Bolivia Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know

Is a Trip to Bolivia Worth It?

Oh yes! Bolivia is incredibly diverse. Thanks to the cultural differences within the country, you’ll experience all kinds of festivals with dance parades and traditional customs.

The landscape in Bolivia is also absolutely unique. The enormous differences in elevation make it feel at times like you’re traveling through several different countries. Whether you’re hiking through the jungle in a tropical climate or exploring the highlands at 13,000 feet above sea level — Bolivia’s top attractions make it all possible!

Another practical bonus: Bolivia is one of the most affordable travel destinations in South America, and a vacation in Bolivia won’t cost you nearly as much as you might expect.

We recommend staying at least two to three weeks in Bolivia. There’s really no upper limit, since the country is incredibly diverse and every region always has something new to discover. Bolivia also pairs beautifully with a continuing trip to Peru or Chile.

Also read our tips for a road trip through Peru and Bolivia

Entry Requirements and Getting to Bolivia

From Europe, you can reach Bolivia with one or two stopovers. Most flights go to Santa Cruz, though there are also some connections to La Paz. Common stopover cities include Madrid, Bogotá in Colombia, or São Paulo Airport in Brazil.

Flight prices are usually between 900 and 1,600 euros. When you book, how flexible you are, and which airline you choose all make a significant difference in the cost.

At Skyscanner you can find the best connections to Bolivia.

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Entry Requirements and Length of Stay

Many nationalities — including most Western European and North American passport holders — do not need a visa to enter Bolivia. All you need is your passport, which must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry.

You can initially stay in Bolivia for up to 30 days. This permit can be extended twice, meaning you can stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa. Check the latest requirements for your specific nationality before you travel.

Paying and Currency in Bolivia

In Bolivia, the currency is the boliviano. One euro is worth about 7.5 bolivianos. Compared to other countries in South America — and most of the Western world — Bolivia is an affordable travel destination. You can get a meal at a simple restaurant for as little as 1.50 euros.

Paying with cash is more common than paying by card. So when taking buses, at small street stalls, and in smaller towns, you should always have some cash on you.
In hotels or restaurants in the cities, you can usually pay by card as well. In larger cities, there are ATMs on every corner.

Tipping in Bolivia

We recommend leaving around 10 percent tip in Bolivia. Locals rarely tip, but the population in Bolivia is comparatively very poor. So as a tourist, you should always leave a little something.

Hotels and Accommodations in Bolivia

From basic hostels to charming boutique hotels, you’ll find all kinds of places to stay in Bolivia’s larger cities.

A bed in a hostel dorm costs around 8–20 euros. You can find a good hotel room starting at about 40 to 50 euros per night. From 100 euros per night, you’re in the luxury range.

At Booking, you’ll find a wide selection of hotels — there’s something for every taste and every budget.

Safety in Bolivia

Bolivia has both safe and less safe areas. Compared to many Western countries, Bolivia requires a bit more vigilance. But if you keep a few things in mind, you don’t need to worry too much.

To protect yourself from pickpockets, always keep your valuables and important documents close to your body — not just in your pants pocket.

In big cities, avoid using your phone near bus windows and be especially mindful of your belongings in crowds. Also skip the flashy jewelry.

When using public transportation, always stick to official taxi or bus companies. You can identify taxis by signs displaying the driver’s name and phone number.

Negotiate the fare with the taxi driver beforehand and make sure the driver gets out of the car. Don’t just toss your luggage into the trunk of a taxi.

In some areas, it’s better to travel with a guide — especially for longer hikes, such as in the Yungas or in the Andes.

Otherwise: Use common sense, don’t walk through dark, deserted alleyways at night, and stick to tourist areas and places where there are plenty of people around.

Getting Around

Long-distance buses in Bolivia are well-equipped, and traveling by bus is very affordable. There are many overnight buses that will get you from A to B. The so-called flotas are usually very comfortable and have reclining seats.

For the route from Santa Cruz to La Paz, for example, you’ll pay around 20 to 30 euros and the journey takes just under 20 hours. The buses are usually very comfortable and modern, and the reclining seats make it easy to sleep.

