I’m a Costa Rican photographer and dreamer. My fascination with nature started from an early age. I wanted to be one of those photographers who explored some of the world’s most remote places. The feeling of awe and wonder, and the desire to be there, is what led me to become a landscape and nature photographer.
I have always been a very visual person. I majored in Advertising Design and this background in the visual arts and marketing really moulded my take on photography and also in business. The photos of the places I visit become the tangible trophies of the experience. It’s my way of sharing a bit of this spectacular planet we live in and keeping it forever.
The photos I captured on my recent trip to Bolivia were no exception to this rule. Bolivia has been on my list for a long time. Magic and mystery surrounds the Bolivian Altiplano and its otherworldly landscapes. But the night sky is what inspired me the most.
Discovering the Endless Beauty and Photographic Possibilities of Bolivia
My journey to Bolivia started with a couple days of exploration in La Paz and its surroundings. The highest capital city in the world at an elevation of roughly 3,650m above sea level with the formidable Mount Illimani as its backdrop.
This stunning mountain is the second highest peak in Bolivia and is a sight you won’t want to miss! It’s overwhelming to see the density of housing in the capital. There are also great landscape spots nearby like Valle de las Animas which has very impressive rock formations.
After experiencing La Paz, I took an 8-hour bus ride to Uyuni – and to my surprise it was quite a comfortable journey actually! I then explored the Salt Flats which are every bit as awesome as they seem. Wonderful endless beauty and photographic possibilities.
Here in Salar, where the horizon is lost, the earth becomes immersed in stars. Wrapped in galaxies, I managed to experience the infinite. To fulfill a dream. What an experience to be surrounded by the milky way like this! I felt like I was floating away in space when the billions of stars reflected on the water. This experience was definitely the highlight of my trip to Bolivia.
Another highlight of the Salt Flats is the train cemetery. Rusting with the salty wind and the harsh sunlight of the desert, the cemetery in Uyuni saw better days in the late 1800’s when minerals were transported from Bolivia to Chile. A bizarre scenery lost in time and consumed by the Altiplano. This was another of the must-see spots in the area, particularly at night.
The next part of the journey was venturing down south to the border with Chile. Prepare to be blown away by the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. The epic volcanoes and colourful lagoons give way to one of the most surreal landscapes I’ve seen in my life. Something out of Salvador Dali’s imagination.
Certainly, a highlight of the reserve is Laguna Colorada. The colours stand out immediately upon seeing it. Red algae and other microorganisms give the water its fantastic colouring. Combined with the mountains, volcanoes and flamingos, Laguna Colorada is an immaculate and beautiful wildlife wonder.
Bolivia certainly has a lot to improve in terms of tourism and development but there’s so much potential here. The people are kind, the culture is vibrant and colourful and the landscapes are out of this world! It has become one of my favourite destinations for landscape photography and one that hopefully I will keep visiting in the coming years.
About Luis Solano Pochets’ Inspiring Venture: ToTheWonder®
ToTheWonder® is my baby. A celebration of that feeling of admiration and wonder caused by the power of nature. The project arises from the constant need to travel, to feel the anxiety of the unknown and the freedom to be miles away from the everyday routine.
It has become the most important photography tour operator in Central America. Founded in 2014 in Costa Rica with a strong international focus, leading photographic workshops worldwide. We encourage our followers and participants to travel, to explore and to live. To capture and share the ephemeral and spectacular nature that surrounds and share the wonder.
