Bolivia provides an incredible variety of flora and fauna that differs from region to region. In the cold and windy highlands you mainly find short grasses and moss, such as ichu grass and dwarf shrubs, which have adapted very well to the local climatic conditions.

The largest known bromeliad, Puya raimondii, forms a beautiful contrast. It grows around Lake Titicaca and reaches a height of 33 ft. The size is quite extraordinary because trees are not a common sight at this altitude. It yields blossoms only once after about 75 years and then dies because it needs so many nutrients and so much energy to bloom.

It goes without saying that the alpaca and the llama are the most common animals in the highlands. They are not only used as pack animals, but also provide milk, meat, and wool. The highlands are also home to other kinds of llamas, such as the vicuña and the guanaco, whereas in the tropical rain forests monkeys, pumas, jaguars, armadillos as well as many kinds of reptiles, birds, and insects can be found. Nandus, venomous snakes, and termites live in the savannas.

However, the condor is probably the most impressive animal in Bolivia. The Inca considered it a special bird, and it is very rare nowadays. The habitat of the condor, the largest flying land bird, is in the Andes and on the plateau. If you go to the lakes in the highlands, you may see some flamingos. Meanwhile, pumas and wild guinea pigs are rare. The latter can mainly be found as pets or as a Sunday special.In contrast to that, the lowland's vegetation is very rich, and its diversity and colorfulness can compete with any other place on this planet. It is home to rubber trees as well as to more than 2,000 different kinds of trees, among which are several kinds of exotic wood such as mahogany. Innumerable kinds of ferns, orchids, and palm trees are part of the habitat for an even more diverse fauna. This fauna not only includes parrots, harpies, and storks, but also a wide variety of monkeys, which often screech as they roam the forest in troops. Furthermore, caimans, which serve as a tourist attraction, leave a lasting impression because travelers have the chance to catch the reptiles during a three-day trip. Additionally, the rivers of the lowlands contain more than 1,500 different kinds of fish.

Another extreme in terms of flora and fauna can be found in the south-east part of the country at the Argentine border because the barren steppes are reminiscent of the Wild West.