A Budget Guide to Tupiza in Bolivia
Tupiza, a small quiet town in Bolivia, is a great place for budget travelers. It offers activities like hiking, horseback riding, admiring Wild West scenery, or following Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid's footsteps. You can also use Tupiza as a starting point for Salar de Uyuni Tour. This Tupiza travel guide includes the best things to do, tips on where to stay, how to get there, and what to pack.
Tupiza is not the most well-known city in Bolivia but is slowly gaining travelers' attention. Bolivia's backpackers' trail is pretty much set, and it is good to know that Tupiza hasn't made it on the list, but we must add a vital word - yet.
Since we started planning our Bolivia itinerary, our eyes were caught by strange rock formations, surreal landscape, and also the possibility to escape crowds, so one early morning (it was still rather night), we got off a bus in Tupiza, our home for the next couple of days.
Of course, a few more things caught our attention - the welcoming hot climate with low precipitations (even in the rainy season), lower prices compared to other touristy spots in South America, and the number of things to do in Tupiza for independent travelers.
It doesn't matter if you've just crossed borders from Argentina and want to take a well-deserved break in a town where the time flows at a slow pace (in that case, book a hotel with a pool), or if you've decided to start here your Salar de Uyuni adventure or if you came on purpose, as we did, to explore the beautiful Tupiza's surroundings.
In any case, you have just arrived at the right place.
This Tupiza travel guide aims to guide you through the incredible and dramatic scenery surrounding this city, which you can enjoy on a budget, and we also share tips on what to do in Tupiza, Bolivia, where to stay, what to pack, and how to stay safe.
Although for us hiking the red rock landscapes was the main reason to visit Tupiza, this is not the only activity visitors can do here.
The scenery around the city is very unusual and encourages travelers to try many activities.
Apart from independent trekking, another favorite activity is horseback riding or jeep tours, but as we travel on a budget, we did not find it necessary to spend money on tours here because walking around seemed to be enough.
It is good to know that every year more and more visitors decide to set off on their Salar de Uyuni tour in Tupiza.
This is why we feel Tupiza deserves a separate post as we believe it will soon become an essential stop on every itinerary, at least on every itinerary of travelers looking for a slightly different experience and approach.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING TUPIZA
There are a few things to know before visiting Tupiza that will make your trip more comfortable. First of all, many of you might have safety concerns, but more about it later.
If hiking is your main concern, you should be well-equipped, not only by hiking gear but also by a trusty offline app.
Trails around Tupiza are not very well-signposted, and it is often not clear where to go, so we gladly found out that an app Maps.me shows even those small sideway paths we wanted to explore.
We believe that professional travelers like you already know this app, but in case you are a beginner, check it out. The biggest advantage of this app is that you can use it offline, and features many hiking trails.
Although there's no entrance fee to trails around Tupiza, you still should keep a small amount of cash, just in case (you might want to use public transport to get to the trailhead). After all, Tupiza is not a touristy town, and using a credit card is still not that common.
Last but not least, we must mention the weather. Although at the beginning of this travel guide we've outlined that the sunny and hot weather is an advantage, it is not always the case, especially when you go hiking for a few hours.
The heat can be unbearable as there is no shade, and unless you start before sunrise, there is a good chance you'll be hiking around midday.
Pack at least two liters of water per person, and don't forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and straw hat.
SAFETY
We felt really safe not only in Tupiza but overall in Bolivia, but it should go without saying you should not provoke opportunistic thieves and stay away from dangerous areas.
It is still necessary to keep in mind that Bolivia is not a rich country, and the way to stay safe is to keep a low profile, not to walk around in brand new clothes, or show off your costly jewelry or electronics.
We always had a camera in hand only when we needed, otherwise it was safely stored in a backpack.
Hiking around Tupiza is quite specific as you won't meet many people, which means one thing - you must be constantly vigilant and be aware of your surroundings.
Our biggest safety concern was strayed dogs. It is quite a problem in most countries in South America, and Tupiza was no different - check out our guide on Staying Safe in South America.
It is really not comfortable to see wild dogs running and barking in your direction, so rule number one for hiking around the town is to grab a stick and rocks and carry it all the time.
We called it our South America hiking kit, and that certainly does not mean we do not like dogs; we sincerely believed there wouldn't be a reason to use it, but as usual, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Hope you won't need it, but it is better to have something you'll fight back with. We had a really unpleasant experience with strayed dogs in Playa de Belen, Colombia (and some other places as well), and even though nothing happened, we never took this problem lightly again.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
The sunny blue sky and western-like scenery can be easily confusing, but you should not forget that Tupiza sits quite high in the mountains, about 2850 meters above sea level, and the abrupt elevation change (in case you're arriving from a lower altitude) can cause altitude sickness.
Add the fact that you'll be hiking at almost 3000 meters above sea level under the harsh sun, and altitude sickness-prone people can really feel it. Although no one can know what effect an altitude will have on your body, there are a few tips on how to stay safe and healthy.
