Bolivia’s reputation for authentically festive, exhilarating, and meaningful holidays precedes it. Of course, these include familiar global holidays, such as Christmas. But also, there are so many unique national holidays in Bolivia that involve a syncretic history, blending Catholic ideology lingering from the Spanish conquest with pre-Hispanic beliefs and customs.

In this article, we want to share with you four hyper-local Bolivian festivals and holidays you most likely have never heard of and might just be compelled to experience for yourself on your next trip to Bolivia!

1. Fiesta de Ekeko (Aka Fiesta de las Alasitas)

Oh, the miniatures! From the most intricate to the most adorable, you will find them on full display during this famous street fair the last week of January in Bolivia, and more specifically in the cities of La Paz or Al Alto, where this holiday is most fervently observed. Essentially, the Ekeko deity is the Bolivian God of Abundance, and this holiday is dedicated to him.

Thousands of people make the pilgrimage to La Paz on or before January 24th to make sure they purchase the miniature replicas of their desires for the coming year. Some of these replicas include the Ekeko himself, with outstretched arms carrying the symbolic abundance to come. Finally, a shaman blesses these figures and miniature models with alcohol, rose petals, and tobacco smoke.

2. Fiesta de la Virgen de Candelaria

Copacabana, Bolivia, shares this next festival with Puno, Peru, across a shared body of water, which happens to be the world’s highest Navigable Lake, Lake Titicaca. Every year at the beginning of February, people line Copacabana’s streets to pay homage to Bolivia’s most sacred Virgen figure, La Virgen de Candelaria (aka “Our Lady of Copacabana).

According to local folklore, the Virgen de Candelaria is a savior to all fishermen caught in dreadful storms on Lake Titicaca. They pay homage to her, and her effigy, for three days in February with pomp and circumstance quite unlike any other. Masked dancers twirl, entranced by the musicians playing steadily behind them, as the beer flows through the surrounding crowds of tourists and locals alike.

3. Carnaval de Oruro

Depending on the country and city (from Brazil to Peru, to New Orleans, to Bolivia, and countless more), Carnaval (Carnival in English) celebrations have a glorious run from late January to mid-late February. In Bolivia, Carnaval means an off-and-on, soaking wet, foam-filled dance party pretty much lasting this entire period. However, one of the most coveted, unique, and world-renowned Carnaval celebrations in Bolivia occurs in the small but lively city of Oruro.

The festival’s main action happens either the last week of February, or even the first week of March, depending on the year, and lasts for four fun-filled days. It is essentially a non-stop technicolor parade with both Catholic and indigenous figures reincarnated in intricately masked dancers.

4. Día de la descolonización

As of 2009, with Evo Morales’ administration, Bolivia’s official name became the “Plurinational State of Bolivia.” Morales made this significant change to the country’s name and constitution to officially recognize the impressive multicultural identity of 36 distinct cultural identities within Bolivia.

Therefore, Bolivians have also designated October 12th as a national holiday, called Día de la Descolonización (Decolonization Day). Essentially, this is a day to honor and celebrate Bolivia’s extremely vibrant indigenous communities whole-heartedly, and remember the 500-yearlong resistance, struggle, and eventual victory against a brutal colonial invasion starting with Colombus on October 12th, 1492.

5. Wallunk’a

One month later, Bolivians celebrate Wallunk’a, which coincides with All Saints Day and Day of the Dead. And Wallunk’a is an interesting Bolivian take on the Day of the Dead, where the living world becomes one with the spirit world; however, love, seduction, and matchmaking also play a role in this particular celebration.

During the first week of November, women take over each town square dressed in traditional indigenous fare and mount giant swings that have been constructed for the occasion. The swings represent the tenuous tunnel between the two worlds and a gateway for young Peruvian men and women to find their life partner.

If you want to know more about these multi-faced holidays celebrated in Bolivia and how to incorporate one into your once-in-a-lifetime journey to Bolivia, contact us!

Otherworldly Uyuni (the largest salt flat in the world) officially put Bolivia on the map as one of South America’s premier tourist destinations. But the outstanding sights, sounds, flavors, history, culture, and general excitement of Bolivia certainly do not stop at Uyuni’s sea of salt. And three cities stand out from the rest: La Paz, Sucre, and Potosí! In true Dickens’ fashion, you could say that their cobblestone streets echo “the best and worst of times” in Bolivian history.

