Experience Bolivia

Altiplano Hotel Boutique in Tarija, Bolivia

2016-01-31T10:21:00.001-04:00

We are very proud to announce that once again Booking.com have awared our hotel a 9.5 guest review rating. Therefore we remain the number 1 hotel in Tarija as per Booking.com, Expedia, and TripAdvisor.

We would like to thank all our past guests for their great reviews and invite all prospective visitors to Tarija to experience the special character and personalised service that our hotel has to offer.

To learn more about our hotel go to www.altiplanohotel.com

Beating the Graffiti

2015-07-28T18:04:00.000-04:00

Graffiti, and leaving messages on walls is common here in Bolivia.

Often they are expressions of undying love or support for some cause or political party.

Recently we had our first attack, someone trying to publicize their love for someone. Not really sure because the paint they used blended a bit with the concrete wall. But since it was ugly we wanted to fight back. We decided to cover the graffiti with a mural and enlisted the help of our friend Sheila Jennion a New Zealand artist living here in Tarija.

Probably it is wrong to say we “enlisted her help” as she basically did all. We just told her what we wanted, bought the paint and a week later there it was.

The project has been great for Shelia as she is now being recognised all over Tarija as “the lady that painted the mural outside the hotel”. The added bonus for us is has made our hotel a regonizable landmark.

Please go to www.altiplanohotel.com to find out more about Altiplano Hotel Boutique in Tarija.

New Advertising Flyer for our Hotel

2015-03-16T14:40:00.004-04:00

Thanks to the skills and kindness of Ben Sanders, another expat that is currently here in Bolivia, we have the new artwork for our promotional flyer for our hotel. We are still waiting on the 3rd printer to give us a quote to print it, but then this is Bolivia!

You can see Ben's website at www.bensanders.com.au

Tarija Bolivia: Five great things to do when you visit Tarija

2014-07-28T15:34:00.001-04:00

Tarija Bolivia: Five great things to do when you visit Tarija: (1) Since Tarija is the main wine producing region of Bolivia, you should take a wine tour. Tours normally visit 1 or two commercial winer...

Altiplano Hotel Boutique is #1 in Tarija

2014-07-09T15:47:00.000-04:00

After staying in a few hotels around Bolivia last week we thought of a few things that make us different (well actually 13 or more)...

1. Quality linen (between 600-1000 thread-count sheets depending on the room)

2. Imported towels and face cloths

3. Bedside lamps and a bedside clock

4. Woolen underlays on the beds

5. Electric blankets on the beds during the winter months

6. Fluffy duvets and plump feather pillows on the beds

7. Air conditioning in your room

8. Complementary filtered water and facial tissues in the room

9. Comprehensive guest information, including a Cable TV channel list

10. Liquid hand soap and fresh soap for the shower each day

11. Quality toilet paper (don’t laugh, it is not that common)

12. Real coffee and muesli at breakfast

13. A wardrobe and safe in your room

And it goes without saying that the beds are very comfortable, there is hot water, great showers with very good water pressure, and a DVD player and DVDs on request.

You also get personalized attention and recommendations on tours to take or restaurants to go to. And best of all, a sense that you are staying somewhere special.

So just go to our website and book the #1 hotel in Tarija for your next visit here.

If you are just thinking this is all to good to be true, check the reviews on TripAdvisor.

Altiplano Bolivia: Australian, Canadian and US Citizens Visiting our ...

2013-02-05T06:16:00.001-04:00

Australian, Canadian and US Citizens Visiting our ...: From January 7, 2013 Australian, Canadian, and U.S. citizen tourist and business travelers must pay a reciprocity fee by credit card online...

Todays Thought

2012-12-26T16:27:00.000-04:00

"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or to
lose."

- Lyndon B. Johnson

House Buying - Paying the Deposit.

2012-12-26T16:12:00.000-04:00

It is one thing to find a house to buy, then negotiate the price – face-to-face with the seller. But then the buying process begins - and yes it is very Bolivian. Like all deals we had to pay a deposit to secure the property and get things to the next stage with the Lawyers getting involved, contracts written and signed, etc.

There is no bank transfer done here invisibly in cyber space. Martin had to go to the bank, draw out a large sum of money and take it to the real estate office to give to the seller, who sits in front of you and counts and recounts each bundle of money, while the lawyers look on.

