Bolivia trips for senior travellers
Many senior travellers are cautious about planning a trip to Bolivia. Most of them worry about safety in Bolivia, the significant elevation changes, long travel distances, and limited comfort. These are all valid points to consider. But with the right itinerary, thorough travel planning, and helpful local support, traveling in Bolivia can be enjoyable for all ages!
Bolivia is an Authentic Travel Destination for Travelers
Bolivia is probably the most authentic country in South America. Estimates of its indigenous population vary from 38% to as much as 62%! This depends on how and when someone is classified into one of the 36 official ethnic groups. I can recommend to watch the Origenes Show in Sucre to get a god impression of the many cultures in Bolivia. The largest and most recognizable ethnic groups for tourists are the Aymara and Quechua. These indigenous groups live primarily in the rugged and spectacular nature of the Altiplano and the Andes Mountains in Bolivia and Peru. It are tough people.
Rugged Bolivia
Bolivia has an area of approximately 1,098,581 km². This is almost 26 times the size of the Netherlands. However, Bolivia has fewer than 13 million inhabitants, while the Netherlands has over 18 million. So, it’s still possible to travel around Bolivia without encountering other people. A large country with relatively few inhabitants also means less infrastructure (apart from La Paz). The unspoiled nature provides stunning views, with snowcapped mountains, fata morganas (mirages), and other surreal landscapes!
Salar de Uyuni tours for senior travellers
You can admire the most famous and popular surreal landscapes of Bolivia during a Salar de Uyuni tour. A one-day tour takes you to the largest salt flat in the world, full of hexagonal shapes and a coral island, with meters-high cacti! This tour is beautiful and also suitable for senior travellers. However, the most spectacular tour from Uyuni lasts three days. During this comprehensive tour, you’ll also visit colourful lakes with flamingos, geysers, a natural hot spring, an active volcano, a vibrant mountain, and various unique rock formations! However, during this excursion, you’ll spend three days and two nights at altitudes between 3,650 and 4,850 meters above sea level. You’ll cover long distances daily at high altitudes and on dusty dirt roads, while nighttime temperatures can drop to -20 degrees Celsius! As a tour guide, I’ve often seen these hardships prove challenging for both young and older travellers. To fully enjoy this Salar de Uyuni tour, thorough preparation is highly recommended.
Traveling at High Altitudes in Bolivia
Many iconic destinations in Bolivia, such as Salar de Uyuni, Copacabana, La Paz, Potosí, and Torotoro, are located at high altitudes. Salar de Uyuni: ~3,656 meters (11,995 ft) above sea level, while the geysers you’ll visit during a three-day tour are located at around 4,850 m (15,912 ft) above sea level!
Copacabana: ~3,841 m (12,602 ft)
La Paz: ~3,650 m (11,975 ft)
Potosí: ~4,067 m (13,343 ft)
Torotora: ~2,676 meters (8,780 ft)
Seniors can also successfully visit these places in Bolivia, but they may need to plan their trip more carefully.
The Impact of High-Altitude Travel on Seniors and Young People
It’s often said that older people are more likely to suffer from altitude sickness than younger people. But in the 11 years I’ve worked as a tour guide, primarily in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, I’ve discovered that age doesn’t have to be a problem when traveling at high altitude. Yes, I had older clients who ended up in the hospital due to altitude sickness, but this also happened to younger clients. I even had a group of 18 clients where the younger half suffered more from altitude sickness than the older half during their first night in Bolivia. The most affected was a 28-year-old woman who used to play professional basketball and was therefore in excellent physical condition. On the other hand, one of the clients who suffered least from altitude sickness was a man over 60 who still smoked one or two cigars a day. In this group, it’s possible to explain why the younger generation suffered more from the higher altitude than the older generation. Because they had been (too) active. Most of the younger travellers had gone to bed late the night before in San Pedro de Atacama. On the day itself, they were more active during the day and took lots of photos. While most seniors had gone to bed early and taken it easier during the day.