Join us for this tale of three cities in Bolivia, and consider adding La Paz, Sucre, and Potosí to your South America bucket list!

La Paz

Bolivia belongs to a unique group of countries that claim two capital cities. Following a civil war in the 19th century, the Bolivian government divided its capital between Sucre and La Paz. The executive and legislative branches of government moved to La Paz, while the highest courts remained in Sucre, making it the “judicial capital” of Bolivia. This means La Paz serves as the “administrative capital.” This split has increased political tension in the last few decades, as Sucre tries to regain its full-fledged capital status. For now, however, La Paz shares the title and remains the highest capital city in the world at 11,940 feet above sea level, in the breathtaking Andes Mountains.

La Paz truly has so much to offer an eager traveler looking to experience the best of Bolivian culture in the Andes, and especially of Bolivian food. In fact, thanks to La Paz, Bolivia is inching its way towards the next foodie epicenter of South America over Lima, Peru. The avant-garde Gustu restaurant showcases hyper-local Bolivian dishes with a modern take, whereas Popular Cocina Boliviana restaurant aims to elevate classic Bolivian food for tourists and locals alike. If you can’t make it to these culinary hotspots, definitely make sure to savor a salteña (traditional Bolivian empanada), and slowly sip a comforting mug of api (a hot beverage made with purple corn) to stave off the evening Andean chill.

Sucre

350 miles southeast and a couple thousand feet lower than La Paz, lies its capital city twin Sucre. Following the tradition of many Latin American countries, Sucre is Bolivia’s “White City” (for Peru, it’s Arequipa and Colombia, it’s Popayan, for example). Indeed, the architecture and history connected to Sucre draw countless tourists each year, especially those who look to travel back in time, so-to-speak. UNESCO even designated Sucre a world heritage site in 1991 for monuments such as the Basílica Metropolitana and St. Francis Xavier University, one of the oldest in South America.

And if your jaw doesn’t fully drop over these stately buildings frozen in time from the 16th and 17th centuries, then it might over the nearby dinosaur footprints! Just outside of Sucre city limits, you will find the world’s most extensive collection of dinosaur footprints in the Parque Cretacico. The park contains fifteen different species of dinosaur footprints, which include the most ferocious Tyrannosaurus Rex!

Potosí

A mere fifty miles south of Sucre, you will find the charming city Potosí, with a bit of a tortured past. Most known for its extremely profitable silver mines dotting Cerro Rico (meaning “rich hill”), Potosí once boasted three times London’s population as a global economic powerhouse. In the late 16th century, miners pumped out 200,000 kilograms of silver per year for distribution across the earth’s far reaches. On the flip side, Potosí also gained a global reputation for being the figurative “mouth of hell” for the miners, many slaves, who toiled under exceedingly cruel conditions.

Of course, you can visit some of the Cerro Rico mines, taking into account this wealth of history, the good with the bad. This is one of Potosí’s most prominent attractions, however similarly to Sucre, you can visit its charming colonial architecture. UNESCO also made Potosí a world heritage site in 1987. Specifically, Casa de la Moneda is a colonial-era mint turned museum that showcases where, and how, Potosí’s silver was transformed into coins before being shipped off to Spain.

Weave your very own tale of three cities during your bespoke journey to Bolivia. Grab a zesty bite in La Paz, bask in Sucre’s remarkable architecture and history, and relive the two-sided silver coin of Potosí’s global legacy. Contact us to get the planning started!

The shores of Lake Titicaca will quite literally take your breath away. At an elevation of 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) above sea level, Lake Titicaca claims the highest navigable lake in the world, and the largest lake in all of South America. Those who have already made the journey might also argue that it is the most beautiful. As if this weren’t enough, what makes Lake Titicaca even more intriguing are the fantastic origin myths attached to its name. According to local legend, this lake marks the birthplace of the Inca Empire and the Sun! Today, its icy waters span both Peru to the west and Bolivia to the east. You could say that Lake Titicaca connects these two countries through the shared language of Aymara and shared history since the Tiahuanaco civilization between 650 and 1000 A.D. In addition to holding space for so much human history, Lake Titicaca also bears a striking natural majesty that captures the imagination of even the most cynical. Discover this majesty for yourself in the following activities to round off your trip to Bolivia in a big way.

