Chuqiyapu
Chu-qi-ya-pu
La Paz
Usage
Bolivia's administrative capital, one of the world's highest capital cities
Grammar Note
Means "golden field" in Aymara. Located at 3,600m above sea level
Titiqaqa
Ti-ti-qa-qa
Lake Titicaca
Usage
World's highest navigable lake, sacred to Aymara culture
Grammar Note
Said to be an Aymara name meaning "rock of the puma"
Tiwanaku
Ti-wa-na-ku
Usage
Pre-Inca civilization ruins, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Grammar Note
Important archaeological site considered the origin of Aymara civilization
Salar de Uyuni
Sa-lar de U-yu-ni
Usage
World's largest salt flat, famous for its stunning mirror effect
Grammar Note
Said to mean "enclosed place" in Aymara
Oruro
O-ru-ro
Usage
Highland city famous for Bolivia's Carnival, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Grammar Note
Host of one of the world's most spectacular carnival celebrations
Potosí
Po-to-sí
Usage
UNESCO World Heritage silver mining city, one of the highest large cities in the world at 4,090m
Grammar Note
Once one of the largest cities in the world during the 16th–17th century silver rush
Copacabana
Co-pa-ca-ba-na
Usage
Pilgrimage town on Lake Titicaca and the origin of the name of the famous Rio beach
Grammar Note
Home of the Virgen de Copacabana, an important Latin American Catholic pilgrimage site
Sucre
Su-cre
Usage
Bolivia's constitutional capital, known as the "White City" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Grammar Note
Known for its white colonial architecture, where Bolivia's declaration of independence was signed
Coroico
Co-roi-co
Usage
Small town in the cloud forest, at the end of the "Death Road" cycling route from La Paz
Grammar Note
A popular destination for cyclists descending the Death Road from La Paz
Illimani
Il-li-ma-ni
Mount Illimani
Usage
Sacred Aymara mountain at 6,438m, the iconic backdrop of La Paz on clear days
Grammar Note
In Aymara mythology, mountains (apu) are sacred beings. Illimani is one of the most venerated
Departamento de La Paz
De-par-ta-men-to de La Paz
La Paz Department
Usage
Department in western Bolivia, home to La Paz (about 3,640 m), El Alto, the southern shore of Lake Titicaca, Tiwanaku and the Yungas valleys; the largest Aymara-speaking region
Departamento de Oruro
De-par-ta-men-to de O-ru-ro
Oruro Department
Usage
High-altiplano department in west-central Bolivia; its capital Oruro sits at 3,706 m. Aymara-speaking, and includes Sajama National Park and the Chilean border at Tambo Quemado
Departamento de Potosí
De-par-ta-men-to de Po-to-sí
Potosí Department
Usage
Department in southwestern Bolivia; its capital Potosí lies at 4,090 m. Contains the Uyuni salt flat, the high desert of the southern altiplano and the historic mining towns
Departamento de Cochabamba
De-par-ta-men-to de Co-cha-bam-ba
Cochabamba Department
Usage
Valley department in central Bolivia; the city of Cochabamba is at 2,558 m, low enough to be used as a rest stop from the altiplano. Mainly Quechua-speaking
Departamento de Chuquisaca
De-par-ta-men-to de Chu-qui-sa-ca
Chuquisaca Department
Usage
Department in southern Bolivia; its capital Sucre, at 2,810 m, is the constitutional capital and its white colonial centre is a World Heritage Site
Departamento de Santa Cruz
De-par-ta-men-to de San-ta Cruz
Santa Cruz Department
Usage
Lowland department in eastern Bolivia; Santa Cruz de la Sierra at 416 m is the country's largest city and Viru Viru is its main international gateway
Departamento de Tarija
De-par-ta-men-to de Ta-ri-ja
Tarija Department
Usage
Bolivia's southernmost department; the city of Tarija sits in a mild valley at 1,854 m and is one of the world's highest wine regions
Departamento del Beni
De-par-ta-men-to del Be-ni
Beni Department
Usage
Amazon-plain department in northern Bolivia; its capital Trinidad lies at just 236 m and is hot and humid, a complete contrast to the highlands
Departamento de Pando
De-par-ta-men-to de Pan-do
Pando Department
Usage
Bolivia's northernmost Amazon department; its capital Cobija, at 221 m, sits on the Brazilian border
