I haven’t been back to Bolivia since 2015. However, with the excitement surrounding our next photography workshop, I couldn’t help but whip up a post about some of the best photography locations in Bolivia.
It’s such a special country.
However, I should note that this post will be updated after the trip in 2025. Yes, I’ve been to Bolivia 8 different times. But, I haven’t been for years, and even then I wasn’t on photography specific endeavours. Still, I thought this would be a fun space to share my favourite spots. And in May when we come back from the trip, I’m sure I’ll have even more locations to share.
La Paz
The city of La Paz has plenty to offer photographers. It’s a shuterbug paradise. The only major challenge – aside from the lake of oxygen up here at nearly 4000 meters above sea level – is that the beautiful locals aren’t fans of having their photos taken.
Occasionally, you may find someone who’s open to it. But be sure to ask before taking a picture. If you don’t, you might be yelled at. The line to ask for a photo is “puedo tomar una foto, por favor“.
If you’re looking for an epic cityscape, head up the hill where the cable car is.
Personally, I think it’s best if you don’t take the cable car but instead go about 1/3rd the way up the hill. From there, you can get a great perspective of the city and frame it really beautifully below the incredible snowy peaks.
Uyuni and the Salar de Uyuni
The town of Uyuni itself isn’t exactly pretty. It’s a small, rugged town situated on the edge of the incredible Salar de Uyuni. If you’re looking for photo opportunities around town, you can walk along the train tracks to a place called “The Railroad Cemetery”. This spot is particularly great at sunset.
From town, it’s a quick drive to what might be Bolivia’s biggest tourist attraction for photographers: the Salar de Uyuni.
Out on the salt flats of Uyuni there are a couple really cool photo spots. One of the most popular spots is a place call Incahuasi (fish island). This is a cactus covered island surrounded by salt. It’s beautiful.
The salt flats themselves make incredible photos as well, both during the day and under the stars. Lots of photographers come here during the rainy season to grab images of the reflections. But, honestly, it’s pretty epic any time of year.
Potosi
The city of Potosi was once the weathiest in Bolivia – and one of the richest in all of South America. These days, though, the city has fallen into a bit of ruin.
For photographers, this actually makes for some incredible images. I haven’t been to Potosi with a proper DSLR before. So I’m dying to get back and point my lens at some of the spots.
The Altiplano and Laguna Colorada
Most photographers head off on a multi-day photography expedition across the salt flats and the altiplano. This high altitude landscape is absolutely spectacular. It’s just full of photo locations. The first of those locations is probably the best. Laguna Colorada (the red lake) is a salt lagoon full of flamingos and beautiful colours. It’s backdropped beautiful by a colourful volcano too.
There’s also a mountain range in the area that the locals call the rainbow mountain or the mountain of seven colours. It’s spectacular.
There are a couple other locations in this area. For one, Laguna Verde is pretty special. And if you’re lucky, you’ll also have some wildlife sightings in the area. There are Andean foxes and chinchillas in the region.
Sucre
Although La Paz is widely seen as the capital of Bolivia, actually it’s Sucre that’s the administrative capital. Overall, Sucre is also a much more “comfortable” city. It sits at a much lower altitude and has much less of an air pollution problem.
From a photography standpoint, the city is quite beautiful. However, it does have that “it could be anywhere in Latin America” feel to it. I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to photograph Sucre, but it does make a nice stop on the way to Potosi or Uyuni.
The Death Road
Formerly the most dangerous road in the world, this road a couple hours outside of La Paz goes from high altitude to the Amazon basin really quickly. And while it’s mostly know for thrill seekers, it’s so photogenic as well.
Photo Locations in Bolivia I Haven’t Been
Below are a couple potentially photo locations in Bolivia that are stunning, but I haven’t yet had the time or chance to photograph.
Sajama National Park is off in the west of Bolivia and I think might have the most potential of any photography location in Bolivia not yet over-photographed or over-touristed.
Cochabamba and Lake Titicaca are also incredible. Somehow, I’ve spent all my time on the Peruvian side of the lake and have never visited Lake Titicaca from the Bolivia side.
I have been into The Amazon basin in Bolivia, but I wasn’t visiting as a photographer. As a result I haven’t really photographed it. That said, there are so many wildlife photography opportunities down here. It’s apparently the best place in the Amazon to see Anacondas!
Bolivia Photography Trip
If you’re looking to make a photography trip to Bolivia, but you don’t want to do it on your own, there’s a good chance that I’ll have a photography trip to the area soon. There’s currently a sold out trip in 2025. There will likely be another trip in 2026.
If you’re interested, join my mailing list below.