Tips for better acclimatization at high altitude
Yes, as you get older, your body needs more time to adapt and recover. But I don’t think all seniors are more susceptible to altitude than younger people. A lot depends on behaviour and general health. The following tips therefore apply to every traveller traveling to a higher altitude in Bolivia:
– Plan sufficient time for your vacation in Bolivia. More time in Bolivia not only improves your travel experience but also gives you more time to acclimatize to the higher altitude. This, in turn, reduces the risk of altitude sickness.
– Try to avoid landing at La Paz Airport. This airport is actually located in El Alto, La Paz’s sister city, at an altitude of 4,100 meters (13451 ft) above sea level! It’s better for senior travellers to land at Santa Cruz International Airport (400 m/1,300 ft) and then depart at the end of your tour from La Paz, for example.
– Read our article about traveling at high altitude and reducing the risk of altitude sickness. It includes recommendations from a doctor specializing in altitude sickness.
Long-distance travel in Bolivia for senior travellers
Bolivia’s tourist highlights are relatively far apart. All these destinations are accessible by public transport, but the quality of this transport isn’t as good as we’re used to in the Netherlands, or neighbouring countries like Peru and Chile. While the more expensive long-distance buses often offer ample legroom, their maintenance often leaves much to be desired. The restrooms on board are also cramped, and not every passenger leaves them clean. This is something to keep in mind when traveling through Bolivia. I’ve had older passengers wear diapers during long bus journeys. This might be an idea? Domestic flights to La Paz, Santa Cruz, Uyuni, Sucre, and Rurrenabaque (the Amazon) are also possible.
Is traveling in Bolivia possible for seniors with limited mobility?
If you have difficulty walking, or even need a wheelchair (partially) to get around, is it still worth traveling to Bolivia? The answer to this question is very personal. The most important thing is your own motivation. After all, why would you want to travel to Bolivia, when travel conditions can be challanging? What would you like to see/do? If it’s always been a dream of yours to visit the Salar de Uyuni, then you should try to make that dream come true. I won’t lie to you: the infrastructure in Bolivia is certainly not optimal for elderly people who have difficulty walking and/or are (partially) dependent on a wheelchair. Or, even for anyone who needs a wheelchair. It starts with most sidewalks. Aside from the sidewalks in downtown Sucre and Cochabamba, most sidewalks are too narrow, (severely) damaged, or simply non-existent. Add to that the altitude differences in the streets in La Paz and Potosí, and you can imagine that getting around in many Bolivian cities can be challenging if you have limited mobility. For these reasons, (older) people with mobility limitations need extra assistance during their trip to Bolivia. This could be a partner, family member, or friend traveling with them. It could also be a (specialized) local guide, arranged by the (local) travel agent. With the right planning, preparation, and support, even seniors with limited mobility can realize their dream of visiting Bolivia.
Tips on Bolivia Travel from seniors, for Seniors
When I asked our oldest travellers in 2025 (80 and 70 years old) for some recommendations for other seniors planning to travel to Bolivia, they offered the following tips:
1. Consult a doctor well in advance of your trip and show them your planned itinerary.
2. Tailor your trip to your known energy level. Build in rest days if necessary—there’s plenty for travellers to do in the larger cities and towns.
Healthcare for Senior travellers in Bolivia
Older adults are more likely to use medication for various age-related ailments. Therefore, it’s important to consult a doctor before traveling to Bolivia, especially if traveling at altitude combined with heart or lung conditions. It’s also important to check whether any medications you (may) need are available in Bolivia. Bring the necessary prescriptions and copies of all your medical records. If you’re taking important medications on your Bolivia vacation, we also recommend not packing everything in the same luggage. Your checked baggage could arrive late, your carry-on could be stolen, and so on. You never know. Furthermore, we strongly recommend never traveling without good travel insurance with medical coverage.
Has this article sparked your interest? Would you like more information about a customized Bolivia trip for yourself and/or other seniors who are interested in traveling to Bolivia? Then let us know. With the right itinerary and preparation, Bolivia can also be a fantastic destination for senior travellers!