Either way, preventing altitude sickness is essential to stay safe while on the road.
First of all, give your body time to acclimatize. You can stay a couple of extra days in Tupiza to get used to the elevation - from our experience, one day and a good nights' sleep should be enough.
If you've already visited north part of Bolivia, like the mysterious Lake Titicaca or the capital city La Paz, you shouldn't have any problems.
The following advice is to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, eat lightly and simply take your time before hitting the road.
BEST TIME TO VISIT TUPIZA
Tupiza is an all-year-round destination, so if you are a long-term traveler without an exact date in mind, you can freely plan your trip.
We've already outlined that this place has a desert-like climate. It can rain here; the highest precipitation is between December and February, but it is not common to experience an all-day-long downpour.
This period is also the hottest one, but it is warm in Tupiza in general from January to December, so you do not have to worry about temperatures at all; most of the days, you'll be looking for a shade.
It rarely rains between May and September, which is the dry season.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN TUPIZA
Tupiza is all about exploring peaceful life in a smaller city in Bolivia close to borders with Argentina, enjoying the atmosphere, eating in relatively cheap restaurants, and creating your own itinerary.
Tupiza is certainly not about visiting numerous top attractions; it is rather about the feeling and appreciating the photogenic nature consisting of weathered rocks with a camera in hand.
We've put together a list of the best things to do in Tupiza - we recommend you to have at least one full day, preferably two days, for this destination.
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BUTCH CASSIDY AND SUNDANCE KID
It would have been impossible to visit Tupiza and not hear two names: Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid.
Those two were notoriously known American outlaws who lived by the turn of the 19th and 20th century and were infamous for bank robbing and train robbing.
After committing several crimes, they had to leave the USA and fled to South America.
First to Argentina and then to Bolivia, where they met their end when they were recognized and subsequently killed by the Bolivian army.
Although this act did not happen in Tupiza but in a nearby small mining town, San Vicente, it is believed that they moved around dramatic red valleys near Tupiza a lot, and it's why every single travel company invite travelers from all around the world to follow in the footsteps of those two anti-heroes.
CLIMB THE HILLS TO ENJOY SUNSET
Where else get the true sense of the place than from a viewpoint overlooking the town. You don't need to climb up Cerro de la Cruz, but any hill around Tupiza will provide you with excellent views.
We decided to go on the town's outskirt and climbed a rugged hill that provided us with a vista of the town on one side and the valley lined with weathered mountains on the other.
The best time for a walk is around sunset to see the rock formations around turning crimson, well, even another shade of red. Another reason for starting either early in the morning or later in the afternoon is quite apparent; the sun is a bit more merciful than during the day.
Said that Cerro de la Cruz is definitely the most popular viewpoint in Tupiza, so set this location in the Maps.me app, and you are ready to set off. The path to the trailhead is clear, but once you pass a stadium, you'll see a white cross on the top - walk in this direction.
From now, the trail is not well-signposted, but keep your eyes open; hundreds of people walked the very same path before you, so their steps and sun bleach the trail.
After the grueling climb, take a moment and enjoy the scenery like from a western movie. It is important to have good hiking shoes and plenty of water for this trip, same as a stick in case there will be annoying dogs around.
HIKING AROUND TUPIZA
The best way how to see the best Tupiza has to offer is to walk freely around and choose one of the trails around - select the trail that fits your requirements and level of fitness. It is possible to make a nice loop, but there's nothing wrong with picking a one-way path, venture inside the rocky area, and then walk back.
A couple of travel agencies (with a sign tourist information) we visited refused to provide us with the map of the area, saying it is only for their customers (logically), so we had to be fully independent. Still, you can use Google maps or Maps.me app to see trails around Tupiza, and you can navigate yourself safely.
Several interesting rock formations are dispersed around Tupiza, and unless you don't want to spend here longer to explore the area thoroughly, we can recommend you to take the one-day hike we did.
It is not necessary to use public transport to get to the trailhead (unless you want to), you don't need to pay any fees, and overall you will have a nice day out.
On this day, you will visit Canon del Duende, Valle de Los Machos, Puerta del Diablo and Canon del Inca.
It is a picturesque hike where you'll be wandering around the area, which might remind you American Wild West.
In Tupiza, find the old rail tracks and follow them in the south direction.
You'll be walking along the tracks for approximately twenty minutes until you reach a place where you can either carry on straight or turn right. In case you want to skip this unappealing and a bit tiring part, you can take a colectivo running along the street for Bs 2.
Turn right and walk on the road around newly built houses and a dump station.
To get to the first stop Canon del Duende, follow the main road (there is a little traffic), climb the short hill, and right after, you will see a dirt road on your right.
Leave the main road and follow the dusty one to enter the canyon. Here, you can walk as far and as long as you please.
To get from Canon del Duende to Valle de Los Machos and Canon del Inca, you must walk back the same way you came and turn left just before the developing area.
There is no sign, but you should not have a problem finding it as all trails are marked on the map.
