Bolivia Campgrounds and Hotels

This article is part of our accomodation listing series series.

Download the Google Earth KMZ of our Bolivia route and lodgings.

Camping Hostel Pizza (Hostel with Camping)

Copacabana
GPS: S16 10.426 W69 5.668
Cost: Bs$10 per person for camping or Bs$20-30 per person for a room
Date we stayed: October 6, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot (sorta)
Electricity: Yes
Internet: No
Kitchen: Yes
Restaurant: Yes
Parking: Yes

Notes: We're not entirely sure of the name of this place, but the signs on the front advertised camping, pizza and a hostel. The bathrooms are a bit dodgy. The water is solar-heated, and the electric shower heads don't supply enough juice to heat water in the morning, so it's only somewhat warm in the afternoon. But the price is right and the Argentinian couple who run the place are very friendly. We opted for a room because it was only US$5 more for the three of us, but you can pitch a tent here as well.

Altai Oasis (Hotel with Camping)

http://www.altaioasis.com/
Sorata
GPS: S15 46.175 W68 39.295
Cost: Bs30 per person camping
Date we stayed: October 8, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes, in the restaurant
Internet: Yes, but rarely worked
Kitchen: Yes, wood-fire only
Restaurant: Yes
Parking: Yes

Notes: One of the best campgrounds of our trip to date. Lots of grassy areas to pitch a tent plus a fire pit that we used nearly every night. Very friendly English-speaking staff. The camping area's kitchen was wood-fire only. We used the oven half a dozen times with great success. Internet is available in the restaurant, which serves great food at reasonable prices, but only worked a couple hours during our six night stay. Also, if you are in need of a Toyota mechanic, ask the owners here. Highly recommended!

Hotel Oberland (Hotel with Camping)

La Paz (Mallasa)
GPS: S16 34.073 W68 05.358
Cost: Bs$50 per person for camping
Date we stayed: October 13 & 17, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: Yes(?)
Restaurant: Yes
Parking: Yes

Notes: Hotel Oberland is roughly 15 minutes south of La Paz, in the town of Mallasa if you're coming from the north, research the bypass loop to avoid driving through the city. More of a parking lot for overlanding vehicles, it's not the best place to pitch a tent. But it is a great place to meet other travelers and swap notes about Bolivia and Peru. Wifi is decent by Bolivian standards, and there is a kitchen above the campground that may be free to use, but we never bothered to ask.

Sol y Luna (Cabins with Camping)

Coroico
GPS: S16 11.887 W67 43.431
Cost: Bs30 per person for camping
Date we stayed: October 15, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: Yes
Parking: Yes

Notes: One of the best camping spots we found in Bolivia. Grass, a fire ring, a covered common area with power and the best wifi we found in Bolivia. Lots of bugs, but blissfully warm temperatures relative to La Paz. The restaurant was reasonably priced, but we never tried the food. The surrounding property is huge, and is dotted with large cabins that sleep 3-8 people.

Hotel Sumaj Wasi (Hotel)

Oruro
GPS: S17 57.704 W67 6.216
Cost: Bs70 per person for a shared triple with private bath
Date we stayed: October 19, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: Yes(?)
Parking: Yes

Notes: Continental breakfast is included, but we're not sure if the restaurant is open beyond that. Oruro isn't the happiest town in Bolivia, and finding a place to stay that had secured parking proved difficult. If you sleep in your vehicle it would be possible to stay a night in their parking lot.

Residencial Tarija (Hotel)

Potosi
GPS: S19 35.062 W65 45.317
Cost: Bs60 per person for room with private bathroom
Date we stayed: October 19, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No
Parking: Yes

Notes: Another case of needing a hotel with secure parking in the city. We only stayed one night, favoring to head to the more popular city of Sucre sooner rather than later. This hotel was decent enough, but lacked wifi. There was a kitchen, but we're not sure if it was free for guests to use or if it was part of a restaurant that was not open.

Camping Alberto and Felicidad (Campground)

Sucre
GPS: S19 02.580 W65 15.303
Cost: Bs60 per car or Bs50 per tent
Date we stayed: October 20, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes, potable water
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: Yes
Restaurant: No
Parking: Yes

Notes: A small grassy area very close to the center of Sucre. It's not signed, but it is a well-known stop for overlanders. Upon arrival you need to track down the owner, Alberto or his wife Felicidad and have them let you in. Alberto may be in his workshop on the property, knock loudly, or at their house which can be found around the corner at 416 Arcento Arce. Very friendly people and an excellent (and the only) place to camp in Sucre just a few blocks from the center. They also have a room for rent at the top of the A-frame common area.