It feels very strange and looks like a shady drug deal going down – like a scene from a late night police show on TV. Once satisfied he puts the money in a plastic rubbish bag and walks down the street to deposit it with the local money changer.

It becomes scarier when we have to pay the bulk of the money, which again has to be handed over in cash. But we are glad to say all went well, but our bank account is looking very sad now.

And of course it needs to be taken into account that when you are moving large amounts of money the government wants to know where it came from and what you are going to do with – as if you would really tell the truth if it was drug money! So yes it is back to the Lawyers and Real Estate agent to get documents to prove what the money transferr is for.

Making an Offer

2012-12-26T15:45:00.004-04:00

Welcome to the world of real estate Bolivian style! It will perplex you at first, but it becomes a fast learning curve as you manoeuvre your way through it, always with the stigma attached “Rich Gringos” – little do they know!

The first lesson we learned was that the asking price didn’t necessarily reflect the market values; more a figure the seller has in his head and doubled.

Second Lesson learned was the seller is not very flexible in their price, they don’t start high and come down, like you would in NZ, allowing for some negotiation room for both parties.

Third Lesson learned was the real estate agent doesn’t present your offer to the seller and negotiate between the two parties – you do that all yourself face to face with the seller – maybe in the office of the real estate agent, who still is happy to take his cut for not much work.

Fourth Lesson learned is it is hard to look the seller in the eye and say: "You have to be joking. I am not going to pay that price which is very unrealistic, in fact ridiculous."

Then the Lawyers get involved...

(Léase en español / Read in Spanish)

Today's Thought

2012-12-17T17:26:00.004-04:00

“Red is the ultimate cure for sadness.”

-Bill Bass

TripAdvisor Reviews

2012-12-17T17:13:00.000-04:00

Have you ever checked out the reviews on Trip Advisor when planning a trip and looking for suitable accommodation? If so, you’ll know how helpful it can be, especially when booking accommodation in advance of your arrival.

From our point of view we have found the TripAdvisor reviews guests have posted have been a great marketing tool and means of promoting our B&B.

We have had many guests choose to stay with us as a result of it. So thanks to all of you who have taken the time to write a review about us, it is really appreciated.

So if you are thinking about coming to Tarija here in Bolivia please check out what other people are saying about us on TripAdvisor and find out why we are the #1 B&B in Tarija.

House Hunters International Makes it to Tarija

2012-12-17T16:54:00.001-04:00

This spinoff of the wildly popular HGTV House Hunters globe trots from Sao Paolo to Prague - and now we can include Tarija Bolivia.
Home hunters and their real estate agents check out all sorts of architectural styles and work through the idiosyncrasies of buying real estate in other countries. In any language, home buying is an emotional experience.

Yes we were surprised to be contacted by producers of the programme to see if Martin would like to feature in an episode about Tarija, and did he have any clients he could recommend to be a part of the project. What made it more exciting was it was the first time the programme would be shot in Bolivia. It was too good of an opportunity to turn down, as it would be great promotion for Martin’s Expat Services business, as he helps lots of people find accommodation to rent and buy in Tarija and other places in Bolivia, as the business expands.

The story goes like this:

Michael and Samantha Parker, wanted to get away from the rat race and swap the precious hours they were spending inside their car stuck in LA traffic for a life away from LA, doing volunteer work somewhere new and exciting. Michael is a musician who composes jazz, electronic and electro-dance music, but who was rarely able to indulge this passion with his demanding full time job, while Samantha is a foodie who loves challenging her culinary expertise by discovering and learning to cook with new ingredients. The couple spent a year planning their adventure, visiting Argentina, Chile and Peru in April of 2011, before settling on the capital of Tarija, Bolivia. Built during the Spanish colonial period, Tarija's customs and pace of life seem to have been frozen in time, with leisure time for family, friends and fun considered a priority rather than a luxury. However, when it comes to house hunting, tradition can often translate as tatty by modern standards and can quickly lose its quaint charm when it comes to getting things done. Will expat realtor Martin Rattray be able to satisfy Michael and Samantha's property wish list, while they survive on their savings? See what happens as this couple travel and take time out in Tarija, Bolivia

http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/time-out-in-tarija-bolivia/index.html

So if you are thinking about Tarija do check out this episode of House Hunters International as it features all that is charming about Tarija and gives you an idea about accommodation options too.
If you want more information about the services Martin can provide, please check out this link.

http://altiplanobolivia.blogspot.com/p/services-for-expats.html

Today's Thought

2012-12-17T11:27:00.002-04:00

"Don’t buy the house, buy the neighbourhood."

