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General Information
Although
Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America, it is far from
being poor when you consider its
cultural wealth. It is country with vastly differing Amazonian and Andean landscapes.
Bolivia may not be for the mainstream tourist, but for the individual who is a
traveler, and enjoys exploring the remnants of mysterious ancient civilizations,
Bolivia is an
exciting destination. The country is landlocked and is the highest and
most isolated of the Latin American republics.
Passport and Visa
Information
Best Time To Go
Weather
Safety and Travel Warnings
Travel Insurance
Language
Currency
Electricity
When it comes to travel guides and other travel resource information, I personally prefer the travel guides and books put out by Fodor.
Check this chart to see what you need for entry into Bolivia
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Country of Citizenship |
Passport? |
Visa? | Return Ticket Required? |
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Australian |
Yes |
1 | Yes |
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British |
Yes | 1 | Yes |
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Canadian |
Yes | 1 | Yes |
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Japanese |
Yes | 1 | Yes |
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United States |
Yes | 1 | Yes |
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Other EU |
Yes | 1 | Yes |
Passports
Passports are required by all
visitors with the exception of holders of an identity card issued to nationals
of Argentina, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. For those
tourists needing a passport, the passport must be
valid for at least one year beyond the intended length of stay.
Visas
Required by all except the
following, provided traveling for tourist purposes:
►1.
nationals of countries mentioned in the chart above (except nationals of Malta
who do require a visa)
►nationals
of Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Holy See,
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Netherlands Antilles,
Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, The Philippines, Serbia & Montenegro,
Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay and Venezuela
►transit
passengers (except nationals of China (PR)) continuing their journey by the same
or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours, provided holding valid onward or
return documentation and not leaving the airport
Further, more detailed information can be found
on the
E-World Guide.
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Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
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Best Time To Go
The most popular and most
comfortable time for exploring the whole country is during winter (May to
October). It is during this time that the days are normally quite dry and clear. The high tourist season
is between late June and early September. Not only is this due to climatic
factors, but this is the normal vacation and holiday time for both Europeans and North Americans
as it coincides with their summer vacations. This is also the time for Bolivia's major
fiestas, and the best time for climbing.
As both international visitors and lots of South Americans are traveling during
this period, prices are generally higher than during the rest of the
year. Bolivia's climate ranges from stifling humidity and
heat to arctic cold. Summer (November to April) is the rainy season, when
overland transportation becomes difficult if not impossible in some areas. In
the lowlands it can be utterly miserable, with mud, high humidity, biting
insects and relentless tropical downpours.
Most of Bolivia lies near to the equator and its elevation and unprotected expanses result in some pretty unpredictable weather. As an example, climatic extremes put Puerto Suárez in an area with overwhelming heat, and Uyuni much colder with its icy, cold winds. The weather is so unpredictable that there are times when you can sunbathe in Uyuni and freeze in Puerto Suárez.
This makes packing for the trip rather difficult. Knowing what to pack depends not so much on when you go but how high you go. I therefore suggest you pack clothing that can be layered depending upon the temperature variations. In a town such as La Paz (12,000ft) you should pack for cold and very cool weather as the temperatures range from the mid-60s to overnight temperatures to the low single digits at night. Visit the Bolivian lowlands, however, and you'll be peeling off the layers, with average monthly highs sitting around 86°F. In both cases, the rain is generally less in the middle months, especially July; November to March at low altitudes are downright soaking.
Safety and Travel Warnings
In the major cities, with the exception of when there are street protests, strikes and demonstrations
(that are reasonably common); you will be fine as long as you use caution.
However, you should be aware that some of these protests have the potential to become violent. Some protests,
particularly in rural areas, can lead to road blockades that disrupt
transport and can remain in place for weeks or months. This can even
affect border
crossing. Travelers should use common sense and avoid becoming caught up
in such events and check local news sources to be aware of any
developments. Travelers contemplating a visit to the silver mines
of Potosí should be aware of the potential health risks before they
set out. I would suggest you check the
current warnings and advisories before you
plan your visit.
Click Here for information on travel insurance. The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.
Language
Although more than thirty additional languages are also spoken throughout the
country, the official languages of Bolivia are Spanish, Quechua, Aymara and Tupi
Guarani. Spanish and Quechua are spoken primarily in the Andes region, Aymara is
spoken in the east, and Guarani in the southeast on the border with Paraguay.
| You will enjoy your visit to Argentina if you know the language - or at least, some of the language. Visit the Getting Away Language Learning Center to find out how you can make your visit more meaningful. The Getting Away Language Learning Center will give you all of the information you will need to begin learning today! |
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Currency
The currency for Bolivia is the Boliviano (Code: BOB -
Symbol: B$). Often called pesos, bolivianos are extremely
difficult to exchange outside the country so it is important to exchange
them before leaving 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.
