Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GOVERNMENT TRAVEL ADVICE
The following government websites offer travel advis- ories and information on current hot spots:
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs
(
www.smartraveller.gov.au
)
British Foreign Office
(
www.fco.gov.uk
)
Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs
(
www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
)
US State Department
(
www.travel.state.gov
)
Shopping
Each town or region has its own specialty
artesanía
(locally handcrafted items). For tradi-
tional musical instruments, head for Tarija or Calle Sagárnaga in La Paz (although the lat-
ter will be overpriced). For weavings, the Cordillera Apolobamba or the environs of Sucre
are your best bet. Ceramics are a specialty around Cochabamba, and crafts in tropical
woods are sold in the lowlands around Santa Cruz, Trinidad and the Amazon Basin.
You'll find a range of reasonably priced artwork from all over the country in La Paz
and Copacabana, but prices are generally lower at the point of original production. All
sorts of clothing are available in llama and alpaca wool; vicuña wool is the finest and
most expensive. Some pieces are hand-dyed and woven or knitted while others are mass-
produced by machine.
Many articles are made by cooperatives or profit companies with ecofriendly and cul-
turally responsible practices.
Solo Travelers
As always when traveling, safety is in numbers; solo travelers should remain alert when
traveling, especially at night. On the whole, however, the benefits of solo travel can be
huge, as being alone often opens up many doors to meeting local people as well as other
travelers.
On the well-trodden gringo circuit, solo travelers should have little trouble meeting up
with others. Some hostels and hotels have notice boards for those wanting to form groups
to do activ- ities. In places like Uyuni it's relatively easy to meet other travelers around
town to make up the numbers needed for excursions.
