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South America

BoliviaTravel guide

Explore Bolivia visa rulesCommon scams in Bolivia

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America known for mountain scenery and indigenous cultures. Its landscapes include tropical lowlands, valleys and a high plateau called the altiplano.

Why go

  1. Visit Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat.

  2. Explore Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol.

  3. See the historic cities of Sucre and Potosí.

  4. Explore Tiwanaku, the remains of a city built before the Inca period.

  5. Discover the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos and Noel Kempff Mercado National Park.

  6. Experience Andean mountain scenery and the tropical valleys of Los Yungas.

Best time to go: April to October is generally colder and drier. November to March is generally warmer and wetter; high cities such as La Paz can still be cool.

Getting there

By air

  • The main airports are in La Paz in western Bolivia and Santa Cruz in the east.
  • La Paz is a useful starting point for Tiwanaku, Uyuni, Lake Titicaca, Los Yungas and the Andes.
  • Santa Cruz has warmer weather and is a useful starting point for the eastern cities, the missions and Noel Kempff Mercado National Park.

By land

  • From Brazil, border crossings include Guayaramerín from Guajará-Mirim and Puerto Quijarro from Corumbá.
  • From Argentina, crossings include Villazón from La Quiaca and Bermejo. Buses also connect Argentina and Bolivia.
  • From Paraguay, routes connect Asunción with Villamontes and Santa Cruz.

Getting around

  • Buses and minibuses

    Buses are a cheap way to see the scenery, but many long-distance services run at night. For common routes, advance booking is usually unnecessary. Compare several companies at the terminal instead of buying from the first seller who approaches you. Buying about an hour before departure can sometimes cost less than booking several days ahead. Prices vary with demand. Ask several bus companies about road blockades before buying a ticket. Protests can leave roads closed for days. A servis is a regional van that often runs more frequently but costs more than a bus or minibus. City transport includes micros, which are buses, and trufis, which are small buses on fixed routes. Colectivos are shared taxis with fixed routes and fares.

  • Domestic flights

    Flying within Bolivia is quick and described as fairly economical. Boliviana de Aviación, also called BoA, connects most major cities. BoA tickets can be bought online or at its offices in Santa Cruz, La Paz and Cochabamba.

  • Trains

    Trains can be a comfortable alternative where roads are in poor condition. The Oruro–Uyuni journey offers mountain and lake scenery. From La Paz, take a bus to Oruro to reach the train; the bus journey takes about three hours. Book train tickets a few days ahead where possible. Tickets Bolivia also sells advance tickets. For trips between Santa Cruz and the Pantanal, ask at Terminal Bimodal in Santa Cruz or the station in Puerto Quijarro.

  • Cars

    Most main routes between major cities are paved, but many other roads are not. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly encouraged when travelling away from the flatter altiplano. On some mountain roads, traffic switches sides so drivers can see dangerous drops more clearly. Never try to drive through or around a blockade. Strikers may throw rocks, and violence has been reported.

What to see and do

  • Salar de Uyuni

    See the world's largest salt flat.

  • Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol

    Explore Bolivia's part of the world's highest navigable lake and its island scenery.

  • Tiwanaku

    Visit an archaeological site with the remains of a city built before the Inca period.

  • Sucre and Potosí

    Explore two historic cities founded by the Spanish in the 16th century.

  • Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos

    Visit a World Heritage Site in the eastern department of Santa Cruz.

  • Noel Kempff Mercado National Park

    Explore one of Bolivia's World Heritage Sites in Santa Cruz.

Food and drink

  • Almuerzo

    A set lunch that usually includes a starter, soup, a main dish and dessert. Restaurants often display the day's menu outside.

  • Pique a lo macho

    Grilled meat with tomatoes and onion in a slightly spicy sauce, served over potatoes.

  • Silpancho

    Thinly pounded beef served with rice, potatoes and a fried egg.

  • Anticucho

    Grilled beef-heart skewers served with potatoes and a spicy peanut sauce.

  • Salteña

    A baked bun filled with meat, potatoes and a slightly sweet or spicy sauce. Bite carefully because the sauce can spill.

  • Tucumana and empanada

    A tucumana is similar to a salteña but fried. Empanadas may contain cheese as well as meat.

Money

Boliviano (BOB), written Bs.

  • Cash is the main way to pay. The source recommends bringing United States dollars or euros in cash.
  • Notes larger than Bs. 50 can be difficult to use at small shops and stalls.
  • Exchange offices are called casas de cambio. Compare rates before changing money and negotiate if needed.
  • Exchange sellers may show an official rate but offer a different, unofficial rate when asked. Check what rate you will actually receive.

Tipping: Service charges are included in the bill. A small tip of about 5% is sometimes given and considered polite; taxi drivers do not need a tip.

Typical costs

  • These dated examples are from May 2018, rather than current price quotes.
  • A lunch of soup and a meat main dish was Bs. 10–15.
  • A street hamburger was Bs. 8–10.
  • An empanada or salteña was Bs. 2–5.
  • Two litres of bottled water cost Bs. 6.
  • A simple hotel room or bed was Bs. 30–60.
  • The source gives a rough bus estimate of US$1 per hour of travel, with prices varying by demand.