Sizeable towns have cajeros automaticos (ATMs which
dispense bolivianos in 50 and 100 notes and sometimes US
dollars as well). Though it's hard getting change for notes
larger than B$10.00 outside big cities, most banks will
break large bills.
Changing Your Money
For the most part, visitors can normally do quite well with US dollars, the only
foreign currency accepted throughout Bolivia. Euros are getting easier to change. Currencies of neighboring
countries may be exchanged in border areas, airports, and at
certain La Paz casas de cambio (currency exchange
houses). All casas de cambio change cash US dollars and some
change travelers checks. Changing travelers checks in
smaller towns is often impossible and it is best that you
always have local currency when you travel outside of the larger cities. You can often change money in travel agencies, jewelry or
appliance stores and pharmacies, as well as on the street.
When exchanging money you want to be sure to ask for smaller
denominations, as there are chronic problems with change. In
the larger cities, major international cards can be used at
ATMs and are widely accepted in many places.
Current Exchange Rate:
Check Today's Exchange Rate
Overall, visitors will find that prices are slightly lower here than in neighboring countries. Your highest expense will be for transportation, especially getting to the country (and, to a lesser extent, getting around, as the distances involved are great). If you are very careful, you can get by spending under $25 per day, but a better guess would be about double that. If you are into a lot of comfort and luxury, you can expect to spend upwards to $150 or over aday.
Tipping
Formal tipping is rather haphazard, with the exception of in
the nicer restaurants. Elsewhere,
locals leave coins amounting to a maximum of 10% of the total in
recognition of good service.
Electricity
The country runs on
220V 50Hz. The electrical outlets look like those pictured
below.
Find the converter you will need in the
Getting Away
Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and
everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or
to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you
need in the Getting
Away Travel Store!
If you have information that you believe should be added to this section, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Getting To and Around in Bolivia
Getting ThereAs there are only a few airlines offer direct flights to Bolivia, most visitors fly into another South American country and travel overland, which is generally cheaper. If you're determined to fly, flights to and from Chile and Peru are probably the cheapest. Santa Cruz is an increasingly popular entry point from Western European hubs. Flying into La Paz is more expensive than into Santa Cruz. Bolivia's principal international airports are La Paz's El Alto (tel: 2281 0240) and Santa Cruz' Viru-Viru International (tel: 181). An international departure tax (around B$25.00 ), is payable in cash at the airport. There's also a 15% tax on international airfares purchased in Bolivia. You can find flights on Getting Away.
Entering Bolivia by road from any of the neighboring countries is not too difficult, but the routes are poor from Brazil and Chile, and those from Paraguay should only be considered with a 4WD. Routes from Argentina and Peru, however, pose no major problems. Foreigners entering from another country need a hoja de ruta (circulation card), but these are normally readily available from the Servicio Nacional de Tránsito at the frontier. This must be presented and stamped at all police posts along highways and just outside major cities. Peajes (tolls) are often charged and private vehicles may be searched for contraband. Depending on where you enter from, you may need to change buses across the border.
Getting AroundDomestic air services are provided by TAM (military airline), Aereoste, Amazonas and Aereo Sur. Getting around by air can sometimes be quite a hassle. Be prepared for delays, cancellations and general unreliability.
Most people in Bolivia get around on the bus network. Most long-distance buses depart in the evening and travel through the night. If you want to see the countryside between towns, you're better off catching a truck, which is a popular mode of transport among campesinos - they're are half the price of buses, and half as comfortable.
There are two rail networks: one in the west and one in the east. The eastern network is completely chaotic; the western network is just disorganized. Since privatization in the mid-90s, passenger rail services have been drastically cut. Don't be fooled by trains with zippy names like tren expreso ; apart from the ferrobus , they're all excruciatingly slow.
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Cities,
Towns, and Areas of Bolivia Buena Vista Cochabamba Copacabana Coroico La Paz Potosí Rurrenabaque Santa Cruz Sucre
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Buena Vista
Buena Vista is a staging point for trips into the spectacular forested northern
lowland section of Parque Nacional Amboró. For a park entry permit and cabin
reservations visit Buena Vista's Sernap office, two blocks south of the plaza.
There are several places to sleep and eat, and camping is also possible in the
park.
Cochabamba
Cochabamba is set in a fertile valley and is one of Bolivia's most livable cities.
The almost perfect climate makes it a favorite for holiday visitors. The spacious avenues have a wide choice of restaurants,
eagerly grazed by the food crazy cochabambinos , but it still preserves
much character and boasts excellent nightlife.
Copacabana
A sparkling white Moorish-style cathedral that is located in the town of
Copacabana, is the location of the Fiesta de la Virgen de
Candelaria. Nearby Isla Suriqui is world-renowned for its totora reed
boats, while Isla Kalahuta is best known for its stone tombs. Isla Incas is reputed
in legend to have an underground network of passageways linking it
to the old Inca capital of Cuzco in Peru.