1. Day tour to the Isla del Sol

Welcome to the mythical birthplace of the sun!

To be fair, according to Andean legend Isla del Sol represents both the birthplace of their sun deity, Inti, and the origin of the first two Incas, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo. History, however, tells us that the Incas most likely wove this story over generations to fiddle with the truth of their conquest over the Tiahuanaco people in the mid-fifteenth century.

Even so, the backdrop of this local lore enhances the already ethereal qualities of the island, with unparalleled views of the white-capped Cordillera Real, breathtaking bays, and the gentle lapping of the lake. If you are on a tight timeline, you will still be able to experience the very best of the island on a day trip from Copacabana. You will need to take one of the first boats out and head to the farthest point on the northern side. Here, you will arrive at the village of Cha’llapampa, home to the Museo del Oro, and most of the island’s Incan ruins. After a bit of exploring, you will take a quick boat ride to the southern side of the island, where you can enjoy a lunch of fresh trout, and return to Copacabana mid-late afternoon.

2. Journey to the Isla de la Luna

Another island veiled in Incan mythology and history is Isla de la Luna (also known as Isla Coati). Unlike Isla del Sol that houses multiple archaeological sites, Isla de la Luna just has one. The temple on Isla de la Luna was once home to women described as virgins during the Inca Empire. Considering this temple is the only remaining structure from that time, archaeologists have assumed that the entire island served as a sanctuary for sacred female energy.

The most direct route to Isla de la Luna takes you from the Yumani port on the southern side of Isla del Sol. Therefore, you can easily make a half-day trip while staying at one of the lodges on Isla del Sol itself. In addition to exploring the Temple of Virgins, you can also roam the rocky trails, and meet local fishermen. Fishermen on the island are happy to engage with tourists, imparting their trout-catching wisdom. Now an abundant food source for all Lake Titicaca inhabitants, trout were actually introduced in Lake Titicaca’s fish population in 1939, to complement the existing killifish and catfish.

3. Take a local tour through port-city Copacabana

Copacabana, not to be confused with the lively Brazilian beach, is the main Bolivian port to this larger-than-life lake. This rustic fishing town has experienced many growing pains from the tourist boom on Lake Titicaca in general, which have made it another great nook in its own right for some exploring.

During your stay in Copacabana, consider visiting the Horca del Inca archaeological site, which is also known as one of the most sacred places in the region! Archaeologists claim that the people who carved these rocks, predating the Inca Empire, intended to create an astronomical observatory. Or, if you are looking for a bit more adventure, you can take the challenging day-hike to the picturesque town of Yampupata. You can also just hunker down in Copacabana’s central plaza to marvel at the unique cathedral built using traditional Moorish design.

4. Sleep in La Estancia Eco-Lodge

There are quite a few lodges on Isla del Sol for those who want to commune on a deeper level with Lake Titicaca’s natural harmony. However, La Estancia Eco-Lodge stands out for its dedication to enhancing sustainable tourism standards in Bolivia, and its elegant minimalist design. This minimalism is crucial so their guests can truly connect to the Isla del Sol’s enchanting landscape.

La Estancia also offers many activities for guests to get as active or as reflective as they wish. For example, you can embark on the various nature trails in and around the lodge, get to know members of the local communities of Isla del Sol, visit the greenhouse, take to the water for a boat exploration, or simply bask in the serenity of the lake for some deep rest and relaxation.

As the sun sets over Isla del Sol, Lake Titicaca’s horizon paints a vast expanse of deep blue water that seems to just barely meet the prismatic sky, before collapsing over a canopy of white mountain peaks. Don’t miss this unparalleled sight during your time traveling through Bolivia.

A traditional Christmas in Bolivia has some similarities and some differences from a traditional Peruvian Navidad celebration. A country whose population subscribes to a mixture of Catholic and indigenous beliefs, Bolivia shows elements of this integration of both religions in its holiday festivities. Since it is also the time of the Summer Solstice, when crops are being taken from the fields, indigenous Bolivians consider this a time to celebrate the harvest. During the Summer Solstice celebration, Bolivians thank the Pachamama, or Mother Earth, for her abundance and ask for a prosperous year to come.