El Alto
El Al-to
Usage
City on the plateau above the La Paz canyon at about 4,150 m, with a largely Aymara population; the airport and most long-distance buses are here. It is some 500 m higher and much colder than central La Paz
La Ceja de El Alto
La Ce-ja de El Al-to
La Ceja, El Alto
Usage
District at the rim where El Alto drops into the canyon, about 4,100 m; the hub where minibuses down to La Paz and several cable-car lines converge
Feria 16 de Julio
Fe-ria die-ci-séis de Ju-lio
16 de Julio Market
Usage
One of South America's largest street markets, held Thursdays and Sundays in El Alto at about 4,050 m; the cable-car station of the same name is the access point
Plaza Murillo
Pla-za Mu-ri-llo
Usage
Main square of central La Paz at about 3,630 m, facing the presidential palace, congress and cathedral; it is sometimes closed off during demonstrations
Plaza San Francisco
Pla-za San Fran-cis-co
Usage
Square in central La Paz at about 3,650 m in front of the colonial San Francisco church, at the foot of the Sagárnaga craft street; a frequent starting point for marches
El Prado
El Pra-do
Usage
Nickname for Avenida 16 de Julio, La Paz's main avenue at about 3,600 m, lined with hotels, banks and agencies; minibus destination boards use this name
Calle Sagárnaga
Ca-lle Sa-gár-na-ga
Usage
Steep craft and alpaca-goods street climbing from the San Francisco church at about 3,660 m; most Uyuni and Death Road tour agencies are here
Sopocachi
So-po-ca-chi
Usage
Residential and restaurant district southwest of central La Paz at about 3,550 m, with plenty of bars and a station on the yellow cable-car line
Villa Fátima
Vi-lla Fá-ti-ma
Usage
District in northeastern La Paz at about 3,500 m; minibuses and buses for the Yungas — Coroico, Caranavi — depart from here rather than the main bus terminal
Zona Sur
Zo-na Sur
Usage
Lower southern part of La Paz at roughly 3,200–3,400 m, several hundred metres below the centre and noticeably warmer; Calacoto and San Miguel are its main districts, reached by the green cable-car line
Killi Killi
Ki-lli Ki-lli
Killi Killi Viewpoint
Usage
Hilltop viewpoint at about 3,700 m looking over the whole La Paz bowl; signposted as "Mirador Killi Killi", with Illimani visible on clear days
Valle de la Luna
Va-lle de la Lu-na
Usage
Eroded clay-spire canyon at Mallasa in southern La Paz, about 3,200 m; roughly 30 minutes from the centre with a walking circuit of under an hour
Aeropuerto Internacional de El Alto
Ae-ro-puer-to In-ter-na-cio-nal de El Al-to
El Alto International Airport
Usage
La Paz's airport (code LPB) in El Alto at 4,061 m, one of the highest international airports in the world — altitude sickness can hit on arrival. It is a 30–40 minute drive down into the city
Terminal de Buses de La Paz
Ter-mi-nal de Bu-ses de La Paz
La Paz Bus Terminal
Usage
Long-distance bus terminal at Plaza Antofagasta in central La Paz, about 3,640 m; buses to Oruro, Potosí, Uyuni, Sucre and Copacabana leave here, while Yungas services depart from Villa Fátima
Mi Teleférico
Mi Te-le-fé-ri-co
Usage
Urban cable-car network linking La Paz and El Alto. The city has no metro — this is the metro. It runs from roughly 3,200 m in the Zona Sur up to about 4,100 m in El Alto, and its lines are named by colour
Línea Roja
Lí-ne-a Ro-ja
Red Line
Usage
The first Mi Teleférico line (2014), climbing from Estación Central in La Paz at about 3,660 m via the cemetery district to 16 de Julio in El Alto at about 4,050 m
Línea Amarilla
Lí-ne-a A-ma-ri-lla
Yellow Line
Usage
Runs from Libertador above Sopocachi at about 3,600 m via Buenos Aires up to Ciudad Satélite in El Alto at about 4,080 m; the steep climb up the canyon wall gives the best views of the city
Línea Verde
Lí-ne-a Ver-de
Green Line
Usage
Descends from Libertador at about 3,600 m via Obrajes to Irpavi in the Zona Sur at about 3,300 m; interchanges with the yellow line and is the way to the southern restaurant districts
Línea Azul
Lí-ne-a A-zul
Blue Line
Usage