Coroico
Although this is the biggest town in the Yungas, the region where the high
Andes fall away into the Amazon Basin, this place has a feel more like a sleepy
hilltop village.
Coroico is warm year-round making it a great place for swimming and other water
sports, or just doing a bit of hammock-swinging with a cool drink and a good
book. If you are looking for outdoor activities, you will find hiking and mountain-biking.
These activities are more comfortable
and much safer during the dry season (April to October). The town festival takes
place on October 20, and Saturdays and Sundays are market days. Most shops and
restaurants close down completely on Mondays.
The first glimpse of sky-high La Paz is one of those sights that will almost take your breath away. In this mountain city', the buildings seem to hang on for dear life along the sides of the canyon as the spill spectacularly downwards into the valley. La Paz has a beauty that is all its own, and many people come here again and again to experience its quirky beauty. Most travelers enter this extraordinary city via the flat sparse plains of the sprawling city of El Alto. The approach to this city is great as you are unprepared for the sensational surprises of the valley below. La Paz is also one of those cities where you can simply enjoy doing nothing but wander at leisure through the alleys and lively markets and have a good time.
Potosí
Cerro Ricois is one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the Americas. This
is primarily due to the 'Rich Hill' full of silver, that has since dried up. Buy
the city is still considered wealthy and there is even a saying that when
something is very lucrative, it is said to
vale un Potosí (be worth a Potosí). However, once the silver mines dried up,
decline and poverty were the hard facts.
This lazy little frontier settlement is one of those places to string up a hammock and take it easy. It is located on the Río Beni and considered to be the loveliest of the Bolivian lowland villages. It's also the base for tours into the rainforest and lowland pampas of the Amazon Basin, where you can spot caiman, anaconda and piranhas, or stay in an eco-lodge in Madidi national park.
Santa Cruz
This is Bolivia's most populous city and is both fashionable and a city with a
multicultural vibe. Where there were once only thick tropical forests, there is
now large-scale sugarcane, rice, cotton and soybean
plantations that dominate the lowlands east of the city. Santa Cruz is a nice
destination at any
time of year, but the Eastern Lowlands can be pretty miserable during the rainy
season from November to April so it is best to not visit then. The high tourist season is June to September,
when the weather is generally warm and dry. February is a great time to visit as
that is when Santa Cruz's main festival, Carnaval, is in full swing. Other big events include International Theater Festival in April
(odd years only) and the two-week fair ExpoCruz in September.
Sucre
Gorgeous whitewashed Sucre, whose elegant patioed houses and noble churches make
it the nation's most handsome city, is still the judicial capital of the
country. It was here that Bolivian independence was declared in 1825, and it's
still known as the 'Cradle of Liberty.'
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Attractions and
Things to See and Do
El Fuerte
Laguna Verde
Lake Titicaca
Parque Nacional Amboró
Parque Nacional Madidi
Salar de Uyuni
Tiahuanaco
El Fuerte
El Fuerte was designated in 1998 as a Unesco World Heritage Site, and
it is no wonder. El Fuerte
occupies a hilltop that provides visitors with breathtaking views across the rugged
transition zone between the Andes and low-lying areas further east.
This mysterious pre-Inca site is like a magnet that exudes such pulling power that visitors
from all over the world come to Samaipata just to wonder at the remains. The
purpose of El Fuerte has long been debated, and there are several
theories with the most prevalent one being that the site had been used for
defense, hence its Spanish name, 'the fort,' even though there is no
actual fort on the site. In 1832, French naturalist Alcides
d'Orbigny proclaimed that the pools and parallel canals had been
used for washing gold. In 1936, German anthropologist Leo Pucher
described it as an ancient temple to the serpent and the jaguar.
Recently the place has gained a New Age following; some have claimed
that it was a take-off and landing ramp for ancient spacecraft. But
in actual fact, who cares? El Fuerte is just one of those ancient places in the
world that deserve a visit.
Laguna Verde
The Spanish word for green, Verde, is perfect
in describing the incredible color of
this stunningly blue-green lake that stands at over 14,000
feet. The coloration of the lake comes from
high concentrations of lead, sulfur, arsenic and calcium
carbonates. The lake is framed with the
cone of Volcán Licancabur, whose summit is said to have once
sheltered an ancient Inca crypt. Some tours include an
ascent of Licancabur and, although it presents no technical
difficulties, the wind, temperature, altitude and
volcanic pumice underfoot make it quite
tiresome and grueling.
