Discover the story of Neil Armstrong’s 1969 visit to Bolivia just months after walking on the Moon. Learn how he named the Valley of the Moon in La Paz and viewed the Uyuni Salt Flats from space.
Why Neil Armstrong Visited Bolivia
In October 1969, just three months after his historic Moonwalk, Neil Armstrong made a legendary visit to Bolivia as part of NASA’s Giant Step Apollo Tour. This goodwill mission took him across 25+ countries to celebrate space exploration and strengthen international ties.
Armstrong was received in La Paz, one of Bolivia’s capital city located over 3,600 meters above sea level. During his visit:
- He received an honorary doctorate from the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA) for his contributions to science and humanity.
- His presence inspired a new generation of science enthusiasts in Bolivia.
Salar de Uyuni: A Satellite Calibration Marvel
From space, Neil Armstrong saw the Uyuni Salt Flats, one of Bolivia’s most iconic landscapes. Thanks to its massive size and flat, white surface, Salar de Uyuni reflects sunlight in a way that makes it more effective than oceans for satellite calibration.
Even today, Uyuni is used by space agencies to align satellite systems—and Armstrong’s mention helped put it on the map for the space community.
Bolivia’s surreal landscapes reminded him of the Moon
One of the most iconic attractions in La Paz is the Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna). But did you know Neil Armstrong was the one who named it?
When he visited this natural wonder, he was amazed by how closely it resembled the Moon’s surface—its craters, dusty canyons, and eroded clay formations were unlike anything else on Earth.
- Located 25 minutes from downtown La Paz
- Formed from clay and sandstone erosion, not actual rocks
- Looks more like a Star Wars set than a natural Earth landscape: The Moon on Earth!
Whether you’re into geology, space history, or Instagram-worthy travel spots, this place is a must-see.
Why Armstrong’s Visit Still Matters Today
Armstrong’s journey to Bolivia is more than a footnote in history—it’s a symbol of how even the most distant places on Earth are connected to space exploration. It recognizes Bolivia’s unique role in science because this visit left a lasting legacy.
All Things Bolivia 