Runs across El Alto itself at about 4,050–4,100 m, from Río Seco via the UPEA university to 16 de Julio; the line to use for moving around the airport plateau
Línea Naranja
Lí-ne-a Na-ran-ja
Orange Line
Usage
Short line climbing from Estación Central in central La Paz at about 3,660 m to the hillside neighbourhoods on the north side; interchanges with the red line at the same station
Estación Central
Es-ta-ción Cen-tral
Usage
Cable-car station in central La Paz at about 3,660 m, on the site of the old railway station; terminus of the red and orange lines and the usual starting point for the ride up to El Alto
Cementerio
Ce-men-te-rio
Usage
Red-line station beside La Paz's general cemetery at about 3,700 m; minibuses to Copacabana and Tiwanaku also leave from the streets around it
16 de Julio
Die-ci-séis de Ju-lio
Usage
Main El Alto cable-car station at about 4,050 m, where the red and blue lines meet, right beside the huge Thursday and Sunday market
Ciudad Satélite
Ciu-dad Sa-té-li-te
Usage
Yellow-line terminus in a residential part of southern El Alto at about 4,080 m, with a direct ride down to Sopocachi in La Paz
Libertador
Li-ber-ta-dor
Usage
Interchange station above Sopocachi at about 3,600 m where the yellow line (to El Alto) meets the green line (to the Zona Sur)
Obrajes
O-bra-jes
Usage
Residential district on the southern slope of La Paz at about 3,400 m, midway between the centre and the Zona Sur, with a green-line station
Irpavi
Ir-pa-vi
Usage
District in La Paz's Zona Sur at about 3,300 m; terminus of the green cable-car line and one of the lowest, warmest parts of the city
Río Seco
Rí-o Se-co
Usage
District in northern El Alto at about 4,100 m; terminus of the blue cable-car line and the point where the road to Copacabana and Lake Titicaca branches off
Wayna Potosí
Way-na Po-to-sí
Huayna Potosí
Usage
Glaciated 6,088 m peak about 25 km north of El Alto, often billed as the most accessible 6,000er and climbed on two-night trips from La Paz; signposted in Spanish as Huayna Potosí
Chacaltaya
Cha-cal-ta-ya
Usage
Peak of about 5,400 m north of La Paz, site of what was once the world's highest ski run before its glacier vanished; a standard half-day trip since a road reaches the old lodge, but the altitude hits hard
Cordillera Real
Cor-di-lle-ra Re-al
Usage
Glaciated range running some 125 km northeast of La Paz with summits of 5,000–6,400 m, including Illimani, Huayna Potosí and Illampu
Illampu
I-llam-pu
Usage
6,368 m peak at the northern end of the Cordillera Real, towering over the town of Sorata at about 2,700 m and the focus of the treks that start there
Altiplano
Al-ti-pla-no
Usage
The vast 3,600–4,000 m plateau between the two Andean ranges; La Paz, El Alto, Oruro, Potosí, Lake Titicaca and the Uyuni salt flat all sit on it, and it is the heartland of the Aymara language
La Cumbre
La Cum-bre
Usage
The 4,650 m pass on the road from La Paz into the Yungas and the starting point of the Death Road cycling tours; snow and fog are common even in summer
Camino de la Muerte
Ca-mi-no de la Muer-te
Death Road
Usage
The old Yungas road dropping some 3,400 m from La Cumbre at 4,650 m to Yolosa at about 1,200 m; a bypass now carries the traffic and it is used mainly by cycling tours. Officially the Camino de los Yungas
Chulumani
Chu-lu-ma-ni
Usage
Town in the South Yungas at about 1,700 m, a centre of coca growing and much quieter than Coroico; roughly four hours by road from La Paz
Wiñaymarka
Wi-ñay-mar-ka
Lake Wiñaymarka
Usage
The shallower southern basin of Lake Titicaca beyond the Tiquina strait, at 3,810 m; Spanish maps and signs call it Lago Menor or Huiñaymarca. Huatajata and the reed-boat islands are on this side
Estrecho de Tiquina
Es-tre-cho de Ti-qui-na
Strait of Tiquina
Usage
The 800 m-wide neck of Lake Titicaca at 3,810 m where the only road from La Paz to Copacabana stops: buses cross on flat barges while passengers ride separate launches. Crossings halt in strong winds
San Pedro de Tiquina
San Pe-dro de Ti-qui-na
Usage
Ferry village on the La Paz (eastern) side of the Tiquina strait at about 3,820 m, where buses to Copacabana put passengers off to cross
