Bolivia
The wild, high heart of the route — the altiplano, remote lagoons, and the surreal white infinity of the Uyuni salt flats.
5 stops we’re not missing
01
Salar de Uyuni
The world’s largest salt flat — 10,000+ km² at 3,650 m that becomes a perfect mirror after rain.
02
Eduardo Avaroa Reserve
Altiplano lagoons (including the blood-red Laguna Colorada), geysers, and three flamingo species near the Chilean border.
03
La Paz
A dramatic high-altitude city in a canyon, stitched together by the world’s highest urban cable-car network.
04
Lake Titicaca & Isla del Sol
The Bolivian side of the great lake and the Inca creation-myth island, reached from Copacabana.
05
The Yungas (Death) Road
The infamous cliff-edge descent from the altiplano into the green Yungas — optional, and unforgettable.
! What to watch for
- The highest altitudes on the trip (4,000 m+) — go slow and acclimatize
- Remote salt-flat and lagoon routes have no services; salt corrodes the underside
- Road blockades during protests
⛽ Diesel & DEF
Notoriously poor and "thick," often with a two-tier price for foreigners. DEF is very scarce — carry extra filtration and a urea reserve.
🛂 Borders & permits
Remote crossings; carry fuel, water, and recovery gear for off-grid stretches. Rinse the underbody after the salt flats.
Sources & further reading
Safety notes link to the live official travel advisory — always check it before you go.
- U.S. State Dept. travel advisory (live)
- Country overview (Wikipedia)
- Wikipedia
- Modern diesels for overlanding: challenges & considerations (OVR Mag)
- AdBlue / DEF availability in Central & South America (Overlandsphere forum)
- Shipping a vehicle across the Darién Gap (Hayley & Jake)
- Vehicle shipping around the Darién Gap (Trans-Americas Journey)