Taking a trip. Should I go to Peru or Bolivia?

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm rather fed up with the city so I'm looking to get a last-minute flight to either of these destinations. I'm a 23-year old male, an academic and one who venerates nature. I love indigenous culture and, if it weren't for Machu Picchu in Peru, would probably have chosen Bolivia as a preference in a heart beat.

I've also heard that Bolivia is currently suffering from some political turbulence, which might make travelling unsafe. Is this true?

I will be travelling alone, and would like to avoid as many tourists as possible, spending as much of my time as I can in remote districts in nature, perhaps intermingling with the natives and seeing some historic towns.

Between these two countries, which do you recommend?

Answer 1

Don't think about it twice: Just go to Perú and enjoy the breath taking places that this beautiful country posess plus it's delicious food, heart-warming hospitality and adaptable environment. I recommend visiting Ica, Cusco , Arequipa, Trujillo and Lima- you won't regret it!

Answer 2

Peru is a wonderful idea, I definitively recommended it to you and to the rest of the people who are interested in traveling this summer. If u want more info about Peru feel free to contact me, I can help you and give you good tips.

Answer 3

go to peru!

Answer 4

hi, I think you must go to Peru, you know ? Peru is not only Machu Picchu, you can find another things and all is very nice...

You can see this video about Peru http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co3Zy0LLW...

The food is delicious !!!!

If you want to know more, just contact me

Answer 5

Go to Peru.

Bolivia is currently under the government of Evo Morales, and old coca grower and aligned with Hugo Chavez (the left wing governor of Venezuela).

In Peru, apart form the usual Cuzco-Machu Picchu, you should try Huaraz. The Huaraz area is full of high peaks and treks with amazing views. I'm an avid trekker, and will be heading to Huayhuash (near Huaraz) in a few weeks to do that particular trek.

Answer 6

Go to Peru. The culture is very interesting. You'll get to see sights such as the ruins of Machu Pichu and see first hand the interesting culture, folklore, and customs passed down through generations! Besides, Bolivia isn't precisely going through political turmoil, however their foreign policy towards the United States is very hostile.

Answer 7

If I were in your shoes, I'd go to Peru. Peru has many many archaeological sites, not just Macchu Picchu.  Some are from pre- Inca times.

Additionally Lima is one of the best Latin American cities to study spanish influence and architecture in their many well preserved buildings and churches.

The Peruvian food is great. I don't know anything about Bolivia in this respect.

And you can go also to the Titicaca lake, which is shared by Peru and Bolivia, so you can see there the floating grass islands and the local tribes that  call those "islands" home.

You could go into the peruvian jungle where the Amazons river is born.

Overall I think you can have a more complete and rounded experience in Peru than in Bolivia.

Answer 8

If you love native cultures you definetly have more to see in Peru. Apart from the obvious Machu Picchu, there are lots of indigenous towns and villages in the highlands and Jungle. But let me propose something which will avoid you chosing between these two countries: Start your journey in Cuzco (via Lima of course), visit Machu Picchu and the sacred valley of the Incas (ruins like Saccayhuaman, towns like Pisac, Oyantaytambo, etc), then take the train from Cuzco to Puno (breathtaking view), visit the native Aymara towns around lake Titicaca and then cross the border to Bolivia. I have never been to Puno but both american and british friends who have been there told me that the area of Puno, lake Titicaca was even better than Cuzco. I would suggest to stay away from La Paz and Sucre in Bolivia (the Evo Morales government is not too american-friendly) but you can go to Santa Cruz which is an amazing city.

You don't need to choose, you can easily squeeze this area (Cuzco-Puno-Titicaca) in your holiday time. I would definetly recommend Puno and the islands on lake Titicca.

Answer 9

I think Bolivia would be an interesting place to go.