Major city · Bolivia
Tupiza
Spend one night in Tupiza as a base for nearby canyons or a stopover en route to Salar de Uyuni; day trips are doable, longer tours need extra night.
Tupiza is a small border town in Potosí Department, well‑connected by bus and train. Its walkable centre offers cheap hostels and tuk‑tuk rides to canyon sights. One night covers the main attractions; add another night for a relaxed canyon‑trail or horseback tour.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BOB
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry, milder temperatures)
- avoid Nov–Mar (rain, colder nights)
- Airport
- CBB
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Bolivia ↗Visa rules depend on your passport (some nationalities need a visa in advance): check with Bolivia's migration authority or a Bolivian consulate.
- Bolivia ↗Most of the tourist route is above 3,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on arrival, and see a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Bolivia ↗Protests and road blockades (bloqueos) are frequent and can close routes and cities for days; watch local news and keep plans flexible.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Tupiza110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tupiza, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the boliviano (BOB, Bs).Bolivia-wide
- SIM or eSIMEntel, Tigo and Viva sell SIMs with passport registration in their own shops.Bolivia-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Bolivia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up; about 10% in tourist restaurants.Bolivia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Bolivia-wide
- SafetyTupiza is generally safe for day visitors; keep belongings secure, especially on buses, and avoid isolated trails after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPay a boliviano or two; bring paper.Bolivia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 118 ambulance · 119 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBlockades and strikes close shops and roads; Sunday is quiet.Bolivia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCBB Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (≈200 km (124 mi) by road, about 4 h bus from Tupiza).CBB Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (≈124 mi (200 km) by road, about 4 h bus from Tupiza).
- Getting aroundTown centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at caféBs 2–5
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk‑tuk ride to El AngostoBs 30–50
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket Tupiza‑Villazónhourly serviceBs 20
- Budget bedHostel dorm, a night, per personBOB 25
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel double, a night, per roomBOB 180
- High-end bedBudget hotel double, a night, per roomBOB 250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BOB 180 · Mid BOB 300 · High BOB 500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CBB Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (≈200 km (124 mi) by road, about 4 h bus from Tupiza)CBB Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (≈124 mi (200 km) by road, about 4 h bus from Tupiza)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tupiza: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town centre is walkable. Tuk‑tuks (Bs 30‑50) or minibus (Bs 5) reach canyon sites. Buses connect to Villazón, Uyuni, Potosí and La Paz.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cañón del Inca & Puerta del Diablo loop
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round‑trip
Tuk‑tuk from town (Bs 30‑50) or join a local tour
Flat, easy walking; bring water and sun protection.
El Angosto
goDoor to door: ≈1 h each way
Tuk‑tuk (Bs 30‑50) or minibus (Bs 5)
Scenic tunnel and canyon views.
Valle de los Machos
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h total
Guided horseback or 4×4 tour (Bs 150 for 3 h)
Roads rough; best with a driver.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Mitru
Budget to mid‑range, pool, breakfast included, Bs. 200 double room
Tupiza Hostal
Very cheap dorm‑style, Bs. 25 per night, near bus/train station
Posada El Aborigen
Family‑run, Bs. 60 per person, Wi‑Fi, clean rooms
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Bs 150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- Bs 250–400 excl. bed
- High
- Bs 400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm2 × 1 night × BOB 35 | BOB 70 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × BOB 300 | BOB 600 |
| Bus Tupiza‑Uyuni (Ferrobus)2 × BOB 40 · check | BOB 80 |
| Tuk‑tuk to canyon sites2 × BOB 30 · check | BOB 60 |
| eSIM week of data2 × BOB 120 · check | BOB 240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BOB 105 |
| Trip total≈ BOB 578 per person per day, bed included | BOB 1,155 |
2026 estimate in Bs; flights and long‑distance bus fares excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus ticket Tupiza‑Villazónhourly service | Bs 20 |
| Tuk‑tuk ride to El Angosto | Bs 30–50 |
| Horseback tour (3 h) | Bs 150 |
| Coffee at café | Bs 2–5 |
| Empanada | Bs 3–5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus schedules change frequently; confirm times at the terminal.
- Roads to canyon sites can be rough; use a 4×4 or join a guided tour.
- Altitude is ~2,900 m; hydrate and avoid heavy exertion on first day.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 119
Pocket card
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TupizaTupiza
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire119
Embassy
US consulate in La Paz; nearest Bolivian police post in Tupiza.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tupiza ↔ Villazón bus: about Bs 20, 1–1.5 h (check)
- Tupiza ↔ Uyuni Ferrobus: about Bs 40–60, 5–6 h (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑kool‑pe)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra‑see‑as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan‑to kwes‑ta)
- ¿Dónde está la estación de buses? — Where is the bus station? (don‑de es‑ta la es‑ta‑sion de bu‑ses)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tupiza. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct (dry, milder temperatures) · avoid Nov–Mar (rain, colder nights) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- /potosi-department
- /bolivia
- /uyuni
- /villazon-and-la-quiaca
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Tupiza
- secondaryWikivoyage: Tupiza, revision 5240483 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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