You can buy a ticket at the bus terminals. Try to go with larger bus companies like Bolivar, as they are better known and therefore often safer.

On popular routes like between La Paz and Oruro, it’s common to travel in larger cars — i.e., shared taxis. The cars leave as soon as they’re full.

You don’t need to stick to a set schedule — just head to the stop and wait until enough people want to travel. This type of transport is flexible, affordable, and super convenient.

In cities, you can get around using minibuses or micros. These are small vans or buses that run set routes within the city. There are no fixed stops, though — you just flag them down and hop on. When you want to get off, just let the driver know by calling out parada or voy a bajar, and he’ll stop.
In some larger cities, such as La Paz, there are also regular city buses in addition to the minibuses, which makes the route network a bit easier to navigate. In La Paz, you also have the cable cars (Teleférico) as an additional way to get around.
Taking taxis in Bolivia is also relatively affordable — just make sure you always use official, so-called radio taxis, as these are safer.

Domestic flights in Bolivia are a great alternative, since they’re quite reasonably priced. You can book a flight from Santa Cruz to La Paz from 40 euros. If you’re not a fan of long bus rides, this makes a lot of sense especially for longer distances.

Best Time to Visit and Time Difference

Describing Bolivia’s climate in general terms is tricky, because the country has extreme differences in elevation — and therefore in climate as well.

During the Bolivian winter months from April to October, it’s at its driest. In the lowlands, temperatures are somewhat more pleasant, though it’s still usually warm. In the highlands, it gets very cold, with temperatures around freezing and occasional snowfall.

From November to March, Bolivia has its rainy season, and the lowlands see hot, tropical temperatures. Heavy rainfall and flooding can occur at times.

In the highlands, the rainy season months are actually a pleasant time to travel, since temperatures are warmer — and it doesn’t rain continuously, either.

For the Salar de Uyuni, the transitional months between the dry and rainy seasons — April, May, October, and November — are the best time to visit. That’s when you have the best chances of seeing the salt flat both dry and flooded, and you can reach all the important spots.

Time Difference in Bolivia

Bolivia is 5 hours behind UTC in winter and 4 hours behind in summer — it does not observe daylight saving time, so the offset relative to your home country will shift depending on the time of year. Check a world clock app before you travel to get the exact difference from your location.

Language and Communication in Bolivia

Bolivia officially recognizes 37 languages. The official language is Spanish, alongside many indigenous languages. The most widely spoken are Aymara and Quechua.

In smaller, less touristy places, it can genuinely be a bit of a challenge without any Spanish. In large cities and at tourist sites and attractions, however, you can also get by in English.

Internet and SIM Cards

In general, network coverage is good — you’ll have solid reception and internet access in most places.

You can buy SIM cards at any store or kiosk. We recommend buying one at an official provider store so you don’t get ripped off. SIM cards cost between 15 and 30 bolivianos.

A SIM card from Entel or Tigo usually gives you the best coverage, though this varies a bit from place to place. It’s best to ask when you buy which option is better for your area.

You should also bring a travel adapter to Bolivia. The plug types used are A and C. Type C is the same as in most of Europe — but sometimes you’ll only find Type A outlets, in which case you’ll need the adapter.

Health and Vaccinations for Bolivia

You should not drink tap water — boil it first or buy bottled water instead.

At street stalls, be a bit cautious and possibly avoid salads or raw vegetables, as they may not have been washed thoroughly. A healthy dose of caution goes a long way here.

In any case, you should get travel health insurance before your trip so you’re well covered if you get sick and don’t have to pay out of pocket.

Vaccinations

For your trip to Bolivia, you should have standard vaccinations such as tetanus and be vaccinated against hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies, and diphtheria. The yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended, as all areas of Bolivia below 7,500 feet (2,300 meters) are considered yellow fever zones.

If you’re arriving from a country with a yellow fever risk, the vaccination is actually mandatory.

Medications

A small travel first-aid kit never hurts, though you can also buy quite a lot locally. Useful things to bring include something for diarrhea, a remedy for stomach pain, some pain relievers, and possibly a broad-spectrum antibiotic for emergencies.

