Organize your stay Bolivia

Money Money Bolivia

The currency is the boliviano, divided into 100 centavos. The Iso code for Bolivian currency is: BOB. Denominations are 10 (blue), 20 (orange), 50 (purple), 100 (red) and 200 (light brown) bolivianos. Coins are 10, 20 and 50 centimes, as well as 1, 2 and 5 bolivianos. Remember to carry notes of 5, 10 or 20 bolivianos for everyday expenses (transport, cabs and food). Small bills are often in poor condition. For them to be valid, the two serial numbers on the right and left of the bill must coincide. Wherever possible, all prices in this guide are given in bolivianos (Bs) and US dollars (US$), which are widely used in the country.

Exchange rates: 1 € = 7.3 Bs, 10 Bs = 1.37 €; 1 US$ = 6.93 Bs, 10 Bs = 1.44 US$ (early 2025). The Boliviano is pegged to the US dollar, despite some deflation against the latter in recent years.

Exchange offices and banks. Arrive with plenty of euros on you, as many as possible, so that you can change them in exchange offices as you travel, in stores or even directly on the street. The rate is very advantageous, much more so than the official ATM rate, due to the country's liquidity problems. It's impossible to take money out of Bolivia, and as in Argentina with the "dollar blue", here your euros are exchanged in a minimum value of €1 for 10 Bs, but up to 13 or 14 Bs, i.e. double the official rate, depending on the day! It's easy and very safe (no theft) to exchange your money. In this guide, we indicate where to exchange your euros in each major city.
Banks have cash dispensers, but they're not always well-stocked, so always carry a reserve of cash with you. When you withdraw euros, be sure to take out a large amount, as the local bank charges a fixed fee. The rate is in line with the official rate, and therefore much less advantageous than exchanging cash.

CB payment. Choose a card with no bank charges abroad (particularly online banks) for both withdrawals and payments, as it is possible to pay by CB in many places, which is handy for storing your cash as it goes quickly. Pay directly in bolivianos and not in dollars when asked to do so when entering the amount, as this is more advantageous for Europeans.

Budget & Tips Budget & Tips Bolivia

Standard of living. Since 2014, thanks to President Morales, the minimum wage is about Bs 1,440 per month, or about US$ 207, a sudden increase of more than 20% while the salary was regularly capped at around Bs 1,000. We will have understood that life is not expensive in Bolivia but that the population is not very rich. We can travel at a lower cost by eating local (10-15 Bs a menu in a market), by travelling with rudimentary buses (hardly more than 80 Bs for 20 hours of bus between La Paz and Rurrenabaque) and by sleeping as we can (camping if possible, dormitory most of the time). A small bottle of water costs 4 or 5 Bs in the street; a salchipapa (sausage/fries) or a hamburger no more than 6 or 7 Bs, still in the street. For a hairdresser, count between 25 and 50 Bs for a haircut. For a taxi, hardly more than 10 to 15 Bs the race... An excellent restaurant, however, does not charge more than 90 Bs per dish, which is about 10 €, which is quite reasonable! Domestic flights, with BoA or Amaszonas, are also very accessible (from 50 US$ in general). You can count your money every day to spend as little as possible, or have the luxury of a little splurge from time to time, because life is really cheap in Bolivia for a European. Please try not to grumble for nothing and especially not to haggle like a madman for 2 €!

Budget. For about the equivalent of 35 € per day, without counting the internal transport, you can enjoy good quality accommodation and epicurean food in the big cities. In the countryside, this budget can be considerably reduced.

Small budget: about 22 € per day and per person including one night in a youth hostel, meals taken on the go (market, kiosks...) and local bus trips.