Christmas Celebration in Bolivia

Like Peru, the most important celebration takes place on Christmas Eve. Many families attend the midnight mass, or Misa de Gallo, on December 24th. Gallo means rooster: the mass is so-named because folks return home around the time the roosters start crowing to greet a new day. It’s a Bolivian tradition to bring two small presents to the midnight mass, a figurine of the Niño Manuelito or Baby Jesus, and another representing their trade or profession. So, a baker might bring a loaf of bread, and a cobbler might bring a new pair of shoes, along with a Jesus figurine, both in offering and as an appeal for abundance in the New Year.

After mass, it is a Bolivian custom is to enjoy a hearty Christmas picana, a special soup made with several kinds of meat, such as lamb, beef, and chicken, and vegetables like squash and corn. This hearty and nourishing meal may be accompanied by a refresco, or cold fruit drink, roast pork or beef, a variety of fruits, and a salad. Prepare your own picana using the following recipe.

On the morning of December 25^th people enjoy hot chocolate and buñuelos, deep-fried balls of dough flavored with cinnamon and sugar. The sound of firecrackers can be heard in the background as families celebrate throughout the night.

In Bolivia, most of the gift-giving occurs on January 6th, during the feast known as the Epiphany. A Bolivian custom, somewhat akin to the hanging of Christmas stockings by the chimney, or children leaving shoes out for Saint Nicholas, is the leaving out of shoes on the doorstep. To the delight of children, the shoes are magically filled with presents when they open the door in the morning.

As is common in many Catholic countries in South America, the main Christmas decoration in Bolivia is the pesebre, or nativity scene. These scenes, intended to reproduce the city of Bethlehem, can be highly elaborate, with figurines and props of all kinds to represent houses, baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, angels, the Wisemen, the barnyard animals, etc. A few Bolivian homes, especially in metropolitan areas, are incorporating Christmas trees and lights in imitation of Western traditions, but the nativity remains the most popular and the most artfully embellished decoration for most Bolivians.

If your trip to Bolivia falls over this special time of year, ask your guide where to find the best picana, and keep your eyes out for elaborate nativity scenes during your December holiday in Bolivia.

On your luxury Bolivia tour, your trip can include a visit to the mysterious ruins of Tiahuanaco, which were populated by a people whose architectural remains reflect a sophisticated civilization that was likely inhabited as early as 300 BCE!

The Tiahuanaco culture is believed to have reached its peak between 500 and 900 CE, at which time it is theorized that it dominated much of the Southern Andes and beyond. The structures left behind testify to this culture’s degree of advanced development.

Located near the southern end of Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of 3,850 meters (12,631 feet), the adobe portion of the city did not survive the centuries. However, a spiritual and ceremonial center, which includes huge stone monuments, is contained within a protected archaeological zone, and can be viewed by the public. It contains monuments constructed using ashlar masonry techniques, wherein individual stones are cut and dressed to be uniform in shape, size, and appearance. This area is also equipped with a comprehensive network of sunken channels and canals used for the irrigation of crops and the distribution of rainwater. Recent scientific discoveries demonstrated that rather than functioning as mere drainage channels, these canals were dug in such a way as to be heated by the sun during the day and release heat at night. This phenomenon supported crops that were planted alongside the canals, while crops without this protection would easily succumb to frost, a frequent occurrence at this altitude. Thus, the Tiahuanaco were not only master builders, but masters of their environment, showing a sophisticated understanding of what it took to survive and thrive in the cold, dry climate of this region. The modern-day residents of the area are now adapting these techniques for their own use: a wonderful example of current generations benefitting from ancestral wisdom.

The ceremonial area also includes several monuments and pyramids, the most impressive of which is the Akapana Pyramid. It is the largest building at the complex, measuring 194 meters (636 feet) by 182 meters (597 feet) and is over 18 meters in height (59 feet)! It is oriented to the cardinal points, and consists of seven overlapping levels, separated by carved walls filled with sediment and compacted sandstone. The temple is thought to have been dedicated to the worship of the Sun God. It is theorized that it may have been constructed by successive generations, due to the fact that there are differences in construction between the first and subsequent levels. At the first level, the walls are lined with padded stone, but at succeeding levels, they are cut with symmetrical rectangular blocks. Some of the pedestals of the temple are carved with black basalt Puma-Men, hybrid images of humans and cougars.

