Bolivia Weather & Climate: Monthly Averages

Bolivia is a country located in South America along the Andes Mountains. The country is best known for its history, lively biodiversity, and ethereal 'cloud forests' in the salt plateau Salar de Uyuni that travellers love. This is a phenomenon where cloud formations in the higher altitudes of the Andes Mountains give the illusion of people walking on clouds.

Regional Climate Differences

Bolivia's location on the eastern side of the Andes Mountains is the most determining factor for the climate in Bolivia. During summer, it has contrasting cold nights and warm days. Winter nights see temperatures fall below freezing point, reaching as low as -10°C (14°F) in Uyuni during June, the coldest month of the year in Bolivia. Rainfall occurs mainly during the summer months, between November and March, with January as the wettest month, receiving 318 mm (13 in) of rainfall in Riberalta.

The weather in Bolivia is strongly influenced by the extreme differences in altitude and the amount of rainfall a specific region receives, giving the country a variety of climates. June is Bolivia's coldest and driest month of the year, while October is the warmest. In terms of precipitation, June hardly has any rainfall in Tarija with 1 mm (0.04 in), compared to 42 mm (1.7 in) in Santa Cruz. Temperatures in June typically range from moderate in Uyuni with 13°C (55°F) to very warm temperatures in Riberalta with 30°C (86°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 17°C (63°F) in Riberalta and -10°C (14°F) in Uyuni.

Does Bolivia Experience Hurricanes?

There is no recorded hurricane to have ever hit Bolivia. In fact, South America is the least affected by hurricanes in the world because of different wind directions that are not ideal for forming cyclones. Although very rare, Bolivia has experienced local thunderstorms in the past, particularly during the country’s rainy season from November to March.

Best Time to Visit Bolivia

In general, we would suggest the months of June, July, or August, especially if you want to travel around the country and visit as many places as you’d like. This is considered the driest period in Bolivia. You can freely travel around the capital Sucre at 9°C (48°F) and see breathtaking architecture, food, and museums at this time of the year. Oruro also has natural parks and archaeological sites that you can visit at a temperature of 15°C (59°F) in June.

The best time to visit Bolivia still largely depends on the destinations you want to explore. Although it is overwhelmingly tropical in most parts of Bolivia, temperatures can vary depending on elevation. Because of the different climate areas, it’s difficult to designate one specific period as the best travel time for Bolivia.