Bolivia Travel: Sorata

If I was going to start a clinic for anti-social workaholics, I would open my doors in Sorata, Bolivia. This laid back town wins many travelers’ votes as the most relaxing spot in Bolivia. The town’s biggest tourist attraction is its easy pace, which allows plenty of time for swimming, sunbathing, and catnaps. Northeast of Lake Titicaca and four hours from La Paz is the gorgeous mountain town of Sorata. Some locals believe that this was the original Garden of Eden. The laid-back town has a crumbling colonial atmosphere in an unbelievable natural setting. Perched on a hill in a valley bellow the towering snowcapped peaks of Illampu and Ancohuma, it is a popular base for hikers and mountaineers. During the colonial days Sorata provided a link to the Alto Beni’s goldfields and rubber plantation, and a gateway to the Amazon Basin. In 1791 it was the site of a siege by indigenous leader Andrés Tupac Amaru and his 16,000 soldiers. They constructed dikes above the town which filled with runoff from the slopes of Illampu so when they opened the floodgates the town was washed away.

In 2003, Sorata made national headlines. The owner of ex-hotel Landhaus Copacabana was forced out by angry locals who burnt down his hotel. The background to this story is complex and tourism suffered in the wake of the event. However, travelers are welcome and it is picking back up again.

This is not surprising as there is excellent hiking as well as a relaxing atmosphere. It is noticeably warmer than La Paz, and cooler than the Yungas towns. The main plaza is full of giant palms and you can see Illampu and Ancohuma on a clear day. For a better mountain view, the smaller Plaza Obispo Bosque is also lovely.

If you want to head up to the mountains, there are many great hikes, in addition to mountain biking. One of the most popular walks near Sorata is to the San Pedro Caves. The caves are inhabited by bats and a lake. The walk to the caves is 2 ½ hours but if you continue 30 minutes past the cave you will reach the ridge which allows for great views over the surrounding valleys. Other good one-day walks lead to Cerro Istipata or Lakathiya.


This guide to Sorata was written by a Bolivia travel expert at Bolivia For Less available to help you custom design your exciting Bolivia vacations.