Follow the trail lined with cacti trees (you can make sure you walk right when you see horse poop on the trail) and once you cross a short hill and get down, turn left - you'll be walking through Valle de Los Muchachos to Canon del Inca.
Once you have enough pictures of the red rock formations, you can walk back, and on the spot where you emerged from Canon del Duende, go left.
Walk through spectacular Puerta del Diablo, turn left and follow the dusty trail until you get on the paved road, walk around another dump station and get to Tupiza from the opposite side.
The whole trek is approximately 20 kilometers long and will take five or six hours to finish.
VISIT THE LOCAL MARKET
Visiting the market could be hardly more authentic than it is here in Tupiza. We love wandering around, shopping, and photographing local markets anywhere in the world, and this very market reminded us of the beauty of unspoiled places like this.
You see, we've already seen tens, if not hundreds of markets that long ago lost their authenticity and turned into tourist markets, selling overpriced stuff with no additional value.
It is definitely not a case of Tupiza - it sometimes almost seems that locals are not happy to see you, but do not be put off by the initial feeling, we could many times see that Bolivians do not seem friendly at first sight, and we were often proved otherwise.
This market focuses only on selling meat, fruit, and vegetables, meat often in its raw form, so be ready for the omnipresent smell.
WHERE TO STAY IN TUPIZA
When looking for accommodation in Tupiza, we must give you one tip first. In case you would arrive in Tupiza early in the morning (like we did at 4 AM), you can check-in in the hotel (in case they have a room available), but to get in, do not ring on the doorbell, but knock hard otherwise, no one will hear you.
Tupiza has several decent hostels and hotels for every budget, the city center is walkable, and we did not have a problem getting around on foot.
Budget | Anexo Mitru - A centrally located hostel with good wifi, clean facilities, and more than a decent breakfast for the price.
Mid-range | Hotal La Torre - Reasonably priced hotel with comfortable beds, great reviews, and a location that is hard to beat.
Luxury | El Grano de Oro Hotel - Tupiza doesn't have many luxurious hotels, so if you are looking for a treat, this hotel is your best bet.
SALAR DE UYUNI
It is impossible to travel to Bolivia and not plan on visiting Salar de Uyuni, a beautiful salt flat that is one of the most wonderful places in South America.
The traditional jump-off point is Uyuni, this is also where we started, and you can read more about our experience in this 3-day Salar de Uyuni Guide.
From Uyuni is the selection of tours definitely wider, there's also a possibility to book a one-day tour, but we think these salt flats deserve a multi-day trip.
And when we talk about multi-day trips, it is definitely worth mentioning Tupiza, which can be your alternative base for visiting this part of Bolivia. Tours from Tupiza usually take four days as there's more ground to cover, you will see the best on the last day of your trip, and another advantage is a significantly lower number of travelers.
The only disadvantage is a slightly higher price because competition is not that tense as in Uyuni, but on the other hand, the experience will surely be unforgettable.
Here, you can check out Salar de Uyuni Tour from Tupiza.
WHAT TO PACK
In our experience, Tupiza is not exactly a bucket list destination, and it is rather visited by long-term travelers who are usually well-prepared as they have gear for every occasion in the backpack.
Still, there are a few items we consider essential for traveling to Tupiza. If you plan on relaxing and enjoying warm weather, do not forget a swimsuit as it comes in handy here (the condition is to book a hotel with a swimming pool).
Other than that, we found it essential to have a bandana as we used it as headwear or as face protection against the dust.
Trails are rocky, and sturdy hiking boots are a must. If you are a fan of trekking poles, bring them. You might also feel safer in case you see strayed dogs.
Shade is a scarce commodity in Tupiza, and you will be walking all day in direct sun, which means you must be well-prepared. Bring a sunscreen and lip balm.
Obviously, we would not leave a room without our trusty compact mirrorless camera, but a modern phone is usually enough.
Last but not least, it is super important to stay hydrated not only because of the weather but also altitude.
Tap water in Bolivia is not drinkable, which means even responsible travelers often need to buy plastic bottles, which is far from being environmentally friendly.
You can either carry a reusable water bottle and buy water in large canisters (5 or 10 liters) to lower your plastic consumption or consider investing in gadgets such as SteriPen or water bottle with a filter that kills bacteria straightaway.
HOW TO GET TO TUPIZA
Although Tupiza still doesn't have a firm position on every traveler's Bolivia itinerary, it is relatively easy to get there by bus (or also by train).
From La Paz, you will have to change buses in Oruro, but there are direct buses from other cities such as Potosi, Sucre, or Uyuni. We arrived by overnight bus from Sucre.
The bus station is well-positioned, only a few minutes walk from the center and district with the majority of hotels.
If you plan on continuing to Uyuni, we recommend booking the ticket right after your arrival as this route is pretty popular. The road is not that bad as it used to be only a few years ago, and although it is still not comfortable, you'll manage just fine.
From Tupiza, there is also a connection to Bolivia's wine region represented by the city of Tarija, or you can carry on to Argentina, which is accessible via Villazon.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