San Pablo de Tiquina
San Pa-blo de Ti-qui-na
Usage
Ferry village on the Copacabana (western) side of the Tiquina strait at about 3,820 m, where passengers reboard their bus after the crossing
Huatajata
Hua-ta-ja-ta
Usage
Village on the southern shore of Lake Titicaca at about 3,820 m, roughly 90 minutes from La Paz; known for lake boat trips and its totora reed-boat builders
Achacachi
A-cha-ca-chi
Usage
Town on the eastern shore of Lake Titicaca at about 3,850 m; capital of Omasuyos province, overwhelmingly Aymara, and the junction for the road to Sorata
Sorata
So-ra-ta
Usage
Town in a green valley below Illampu at about 2,700 m; warmer than the altiplano and used as a rest and trekking base from La Paz
Isla del Sol
Is-la del Sol
Usage
Island in Lake Titicaca (lake 3,812 m, rising to about 4,050 m) held to be the birthplace of the Inca; 1–2 hours by boat from Copacabana, with no roads and travel on foot only. Movement between the north and south ends has at times been restricted by a community dispute
Isla de la Luna
Is-la de la Lu-na
Usage
Small island east of the Isla del Sol at about 3,850 m, with the Iñak Uyu ruins of the Inca house of chosen women; tour boats from Copacabana call here
Yumani
Yu-ma-ni
Usage
Village at the southern tip of the Isla del Sol at about 3,950 m, reached by a steep Inca stairway from the jetty; most of the island's lodgings are here
Challapampa
Cha-lla-pam-pa
Usage
Village on a sandy bay at the northern end of the Isla del Sol, about 3,820 m; the landing point for boats from Copacabana and the start of the walk to the Chincana ruins
Cerro Calvario
Ce-rro Cal-va-rio
Usage
Hill of about 3,960 m above Copacabana; a 30–40 minute climb up the Stations of the Cross pilgrimage path gives the classic sunset view over Lake Titicaca
Guaqui
Gua-qui
Usage
Lakeside port at about 3,825 m on the southern shore of Titicaca, once the steamer-and-rail link to Peru; about 20 minutes by road from the Tiwanaku ruins
Desaguadero
Des-a-gua-de-ro
Usage
Bolivia–Peru border town at about 3,830 m on the river draining Lake Titicaca; you walk across the bridge between the two immigration posts, and it is the main La Paz–Puno bus route
Viacha
Via-cha
Usage
City southwest of El Alto at about 3,850 m, a railway junction and cement town on the roads toward Tiwanaku and Oruro
Sajama
Sa-ja-ma
Nevado Sajama
Usage
At 6,542 m the highest mountain in Bolivia, a cone-shaped volcano in western Oruro department near the Chilean border; signposted as Nevado Sajama
Parque Nacional Sajama
Par-que Na-cio-nal Sa-ja-ma
Sajama National Park
Usage
Bolivia's first national park; the base village of Sajama sits at about 4,200 m and the park holds geysers, hot springs and the world's highest woodland of queñua (Polylepis). About five hours from La Paz via Oruro
Patacamaya
Pa-ta-ca-ma-ya
Usage
Town at about 3,790 m on the La Paz–Oruro highway where the road west to Arica in Chile branches off, making it a common long-distance bus transfer point
Tambo Quemado
Tam-bo Que-ma-do
Usage
Bolivia–Chile border post at about 4,660 m on the road from La Paz and Oruro to Arica; one of the highest border crossings in the world, and queues here are often long
Santuario del Socavón
San-tua-rio del So-ca-vón
Sanctuary of the Socavón
Usage
Church built at the mouth of a mine shaft in Oruro at 3,706 m; the Carnival procession dances its way here, and a mining museum occupies the tunnel beneath it
Huanuni
Hua-nu-ni
Usage
Tin-mining town about 50 km southeast of Oruro at roughly 4,000 m; its state-run mine is still working and it is a stronghold of Bolivia's miners' unions
Cerro Rico
Ce-rro Ri-co
Usage
The 4,782 m silver mountain above Potosí that produced much of the colonial world's silver; cooperative miners still work inside and guided mine tours run daily
Casa Nacional de la Moneda
Ca-sa Na-cio-nal de la Mo-ne-da
Usage
Museum in the colonial mint at the centre of Potosí, 4,090 m, where the silver coinage of the Spanish empire was struck; the city's main sight
Uyuni
U-yu-ni