Lake Titicaca
Traditionally regarded as the highest navigable body of water in the
world, Lake
Titicaca is immense: its dimensions measure 145 miles from
northwest to southeast, and 60 miles from northeast to southwest. It
has a butiful indented shoreline and 36 islands that stand out in in its exceptionally
clear sapphire-blue water. Titicaca is as much revered by the Indians who
live on its shores as it is by the tourists that visit there. The Islas del Sol and de la Luna in
the lake are legendary sites in Incan creation myths. The main
town in the area is Copacabana, which has a sparkling white
Moorish-style cathedral and is host to the Fiesta de la Virgen de
Candelaria. Isla Suriqui is world-renowned for its totora reed
boats, Isla Kalahuta for its stone tombs and Isla Incas is reputed
in legend to have an underground network of passageways linking it
to the old Inca capital of Cuzco in Peru.
Parque Nacional Madidi
The remarkable Río Madidi watershed is the most
biodiverse of the earth's protected regions, with the most
ecologically sound section being found within the
boundaries of Parque
Nacional Madidi. This park encompasses a large range of
wildlife habitats, from torrid rain forests to Andean
glaciers at almost 20,000 feet. Researchers have
observed over 1000 bird species here (10% of the
world's known avian species) and is popular with birding
visitors. Populated stretches along the Río Tuichi remain
territorio comunitario original. This allows
the indigenous peoples to continue with their traditional
practices of hunting, fishing and using other forest
resources. So far, the Quechua, Araona and Tacana
communities are coexisting successfully with the park.
The more adventurous and self-sufficient
traveler can enjoy the park's fringes independently, but must
register with the Sernap (Bolivia's national park
service) office in San Buenaventura and must be
accompanied by an authorized guide. Otherwise, arrange a
trip with one of the ecotourism companies in
Rurrenabaque.
This is the world's largest salt flat. Sitting at almost 12,000 feet, and covering over 4.500 square miles, it is a spectacular site. It was part of a prehistoric salt lake, Lago Minchín, which once covered most of southwest Bolivia. When it dried up, along with a few seasonal puddles and several smaller salt pans, it left the huge Salar de Uyuni. The savage beauty of this vast salt desert makes it one of South America's most awe-inspiring spectacles. From strange islands in a sea of blindingly bright salt to delicately colored mineral lakes in the Andean mountains. This is one of those places you will long remember after your visit to this unforgettable Bolivian landscape.
Tiahuanaco
Although no one is certain whether it was ever the capital of
a nation, Tiahuanaco was most probably an important and great
ceremonial center. At its peak, the city had a
population of 20,000 inhabitants. Although only a small
part of the original site has been excavated,
Tiahuanaco represents one of the greatest megalithic
architectural achievement of pre-Inca South America.
The most outstand structure is the Akapana
pyramid, which was built on an existing geological
formation. At its footprint covers
a surface area of a bit over 2,000 square feet. In the
center of the flat summit is an oval-shaped sunken area,
which some sources attribute to an early
Spanish excavation. The presence of a stone drain in the
center, however, has led some archaeologists to believe
it was used for water storage. Because much of the
original Akapana went into the construction of nearby
homes and churches, the pyramid is now in a rather sorry
state.
If you have information that you believe should be added to this section, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Click on Search By City For Hotels And Other Accommodations in Bolivia. There is never a booking charge when you book on any hotel listed on the Search By City For Hotels And Other Accommodations in Bolivia link. However, each individual hotel or hotel group may have cancellation charges. Be sure to check the cancellation policy for the hotel before you book. Both of these sites will keep you on the Getting Away travel site where you can always expect the best prices and quality services.
If you
choose to use one of the many Internet hotel search engines, or other
companies such as:
Expedia.com,
Hotwire,
Hotels.com,
HotelClub, HotelPronto,
Travelocity,
Priceline,
Orbitz,
1.800.USA Hotels
and more; you can find them on the
Getting
Away Accommodations Information Pages. However, remember that
when you leave Getting Away and book with one of the other companies, you
are bound by their policies for charges such as reservation and cancellation
charges. Your best bet - stay with Getting Away - your Internet travel
company with a personal touch. Jim.
If you have information that you believe should be added to this section, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
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At
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the lowest fare or best schedule on over 400 airlines, but you can also
find
Great
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| Book Hostels in Bolivia Online You can also find a hostel almost anywhere in the world through Experience Paradise, a partner of Getting Away. |
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If you have information that you believe should be added to this section, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Dining
in Bolivia
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information that you believe should
be added to this section, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
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| Book Hostels in Bolivia Online You can also find a hostel almost anywhere in the world through Experience Paradise, a partner of Getting Away. |
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| You will enjoy your visit to Argentina if you know the language - or at least, some of the language. Visit the Getting Away Language Learning Center to find out how you can make your visit more meaningful. The Getting Away Language Learning Center will give you all of the information you will need to begin learning today! |
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If you have something you believe should be added to this page of Getting Away, please send it to Jim at Getting Away. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
