The short version: 7 days in Cochabamba, 3 in Sucre, 5 in La Paz, 3 in Uyuni, and 2 more in La Paz on the way back. Then home via Santa Cruz.
The route climbs slowly, so your body has time to get adjusted to the altitude instead of being thrown straight into it.
Why the order matters: altitude
Most of Bolivia’s highlights sits very high. If you fly straight from Europe to La Paz, you go from sea level to over 3,600 metres in one day… some people are fine, myself included, but for others it can be really bad. That’s why you need to take precautions and prepare yourself.
Many can spend their first days with headaches, bad sleep, and no energy, which is not how you want to start a trip you’ve waited years for.
So I recommend the following:
- Cochabamba, around 2,570 m
- Sucre, around 2,790 m
- La Paz, around 3,650 m
- Uyuni, around 3,650 m, but the salt flat tours go higher
By the time you reach La Paz, you’ve already had ten days to adjust.
Getting to Bolivia from Europe
All direct flights from Europe to Bolivia leaves from Madrid.
I flew Madrid to Cochabamba with BoA, the Bolivian national airline, for around 800 euros one way. The direct Cochabamba flight only runs once a week, currently on Tuesdays. On other days you’ll have to change planes in Santa Cruz.
In my experience, prices tends to be a bit cheaper when you search and book during the night, around 1-3 AM, so it’s worth checking at different times. But I also don’t expect you to be awake at these hours.
However, if you plan to visist and explore Santa Cruz, you can fly from Madrid as well, and that will give you more options. Both BoA and Air Europa fly there several times a week, and Avianca also flies from Madrid via Bogotá, if you don’t mind a stopover. Santa Cruz sits in the lowlands, so there’s no altitude to deal with when you land. But check the yellow fever vaccination requirements before you go, as they can apply it to this region.
All prices in this article are from my trip from March- April 2026, so prices can have changed. I did however do a quick check in October 2026, and prices are fairly similar today.
When to go: it depends on what you want from Uyuni
As the title says, it really depends on what you want out of your trip. Everything from the breathtaking walks in La Paz, to the majestic views in el Salar de Uyuni.
There’s no single best time to visit Bolivia. It depends on what you want to see.
Keeping in mind you will visit Salar de Uyuni:
May to November is the dry season. You get clear skies and dry roads, which makes travelling by road so much easier (especially if you’re taking the night buses). It’s also the easier time to explore the landscapes around Uyuni by car.
December to March or April is trickier. It’s the rainy season, and road blockades are not unusual. But this is also when the salt flat floods and turns into a giant mirror reflecting the sky. If that’s the photo you’ve been dreaming of, this is your time. Just plan with some extra days in case the roads don’t cooperate.
Days 1 to 7: Cochabamba
I landed here to first visit my girlfriend’s family, but it’s a good first stop for anyone. It’s lower than La Paz, Sucre or Potosí, so you can ease into the altitude while getting a real feel for the country.
Cochabamba is known as the city of “eternal spring”. With it’s many green areas and parks, temperatures sit between 22 and 26 degrees almost all year round, which makes it perfect if you like warm, pleasant weather. Santa Cruz, by comparison, is much hotter and more humid, but the lowlands is also a good first step to adjust to the altitude, as well as a big vibrant city to discover. (You can also spot sloths crossing the streets here).
Cochabamba is also known as Bolivia’s culinary capital, and after a week there I understand why. Don’t leave without trying pique macho, silpancho and chorizo tarateño. Come hungry.
Cochabamba to Sucre: flight
I flew with BoA. It costs a bit more than the bus, around 40 euros one way, but it’s much quicker.
Days 8 to 10: Sucre
At around 2,790 m, Sucre is only slightly higher than Cochabamba, which makes it another good step before La Paz.
Sucre is called la ciudad blanca, the white city, and you’ll see why the moment you walk through the centre. It’s Bolivia’s constitutional capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from the Salar de Uyuni, this is where I saw the most tourists on the whole trip.
Sucre to La Paz: night bus
This was our first night bus, called a flota in Bolivia. Reputable companies include Panasur and El Dorado. We went with Flota Bolívar for around 200 bolivianos, roughly 15 euros, one way. Travel time took around 10 hours.
Ask for a semi cama seat. It reclines a fair bit, and the legroom is much better than on most European buses. You won’t sleep like at home, but you’ll arrive in La Paz having saved a night of accommodation.
Tip: Don’t put your bag in the luggage hold or the rack above you. Theft happens. Keep it at your feet. There’s usually a small space between your legs where a bag fits.
Days 11 to 15: La Paz
La Paz is a whole different world from Cochabamba and Sucre. Higher, louder and more chaotic, but also more raw and authentic in a way that’s hard to find anywhere else.
The views are some of the best of the whole trip. Head up to Mirador Killi Killi for a panoramic look over the city, or ride the cable cars, which give you a completely different perspective of La Paz from above.
La Paz to Uyuni: night bus
Another night bus, this time with Trans Omar. The experience was very similar to Flota Bolívar, and the price was also around 15 euros one way. Travel also took around 10-11 hours.
Days 16 to 18: Salar de Uyuni
Uyuni to La Paz: flight
After two night buses, we flew back with BoA. The flight takes about an hour and cost around 40 to 50 euros. Flights from Uyuni are limited and usually leave in the morning, so book ahead and plan your last day around it.
Days 19 to 20: La Paz again
I went back to La Paz to chill for a couple of days before the flight back to Europe.
Day 21: Home via Santa Cruz
There are no direct flights from La Paz or Cochabamba to Europe, so I flew La Paz to Santa Cruz, then on to Madrid.
Only have 14 days?
I got several questions on what to do if you plan to stay for a shorter period in Bolivia, and again, that depends on what you want. You can fly into Santa Cruz or Cochabamba and spend 7 days here, then spend 2 days in Sucre, 4 in La Paz and 3 in Uyuni, and fly home from La Paz via Santa Cruz.
I do recommend that you first land in Santa Cruz or Cochabamba to keep the slow climb, so your body can adjust to the altitude.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best order to visit Bolivia to avoid altitude sickness?
Start lower and climb slowly. Santa Cruz or Cochabamba first, then La Paz, then Uyuni.
When is the best time to visit Salar de Uyuni?
It depends on what you want. May to November gives dry weather, clear skies and easier roads. December to March or April is the rainy season, when roads can be blocked, but it’s the only time you’ll see the mesmerizing mirror effect.
Can you fly directly from Europe to Bolivia?
Yes, but only from Madrid. BoA and Air Europa both fly direct from Madrid to Santa Cruz several times a week. If you don’t mind a stopover, Avianca also flies from Madrid to Bolivia via Bogotá.
Is there a direct flight from Madrid to Cochabamba?
Yes, but only once a week. As of month and year, BoA flies direct from Madrid to Cochabamba every Tuesday. On any other day, you’ll need to change planes in Santa Cruz.
Can you fly directly from Bolivia back to Madrid?
From Santa Cruz, yes. From Cochabamba or La Paz, no. You’ll always have to pass through Santa Cruz first.
Are night buses in Bolivia safe?
In my experience, yes with reputable companies. Keep your bag at your feet rather than in the luggage hold or overhead rack.
How do you get from Uyuni back to La Paz?
By night bus, or a one hour BoA flight. Flights are limited and usually leave in the morning, so book ahead.
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