Bolivia weather changes dramatically from region to region. Weather in Bolivia ranges from tropical in the lowlands to polar in the highest parts of the Andes, with widely varying conditions often visible over short distances. Despite the fact that the country lies entirely within tropical latitudes, Bolivia weather is influenced almost entirely by altitude and changes in annual precipitation patterns, with scant seasonal variations and temperatures depending primarily on elevation. Effectively, weather in Bolivia is characterised by hot and wet summers and cold and dry winters.
Reversed Seasons:
As Bolivia is situated in the Southern Hemisphere seasons are in reverse order to those in the Northern Hemisphere: summer in Bolivia begins in November and ends in February, while winter – considered to be the coldest season – reigns supreme during the time between the months April and July. It should also be noted, that Bolivian weather has only two seasons: a dry and a wet one.
Tropical Lowlands
Weather in the eastern part of Bolivia is rather hot and humid during the summer season, with rain often falling late August and May. The hottest months of the year are December and January. During this time, days are humid and sticky and nights warm and musky, with the moist fruity aroma of the tropical jungles often penetrating the air even in the cities thanks to the winds that carry the scent of the jungle into the inhabited areas.
August is by far the windiest month of the year. Since it’s also the time for land clearing in northern Bolivia, the winds blowing in a southerly direction fill the city of Santa Cruz with a thick layer of smoke, rendering driving around the city a risky task, as visibility is almost non existent.
The cold winds that blow from nearby Argentina between May and July cause sudden drops in Bolivia weather patterns. Although temperatures do not drop bellow freezing point, the air is rather chilly.
Northwest Valleys
Considering the altitude, weather in Bolivia’s northwest valley region is surprisingly hot and humid, with abundant rainfalls and clouds covering the sky on an almost permanent basis. Needless to say, as elevation increases, temperatures take the direct opposite route. And while at altitudes higher than 2000 meters above sea level snow only makes an occasional appearance, at 4600 meters the mountains are permanently covered in white, while above 5500 weather patterns match those usually associated with polar regions, with a few glaciers leaving their indelible marks on the landscape.
Central Valleys
Weather in the central valleys of Bolivia takes yet another turn, becoming temperate to cool, with pleasant temperatures during the day dropping drastically during the night. Despite the region’s high elevation, weather is rather humid with a long rainy season. Needless to say, the valleys are covered in dense forest. Snow is definitely not a regular visitor at the area.
On the shores of Lake Titicaca and higher temperatures tend to rise considerably at midday, taking a dip as afternoon approaches, and on the Altiplano the winds are cold and harsh and the weather is more akin to that of arid, chilly regions.
