National park · Bolivia
Tiwanaku
Visit Tiwanaku in a day: take a 90‑minute minibus from La Paz (Bs 15‑20) and explore the main plaza and Pumapunku for under 2 h; the site is open year‑round, avoid the midday heat in summer.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
4 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (4 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
—
UNESCO
World Heritage
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.
At a glance
- Country
- Bolivia
- Area
- 4 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (4 km²)
- Site covers about 4 km² of archaeological remains (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- La Paz
Tiwanaku is a pre‑Columbian UNESCO World Heritage site in the Bolivian Altiplano, showcasing Aymara architecture and museums on the Lake Titicaca plateau.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2000Listed as a pre‑Columbian archaeological site.
Size and age
4 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (4 km²) · national park since 2000
Site covers about 4 km² of archaeological remains (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: La Paz.
Why go
- One of the largest pre‑Inca complexes in South America.
- Well‑preserved stone architecture and museums illustrate Aymara culture.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool and dry.
- FebCool, occasional rain.
- MarMild, clear.
- AprMild, dry.
- MayDry, comfortable.
- JunDry, cooler.
- JulDry, cooler.
- AugDry, cooler.
- SepDry, mild.
- OctDry, mild.
- NovCool, occasional rain.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High‑altitude grassland birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main Plaza and Pumapunku | Core archaeological complex with temples, monoliths and museums. | Open with entrance ticket. |
| Tiwanaku Museum | Displays artifacts and explanatory panels. | Open with ticket; photography prohibited. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the archaeological zone.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee (foreign visitors) | BOB 30–40 | person | Check current rate at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Site entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Photography
- Prohibited inside museums; allowed in open areas.
- Guides
- Not required for the main plaza, but recommended for detailed interpretation.
- Camping
- Not allowed within the archaeological zone.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel Akapana
Simple rooms across from the museum; 5‑min walk to ruins.
Near the park
La Paz city
Wide range of hotels; 30‑min drive to site.
Safety
Altitude medium
Sun exposure low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main plaza reachable by car; short walks on flat ground.
- Uneven stone steps at Pumapunku; not wheelchair friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Buy crafts directly from local vendors.
- Respect site rules; do not touch or climb fragile structures.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tiwanaku?
Foreign visitors pay about Bs 30‑40 (≈ BOB 30‑40) at the gate; Bolivian citizens pay less. Check the current rate on arrival.
What are the best hikes in Tiwanaku?
The main plaza loop (1‑2 h) and the Pumapunku stone complex (30 min) are the primary walks; both are easy and require no special equipment.
When is the best time to visit Tiwanaku?
The site is open year‑round; the dry season (May‑October) offers the most comfortable weather, but any month is doable.
Can I visit Tiwanaku without a guide?
Yes, the main plaza and museum are self‑guided; a guide is optional for deeper historical insight.
Is photography allowed?
Photos are allowed in open areas but prohibited inside the museums.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Tiwanaku
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