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Best time to visit Bolivia: month by month
Short answer
The best time for most of Bolivia is the dry season, May to October, with clear skies, highs of about 15–19°C in the highlands and only 1–9 rainy days a month, though nights drop below zero. January to March is the wet season, with up to 20–21 rainy days, but it is the time for the mirror effect on the Salar. June to August is the busiest period.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15°C | 5°C | 17 | medium |
| Feb | 15°C | 5°C | 17 | medium |
| Mar | 15°C | 4°C | 20 | low |
| Apr | 16°C | 3°C | 9 | low |
| May | 16°C | 1°C | 4 | medium |
| Jun | 15°C | -1°C | 2 | high |
| Jul | 16°C | 0°C | 1 | very high |
| Aug | 16°C | 1°C | 2 | high |
| Sep | 18°C | 3°C | 5 | medium |
| Oct | 19°C | 4°C | 9 | medium |
| Nov | 18°C | 5°C | 10 | low |
| Dec | 15°C | 5°C | 21 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Highs of 18–19°C and lows of 3–5°C; dry in September, with rain returning through October and November (9–10 days).
Summer (Dec–Feb)
The wet season: highs of 15°C, lows of 5°C and 17–21 rainy days a month; the Salar can flood into a mirror, some routes close.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Rain eases from 20 days in March to 4 in May; highs around 15–16°C and nights falling to about 1°C.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Dry and sunny with only 1–2 rainy days, highs of 15–16°C and frosty nights around 0°C, much colder at Uyuni.
Events worth planning around
- Carnival in Oruro, a UNESCO-listed festival (February or March, before Lent).
- Alasitas fair in La Paz, with miniatures for good luck (from 24 January).
- Gran Poder procession in La Paz (May or June, before Holy Trinity).
- Independence Day celebrations (6 August).
When to avoid
Avoid the height of the wet season (January–February) if you plan the three-day lagoon tour or overland travel in the north, as roads flood. In June–August, expect very cold nights at altitude.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Bolivia?
May to October, the dry season: clear skies, good roads and highs of 15–19°C, though nights are freezing at altitude.
When can you see the Uyuni mirror effect?
In the wet season, roughly January to March, when a thin layer of water covers the salt. Some areas may be inaccessible after heavy rain.
How cold is Bolivia in July?
Days are sunny at about 15–16°C in La Paz, but nights fall to around 0°C, and at Uyuni below -10°C.