Bolivia Weather, climate and geography
Weather & climate
Bolivia's climate varies greatly with altitude and region. The Andean highlands, including La Paz, Lake Titicaca and the Altiplano, are generally cool to cold, with strong sunshine during the day and temperatures dropping sharply after sunset. The eastern lowlands around Santa Cruz and the Amazon basin are much warmer and more humid.
Broadly, the dry season runs from May to October and is the most popular period for travelling in the Andes and Altiplano. Days are usually clear and sunny, but nights can be extremely cold, particularly in June and July. These months are well suited to trekking, mountain travel and visiting Salar de Uyuni.
The wetter season generally runs from November to March, bringing heavier rainfall to much of the country. Roads in remote lowland areas can become difficult or impassable, while landslides may affect mountain routes. On Salar de Uyuni, seasonal flooding can create the celebrated mirror effect, although water may restrict access to some parts of the salt flat.
The Amazonian lowlands remain hot and humid for much of the year. Short periods of unusually cool weather, known locally as surazos, can occasionally bring a sudden drop in temperature to eastern Bolivia.
Layers are essential in the highlands, where temperatures can change considerably between day and night. Bring warm clothing, a windproof jacket and sturdy footwear for the Altiplano and mountain regions; thermal layers, gloves and a warm hat are useful during the colder months and for high-altitude excursions. Strong sun at altitude also makes a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen important.
Lightweight, breathable clothing is suitable for Santa Cruz and the tropical lowlands, together with rainwear during the wetter months. Long sleeves and trousers are useful in rainforest and other mosquito-prone areas. Waterproof footwear and a light waterproof jacket are advisable during the rainy season.
Geography
Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America, bordered by Peru and Chile to the west, Argentina and Paraguay to the south, and Brazil to the north and east. Covering about 1.1 million sq km (424,000 sq miles), it is one of the continent's largest countries and encompasses a remarkable range of elevations and landscapes.
Western Bolivia is dominated by the Andes, which divide into two principal ranges enclosing the Altiplano, a vast plateau lying mostly between 3,000m and 4,000m (9,840ft and 13,120ft) above sea level. Lake Titicaca lies on the border with Peru, while further south the Altiplano becomes increasingly arid and contains the immense Salar de Uyuni and numerous salt lakes, volcanoes and high-altitude lagoons.
East of the Altiplano, the Cordillera Real contains many of Bolivia's highest mountains, including Illimani and Illampu. The country's highest point is Nevado Sajama at 6,542m (21,463ft), an extinct volcano near the Chilean border. The Andes descend eastwards through the steep, subtropical valleys of the Yungas towards extensive tropical lowlands.
Northern and eastern Bolivia form part of the Amazon basin, with large areas of rainforest, wetlands and savannah, including the plains of Beni and the agricultural lowlands around Santa Cruz. Major rivers include the Mamoré, Beni and Iténez, which ultimately drain into the Amazon, while rivers in the southeast flow towards the Paraguay-Paraná system.
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