Another structure at the ceremonial center is the Kalasasaya, which was built of vertical columns interspaced with small rectangular blocks. This structure includes a Sun Gate, a monolithic doorway protected by a carved, staff-bearing guardian and winged “angel” figures. Pottery pieces discovered at the site were formed as flared beakers adorned with pumas, condors, and other creatures.

The Tiahuanaco people predate the Inca by several centuries. The exact time of their first appearance is unknown, nor is it known how or why they disappeared. The mysterious legacy they left behind is the subject of much speculation among modern-day archaeologists.

You will be enthralled as you visit Tiahuanaco and soak up its mysterious atmosphere on your luxury trip to Bolivia.

The wildlife of Lake Titicaca are some of the hardiest, most resilient species you’ll come across on your trip to Peru or holiday in Bolivia. As you can imagine, living in the thin air of 12,500 ft. (3,810 m.) above sea level isn’t for the faint of heart. Just ask a native on the floating Uros islands or Bolivia’s Isla del Sol if you need confirmation. Living on Lake Titicaca requires an adaptive nature and a will to survive many a cold night, something Lake Titicaca’s native and endemic species demonstrate in spades. In this article, we introduce you to 5 wildlife of Lake Titicaca that you should keep your eyes peeled for whether you’re traveling Peru’s Totora-lined Titicaca shores or setting sail from Bolivia’s Copacabana edge.

Titicaca Water Frog

Unless you plan to descend hundreds of meters below the surface of Lake Titicaca, it’s not likely you’ll spot the endangered Titicaca Water Frog in their natural underwater environment during your Lake Titicaca tour. They spend their entire lives in the water, avoiding the harsh high-altitude life altogether. Their most notable feature is the excessive amount of skin enveloping their large bodies, something that helps them to absorb oxygen from the cold water and therefore never need to surface for a breather.

Titicaca Grebe

Also endangered, the Titicaca Grebe is an endemic species to Lake Titicaca. It can be found in the shallow waters of the lake’s Totora reed edges. The Titicaca Grebe is a flightless water bird with an easily recognizable reddish plume on the back of its head, meaning you have all of the information you need to know where and how to search for this native species on your Lake Titicaca tour.

Vizcacha

These bushy-tailed Titicaca natives are likely to be spotted in the rocky crevices and outcrops of the Lake Titicaca landscape. The vizcacha is essentially a rodent of the chinchilla family that strongly resembles a rabbit, but with a long, bushy tail. Even if your entire Lake Titicaca travel experience is spent on an island in the middle of the lake, you’re likely to find these fluffy creatures scavenging in the rocks for their next meal.

Wild Guinea Pig

Your interaction with guinea pigs on your holiday in Peru or tour of Bolivia doesn’t have to be via the popular Andean plate called cuy. In Lake Titicaca, the guinea pigs roam free and wild, often along the shoreline. But, we will warn you that cuy is as much of a delicacy in Lake Titicaca as it is in Cusco and the rest of Andean Peru and Bolivia. Expect a pretty balanced guinea pig distribution between on the plate and in the wild during your Lake Titicaca vacation

Andean Fox

Also known as the culpeo, this fox species is distributed throughout the Andes of South America, including the Lake Titicaca region of Peru and Bolivia. They resemble the more widely recognized red fox with their grey and reddish fur, but have a black-tipped bushy tail that ultimately gives them away. They prefer high mountain regions and salty highland lagoons to find their prey, so it’s no surprise that Lake Titicaca is a frequent haunt of theirs.

Discover the Wildlife of Lake Titicaca Firsthand

Though this list calls out some of the more unique and endemic species of wildlife that exist in Lake Titicaca, we’ve really only scratched the surface. There are cotton candy-colored Andean flamingos to behold and an abundance of cute and cuddly llamas and alpacas to snap selfies with. Contact a Kuoda Travel Designer today to begin planning your custom trip to Lake Titicaca and the rest of Bolivia and Peru’s tourism treasures.