Karen Dianderas

Miami, FL
Ecuador Travel Agent Expert

Ecuador is a country of contrasts. It boasts a coast lined with sandy beaches and turquoise waters and an interior of highlands, cloud forests, and Amazon rainforest. The capital city of Quito is cosmopolitan while other places in the country offe...
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Bolivia Travel Agent Professional

I find it fascinating to work as a travel agent professional for Bolivia - a part of Latin America that is as fascinating historically as it is from a cultural perspective. Three hundred years of Spanish colonial rule have impacted the country’s architecture, religion, and cultural and language preferences. The European influence represents, though, only a thin veneer over certain cultural traditions, spanning long before Spain’s conquest. Although locals embrace the Catholic religion, some indigenous people also make offerings to the mountain gods of ancestors while performing other unique rites - like blessing cars with alcoholic libations.  While Spanish represents the language of business, the streets in the capital also buzz with the cadences of the indigenous language, Aymara, one of over 30 such languages spoken in the country. Located in the middle of South America, Bolivia embodies all that is mysterious to those who have never been there. It encompasses a staggering array of landscapes and climates, from the snowy peaks and barren highlands of the Andes to the lush jungles and open plains of the Amazon basin.  The ethnic and cultural diversity of Bolivia's population mirrors a fascinating environment: the vast majority of Bolivians are of indigenous heritage, and the Amerindian culture is deeply ingrained in Bolivian society. After nearly three centuries as a Spanish colony, Bolivia declared its independence as a republic in 1825. Named after South American independence leader, Simón Bolvar, half of Bolivia's land was lost to other countries since that time. This includes the Pacific Ocean coast, which Chile conquered in a battle in 1879. The Andes, the world's longest and highest mountain range, cuts diagonally across Bolivia's western half in two parallel chains, each studded with snow-capped peaks that tower high over the landscape.  Between these two chains lies the Altiplano, a virtually treeless plateau that has historically been home to most of Bolivia's population. Its windswept expanses are perhaps the best-known image of the country. Just to the northeast of the Altiplano, the Andes drop precipitously into the Amazon lowlands, a seemingly unending wilderness crossed by a number of important rivers that head north to the Brazilian border and beyond.  The Andes progressively descends eastward into a drier area of productive highland valleys, which ultimately gives way to the Eastern Lowlands, a huge and sparsely inhabited plain covered in a range of habitats, from the dense Amazonian rainforest in the north to the dry thorn brush and scrub of the Chaco in the south. Therefore, an incredible array of plant and animal life is supported by this topography's extreme variability. Parque Nacional Amboró, for instance, is home to more bird species than the US and Canada combined (830), and new plant species are always being discovered.  Bolivia's underdevelopment and lack of infrastructure have, in some ways, been a blessing for the environment. This lack of development has allowed for large wilderness areas to remain in almost pristine condition to support a variety of wildlife. This wildlife includes the stately condors that soar above the high Andes to the pink freshwater dolphins that play in the rivers of Amazonia. Only nine million people reside in Bolivia, which has an area the size of France and Spain combined. The majority of people are concentrated in a small number of Spanish-founded towns and villages.  Some of these sites, like Potos and Sucre, were once among the most significant cities in the Americas. Today, they are considered forgotten backwaters, and are home to some of the best examples of colonial architecture in the world.  Other cities, such as La Paz and Santa Cruz, have experienced tremendous growth in recent decades as a result of a large-scale exodus from the countryside. These towns are now thriving commercial hubs where traditional indigenous cultures and contemporary metropolitan settings coexist. As you can see, a trip to Bolivia is one that you’ll want to schedule if you plan to visit Latin America. Let me serve as your travel agent and advisor. You can enjoy this unique country anytime during the year. It offers something for everybody. Call me today to learn more about the sites and to schedule the perfect travel itinerary.            

My Reviews

6 of 8 people found this review helpful
Guardian Angel
I will never book travel on my own again. Karen was super thorough, always available and always in-touch. She even helped me navigate through a complicated change of itinerary when I became suddenly ill overseas. Thanks for being there Karen!
By  Adam  from  Shunk, PA
Traveled to  Norway ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Great experience. Trip well planned by agent.
Excellent agent. I had no issues with my multi-city itinerary. Relatives coming from different countries (to meet with me in USA) really appreciated how well organized the vacation was.
By  Betty V.  from  Miami, Florida
Traveled to  Los Cabos ~ Baja California Sur ~ Mexico
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Perfect trip thanks to Karen!!
I can’t begin to describe how easy our trip was, thanks to Karen. She was attentive and dedicated to every detail. She gave us all the information necessary to enjoy without any concerns. Definitely would recommend her!!
By  GloriaB  from  Raleigh, North Carolina
Traveled to  Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Miami honeymoon
Very knowledgeable and great communication
By  Chad  from  Birmingham, AL
Traveled to  Miami ~ Florida ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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4 of 8 people found this review helpful
Fantastic Research by a Top Notch Travel Agent!
Karen is a gem! She is so lovely to work with and a wealth of information. She was very efficient and did fantastic research based on our preferences. I could not be happier with her work and the wonderful options she provided to us. Karen is very prepared and very professional in her work, she was ready for our call and on time and totally exceeded our expectations. I can recommend her without reservation to make your reservation. You will be amazed by her thoroughness and professionalism. It was a wonderful experience to work with her. She will go above and beyond to find you exactly what you are looking for. I cannot recommend her highly enough!
By  Hoboken Kathy  from  Hoboken NJ
Traveled to  Florida ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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Go to my main profile

Destination Expert:

  • Bolivia
  • La Paz
  • Santa Cruz
  • Sucre
  • Tihuanaco

Travel Specialist:

  • Archaeology
  • Adventure
  • Bespoke Travel
  • Bird Watching
  • Hiking & Backpacking

Certifications/Awards:

  • Welcome to Peru Certification by PromPeru
  • Highlights of Peru Certification by PromPeru
  • Hidden Treasures of Peru Certification by PromPeru
  • Adventure and Nature Certification by PromPeru
  • Luxury in Peru Certification by PromPeru

Languages I Speak:

  • English
  • Norwegian
  • Spanish

Industry Affiliations:

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