Average budget: 35-60 € per day and per person, including a night in a hotel with private sanitary facilities and hot water, meals in restaurants, more comfortable buses, possibly one or two domestic flights and all-inclusive stays in the Amazon (for example)

Big budget: 65-110 € per day per person, including one night in an international hotel, excellent restaurants, private transfers and domestic flights, plus possible all-inclusive stays here and there

Tipping. It is normally already included in the bill, but there is nothing to stop you from thanking for good service or special attention... It is a habit that has been lost little by little, but it is still useful to "congratulate" those who make an effort and deserve it. You will be rewarded with a beautiful smile, be sure, and you will participate in improving the image of the French tourist who is always a little too close to his money.

Merchanting (pedir rebaja). "Rebájame Casero (or Casera)! This expression is used to establish a relationship of trust with the merchant, while asking for a discount. Bargaining is part of the Bolivian way of life, but discounts rarely exceed 25% of the original price. However, do not try to devalue the price of local handicrafts since their survival depends on it. The right price is also a sign of safety and quality, especially on an excursion. A few years ago, many North American "researchers" bought J'alqa (the best fabrics in Bolivia) at US$5 a piece, because the peasant women did not know the real value of their products. In fact, these pieces were worth a hundred times more. The Americans in question have dedicated a museum to them in San Diego. Moreover, J'alqa fabrics almost disappeared forever from Bolivian culture, as the women of the region needed to have earlier models to ensure the continuation of their production. While in other Latin American countries, haggling is part of the way of life, it is used much more sparingly in Bolivia. If it can appear as a game, it is necessary to remember that paying a fair price (certainly difficult to define) is a question of survival for the native and of respect for the visitor towards his hosts.

Taxes. Since your final destination is outside the European Union, you can benefit from Duty Free (tax-free purchases). Note that if you have a stopover in the European Union, you will benefit from this in all airports on the outbound journey, but not on the return. For example, for an outbound flight with a stopover, you will be able to do Duty Free shopping in all three airports, but not in the airport where you are staying on the return journey

Passport and visas Passport and visas Bolivia

Visa. For stays of less than 30 days, French, Belgian and Swiss nationals do not need a visa, but only a passport valid for 6 months from the date of entry into Bolivia. This entry permit can be renewed free of charge 2 times, in one visit, with the immigration service. Please note that if you have not renewed your authorization, you will be required to pay a fine when you leave the country, proportional to the number of days of infringement (20 Bs per day). No visa is required for stays of less than 90 days. If you plan to overstay, you must apply for a visa at the Bolivian embassy in France, as it is impossible to obtain one locally (12, Avenue du Président Kennedy 75016 Paris ✆ 01 42 24 93 44 - www.emboliviafrancia.fr).

Passports. All passports issued in France are now biometric. They include your photo, fingerprints and a secure chip. To obtain a passport, go to the Mairie (town hall) with a tax stamp, proof of address, proof of identity and two passport photos. The passport is issued in about three weeks. It is valid for ten years. Children must have a personal passport (valid for five years).

Tip. Before you leave, photocopy all the documents you'll be taking with you. Take one copy of each document with you and leave the other with someone in France. In the event of loss or theft, this will make it much easier to renew your passport with the consular authorities. You can also keep copies on the official website (mon.service-public.fr). Simply create an account and scan all your identity papers and other important documents into the confidential area.

Driver's license Driver's license Bolivia

Car hire is not recommended for inexperienced drivers. On the one hand, road signs are rare in Bolivia, and on the other, the tracks are poor and really require driving and... mechanical experience. Asphalted roads are few and far between, and you'll sometimes need a 4x4 to cross some of them. If you're not used to driving in the mountains, beware of the winding roads of the Andes, which can be an ordeal even for the most seasoned motorists... Especially as good travel agencies often hire out an extra driver for the same price. To rent a car, you need to be over 25, have an international driver's license (although, in practice, a national license is sufficient for short-term rentals), and have a credit card (Visa or MasterCard) which you can use to leave a signed form as a guarantee (don't leave the deposit blank, as they ask you to do...).

Health Health Bolivia

For advice before your trip, don't hesitate to consult your doctor. You can also contact the travel medicine society at the Institut Pasteur medical center at ✆ 01 45 68 80 88 (www.pasteur.fr/fr/centre-medical) or visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website under "Conseils aux voyageurs" (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/).

