Bolivia

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We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us

Adventure

Bolivia is not for the faint of heart: rattling down the World's Most Dangerous Road into sultry Yungas; soaring breathless above verdant La Paz valleys in a paraglider; jumping on a horse for a Wild West adventure near Tupiza; pulling a catfish that outweighs you out of an Amazon river (and maybe cooking it for dinner!). Whether your tools are crampons and an ice axe for scaling 6000m Andean peaks, or a helmet and bravado for jumping into the abyss on a glider, Bolivia's rocks, rivers and ravines will challenge – nay, provoke – you into pushing your own personal limits.

Culture

Bolivians love a parade, and hardly a month passes without a procession of brightly costumed celebrants honoring an important historical date or deity. You'll hear them from blocks away before the brass bands and whirligigging dancers approach and envelop you (you may even get to join in). Learn about the history and culture of the country's indigenous peoples at excellent museums, and through the continued presence of traditions and customs in everyday life. Bolivia has South America’s largest percentage of indigenous people – get to know them better by participating in community-based tourism and hiring local guides.

Nature

Bolivia is so biodioverse that unique species are being discovered to this day. Tiptoe into caves of tube-lipped nectar bats, their tongues probing the darkness. Tread lightly on the terrain of the poisonous annellated coral snake, deadly in look and effect. Listen for the cackling call and response of a dozen different macaw species (among 1000 bird species) including the world’s rarest, the bluebeard, which can only be found here. Multihued butterflies and moths flit at your feet in the jungle; lithe alpacas and vicuñas stand out in the stark altiplano. Deep in the forest live jaguars, pumas and bears.

Food & Drink

Ever had a llama tenderloin? Here’s your chance, maybe with a glass of Tarija wine. Bolivia's food is as diverse as its peoples and you'll find new delicacies to sample in every town. Markets are a good place to start, though the steaming pots of unfamiliar concoctions might test your nerve. Freshly blended fruit juices will no doubt become a daily habit, and Yungas coffee can be found in a number of new cafes that are popping up around Bolivia. La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz have thriving restaurant scenes where you can sample contemporary takes on traditional local dishes.

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Location

Bolivia is located in central South America. Bolivia is bordered by Peru and Chile to the west, Brazil to the north and east, and Paraguay and Argentina to the south.

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west central South America, bordered by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru. With an area of 1,098,581 km² (424,164 sq mi) the country is about twice the size of Spain, or slightly less than three times the size of the U.S. state of Montana.

Transportation

Bolivia is home to Mi Teleférico, the world's first urban transit network to use cable cars as the primary mode of transportation. This system services the twin cities of El Alto and La Paz, and increased physical and social mobility within Bolivia. Radio Taxis are the safest option as they are operated by a legal taxi company. These are the taxis that have a number to call posted on the top of the taxi. In some of the bigger cities you will also be able to find Uber, Easy Taxi or other ridesharing apps.

Languages Spoken

Spanish is the main and official language of Bolivia. However there are some 39 other living languages used in the country spoken by people in different regions. Examples include Aymara, Chiquitano, Chiriguano and Guyara. Some 50% of the population have an indigenous language as their mother tongue.

Currency

Bolivianos, the official currency of Bolivia, are necessary for travelers to the country. Although you can use U.S. dollars in larger cities and larger stores in Bolivia, you will need the local currency when you travel into the smaller towns and more remote regions. 100$b is approx $18.47

Visas

AU nationals do not require a visa to enter Bolivia. You will be granted an initial 30 day stay which you can extend two times for a further 30 days, free of charge. Remember, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended length of stay.  We would recommend checking this before you depart in case rules change. 

Electricity

Most of Bolivia uses 220-230 volt outlets so you can use electrical/electronic devices brought from home if the standard voltage in your country is between 220V and 240V. Be aware that some older buildings in La Paz still use 110 volt oulets so make sure to double-check before using your device.

Vaccinations

If you have been in a country at high risk of yellow fever, you will need to prove you have had the vaccination. We advise that you take out comprehensive travel insurance for your stay, practice strict mosquito bite avoidance at all times and seek pre-travel health advice from your provider 6-8 weeks in advance of travel. 

Emergency Calls

112 is a common emergency telephone number that can be dialed free of charge from most mobile telephones and, in some countries, fixed telephones in order to reach emergency services (ambulance, fire and rescue, police).

When to visit
Best time to visit the destination

Some consider May to October the best time to visit Bolivia as this is the dry season, however prices will be higher and attractions will be busier. During August and September there’s typically agricultural work which results in a lot of farmland being burned and so we don’t recommend these months for travel.  

What to do?
Don’t miss to challenge your world

Visiting Salar de Uyuni

An evocative and eerie sight, the world’s largest salt flat measures 12,106 sq km and sits at 3653m (11,984ft). When the surface is dry, the salar is a pure white expanse of the greatest nothing imaginable – just blue sky, white ground and you. When there’s a little water, the surface perfectly reflects the clouds and the blue altiplano sky, and the horizon disappears. If you’re driving across the surface at such times, the effect is surreal; it’s hard to believe that you’re not flying through the clouds.

Visiting Parque Nacional Madidi

The 18,000-sk-km Parque Nacional Madidi is one of South America’s most intact ecosystems, taking in a range of habitats from steaming lowland rainforests to 6000m Andean peaks. This little-trodden utopia is home to an astonishing variety of Amazonian wildlife: 44% of all mammal species in North and South America, 38% of neotropical amphibian species and more than 1000 species of bird. Some scientists call it the most biodiverse place on earth.

Visiting Cordillera Real

 Bolivia’s Cordillera Real has more than 600 peaks over 5000m, most of which are relatively accessible and many of which are just a few hours’ drive from La Paz. They’re also still free of the growing bureaucracy attached to climbing and trekking in the Himalaya. There are many peaks to entice the experienced climber, and whether you choose a well-known climb or one of the lesser known, climbing in the Bolivian Andes is always an adventure. The area also has fun treks, bikes and hikes for non-climbers, so you can build your own adventure.

Visiting Isla del Sol

Easily the highlight of any Lake Titicaca excursion, Isla del Sol is a large island with several traditional communities, decent tourist infrastructure such as hotels and restaurants, a few worthwhile pre-Columbian ruins, amazing views, great hikes through terraced hills and, well, lots of sun.

You ask, we answer
FAQs about Bolivia

How many time zones does Bolivia have?

Bolivia has the 46th-most number of time zones (1) among all countries in the world. The top 10 time zones by country are: France, Russia, United States, Antarctica, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Brazil.

The economy of Bolivia is the 95th largest economy in the world in nominal terms and the 87th economy in terms of purchasing power parity. It is classified by the World Bank to be a lower middle income country. With a Human Development Index of 0.675, it is ranked 119th (medium human development).

Bolivia is a landlocked nation, which means every border of Bolivia is a border with another country, and so it does not have a sea. It used to own some of the Pacific coast, but it lost it in 1879 in the War of the Pacific.

Bolivia's main tourist destinations - La Paz and Lake Titicaca - are connected by good paved roads taking about an hour. Other major destinations, such as Sucre-Potosi and Cochabamba, are reached by daily air service. There is a Visit Bolivia Airpass but if you are doing only one destination reached by air, regular roundtrip fares generally provide the lesser expensive way to get there.

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