Bolivia is a state in South America. Landlocked, it has borders with Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru.
The population is about 9,000,000 people, and the main language spoken is Spanish, however cohabiting with several Amerindian languages, including Quechua, Aymara, Guarani…
The capital of Bolivia is Sucre, but the government headquarters are located in La Paz
Altitude:
Travelers can visit Bolivia any time of the year. The best time to visit the highland areas is April to October, this is the cooler winter period but it should be dry.
In the southern altiplano the sky will be blue but it will be very cold, dropping to many degrees below freezing at night.
The summer rainy season from November to March can cause transport problems in the highlands, while the eastern lowlands are warm and steamy year-round.
GMT-4
In Bolivia, there is no time change (summer / winter)
Valid passport expiring at least six months after your return. If you are a United States citizen and you are planning to travel to Bolivia, you will need a visa. The application requires many separate documents, but it is reasonably straightforward, and the consulate is helpful about answering questions and processing applications promptly, provided they are complete.But these are conditions that can change and it is highly advised to visit the Consulate of Bolivia in the preparation of your trip.
The boliviano, also denoted by BOB, is the official currency used in Bolivia. The currency is divided into 100 subunits, named centavos. In circulation are coins of denominations 1, 2, and 5 bolivianos, and banknotes of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 bolivianos.
1 USD = 6,91 Bolivian Bolivianos(BOB) in November 2017 / 1 EUR = 8,18 BOB
Local cuisine. Food plentiful and varied in the region in which we travel. In towns, the meals are taken in traditional restaurants, a menu or buffet. Cold meals at noon on long journeys. Hot meals in the evening irrespective of the place.
To make your trip easier, we recommend you to bring a large bag (or backpack with wheels if possible) and a backpack to carry by hand.
It is important to know that all passengers are allowed to carry up to 20 kilos on the plane on most scheduled Transatlantic flights (check with airlines for confirmation of these conditions on your flight). It is advisable to take out « loss of luggage” insurance.
Good physical condition is recommended; remember that you will be coming to 4,000 m above sea level. The journey can be tough, especially in the Lipez area (up to – 30 degrees at night in June!). It is important to adapt to discomfort (bad roads, weather…).
Vaccines: Important: No compulsory vaccinations in Bolivia. Yellow fever vaccine and anti malaria recommended for the Amazon, no specific recommendation for the Yungas.
DT Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B.
For the Amazon, yellow fever. For malaria, little risk except for the Amazon (from Trinidad).
In the Yungas, no specific recommendation.
Personal pharmacy: Your regular medications, vitamin C or poly vitamins, drugs against pain: aspirin or equivalent anti-diarrhoeal (type Diarsed Imodium …) + intestinal antiseptic (such Ercefuryl, Ganidan…) broad antibiotic treatment: plan 8 days of treatment (on prescription), anti-inflammatory ointment, eye drops (dust, ophthalmia), elastic adhesive tape (Elastoplast), adhesive bandages game + disinfectant swabs; double skin (protection against blisters, available at pharmacies); treatment for colds and sore throat, ointment like Biafine for burns.
In any case, consult your doctor.
Bolivia is deemed to be a relatively safe country for travellers. However, it is necessary to take the normal precautions peculiar to any destination:
– Handbags or backpacks closed
– Do not change, take or leave the money in public places with high density,
– Avoid showing off your valuables: cameras, jewellery, and so on.
Important notice: in case of theft in a hotel, it will only cover, if necessary, a burglary within its walls, with evidence of tampering. So remember to use good security lockers for your important personal documents (money, passport, plane tickets, etc.).
There are public phones, but most people use « Locutorio » a sort of public telecommunications facilities, often open 24/24. It is possible to call abroad or across the country from any payphone or « Locutorio”.
To call from abroad, you must dial the country code: +591, then the code of the province’s national community that you want to join.
From abroad: (00) 591 + city code + number
La Paz 2, Potosí 2, Uyuni 2, Oruro 2, Santa Cruz 3, Beni 3, Pando 3, Sucre 4, Cochabamba 4, Tarija 4.
Bilingual Spanish and English unless it is specified in the program, who know the country. Local guides specialized in certain visits (Potosí mines, ruins of Tiwanaku, Jesuit missions…).
Service and taxes are included in restaurant bills. Therefore, there is no requirement that would be a subjective assessment of the quality of the given service.
Regarding the enforcement staff (porters, bellhops, waiters, drivers…), given that salaries are generally quite low, a small gesture is always really appreciated.
In the case of hotel or restaurant, it is customary to leave a tip of 5 to 10% depending on the nature of the service.
Amount of a tip reference for the porters at every In and Out: 0.5 USD / bag.
Amount of a tip reference for drivers: 1 USD / day / person.
All-terrain Toyota Land Cruiser long frame on private duty (unless it is specified in the program). Maximum 4 clients + driver and cook and guide per vehicle unless specified differently. For some parts of some tracks (paved roads) and by size group, we can use a minibus or a bus.
All vehicles are covered by insurance.