Usage
Town at 3,670 m that serves as the gateway to the salt flat, full of tour agencies and hotels and the arrival point for buses and the overnight train from Oruro; nights drop below freezing
Colchani
Col-cha-ni
Usage
Salt-processing village at the edge of the flat about 20 km north of Uyuni, roughly 3,660 m; every tour stops at its salt works and stalls before driving onto the salar
Isla Incahuasi
Is-la In-ca-hua-si
Usage
Rocky island in the middle of the Uyuni salt flat at about 3,760 m, covered in giant cacti with a path to a viewpoint over the salt; roughly 90 minutes' drive from Colchani. Also called Isla del Pescado
Tunupa
Tu-nu-pa
Tunupa Volcano
Usage
The 5,321 m volcano on the northern shore of the Uyuni salt flat, named after the Aymara deity Tunupa and tied to the legend of how the salar formed; signposted as Volcán Tunupa
Reserva Eduardo Avaroa
Re-ser-va E-duar-do A-va-ro-a
Eduardo Avaroa Reserve
Usage
Reserve of high desert at 4,000–5,000 m in southwestern Potosí department, with coloured lagoons, volcanoes and flamingos; it forms the second half of the standard three-day tour from Uyuni and charges an entry fee
Laguna Colorada
La-gu-na Co-lo-ra-da
Usage
Red salt lake at 4,278 m, coloured by algae and minerals and home to three flamingo species; the usual second-night stop on the Uyuni tour
Laguna Verde
La-gu-na Ver-de
Usage
Lake at about 4,350 m near the Chilean border at the foot of Licancabur volcano; the water turns vivid green when the wind stirs it
Hito Cajón
Hi-to Ca-jón
Usage
Bolivia–Chile border post at about 4,480 m; many travellers leave the three-day Uyuni tour here on the last morning and continue to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile
Cementerio de Trenes
Ce-men-te-rio de Tre-nes
Train Cemetery
Usage
Field of rusting steam locomotives about 3 km outside Uyuni at 3,670 m, the first stop on most salt-flat tours
Villazón
Vi-lla-zón
Usage
Bolivia–Argentina border town at about 3,440 m facing La Quiaca, crossed on foot; also the southern terminus of the railway from Uyuni and Tupiza
Puno
Pu-no
Usage
Peru's city on the shore of Lake Titicaca at 3,827 m, the hub of a region where both Aymara and Quechua are spoken; boats to the Uros islands leave from its port
Juliaca
Ju-lia-ca
Usage
The largest commercial city on the Peruvian altiplano, 45 km north of Puno at 3,825 m; its airport and railway make it the transfer point for Puno and Cusco
Aeropuerto Internacional Inca Manco Cápac
Ae-ro-puer-to In-ter-na-cio-nal In-ca Man-co Cá-pac
Inca Manco Cápac International Airport
Usage
Airport for the Lake Titicaca region, at Juliaca (code JUL, 3,825 m); about an hour by road from Puno and served mainly from Lima
Juli
Ju-li
Usage
Aymara-speaking town about 80 km south of Puno at roughly 3,870 m, known as the "little Rome of the Americas" for its four colonial churches; on the road toward Desaguadero
Chucuito
Chu-cui-to
Usage
Lakeside village about 18 km south of Puno at roughly 3,830 m, with colonial churches and the Inca Uyo site; once the seat of the Aymara Chucuito kingdom
Ilave
I-la-ve
Usage
Aymara town at about 3,850 m on the Puno–Desaguadero highway, the market centre for the surrounding countryside and known for its large Sunday fair
Yunguyo
Yun-gu-yo
Usage
Peruvian border town on the Titicaca peninsula at about 3,850 m; buses from Puno to Copacabana pass through it
Kasani
Ka-sa-ni
Usage
Peru–Bolivia border post at about 3,850 m between Yunguyo and Copacabana; you walk across and change buses on each side. This is the standard Puno–Copacabana route
Islas de los Uros
Is-las de los U-ros
Uros Floating Islands
Usage
Artificial totora-reed islands floating on the lake at 3,812 m, about 20 minutes by boat from Puno; originally Uru, most residents today speak Aymara
Sillustani
Si-llus-ta-ni
Usage
Field of stone funerary towers (chullpas) on a hill at about 3,900 m overlooking Lake Umayo, 35 km northwest of Puno; burial site of the Aymara Colla people, predating the Inca
More Aymara phrases
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