Everything you need to know for your trip to Bolivia! What is the currency in Bolivia, and do you need to protect yourself against mosquitos? What’s the best time to go, and where can you find vegetarian or vegan food? And more questions answered about travelling in Bolivia, South America in this ultimate guide.
📍Geography & Places to Visit in Bolivia
Bolivia, like most other countries in South America, is a relatively safe place to visit as long as you stick to the established tourist circuit. If you head off the beaten path you’re more likely to run into trouble, but don’t worry because there is more than enough to see and adventures to be had without going to far afield.
Here’s a quick rundown of the main places you should visit in Bolivia:
La Paz
La Paz is the world’s highest capital city, sitting at a breathtaking 3,650m (11,975ft) above sea level. If you’re flying into Bolivia then this is probably where you’ll begin your trip, as El Alto International Airport in La Paz is the main international airport in Bolivia. Be careful, though, because this altitude can make you sick if you go straight there from sea level. It’s quite common to arrive in La Paz after visiting Lake Titicaca, Cusco and other higher-altitude places in Peru, which is an ideal route to take because it helps you adjust to the altitude more slowly.
La Paz is known for its unique cable car system, the Witches’ Market, and stunning views of the Illimani mountain.
Salar de Uyuni
Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat, and probably Bolivia’s most famous attraction. This stunning white salt flat goes on for miles, creating incredible photo opportunities, especially during the rainy season when it becomes a giant mirror. Most people visit on multi-day tours from Uyuni town or La Paz, which can also include a visit to the colourful lagoons and desert landscapes of the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve.
Sucre
Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia. It is a beautiful colonial city known for its white-washed buildings and mild climate. It’s a popular place to study Spanish and experience authentic Bolivian culture, as the capital city of La Paz is more international and caters a lot to tourists. Fun fact: Sucre is also home to Cal Orck’o, which has the world’s largest collection of dinosaur footprints.
Potosí
Once the wealthiest city in the Americas due to its silver mines, Potosí is the highest city of its size in the world at 4,090m (13,420ft). Even higher than La Paz! I didn’t visit Potosí when I was travelling in Bolivia, but I can imagine it just about takes your breath away.
The mines, which are still active, are UNESCO World Heritage sites, although I would encourage you to consider the ethical implications of mine tours before you go.
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is well known as the world’s highest navigable lake, on the border between Bolivia and Peru. I found Lake Titicaca a little underwhelming overall, although we missed our trip to Isla del Sol because our bus got stuck in hours of roadworks traffic. From Copacabana, the Bolivian town on the shores of Lake Titicaca, you can take boats to the Isla del Sol, where Inca ruins and traditional communities give travellers insight into Bolivia’s rich history and culture.
🌎 Bolivia’s Borders
Bolivia borders five different countries, but not all of them are easy or feasible to cross.
Land border crossings in South America can require careful preparation, so make sure you check requirements before you go and, if you’re unsure, choose a bus company that has border assistance.
Always make sure you get your passport stamped (except for in Argentina, where they no longer stamp passports).
Bolivia-Peru border
The most popular border crossing between Bolivia and Peru is at Lake Titicaca. This is a well-travelled route and is relatively straightforward, and the border officials are used to seeing tourists. If you want help to cross the border, consider using PeruHop, a bus service that comes with border assistance.
Bolivia-Chile border
The crossing between Uyuni (Bolivia) and San Pedro de Atacama (Chile) is another common among travellers. It’s quite common for travellers to start their tour of Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia and end their tour in Chile as an easy way to cross. Be prepared for high altitude, and sometimes lengthy processing times.
Bolivia-Brazil border
Several crossings exist, but as far as I know none of them are particularly accessible. According to my research (not my personal experience!) the most used being at Corumbá-Puerto Suárez, which is popular for travellers heading to or from the Pantanal.
Bolivia-Argentina border
The La Quiaca-Villazón crossing is the most frequently used crossing between Bolivia and Argentina. This is the crossing that I did, and I have to say it was quite hard to organise and definitely far off the tourist trail. At both border towns I was definitely the only white person in sight, although I didn’t feel particularly unsafe.
Bolivia-Paraguay border
The border between Bolivia and Paraguay is very seldom used, because it’s very far from large cities or tourist attractions on either side. I don’t know how safe it is, but unless you’re taking a very large detour, you’re unlikely to find out!
