Bolivia - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 192

CROSSING INTO ARGENTINA AT VILLAZÓN
The main border crossing between Bolivia and Argentina is at the dusty ramshackle frontier
town of Villazón , about 92km south of Tupiza by road or rail. Just walk south from the plaza
down to the frontier along Avenida Internacional and get an exit stamp at the Bolivian
migración o ce (open 24hrs), then walk across the bridge into Argentina, where immigration
is open 7am-11pm. From the Argentine border town of La Quiaca there are regular buses to
the city of Jujuy , from where there are connections to the rest of the country.

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paid at a rangers' office at the point of
entry. It is possible to cross into Chile at
a border crossing near Laguna Verde in
the far south of the reserve - inform your
operator when booking if you wish to do
this. Officials at the border post have
been known to charge small unauthorized
fees for letting you cross.

Destinations Oruro (6.25pm Wed & Sat with Expreso del
Sur, 7.05pm Mon & Thurs with Wara Wara del Sur; 13hr) via
Uyuni (5hr 30min); Villazón (4.10am Wed & Sat with Expreso
del Sur, 9.05am Mon & Thurs with Wara Wara del Sur; 3hr).
By taxi The quickest way to reach Villazón is in one of the
shared taxis that leave throughout the day from the bus
station when full.

INFORMAT ION
Money and exchange Banco Union and Banco FIE on
the main square both have ATMs. Several cambios east
of the plaza on C Avaroa will change travellers' cheques,
as well as US dollars, Argentine pesos and sometimes
Peruvian soles.
Pharmacy Farmacia Nacional on C Avaroa.
Phone Punto Entel on Av Santa Cruz, at C Avaroa.
Tourist information There is no formal tourist o ce in
the town, but the main tour operators (see box, p.197) can
tell you all you need to know.

TUPIZA
Some 200km southeast of Uyuni, the
isolated mining town of Tupiza nestles in
a narrow, fertile valley that cuts through
the harsh desert landscape with its
cactus-strewn badlands, deep canyons
and strangely shaped rock formations and
pinnacles. In the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries, Tupiza was the home
of one of Bolivia's biggest mining barons,
Carlos Aramayo. His mines were rich
enough to attract the attention of the
infamous North American gunslingers
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid , who
are believed to have died in a shoot-out
in the town of San Vicente , some 100km
to the northwest. The town draws visitors
largely because of the surrounding
landscape, ideal for hiking, horseriding or
just touring by jeep, activities that are
easily arranged through local operators
(see box, p.197), who also offer Butch
Cassidy-related excursions.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By bus The bus terminal is on Av Arraya, three blocks south
and two blocks east of the main square, Plaza Independencia.
Destinations La Paz (3 daily; 12-13hr); Potosí (2 daily;
5hr); Tarija (several departures between 7pm & 8pm;
6-7hr though much longer in the rainy season); Uyuni
(2 daily; 6-7hr); Villazón (4 daily; 3hr).
By train The train station is three blocks east of the
main plaza on Plazuela Adolfo Torres del Carpio, just off
Av Serrudo. Be sure to buy your ticket in advance. Check
W www.fca.com.bo for more information.

ACCOMMODAT ION
There is a small range of accommodation in Tupiza, aimed
specifically at backpackers on limited budgets. If arriving
late, it is best to call ahead.
Mitru Av Chichas 187 T 02 6943001, W hotelmitru.com.
A sunny central courtyard and swimming pool, clean,
comfortable rooms and a buffet breakfast make this a
popular choice, with prices depending on whether you're
in the newer or older parts of the hotel. Run by the same
owners are Anexo Mitru , C Avaroa ( T 02 6943002), and
Refugio del Turista , Av Santa Cruz 244 ( T 02 6943155),
which has dorms and doubles, wit h use of a kitchen and
Hotel Mitru's pool. Mitru : d oubles B$120 ; Anexo Mitru:
double s (wi th break fast) B$200 ; Refugio del Turista:
dorms B$30 , doubles B$90
La Torre Av Chichas 220 T 02 6942633, E latorrehotel
@yahoo.es, W latorretours-tupiza.com. A friendly place
with a handsome black-and-white tiled floor and a
homely social area. Kitchen use is offered (though no
cooking of eggs, garlic or onions is permitted because of
the sm ell). O ne room with th ree beds serves as a “dorm”.
Dorms B$50 , doubles B$100
Hostal Valle Hermoso 2 Av Pedro Arraya T 02 6942592,
E [e-mail]. A wood-panelled, HI-
a liated hostel with fresh-feeling dorms and excellent-value