|  Bolivia
is the highest and most isolated of all the Andean nations located
in South America. The country is surrounded by Brazil to the north
and to the east, Peru and Chile to the west, and Paraguay and
Argentina to the south. Bolivia is an incredibly beautiful country
with many different types of climates and terrain. In the western
part of the country, running north to south, rise the majestic
and mysterious Andes, the second highest mountain range in the
world. Along the eastern slopes of the Andes lie dense forests
and lush mountain valleys known as the Yungas. Further eastward,
one finds the vast, and seemingly endless steaming jungles of
the Bolivian Amazon Basin. Finally, to the south, stretches the
dry, semi-tropical plains known as the Chaco.
 Due
to the average elevation in Bolivia, many people refer to the
country as the "Tibet of the Americas". The Andes that run through
Bolivia are some of the highest and most remote regions found
anywhere in South America. The scenery is absolutely stunning.
It is common to see snow covered mountain peaks rising 18-20,000
ft. in many parts of Bolivia. Also found in this region are some
spectacular high altitude lakes, the most important of which is
Lake Titicaca (elevation 12,500 ft). For the last few thousand
years, this lake has been an important area for many different
indigenous cultures culminating with the Inca. Scattered around
the lake shore are important and interesting archaeological sites
such as Sillustani and Tihuanaco. Tihuanaco was an particularly
important city (or possibly a ceremonial site), and was founded
sometime around the 5th century B.C. and flourished until approximately
the 12th century A.D. Today there are still many indigenous people
living in and around this lake. Day trips to some of the islands
to see how these people live are very highly recommended!
Please note
that additional info (prices, activities, etc) are found to the
right of this pages. 
 While
visiting the high Andes seems to be the most popular attraction
for travelers, many people consider the lush mountain valley areas
known as the Yungas, and the Bolivian Amazon Basin to be the best
places to visit. Besides great scenery, one has the opportunity
to see various exotic birds, plants, insects, and animals living
in the rainforests of this region. If you thought all jungles
were the same, you will quickly find out how wrong you are. Elevation
and rainfall create vastly different types of rainforest and/or
jungle. As a result, the life found in one type of rainforest
is vastly different from that found in another type of rainforest.
This region is also very interesting due to the people living
here. Over the centuries, these people have created a culture
entirely different from that found high in the Andes.
The cities and towns that make up Bolivia are
another reason why the country is such an interesting destination.
La Paz (elevation 12,000 ft) for example, lies in a bowl-like
valley overlooked by the towering mountain peak of Illimani. It
is particularly impressive (and a little scary) to fly over and
into this city. La Paz offers some interesting Spanish colonial
churches, and absolutely unique local markets. In our opinion,
the witchcraft market is one of the most interesting, so stop
by and see what you can dig up! Day trips to places such as Lake
Titicaca and hiking nearby mountain trails are very popular excursions.
If you are feeling particularly lucky, you may want to consider
skiing at Chacaltaya. However, in our opinion, Chacaltaya is not
good skiing, but does provide some excellent hiking and stunning
views of the surrounding area.
 Moving
deeper into Bolivia, a must see location is Potosi (elevation
13,350 ft.), said to be the worlds highest city, and a famous
silver mining area. During Spanish colonial rule, this city provided
much of the silver sent back to the Spanish Crown. Today, it is
still full of the remnants of its splendid colonial past. Of particular
interest is a visit to one of the mines overlooking the city.
The techniques employed in these mines have changed little over
the centuries.
If there is one city that is a must see, it would
have to be Sucre. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful
city in Bolivia. Sucre is set in a small valley surrounded by
low lying mountains. Against this backdrop rises an incredible
array of small streets lined by exquisitely preserved colonial
buildings, impressive churches and monasteries, and fascinating
museums. Take at least a few days to stroll through the city to
marvel at the sites and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere that Sucre
offers.
For those individuals interested in people or
wildlife, there are few places in the world that surpass the marvels
of Bolivia. The indigenous people of this country have a way of
life and customs completely foreign to outsiders. There are literally
hundreds of small villages and hamlets where the residents have
changed very little since the time Spanish Conquistadors. A visit
to some of these communities is like stepping back in time.
Finally, due to the isolated nature of the country,
the small number of inhabitants, and a lack of financial resources,
many parts of Bolivia are relatively untouched by man. This means
that the amount of wildlife that one can see is immense.
So, if you want
to travel off the beaten path, plus have an interest in nature,
history, and culture, Bolivia is the ideal exotic destination
for you to learn Spanish!
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