In the heart of South America, Bolivia is home to some of the most dramatic landscapes on the continent. From pristine rainforests and high-altitude salt flats to cities rich with cultural diversity, there’s an incredible amount to see, do, and experience here.
As an added plus, accommodation, eating out, and transportation are all budget-friendly. However, there are a few things every traveler should know before setting off for Bolivia. Here are our top tips for making the most of your trip.
Planning Your Trip to Bolivia
There’s plenty to consider before you board your flight to Bolivia.
Look Beyond the Andes
Bolivia is often described as an Andean country. Many of its top attractions—including Lake Titicaca and the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flats—are packed into its mountainous west, an area known as the altiplano (highlands).
However, the country is remarkably diverse, and you’ll have a much more rewarding experience if you combine Andean adventures with trips to explore some of Bolivia’s other fascinating landscapes. As well as the mountains, make time for the tropical Gran Chiquitania region, the arid wilderness of the Chaco, and the Amazon Basin—which covers roughly a third of the country.
Pick the Right Time to Visit
Time your trip to Bolivia to fit in with the weather. It’s generally sunny across Bolivia during the high season from May to October, but winter temperatures can drop sharply in the altiplano, so pack warm layers. This is a good time for trekking and other adventure sports. Nonetheless, demand and prices for tours and accommodation are higher than at other times of the year, therefore it’s sensible to plan ahead.
The shoulder season from October to November is particularly good for visiting the Salar de Uyuni, as the spring brings warmer temperatures, while rain remains scarce. The low season (November to April) is hot and rainy, disrupting transport and making many outdoor activities difficult or unappealing, especially in the lowlands.
Check Whether You Need a Tourist Visa for Bolivia
Many visitors don’t need a tourist visa to travel to Bolivia—including citizens of the UK, most EU and EEA countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and most nations in South America. However, US citizens must visit with a visa. Consequently, contact your local Bolivian embassy or consulate to check the latest regulations.
Give Yourself a Flexible Itinerary
Transport delays are common in Bolivia, partly due to bloqueos, roadblocks linked to protests that can sometimes last for several days. Allow some flexibility in your travel plans, check the news, and ask around locally for the latest updates.
Additionally, flooding during the wet season from November to April can cause severe transport disruptions, particularly in the southeast, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Learn a Little Spanish
English is spoken quite widely in touristy areas such as Sucre, Uyuni, and Rurrenabaque in the Amazon region. However, you’ll encounter fewer English speakers when you venture off the beaten track. It’s well worth learning some simple Spanish phrases—or better yet, taking some formal Spanish lessons—before you arrive in the country. At the very least, learn enough Spanish to help you find the right bus and arrange a meal and hotel room.
Don’t Forget to Pack the Essentials
Regardless of the time of year, the weather in Bolivia varies with the terrain. It’s advisable to bring a rain jacket, walking boots, and sunglasses, plus—if you’re visiting the chilly altiplano—thermal underlayers and a warm fleece.
Carry Cash in Bolivia’s Backwaters
While ATMs (cajeros automáticos) are common in cities and larger towns, they can be hard to find in rural areas, therefore always carry some cash with you. Furthermore, don’t accept torn, repaired, or tatty boliviano notes as change—these can be hard to spend, even though they still remain legal tender.
Etiquette in Bolivia
Bolivia is a welcoming country, but it’s worth having a basic understanding of the local etiquette before you travel.
Learn Some Basic Greetings
To an extent, Bolivian society is still quite formal. It’s customary to greet someone with a polite buenos días (good morning), buenos tardes (good afternoon), or buenas noches (good night). When addressing people, use señor or señora (Mr or Mrs) or a formal title such as doctor, where appropriate. Stick to the formal usted (“you”) for people you don’t know well, rather than the informal tú.
On the altiplano, the male and female forms of “friend”—amigo and amiga—are commonly used. Saying please (por favor) and thank you (gracias) is just good manners. When dining out, buen provecho (enjoy your meal) is a handy phrase to remember.
