potosí is easily accessible from La Paz and is popular among climbers and bikers alike. Even beginners can scale the glaciers in the company of expert guides to enjoy views over the city below from the apex of one of the Cordillera Real’s highest peaks.

Though located in an accessible and touristic section of La Paz, the Witches’ Market lacks anything resembling a souvenir. Here, vendors sell exotic herbal remedies, amulet, candle, and the raw ingredients (such as myriad dried animals) for potions, spells, and traditional and spiritual rituals performed by the indigenous community of the Aymara people.

With worn cobbles and candy-colored buildings, Jaen Street (Calle Jaén) is a historic haven in the midst of downtown La Paz. Along with cafés and shops, the street also boasts five small museums, which cover topics ranging from musical instruments to precious Pre-Columbian metals.

Renowned for its intricate façade, San Francisco Church (or, Basilica de San Francisco), is one of the best remaining examples of baroque-mestizo architecture in La Paz. The original 1548 structure had collapsed during a heavy snow, and so current church mostly dates to the mid-18th century, and part of the convent is now dedicated as a museum.

La Paz Cathedral stands side by side with the Presidential Palace on Plaza Murillo, a historic space that draws everyone from strolling families to political protesters. While it’s less frequented than the nearby Church of San Francisco, the La Paz Cathedral’s lofty ceilings and brilliant stained glass are well worth a detour.

Displaying Bolivian art from the colonial era through the present day, the National Museum of Art (Museo Nacional de Arte) is one of the country’s premier art collections. The 18th-century palace where the artwork is housed is just as remarkable, with intricate baroque detailing in the building’s soaring courtyard, alabaster fountain, and galleries.

At Bolivia’s National Museum of Archaeology (Museo Nacional de Arqueología), visitors can view artifacts dating back as far as 1500 BC and trace the history of the landlocked country’s indigenous tribes and cultures. Located in central La Paz, the archaeology museum offers an insightful look into the mystifying relics of Bolivia’s past.

The privately owned Museum of Musical Instruments (Museo de Instrumentos Musicales) houses the most extensive collection of its kind in Bolivia. You’ll see native Bolivian volcanic rock flutes; thousands of percussion, string, and wind instruments; and much more.

Famous for the immense amounts of silver mined from within it, Cerro Rico is an important mountain on the outskirts of Potosi. This still-active mine has long been a vital resource for the country of Bolivia and even earned its way onto the country’s flag, showing just how important Cerro Rico is as a cultural and historical landmark.