Bolivia Blockades (June 2026): How to change a 12-day itinerary skipping La Paz & Copacabana?
Hi everyone, I have a trip booked to Bolivia, arriving on June 15th and returning on June 25th. I had created a 12-day itinerary: Santa Cruz de la Sierra -> Sucre (2 days) -> Salar de Uyuni (3 days) -> Copacabana & Isla del Sol (2 days) -> La Paz (1.5 days) -> Santa Cruz. In this itinerary, Santa Cruz is just a arrival and departure point; we aren't spending a full day there.
However, following the recent news about protests and road blockades, I know that going to La Paz and Copacabana is currently unviable and dangerous. Since I wasn't able to reschedule my flights (arriving and leaving through Santa Cruz), my intention is still to go, but completely change the route to avoid the conflict areas.
Is it possible to keep Sucre and Uyuni? And what should I do with the remaining days to replace the La Paz region? I thought about focusing more on the South, maybe including Tarija, Potosí, or extending the trip to Atacama (Chile) right after the Salar, but I don't know the logistics of getting back to Santa Cruz in time for my flight.
Also, for these new routes, which segments should I travel by bus, and which ones are safer or highly recommended to do by plane?
Is anyone currently there or following the situation closely who could suggest safe alternative routes? Or any recommendations for cities further South that could be included in the itinerary?