Be Respectful When Taking Photos of People in Bolivia
Always ask for permission before taking a photo of someone, particularly in rural areas. Many individuals from Bolivia’s minority communities prefer not to be photographed—if permission is refused, respect their wishes.
Health and Safety in Bolivia
As with other South American destinations, there are some safety precautions to be aware of.
Get Your Jabs Before You Travel
If you’re traveling from a country with endemic yellow fever—which includes neighboring Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru—you may need to show your yellow fever vaccination certificate at the border. It’s also advisable to ensure your vaccinations for hepatitis A and tetanus are up to date. Jabs for hepatitis B, diphtheria, typhoid, and rabies are also worth considering, especially if you plan to stay in Bolivia for an extended period.
Bring Antimalarial Medication if You’re Heading to Bolivia’s Lowlands
Malaria is present in lowland areas of Bolivia, most notably in the Amazon region, therefore consider taking antimalarial prophylaxis. Travelers have several options for antimalarial medications—consult your doctor to find the best choice for you.
Always Protect Yourself Against Mosquito Bites
While antimalarials reduce the risk of catching malaria, they don’t eliminate it entirely, thus it’s crucial to take precautions to avoid being bitten. This can include wearing long-sleeved tops and trousers, sleeping under a mosquito net, and using effective mosquito repellent. Creams and sprays with high concentrations of DEET (diethyltoluamide) tend to be most effective.
Prepare for the Altitude
Altitude sickness can pose a significant problem in western Bolivia. Many tourist destinations lie at elevations above 3000m (9840ft), and acute mountain sickness (AMS) can occur, even in physically fit travelers. Important destinations include La Paz, Potosí, Lake Titicaca, and the Salar de Uyuni, along with El Alto airport, which is at the highest elevation of any international airport in the world at 4062m (13,327ft).
The risk of AMS increases with rapid ascents and strenuous activity at altitude. Initial symptoms may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, malaise, insomnia, and loss of appetite; AMS can ultimately lead to severe complications. It’s crucial to acclimatize properly and include rest days without elevation increases. Avoid overexerting yourself, eat light meals, avoid alcohol, and get plenty of rest.
Some trekkers and climbers opt for medicines such as acetazolamide or local remedies like coca leaves and tea, which may only reduce or delay symptoms. If severe AMS symptoms arise, it is vital to descend promptly to a lower altitude and seek medical help, as altitude sickness can be life-threatening.
Avoid Bolivian Tap Water
The tap water in Bolivia is not safe to drink. However, bottled water is inexpensive and widely available, or you can purify your own. If you plan to go hiking, it’s worth bringing a water purification method to reduce your backpack weight and cut down on plastic waste.
Don’t Take Coca Products Out of the Country
The coca plant has been sacred to people across the Andes for thousands of years, and a significant portion of Bolivians regularly consume coca leaves, drink coca tea, and use other coca products. However, while the plant is legal in Bolivia, it is illegal in most other countries, given that the leaves are used to produce cocaine. Do not attempt to take any coca leaves or products home, as customs authorities take these items very seriously.
Tips for Women Travelers in Bolivia
There is generally less machismo in Bolivia than in many other South American countries, particularly in Andean cities. Nevertheless, women travelers may still encounter a certain level of hassle and harassment, especially during the carnival period (February to March) when men may behave more boisterously due to alcohol. Exercise caution in crowds and avoid walking alone at night or in remote areas.
Advice for LGBTQI+ Travelers
The Bolivian constitution expressly prohibits discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity; however, same-sex marriage remains illegal, and members of the LGBTQI+ community still face prejudice and discrimination.
There are LGBTQI+ bars and venues in major cities, notably La Paz and Santa Cruz, which hosted Bolivia’s first-ever Pride march in 2001. In rural areas, couples may find it easier to avoid public displays of affection.
This article was first published Mar 2, 2022, and updated Nov 3, 2023.