Hostel Marith (Hostel)

Uyuni
GPS: S20 27.941 W66 49.602
Cost: Bs78 per person for a room with private bathroom
Date we stayed:October 24 & 26, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot after 7am
Electricity: Yes
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: Yes
Parking: Yes

Notes: A free breakfast of bread and an egg is included. One of the few places in Uyuni that includes parking at a price that won't break the bank. We stayed here the night before and after we ventured into the salt flats. Nothing to write home about, but not altogether terrible either. You have to ask for the hot water to be turned on if it is not, the hours when it's supposed to be available are posted and aren't condusive to an early-morning departure. If you sleep inside your vehicle you should be able to camp in their parking lot for a night.

Uyuni Salt Flats (Bush Camp)

Isla Pescador
GPS: S20 8.346 W67 48.632
Cost: Free
Date we stayed: October 25, 2012

Water & Bathroom: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No
Parking: Yes

Notes: You can camp anywhere on the Solar de Uyuni, but Isla Pescador is probably your best bet. Not to be confused with Isla Pescado, the more popular destination for tour groups. You can stay on Pescado, but it's not a friendly place for tent campers and is likely to be crowded in the afternoon. However, there are bathrooms and trash facilities available, whereas Pescador has nothing. We spent the entire day and night without seeing another soul. We recommend camping around the back side of the island so you'll have a view of the sunset.

Canyon Camp (Bush Camp)

Near Laguna Colorado
GPS: S22 17.576 W67 46.892
Cost: Free (Bs150 per person park entry fee)
Date we stayed: October 27, 2012

Water & Bathroom: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No
Parking: Yes

Notes: Just off the road on the right as you leave the Laguna Colorado area we found this dry canyon. You can drive a few hundred meters into the canyon and find a secluded place to camp for the night that's protected from the sun and wind. The elevations in Bolivia's southwest are incredibly high, meaning brutal sun during the day and cold temperatures at night. There are bathrooms and trash facilities at the ranger station on the north end of Laguna Colorado.

Dali's Rocks (Bush Camp)

Dali's Rocks
GPS: S22 37.415 W67 40.262
Cost: Free (Bs150 per person park entry fee)
Date we stayed: October 28, 2012

Water & Bathroom: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No
Parking: Yes

Notes: Just south of Laguna Chalviri, Dali's Rocks are another stunning landscape on Bolivia's Southwest circuit. We found the rock that offered the most shelter from the wind and prying eyes. Our highest-elevation campsite on this trip at over 15,000 feet. The wind at night was brutal and temperatures dropped below freezing, but the scenery is absolutely surreal. The road out to the rocks can be a bit soft. Proceed with caution if you are not in a high clearance 4x4.

Comments

 

#3 Farkles 2014-05-30 18:44

An update about the the "pizza" hostel in Copacabana:

Name: Suma Samawi
Pizza: nope
Restaurant: not currently (we found a sign suggesting that they may offer food - not pizza - at some other time)
Beer: yes (warm or cold, your preference)
Wifi: yes, via Tigo. Good video Skype call last night. General web is OK. (Using it now).
Hot water: not so far

 

 

#2 Paula Dear 2014-02-15 15:44

Hello the Remotelys!
Just wanted to add that there's an amazing new campsite opening inear La Paz at the beginning of April 2014. We've been volunteering there, helping to set it up, and it is a place with views to die for and lovely owners.
It's called Colibri Camping, and is near Mallasa (where Hotel Oberland is) - about 30 mins south of the centre of La Paz. Great grassy area for tents, parking, teepees and a cabin, fabulous kitchen, bathrooms etc. Currently space for a small-medium campervan - this could change in future depending on demand.
ALL DETAILS ON WEBSITE - www.colibricamping.com

 

 

#1 Aleksey 2013-04-28 18:11

Thank you for this post! We used it to find Alberto y Felicidad who are currently being very good to us as we are a little sick.

 

This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment.

JComments