🌦 Weather in Bolivia & When to Go
Touristy Seasons in Bolivia
The main tourist season in Bolivia is during the dry season, from May to October. July and August are generally the busiest, because they see the summer holidays in the northern hemisphere. I went to Bolivia in March this year, and found that it wasn’t very touristy around this time! The shoulder seasons, which are generally considered to be April/May and October/November are the best time to go if you want to try and avoid rain as well as other tourists!
Rainy Season in Bolivia
The rainy season in Bolivia is from from November to March. During this time, the rain can become so bad that some roads become impassable, especially in rural areas. However, this is the best time to visit the Salt Flats if you want to see the mirror effect. When I was in Bolivia in March this year, it was quite cloudy most of the time but I got quite lucky to avoid much rain.
Dry Season in Bolivia
May to October brings clear, sunny days but very cold nights, especially at high altitudes. This is the best time for hiking and outdoor activities in Bolivia.
Climate Variations
Bolivia’s climate generally differs depending on the altitude that you’re at rather than the time of year you go. Up in high altitude cities like La Paz and Lake Titicaca, the weather tends to be cold and dry. In the valleys, the weather is more mild, but you get more rain. The lowlands (which are hard to come by in Bolivia, to be honest!) are more tropical.
Sunrise & Sunset in Bolivia
Sunrise and sunset times in Bolivia don’t vary too much throughout the country, or throughout the year. You can generally expect sunrise to be between 5 and 6am every day, and sunset to be between 6 and 7pm.
🚍 Getting Around & Public Transport in Bolivia
Local Buses
To get between cities in Bolivia, it’s relatively safe and common to use the local buses (coaches). They’re not as comfortable as the buses you get in Peru and Argentina, but they’re not as bad as everyone told me they would be! Book online if you can (so you’re notified of any timetable changes), but you will find a lot more options by buying your ticket in person at the bus station.
Tourist Buses
If you want a more comfort option, there are also buses and transfers made especially for tourists. One I used myself was BoliviaHop (aka PeruHop, but in Bolivia). I wrote a whole review on my experience with PeruHop here.
🚌 Book your tickets with: BusBud
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Flights
Sometimes taking an internal flight is the best way to travel, because of the mountain roads between cities. If you do travel by plane, make sure to check if you’re doing a big altitude change and prepare for it before you travel! The main domestic airlines are BOA and Amaszonas.
Trains
There are very few trains in Bolivia. The only one I know of is the Ferrobus (which takes the same route as the now-discontinued Wara Wara Express). You can take it to Uyuni as an adventurous and scenic alternative to the bus.
Shared Taxis (Trufis)
Trufis run set routes within cities and between nearby towns and cities. They’re not recommended as they can be unsafe, but I can’t tell you myself because I didn’t get the chance to try one when I was in Bolivia!
Uber
Uber is a cheap and safe way to get around in Bolivia, however it is only available in major cities like La Paz and Sucre.
Cable Car
La Paz is home to Mi Teleférico, which is the biggest urban cable car network in the world! It works just like the metro, but in the sky, with a several lines servicing various neighbourhoods around the city. When I was there, a friend and I spent an entire day exploring La Paz via cable car.
🍽 Food in Bolivia
Bolivia, especially La Paz, is known for having high quality restaurants for low prices, offering all kinds of cuisines from around the world. It’s one of the cheapest countries to fine dine in South America!
Vegetarians & Vegans
Vegetarian options are becoming increasingly available in tourist areas, especially in La Paz and Sucre. I was vegetarian when I was travelling in Bolivia, and I never struggled to find something to eat. (Although, I did spend a lot of my time in La Paz in lockdown in our hostel due to a nationwide census…).
Traditional Bolivian cuisine is meat-heavy, but you’ll find plenty of corn, potatoes, and quinoa-based dishes too. Being vegan in Bolivia would be more challenging, but definitely possible with some planning.
Is Street Food Safe?
Street food can be safe in Bolivia, but it is known to be one of those countries where everyone gets sick at least once during their stay (I didn’t, so touch wood for next time…). The best way to stay healthy whilst eating street food is to choose busy stalls where you see locals lining up, and eat fully-cooked foods (i.e. no side salad, please).
Can You Drink Tap Water in Bolivia?
No, the tap water isn’t safe to drink anywhere in Bolivia. Stick to bottled or filtered water, and avoid ice in drinks unless you’re sure it’s been made with purified water.
🤟 Languages in Bolivia
What Languages Do They Speak in Bolivia?