-Russian Proverb

The Search Is On!

2012-12-17T10:26:00.005-04:00

As you can imagine we had a mental image of what our South American dream property would and should be. But in the end it came down to sensible things like location, price, not too many cracks in the wall, and lots of potential. Sound familiar?

Along the way we made offers on 3 properties before we finally found our new home, and that in itself was an experience, as how people negotiate, set the price for their properties and even manage the whole sales process is very different to what we would do in New Zealand. Of course we only discovered all this along the way,and often the hard way, as there isn’t a good system of obtaining reliable information before you start the buying process; but now we are experts.

We had even thought we had bought one property, but the owner went and sold it to someone else in between us making the deal and getting to the lawyer’s office to sign the papers. But in hindsight that turned out to not be such a bad thing even though at the time it was a crisis of phenomenal proportions.

So eight months later, after lots of ups and downs, we finally bought our new home, and it fit at least part of the profile - Potential, Potential, and Potential!

(Léase en español / Read in Spanish)

Where have we been?

2012-12-16T08:55:00.001-04:00

Yes it’s me and I am back. Where have I been – well to explain let’s look back over the last few months and then I think you will understand why blogging slipped off the end of the to-do list each day.

With the passing of time it has become clear to us that this is where we want to live long term. We love the lifestyle, the city of Tarija, the people, and all the other things that make everyday life so pleasant here. We can no longer imagine ourselves back in our old life – in fact the thought sends shivers down our spines as we contemplate how we ever lived at such a crazy pace.

Our BnB has worked out well and we see that it has potential to work even better for us as a source of income, but we need to make some changes.

With this realization we started to make some more long term plans and began the search for a suitable property to buy to turn into a small boutique hotel and have space for us as well as our other business ventures.

We knew that this would turn into a crazy Bolivian adventure that would develop a life of its own, no matter how prepared we thought we were for such an undertaking. So follow me as the story unravels. So let the adventure begin!

(Léase en español / Read in Spanish)

Iguazu Falls - Rave Reviews

2012-07-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

If you are planning to visit Iguazu Falls we would recommend that you stay in Puerto Iguazu.

Puerto Iquazu, on the Argentine side of the falls, is a funky tourist town with lots of cool restaurants, a high level of sophistication and services to cater to the expectations of the tourist trade (or maybe we have just been living in Bolivia too long). But we enjoyed sitting in trendy sidewalk restaurants, drinking cocktails, foreign beers and watching life go by on a warm balmy evening. It actually reminded us of our other life in New Zealand.

The falls are beautiful, but a little under whelming after all the rave reviews we had heard. Maybe it was because we have visited other famous falls and as New Zealanders we are used to visiting places of great natural beauty. So the Iguazu falls, while pretty and impressive, were not as awe-inspiring as we had expected.

So to sum it up: “A must do” but with a word of caution. Beautiful and spectacular, but inspirational and life changing – No!

Today's Thought

2012-07-21T03:30:00.000-04:00

"Travel and change of pace impart new vigor to the mind"

- Where will you be going next?

(Léase en español / Read in Spanish)

Being a Tourist for a Change

2012-07-19T12:28:00.001-04:00

It is fun to be on the other side of the equation when travelling – being the tourist and enjoying the level of service provided by others for a change. It reminds us what is important to our clients; the quality of service, good information, and surety.

We are constantly critiquing the service we receive; especially the accommodation we stay in. Is it good, bad or indifferent? We also are always looking for new ideas and a fresh approach that would suit our clients and service style.

It is often the little things that can make a big difference to your experience. For example having clear helpful guest information, providing the WIFI password, having a simple quick check in process, and having a Cable TV guide so you don’t have to endlessly flick the channels looking for what you want to watch.

So when we travel it turns out to be a working holiday. Which is not a bad thing as we come home inspired and reassured that we are doing it well and our vision is clear. We feel enthused and motivated. So being a tourist is good for our business.

So do come and experience the difference at Residencial Altiplano for yourself.

Today's Thought

2012-07-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

"Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so."

