If you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping action, look no further than Bolivia. Its epic landscapes are giant outdoor playgrounds for thrill seekers, from climbing up glaciers to rappelling down waterfalls and cycling along one of the world’s most notorious roads. Here are ten adventures to take you out of your comfort zone and get your heart racing.
Scale a Snow-Capped Peak
Dominating the La Paz skyline, the majestic Cordillera Real is home to some of Bolivia’s highest summits and endless mountaineering opportunities. The Condoriri Massif consists of 13 ice-capped peaks, and experienced climbers can summit three of them – Pequeño Alpamayo, Pico Ilusion, and Cabeza del Condor, which is the highest and most demanding at almost 5,700 meters (18,700 feet) – on an unforgettable five-day mountain adventure. Inexperienced climbers can tackle Huayna Potosi, often dubbed ‘one of the world’s easiest mountains over 6,000 meters (19,685 feet)’ for its accessibility. You’ll receive basic training; just ensure you’re fit and have spent several days at high altitude.
Operator we recommend: Bolivian Mountain Guide
Surf a Sand Dune
Lomas de Arena Regional Park, just a 30-minute drive from the city of Santa Cruz, is quickly becoming the sand-boarding capital of South America. Its sculpted sand dunes are part of a protected reserve, surrounded by forest and home to sloths, monkeys, capybaras, and a multitude of birds. Your tour will include wildlife spotting from a 4WD and guided walks before whizzing down towering 12-meter (40 feet) dunes on a specially designed board, either standing or sitting.
Operator we recommend: Nick’s Adventure Tours
High-Altitude Rap Jumping
If you’ve always wanted to feel like Spider-Man, then rap jumping in central La Paz could be for you. This vertigo-inducing adventure isn’t for the fainthearted: otherwise known as “forward abseiling,” this activity involves rappelling face down. After a couple of practice runs, you’ll be jumping face-first down a 50-meter (164 feet) building with the ground rushing up to meet you. But don’t worry, someone’s working the brakes; if you chicken out, you can always go backward in traditional abseiling style. Dressing like your favorite action superhero is also an option.
Operator we recommend: Urban Rush
Ride the Rapids
Bolivia has no shortage of white-water action, catering to novices and experienced river runners alike. On a day-trip from La Paz, you can experience the level III and IV rapids on a 38-kilometer (24 mile) stretch of the Coroico River in Yungas. This thrilling journey includes both thrilling roller-coaster rides and peaceful sections to take in the breathtaking jungle scenery. The Huarinilla River can also be explored on a day trip, while more intense rafters can opt for multi-day expeditions on the Tuichi River in Madidi National Park.
Operator we recommend: Liquid Madness
Going Underground in Potosí
If heights aren’t your thing, try crawling through the 550-year-old mine shafts of Cerro Rico, the mountain that made Potosí one of the world’s richest cities in colonial times. This is no museum piece; it’s a working mine and a potentially dangerous environment. On a four-hour tour, you’ll follow a knowledgeable guide—often ex-miners—through cramped passageways, witnessing firsthand the tough conditions that workers face. Don’t just observe; engage with the miners, and they’ll appreciate gifts of coca leaves and cigarettes.
Operator we recommend: Marco Polo Tours
Explore Beyond the Salar de Uyuni
The world’s largest shimmering salt flat and its cactus-studded islands are just the start of a three-day, off-the-beaten-track tour of some of Bolivia’s most extraordinary scenery. Experience Dali-esque rock formations, the world’s driest desert, and colorful lagoons inhabited by pink flamingos. You will marvel at still-active volcanoes, relax in hot springs, encounter the resident llamas and vicuñas of the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, and sleep in rustic refugios or unique salt hotels. However, be prepared for nighttime temperatures that often drop below freezing due to the high altitude.
Operator we recommend: Red Planet Expedition
Zip Through the Amazon
Experience a monkey’s eye-view of the jungle on a community-friendly canopy tour near Rurrenabaque. Canopy Villa Alcira, run by indigenous Tacanas, presents an opportunity to learn about wildlife-rich Madidi National Park while zipping over it at high speeds. Zzip the Flying Fox offers three lines in Yolosa that can be combined with Death Road for a complete adrenaline rush; the highest line soars 350 meters (1,148 feet) above the jungle floor, and you can reach speeds of up to 85 kilometers (53 miles) an hour on the fastest line, which also provides scenic views of a wildlife reserve.
Operators we recommend: Canopy Villa Alcira and Zzip the Flying Fox
Paraglide Over La Paz
If you dream of soaring like a condor, why not try a half-day tandem paragliding tour over La Paz? Morning flights take off from Huajchilla in the south of the city, and you might even get a chance to take the controls for a moment. For the rest of your aerial adventure, sit back and enjoy stunning views of Illimani Mountain—better than from the teleférico (cable car) to El Alto. Saphanani is another top paragliding spot just 45 minutes from the city of Cochabamba.
Operator we recommend: Andes Xtremo
Cycle Down ‘Death Road’
The white-knuckle descent from the Andes to the Amazon along one of the world’s most dangerous roads guarantees you bragging rights. The journey begins at around 4,700 meters (15,420 feet) among the peaks of La Cumbre Pass close to La Paz. The road transitions from tarmac to dirt, gradually getting hotter and dustier until it ends around five hours later in Yolosa. During this route, you’ll navigate sharp curves, sheer drops, and stop to admire the spectacular scenery, while zigzagging past roadside memorials to those who didn’t make it.
Operator we recommend: Gravity Bolivia
Vertical Route
Adrenaline junkies will love the Vertical Route, located about two hours from La Paz. This compact yet action-packed circuit begins with a 15-meter (49 feet) rappel, followed by the Tibetan Bridge— a 30-meter (98 feet) long, triangular suspension bridge made from just three thin wires. The adventure continues with a via ferrata ascending a steep wall for around 40 meters (130 feet), followed by a zipline and another longer rappel, culminating in a freefall jump off the edge of the cliff. Some say that the journey to reach it is just as terrifying.
Operator we recommend: Altitude Adventures