If you plan to spend a lot of time in the lowlands, malaria prophylaxis is also a good idea. It’s best to consult your doctor before your trip about which vaccinations and medications they recommend for your travel regions.

Use sunscreen in both the highlands and the lowlands. Especially given the intense sun exposure on the Altiplano at up to 13,000 feet, it’s important to protect your skin and wear a hat.

In the lowlands, insect repellent is highly recommended.

Altitude Sickness

In the Bolivian highlands, you can quickly come down with altitude sickness. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, and circulatory problems.

Altitude sickness most often occurs when you go directly from the lowlands to the highlands. If you fly directly to La Paz at 13,000 feet, for example, you’re at real risk.

Our tip: If you start your Bolivia trip in a lower-altitude city like Santa Cruz, Sucre, or Cochabamba before heading to Potosí, Uyuni, or La Paz, your body can gradually acclimatize to the elevation.

If you do get altitude sickness, rest and don’t overexert yourself. You can buy medication locally, and with some coca tea and a bit of rest, you should feel better within a few days. If nothing helps, head to a lower-altitude location — that usually does the trick pretty quickly.

For more information on safety and health, check your government’s official travel advisory for Bolivia before you go.

Food and Drink in Bolivia

Food plays a major role in Bolivian life. Sharing meals is very meaningful, and there are many traditional dishes. Every city has its own typical specialties, and overall people eat a lot of meat along with regional and seasonal produce such as potatoes, vegetables, quinoa, and fruit.

There’s usually a soup as a starter followed by a main course.

Some of our personal favorites include Sopa de Maní (peanut soup), Pique Macho (a hearty mixed plate of french fries, meat, and vegetables), and Plato Paceño, a typical dish from La Paz.

At street stalls or in restaurants, you can get a simple set meal and fresh lemonade for around 10 bolivianos. Honestly, the food scene here is one of the most underrated parts of traveling in Bolivia.

What Do I Absolutely Need to Pack?

A chest pouch or money belt is handy for keeping your most important valuables and documents close to your body.

A warm sleeping bag is worth bringing if you’re not sure what kind of lodging you’ll be staying in, if you want to do multi-day tours (e.g., in the Salar de Uyuni), and for cold nights in the highlands.

In the highlands, it’s important to have warm clothing with you. Since temperatures can fluctuate significantly throughout the day, layering makes a lot of sense. While it can be cool in the shade or indoors, it warms up quickly in the sun. Because of the altitude, it’s also important to protect your head from the sun and use plenty of sunscreen.

Personal tip: Bring a hot water bottle for the highlands. It’s quick to fill and will keep you warm at night.

In the lowlands, a mosquito net to protect against bites and diseases like dengue fever, lightweight breathable clothing, and insect repellent are especially important.

If you’re going on a tour through the jungle, you’ll definitely need long, lightweight clothing to cover your arms and legs and protect yourself from mosquitoes.

What Else Do I Need to Know About Bolivia?

Coca

Don’t be surprised if you see green bags of leaves being sold in shops or on the street. Bolivia grows a huge amount of coca — and coca is not the same as cocaine! While the plant is the basis for producing the drug, the leaves on their own have no intoxicating effect. For many Bolivians, coca has deep cultural significance and is often regarded as a kind of cure-all.
The leaves can be chewed or brewed as tea. This can help with all kinds of ailments like stomach pain, nausea, or altitude sickness.

It also keeps you awake and suppresses hunger. Many Bolivians chew the leaves while working. We were once told: never get in a car with a driver who isn’t chewing coca leaves.

Note that you’re not allowed to bring the tea or the leaves back home with you.

Our tip: At the Coca Museum in La Paz, you can learn more about the history and significance of the coca plant.

Bloqueos

Strikes are common in Bolivia, and so-called bloqueos can occur — meaning roads get blocked, which can lead to long traffic jams or delays. This particularly affects onward travel by car or bus.

The general rule in Bolivia: be patient. Some things just take a bit longer, and getting worked up about it won’t make them go any faster.

Toilet Paper

In Bolivia, don’t flush your toilet paper — throw it in the trash can next to the toilet instead. Otherwise, clogs can happen quickly, and nobody wants that.