Your bank card or health insurance often comes with you in the event of a problem abroad. If you have a Visa® or MasterCard® bank card, you're automatically covered by medical insurance and repatriation assistance for any trip abroad lasting less than 90 days (you don't have to pay for your trip with your card to be covered; simply holding a valid card ensures you're covered). Ask your bank for details, and carefully check the overall amount of coverage and deductibles, as well as the conditions of coverage and exclusion clauses. Contact them before you leave to find out what to do in the event of a problem. They usually have a list of doctors and hospitals they work with, so you won't have to pay in advance. If you are not covered by one of these cards, don't forget to take out medical assistance before you leave.

The biggest problem in Bolivia is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). The famous sorojche is due to a person's difficulty in adapting to oxygen depletion, a direct consequence of altitude. Before you leave, consult your usual doctor, especially if you're over 60 and planning to visit the Andean part of Bolivia. If you're flying directly from France or a low-altitude country, it's best to plan your arrival in Santa Cruz de la Sierra rather than La Paz. This way, you'll gradually climb in altitude during your stay, and your body will acclimatize all the better. Don't underestimate this fact, as many travellers arriving directly in La Paz "waste" a few days of their trip acclimatizing. On the other hand, if you're coming from Peru or Chile, arriving in La Paz won't be a problem.

Water. It's not always easy to tell whether water has been purified or not. You can purify your water with disinfectant tablets (Aquatabs®, Drinkwell Chlore®, Micropur®), which you should take with you. Beware, however, that disinfectants do not protect against all water-borne microbes unless the water has been filtered beforehand. In any case, you'll need to be extremely vigilant. In many countries, especially Bolivia, water is a traveller's main enemy. Statistically, one traveller in two is affected by turista within the first forty-eight hours, and 80% of travel-related illnesses are directly attributable to contaminated water.

Mosquitoes. Malaria is a common disease in Bolivia, so it's important to protect yourself against mosquito bites. Prevention requires treatment prior to departure. If you're safe above 2,000 m, below this altitude, it's imperative to protect yourself, especially if you're planning to visit the Amazon rainforest. On site, use powerful repellents and wear suitable clothing (pants, long-sleeved sweatshirt, socks). At night, use a mosquito net and, for added safety, anti-mosquito sprays. These precautions also protect against dengue fever, yellow fever, the Zika virus and leishmaniasis, diseases also transmitted by mosquito species present in Bolivia.

Mandatory vaccination Mandatory vaccination Bolivia

To travel to Bolivia, you need to update your vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis. Vaccinations against typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B, and rabies are recommended. Vaccination against yellow fever is strongly recommended, and compulsory if you are coming from infected countries (certain African and South American countries). It is advisable to be vaccinated at least 2 weeks before departure. Tropical diseases are numerous in Bolivia and can affect anyone who fails to follow certain safety precautions. In the Amazon region, beware of mosquitoes, which can carry many diseases (Zika, dengue, malaria, etc.).

For more information, visit the Ministry of Health website (www.sante.gouv.fr) to find vaccination centers near you.

Security Security Bolivia

According to France Diplomatie (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/conseils-par-pays-destination/bolivie), Bolivia is not a particularly dangerous country, and violent attacks on tourists are fairly rare. Insecurity does exist, however, particularly in tourist areas where petty crime is rife(pickpockets, pickpocketing, etc.). It is therefore advisable to be vigilant.

Because of drugtrafficking and smuggling, and the large number of weapons in circulation, we strongly advise against visiting or staying in the border area with Brazil, unless there is a compelling reason to do so. It is recommended not to linger when crossing the land borders with Brazil, particularly at Guayaramerin (Beni department). The rest of the country is under reinforced vigilance.

