Cycling in Bolivia

Cycling in Bolivia isn’t just about riding a bike , it’s about embracing some of the most unexpected terrain you'll encounter anywhere. Imagine pedaling through the eerily quiet salt flats of Uyuni, where the vast whiteness stretches to the horizon, or tackling the dusty, adrenaline-pumping drops on the Death Road near La Paz. Yep, Bolivia has some of the wildest cycling routes out there.

If you’d asked me a few years ago, I’d have sworn the best way to see the Andes was by foot. But cycling here? It’s an unbeatable combo of challenge and freedom. Take the Sacred Valley near Cochabamba for gentler trails and stunning rural villages, where locals sometimes stop to say hi or offer you fresh fruit from roadside stands.

Heads up: altitude can hit you harder than the steep climbs, so it’s smart to acclimatize in cities like La Paz before setting off. Also, gear up with a mountain bike – the trails can swing from smooth dirt paths to rocky, jagged tracks in minutes. And if you’re planning on doing the Death Road, try to go early in the morning before the tourist buses start rolling through. Honestly, it’s one ride I think every cyclist should have on their list when visiting Bolivia.