Language

  • Spanish, often called Castellano
  • Quechua
  • Aymara
No, gracias
No, thank you.
Lo siento
I'm sorry.
Buenos días
Good morning; a customary greeting.
Señor / Señora
Sir / madam; respectful ways to address older people.

Staying safe

  • Follow local news for strikes and road blockades. Never try to pass through or around a blockade.
  • Choose travel guides carefully and never accept medication from a source you cannot verify.
  • Use radio taxis at night because fake taxis are common.
  • Do not accept food or drinks from other passengers on long-distance buses, especially overnight.
4 common scams in Bolivia, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Greet strangers and people you pass; “buenos días” is a customary greeting.
  • Be patient if people arrive a few minutes late. Be on time yourself for business appointments.
  • Show respect to older people and authority figures. Offer older people your seat on public transport or your place in a taxi queue.
  • Address older people respectfully with Señor or Señora.
  • Use “indígena” or “campesino” when referring to indigenous people.

Don't

  • Do not raise your voice, lose your temper or repeatedly chase people for a response.
  • Do not call indigenous people “indio”; it is offensive.
  • Avoid using “cholo,” as some people still use it as an insult.

Staying healthy

  • High places such as La Paz, Potosí, Oruro and the Lake Titicaca region carry a risk of altitude sickness, locally called sorojchi or soroche.
  • The source identifies Clinica IPPA's High Altitude Pathology Institute as a treatment centre for severe altitude illness.
  • Sunlight is strong at altitude. Wear a sun hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen or clothing that covers your skin.
  • Drink bottled water instead of tap water. For fruit drinks, ask whether the water used is bottled.

Phone and internet

  • Wireless internet is often unavailable in simple accommodation unless it caters to tourists.

Where to stay

  • Accommodation ranges from basic guesthouses to luxury hotels.
  • Basic places may be called hostal, hospedaje or alojamiento. They commonly charge per person rather than per room.
  • Outside large cities, asking for a room in person can be much cheaper than booking online.
  • In large cities, bargains can be harder to find, and the source recommends reserving online.

Outdoor adventures in Bolivia

Bolivia has high mountain walks, salt-flat landscapes and tropical forests rich in wildlife. You can cycle Death Road, walk to waterfalls near Quime or explore remote national parks. High altitude needs care, especially around La Paz and Lake Titicaca.

  • Salar de Uyuni

    More to doAltiplano

    Visit the world's largest salt flats. Transport and tour arrangements are not detailed.

  • Yungas Road / Death Road

    CyclingYungasnear Coroico

    Take a mountain bike tour along the 64 km route from La Cumbre to Coroico.

    • The route passes through high cliffside terrain.
    • La Cumbre is at 5,000 m, where altitude sickness is a concern.

  • El Choro Trek

    TrekYungasnear Coroico

    3 days

    Walk the route from the La Paz area towards Coroico. Guide and transport arrangements are not detailed.

    • Take precautions against altitude sickness in the La Paz area.
    • Use sun protection in mountainous areas.

  • Huayna Potosi

    ClimbingAltiplano

    Visit for a mountain climb. The route, guide arrangements and access are not detailed.

    • Take precautions against altitude sickness.
    • Use a sun hat, sunglasses and skin protection in the mountains.

  • Madidi National Park

    Wildlifenear Apolo

    The park lies a few miles north of Apolo. Transport and guided visit arrangements are not detailed.

  • Noel Kempff Mercado National Park and Cataratas Arcoiris

    More to doSanta Cruz

    Visit this remote Amazonian park for its natural landscapes and Cataratas Arcoiris waterfall. Access arrangements are not detailed.

  • Sajama National Park

    More to do

    Visit for Andean mountain landscapes. Transport, walking routes and guide arrangements are not detailed.

    • Take precautions against altitude sickness in high mountain areas.
    • Use sun protection.

  • Isla del Sol

    More to doLake Titicaca

    Transport information for Isla del Sol is available from the government tourist information offices at Plaza Estudiantes or Prado in La Paz. The journey itself is not detailed.

    • The Lake Titicaca region is at high altitude; take precautions against altitude sickness.
    • Use sun protection.

  • Valle de la Luna

    More to doLa Paznear La Paz

    Take a local bus to Mallasa, take a taxi or join a tour from La Paz.

    • Cost: Entry: Bs. 20. Local bus to Mallasa: Bs. 2.30; taxi: Bs. 35.

  • Valle de las Ánimas

    HikeLa Paznear La Paz

    Visit for walking, climbing and photography among the rock formations. Transport and route details are not given.

    • The valley is at 3,900 m; take precautions against altitude sickness.
    • Use sun protection.

  • Upper Achocalla Valley via Alpacoma

    HikeLa Paznear La Paz

    A few minutes walking over the pass after the transport journey

    Take a red bus to Alpacoma from Calle Buenos Aires. Then take a shared vehicle called a trufi to the brick ovens. Walk over the pass into the upper Achocalla valley, towards the hidden municipal dump.