The main language in Bolivia is Spanish, but the country is proudly multilingual, with Quechua and Aymara, both indigenous, are also official languages. These, and other native languages, are widely spoken in more rural areas in Bolivia, though most will speak at least some Spanish. In larger cities and touristy areas, the main language is usually Spanish.
Do People Speak English in Bolivia?
You will find some level of English in tourist businesses like hotels, hostels and tour operators, but generally the level of English is quite low in Bolivia. In markets, local shops, and on public transport, you’ll rarely find English speakers. It’s worth learning at least a basic level of Spanish before you go!
Language Schools
Bolivia, especially Sucre, has become a popular destination for learning Spanish because it’s quite an affordable place to live and take classes. I heard more than one story of people who had gone to Bolivia to learn Spanish and ended up staying for months! Most schools offer both one to one and group classes, and can arrange a homestay with a local family for a more immersive experience (although I have heard mixed reviews on those).
💵 Money & Currency in Bolivia
What is the currency in Bolivia?
The currency in Bolivia is the Boliviano (BOB), named after Simón Bolívar, the country’s independence hero. At the time of writing, the exchange rate is about 6.90 Bolivianos to 1 US Dollar, but always check before you buy anything expensive because it can change!
How much does it cost to withdraw money in Bolivia?
Most banks charge withdrawal fees of between 15 and 30 Bolivianos per transaction, although there was one slightly peculiar looking ATM close to our hostel in La Paz that did withdrawals for free! Most ATMs, especially in big cities, will offer withdrawals in either Bolivianos or US Dollars, but US Dollars aren’t widely accepted.
BCP (Banco de Crédito) and Banco Unión are generally the most reliable ATMs for international cards.
Do they take card in Bolivia?
Not a lot… Many places around Bolivia, including even some hotels and hostels, are cash-only, so expect to take and use a lot of cash whilst you’re there. Even places that do take card often charge a fee, and a lot of places have connectivity issues, too.
⛑ Safety and Medical Care in Bolivia
Tourist Areas & the Tourist Trail
As you will have read about above, Bolivia has well-established tourist routes that connect major attractions like La Paz, Salar de Uyuni, and Lake Titicaca. These areas are generally safe and the locals are accustomed to seeing a lot of travellers. If you want to venture off the tourist trail, you’ll need to plan carefully and maybe take a local guide, too. Most locals are friendly and helpful, but exercise caution anyway, just as you would anywhere in South America.
Pickpockets
Petty theft like pickpocketing is are by far the most common crimes to affect tourists in Bolivia. Make sure you keep your belongings close to you in crowded areas like markets and on public transport. If you’re going out after dark, make sure you get a taxi or walk in groups, don’t walk alone at nighttime.
Violent Crime
Bolivia has a fairly low rate of violent crime, especially towards tourists, but it’s still important to stay aware and use common sense. Most serious crime happens outside of tourist areas, and rarely affects visitors who take even basic precautions.
Taking a Local Guide
Local guides are invaluable, especially for activities like hiking in rural areas or exploring less-visited regions. They’re not only important for your safety, but can also give you a really authentic cultural experience, and by paying a local guide you’re contributing to the local economy.
Can you drink the tap water in Bolivia?
Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Bolivia, you must drink bottled or filtered water. Most hotels and hostels will provide somewhere to refill bottles with filtered water.
Travel Insurance & What to do if you get ill
Travel insurance is really important for any trip, including Bolivia. Make sure to read the small print, because hiking and doing activities at high-altitude can be classed as an additional risk factor that you need to pay a premium for. For minor medical concerns, there are lots of pharmacies in Bolivia that can help you.
If you have any serious medical issues, go to a private hospital in a major city (La Paz, Santa Cruz, or Sucre), don’t go to a public hospital.
Mosquitos & Tropical Diseases
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is a major concern in Bolivia, especially if you fly into a high altitude city because you won’t have time to acclimatise. Stay hydrated, take it easy, and use altitude sickness medication if necessary.
Dengue Fever
The risk of dengue fever in Bolivia varies by region and season. There’s more risk of contracting dengue fever in lowland areas and during the rainy season, and less risk at higher altitudes.
Yellow Fever
The yellow fever vaccine is recommended for travel to Bolivia, and it may be required if you’re entering the country from Brazil or another country where yellow fever is present. Make sure you get the vaccine at least 10 days before entering a yellow fever risk area.
Malaria
Malaria is mostly only a risk in the Amazonian areas of Bolivia, but double check before you travel anywhere in case you need antimalarial medication.