Bolivia is a country of extreme opposites; the dizzying Andes Mountains, with its dry, alpine climate, fade into tropical paradises reminiscent of the jungles of the Brazilian Amazon. This culturally rich destination is full of wonderful surprises at every turn, and never fails to leave you with a lasting impression. HAPPYCAR is here to help you find the best car hire Bolivia has to offer so you can take full advantage of this vibrant country. We check the prices of international and local providers so that you don’t have to check each website to provide you with the best deals on a car hire to make your money go further on a rental car that fits your specific needs. You have the options of choosing car size, pick up location and type of insurance to ensure you get the best deal on a great car hire!
General Information
Bolivia, a landlocked nation in the heart of South America, is the country with the highest indigenous population of the continent, with 60 percent of its inhabitants being of pure Native American ancestry. In 2006, Evo Morales was elected president of Bolivia, becoming the first indigenous president of a Latin American nation. This landmark win has arguably brought about greater prosperity for indigenous citizens, who throughout history have been persecuted and marginalized by the government. Due to its massive size, Bolivia is best explored by car; the country covers an area of 1,000,000 square miles, making it the 28th largest in the world. If you rent a car Bolivia, you will gain better and more secure access to the many sights and wonders this beautiful country has to offer. The main language spoken is Spanish, although most of the indigenous population still uses their own native languages, the two main ones being Aymara and Quechua.
Bolivian capitals
The administrative capital of Bolivia, La Paz lies at an altitude of 3,650 meters above sea level. Surrounded by the Andes Mountains, this effervescent city crawls up the mountain sides due to population expansion, and creates an awe-inspiring blanket of houses as far as the eye can see. The triple-peaked Illimani Mountains dominate the skyline of La Paz; the peaks are covered by snow year round, and provide awesome vistas and adventurous climbs. The local cuisine is heavily affected by the altitude; you can expect each meal to be served with spicy accompaniments. The locals can be seen chewing the famous coca leave, a tradition which dates back to pre-Columbian times. This leaf, which can be chewed or brewed into a tea, acts as a stimulant and digestive; the extreme altitude of La Paz can lead to digestive issues and increased fatigue due to the thin air.
You can make your vacation into a historical one when you visit the constitutional and official capital of Sucre. This is the city where the judicial branch sits. Come and experience the different cities and explore one of the few countries in the world that has multiple capitals. There are many connections to dinosaurs here including museums with actual dinosaur footprints on display. If you want to check out more dinosaurs, drive your car hire Bolivia to the Maragua Crater. This is a spectacular region of rock formations. If you have children, they will love digging up fossils of marine shells which can still be found just underneath the surface of the ground.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is the polar opposite of La Paz; it lies in the east of Bolivia at an altitude of 416 meters above sea level, and enjoys a tropical climate year round. The local cuisine features lighter meals with more fruits and vegetables; yuca, plantains, rice, and cheese are deliciously incorporated into many of the popular dishes local to this region. Santa Cruz offers many opportunities for enjoyment and sightseeing; the Yvaga Guazú nature park lays a close drive away from the city, and offers a great variety of local flora and fauna to be viewed. The Piraí River is an important part of Santa Cruz and its inhabitants; it provides a great way to cool off on a hot day, making it a popular meeting spot where locals and tourists alike go to hang out and socialize.
Excursions
Bolivia offers a myriad of exciting and memorable destinations to be explored via a Bolivia car rental. Madidi National Park, located in the northwestern region of Bolivia, is home to 4,739 species of plants, 1,370 species of vertebrates and 867 tropical birds. It is considered the most biologically diverse region in the world; here you can gaze upon the snow capped mountains of the Andes, listen to the sound of thundering waterfalls, peer into the dark depths of canyons, or contemplate the beauty of the many high Andean Lagoons. Lake Titicaca is another popular destination within Bolivia. It is situated at the border with Peru, and is the highest navigable lake in the world. The Isla del Sol, the largest island on the lake, can be easily reached via boat, and is a great way to spend a day on the lake. The Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, is located in southwest Bolivia; it covers over 6000 square miles, and can be identified from space. The almost perfectly flat surface beautifully reflects the sunlight and sky, making it hard to distinguish where the salt flat ends and where the horizon begins. The fact that Bolivia lies at the heart of South America enables you to gain easy access to surrounding countries; you may wish to explore neighboring countries such as Peru from the comfort of your rented vehicle.
There is so much to see in this part of the country and we are here to make your dreams come true. The HAPPYCAR team wishes you a pleasant journey!