    • Cost: Trufi to the brick ovens: Bs. 2.

  • Chambillaya Mine and Ghost Town Hike

    HikeLa Paz departmentnear Quime

    Day hike; about 1 hour walking back from the mine to Quime

    Walk up from Quime using OpenStreetMap for the route. Alternatively, walk three blocks east from Hostal Colibri to the bridge at 05:30 and catch the mining truck uphill. The abandoned mining town is below the mine.

    • Cost: Mining truck uphill: Bs. 5.

  • Naranjani Waterfalls

    HikeLa Paz departmentnear Quime

    About 3 hours uphill and 1 hour downhill

    Walk from Quime to the series of seven waterfalls. The area is described as a proposed self-guided nature hike.

  • Naranjani Glacial Lake

    HikeLa Paz departmentnear Quime

    Day hike

    Make a day hike from Quime. The exact route and guide arrangements are not detailed.

  • Devil's Slide

    HikeLa Paz departmentnear Quime

    About 2–3 hours walking to the site

    Walk from Quime. The route is not detailed.

    • This is an active landslide that constantly produces plumes of dust.

  • Pumuta Indigenous Community Ecological Park

    HikeLa Paz departmentnear Quime

    About 1 hour walking from Quime

    Walk from Quime towards the community's cloud-forest park. The Rio Chichipata canyon is along the way, about 45 minutes from town.

  • Huichincani Hot Springs

    Hot springLa Paz departmentnear Quime

    2-day hike

    Reach the springs on a two-day hike from the Quime area. Route and guide arrangements are not detailed.

    • The springs sit on a steep mountain slope.

  • Sacambaya Castle Trek

    HikeLa Paz departmentnear Quime

    2-day hike

    Visit the pre-Inca castle on a two-day hike in the Quime area. The route and guide arrangements are not detailed.

  • Quime Cloud-Forest Birdwatching

    WildlifeLa Paz departmentnear Quime

    Explore the cloud forests and mountainsides around Quime. Specific birdwatching routes and guide arrangements are not detailed.

  • Oruro Surrounding Hills

    HikeOruronear Oruro

    Easy

    Walk up into the hills surrounding Oruro for views. No specific trail is named.

    • Bring water.
    • Oruro is at about 3,950 m; take precautions against altitude sickness.

  • Chiquitania Nature Exploration

    More to doChiquitania, Santa Cruz

    Explore the natural surroundings of the six remote mission towns. Specific outdoor routes and transport arrangements are not detailed.

Airports, metros and trains in Bolivia

Airports with scheduled flights

  • SREAlcantarí International AirportSucreMain international airport
  • LPBEl Alto International AirportLa Paz / El AltoMain international airport
  • CBBJorge Wilsterman International AirportCochabambaMain international airport
  • UYUJoya Andina International AirportQuijarroMain international airport
  • ORUJuan Mendoza International AirportOruroMain international airport
  • VVIViru Viru International AirportSanta CruzMain international airport

Trains

Rail network
1,954 km

People and safety in Bolivia

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian94%
  • No religion4%
  • Other1%
  • Folk religions<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex couples can form civil unions, but not marry.
  • Legal gender change is recognised.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #80 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

43% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 146 of 198 countries can visit Bolivia easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required58
  • Freedom of movement3
  • Visa on arrival85
  • eVisa44
  • Visa required8

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Americas33 of 34 countries
  • Oceania12 of 14 countries
  • Europe39 of 46 countries
  • Africa41 of 54 countries
  • Asia21 of 50 countries

Questions

When is Bolivia's drier season?

April to October is generally colder and drier. November to March is generally warmer and wetter.

Should I arrive in La Paz or Santa Cruz?

La Paz is a useful starting point for the Andes, Uyuni and Lake Titicaca. Santa Cruz is warmer and useful for eastern destinations.

Can I buy bus tickets at the station?

Yes, advance booking is usually unnecessary on common routes. Compare several companies and check for road blockades before paying.

What money should I bring?

The local currency is the boliviano, written Bs. Cash is widely used, and the source recommends bringing United States dollars or euros to exchange.

Can I get by with English?

English speakers are rare, even in large city centres. Basic Spanish is useful for everyday travel.

Can I drink the tap water?

The source advises drinking bottled water only. Ask whether water used in fruit drinks is bottled.

Will altitude be a problem?

Altitude sickness is a risk in La Paz, Potosí, Oruro and the Lake Titicaca region. Take precautions when visiting these high areas.

Can I find a room without booking online?

Outside large cities, asking for a room in person can be cheaper than booking online. In large cities, the source recommends reserving online.

Is vegetarian food available?

Yes, markets offer meals such as potatoes, rice, fried egg and salad. Larger cities also have vegetarian restaurants.

Do I need to tip?

Service charges are included in restaurant bills, but a small tip of about 5% is sometimes given. Taxi drivers do not need a tip.

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