It is advisable to register on the Ariane platform, particularly if you are travelling to isolated areas (Salar de Uyuni, Sud-Lípez, Sajama National Park, Amazonia) or in regions that are difficult to access, and especially during the rainy season (from December to April for the Yungas, Alto Beni, Beni, etc.), so that you can enter your planned itineraries on the platform.

Time difference Time difference Bolivia

Local time is GMT -4, so there's a 5-hour time difference with France in winter (when it's 8pm in Paris, it's 3pm in La Paz) and 6 hours in summer.

Spoken languages Spoken languages Bolivia

Spanish (castellano) is the language in all cities. In the countryside of the Altiplano or Oriente, you'll usually find at least a few people who speak Spanish, even if the local language is different (Aymara, Quechua, Guarani, etc.). Even in the big cities, very few people speak English or French.

Communication Communication Bolivia

In most major cities, hotels, restaurants and cafés offer free wi-fi connections. If your phone is unlocked, buying a local SIM card will give you access to an LTE connection. The Entel company offers attractive mobile packages ranging from 1 to 12 GB (20 to 100 Bs). You'll need to bring your passport with you when you buy the card. Top-up cards are available at many kiosks and grocery stores. To add digital data to your mobile from these, dial *109* followed by your prepaid card's 14-digit PIN code, followed by # and press the call key. For example: *109*12345678901234#. A top-up of 20 Bs is equivalent to 1 GB of internet data.

Electricity and measurements Electricity and measurements Bolivia

Bolivia uses the metric system, as in France. Electricity is 220V and 50Hz. Voltage is the same as in France, but its variations can sometimes damage computers (especially at 110 volts), and a small lightning plug may be useful for your electronic devices, especially your laptop! Sockets can be either round or rectangular in cross-section, but be sure to have an adapter handy (grounded sockets don't exist).

Luggage Luggage Bolivia

Dress code. The diversity of Bolivian climates requires frequent changes of clothing. Bolivia is an Andean country in the tropics, which means that in the Andes the weather is fine (between 15°C and 20°C) in the morning, but in the evening the temperature drops significantly. Clothes made of cotton or alpaca wool (which can easily be found locally) are the most suitable for these climatic fantasies. A down jacket will be welcome during the southern winter months (May to October). A Goretex jacket will be very useful during the months of August to October in the Andean part, especially for the expeditions in the Salar and the South-Lípez. On the other hand, in the Chaco and Chiquitania (Santa Cruz), cold winds coming from the south of Argentina, called surazo, can make the thermometer drop from 30°C to 10°C in the space of a few hours and with high humidity. Finally, you should know that from November to May, the rainy season rages throughout Bolivia. An umbrella costs 20 Bs... On sunny days, refreshing baths await you in the surroundings of Tarija, Santa Cruz, on the Isla del Sol or in Cochabamba. Also, don't forget your bathing suit.

Sunscreens are essential at high altitudes and in tropical regions. If you forgot to bring some, Bolivian pharmacies sell correct ones. Good sunglasses (if you lose them, there are several shops in the street Eloy-Salmon in La Paz or in Santa Cruz which sell glasses of very good quality, but a little more expensive than in Europe). If you plan to travel to Brazil or other Latin American countries, don't forget your international vaccination booklet (yellow fever is mandatory).

Sleeping bag in the Andean regions, and you will need a very good duvet if a 4x4 expedition on the Altiplano in winter is planned. Think of the inner bags in polar wool or silk which add 5°C and which remain useful for questions of hygiene (meat bags) in hotter regions

Small first aid kit. It is essential to take a small first aid kit (to be carried in the hold) with basic necessities: antidiarrheal, antihistamine (in case of allergies), antiseptic (for superficial wounds), ointment for burns in case of sunburn for example (frequent in altitude), high index sun cream, and after sun cream, lip cream with UV protection, paracetamol, anti-inflammatory, bandages, small scissors, mosquito repellent (type 5/5) if you go to the Oriente, the Yungas, and the Amazon, condoms, tampons (difficult to find outside the big cities), saline solution.