- Belva Davis

Buenos Aires Apartment

2012-07-19T02:00:00.000-04:00

While staying in BA recently we took the opportunity to rent an apartment and would highly recommend it as another type of accommodation option to try for a longer stays. We enjoyed having the option to cook for ourselves or eat out, as well as the level of privacy it offered. It was also good for the budget – another bonus.

The apartment came well equipped and was in a prime location in the centre of a popular suburb. We stepped out our front door and were surrounded by great restaurants, neighbourhood panaderias, pasta shops, cafes, picturesque fruit shops, and of course the shops. All of this adding to the great experience and convienence.

The service provided by the rental company was very professional, helpful and efficient. They have over 1,400 apartments on their books, so regardless of your budget and preferred location they can provide a wide range of options. Definitely worth considering next time you are in BA.

http://www.4rentargentina.com/buenos-aires-apartments.html

Today's Thought

2012-07-18T17:52:00.001-04:00

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to loss sight of the shore.”

- Andre Gide

Trapped in Oran.

2012-07-18T15:40:00.001-04:00

As you would expect the adventure began not long after we left home. When we reached the fronteria to cross the river into Argentina we found the small boats were not running as the river was too high. So back to the International bridge we went and we walked into Argentina.

Once in Oran we discovered there was a Paro (strike) on and no long distance cross country buses were running. So that meant we had to stay overnight in Oran. Normally I am say “only in Bolivia” but maybe “only in South America” is more appropriate.

We stayed in a funky hotel near the bus station. “Funky” being the operative word. Eventually,after spending a day exploring Oran, life returned to normal and we headed off to Pichanalto take a bus to Formosa and from there to the fronteria of Paraguay.

But that was only the beginning of our adventure – read more “Paying your way”.

To Bus or Not to Bus – That is the Question?

2012-07-18T15:21:00.001-04:00

Bus travel in Bolivia or Argentina is a very economical way to travel. But you do need to be aware of the differences between Bolivian buses and those from Argentina.

Where do you start when you compare Argentine buses to Bolivian buses?

First of all do they have toilets? Most long distance buses in Argentina will have a toilet. But that is not standard in Bolivia. In Bolivia you wait until the bus stops and you can go on the side of the road, at a public toilet, or at a pension for a dinner stop. But personally the last option is sometimes more scary!

Secondly, maybe I should mention the air-conditioning or heating. Yes, the buses in Argentina have air-conditioning. Often in Bolivia they advertise the bus as having air conditioning or heating, but they fail to mention it is broken or the driver just won’t turn it on. So if you are planning to travel in the winter months you will be wise to take a blanket or sleeping bag so you don’t freeze.

Thirsty long distance bus trips in Argentina are fully catered. Pre dinner snacks and drinks, 3 course meals, desserts, a selection of wine, champagne or whiskey, a full breakfast service, chocolates and melt in your mouth biscuits are standard. The Bolivian experience is summed up as NO FOOD, and each company seem to have different ideas about when and where they may stop for meals – so just take your own!

Fourth, a common factor for both countries is the movie selection . Both styles of bus experience offer a range of themes. You can have graphic violence or spiritism, or a perhaps combination of the two. So much for a fluffy family movie, or something with an intelligent plot. So take your IPod for entertainment.

Finally the price which says it all. For a similar length trip it will cost US$120 in Argentina compared to just US$20.00 in Bolivia. So you get what you pay for.

But all we can say is you haven’t lived till you have travelled on a Bolivian bus – and we choose to do it the time.

Paying Our Way!

2012-07-18T11:41:00.000-04:00

We arrived at the Paraguay boarder to find we needed a Visa – yes an oversight on my part as New Zealanders don’t need Visas for lots of places in South America.

But as you’d expect it can easily be solved...

We were invited into the Immigration office, behind blacked windows to discuss our problem.

A difficulty – but due to the kindness (Yeah Right!) of the Immigration Officer we can get a Visa to get us through the country according to our planned schedule for a FEE!

So what do you do – it is the weekend, the Consulate in Clorinda is closed till Monday and it is 38C, and we were at the Frontier which is in the middle of nowhere. So we took his kind offer, money changed hands, passports were stamped and off we went forever grateful for the efficiency money can buy in South America.

So the lesson is – all you Kiwi’s out there get a Visa when planning to visit Paraguay.

(Léase en español / Read in Spanish)

Todays Thought

2012-07-18T11:15:00.000-04:00

“Travel is the one thing you buy that makes you much richer.”

- A friend

(Léase en español / Read in Spanish)