last edited Aug 20, 2020
Geography and Environment of Bolivia
Country Overview
Natural Areas
Whether in the Andes, the Amazon, or the Pantanal, national parks and nature reserves cover over 15% of Bolivia's territory—and even more if you include the unclassified parts of the Amazon rainforest. Among the most interesting protected sites for travelers:
- Bolivian Pantanal: A vast area of lakes, rivers, marshes, and lagoons extending from the Brazilian and Paraguayan Pantanal. The region boasts rich wildlife and flora.
- Amboro National Park: This park stretches from the Andes down to the Amazon rainforest and is home to diverse wildlife and flora.
- Carrasco National Park: A mountainous park in the Cochabamba region, featuring canyons, rivers, and valleys perfect for hiking.
- Madidi National Park: A massive park in northern Bolivia, spanning from Andean glaciers to the edge of the Amazon rainforest. It offers rich and varied wildlife and flora, along with hiking opportunities.
- Noel Kempff Mercado National Park: A UNESCO-listed park bordering Brazil, one of the largest in the world. It features stunning waterfalls and countless animal and plant species.
- Sajama National Park: A high-altitude desert area with volcanoes and geysers, bordering Chile.
- Torotoro National Park: Located in the Cochabamba region, this park is known for its caves and dinosaur fossils.
- Eduardo Avaroa Reserve: In the Sud Lípez, near the borders with Chile and Argentina, this area offers breathtaking landscapes of lakes and volcanoes, as well as flamingo colonies.
- Salar de Coipasa: A salt desert less famous than Uyuni but adjacent to it.
- Salar de Uyuni: The world's largest salt desert and a must-see on any trip to Bolivia. It’s best explored over several days, including its surroundings.
- Southern Lipez: At the southwestern tip of the country, a stunning desert region blending lakes (including the famous Laguna Verde and Laguna Colorada), volcanoes, geysers, and mountain backdrops.
- Yungas: Beautiful intermediate valleys between the Amazon and the Andes. The vegetation is lush, with numerous waterfalls, and great opportunities for trekking and rafting.