What to See in Bolivia: Cities to Explore on Foot

Bolivia is a landlocked country at the heart of South America, shaped by a dramatic meeting of high mountains and low tropical lands. From the high Altiplano plateau and snow-capped Andean peaks to the tropical lowlands, the Amazonian plain, and the world’s largest tropical wetland in the Pantanal, this nation offers an extraordinary sweep of environments in one national landscape. Neywo features free audio guides for 6 cities in Bolivia, covering 106 narrated places across 7 walking tours to help you explore.

Best Cities to Visit in Bolivia

Bolivia is divided into nine departments, with major cities that hold distinct national roles and cultural identities. Most of the population lives in the Andean region, while others anchor the eastern tropical lowlands.

La Paz

As the seat of government, La Paz houses the executive, legislative, and electoral branches. It stands out as a major urban center in the Andean region, where the high-altitude setting and indigenous heritage shape daily life.

Sucre

Sucre serves as the constitutional capital and the seat of the judiciary. This is where the struggle for independence began, eventually leading to the establishment of the new republic in 1825, which was named in honour of Simón Bolívar.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Located in the eastern tropical lowlands, Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the country’s largest city and principal industrial centre. It represents the lowland culture and economy, contrasting with the Andean highlands.

Cochabamba

Situated in a fertile valley between the Altiplano and the lowlands, Cochabamba offers a rich urban environment with historic churches, theatres, and cultural sites.

Potosi

The history of Potosi is closely tied to Cerro Rico, where silver was extracted under colonial rule to help build Spain’s empire. Later, tin replaced silver as a leading source of wealth in the region.

Copacabana

Set near high-altitude waters, Copacabana provides access to significant Andean landmarks, including the Isla del Sol and the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana.

History, Culture, and Landscapes

The story of Bolivia begins long before the country took its present name. Much of the territory was once part of the Tiwanaku polity, while Inca rule in the west began after the Colla-Inca War. Independent Amazonian and Guaraní peoples lived across the eastern and northern lowlands, and Spanish conquerors later forcibly took control of the region, naming the territory Charcas.

Bolivia calls itself a Plurinational State, a designation adopted in 2009 to reflect its multiethnic character and strengthened rights for indigenous peoples. Spanish is the predominant official language, alongside 36 officially recognized indigenous languages, with Guaraní, Aymara, and Quechua among the most widely spoken. Cultural traditions bridge pre-Columbian, colonial, and republican periods, visible at archaeological sites such as Tiwanaku and El Fuerte de Samaipata, as well as through surviving ceramics, stone monuments, gold and silver ornaments, and weavings.

Explore Bolivia with Neywo Audio Tours

Discover the country with Neywo, which offers free audio guides for 6 cities in Bolivia, 106 narrated places in total, and 7 walking tours. Each story plays automatically as you reach the place, allowing you to explore at your own pace with no group and no schedule, with narration available in 11 languages. Download the app to start planning your journey through Bolivia today.