Organize your stay Bolivia
Money Bolivia
The currency is the boliviano, divided into 100 centavos. The Iso code of the Bolivian currency is: BOB. The denominations are 10 (blue), 20 (orange), 50 (purple), 100 (red) and 200 (light brown) bolivianos. The coins are 10, 20 and 50 cents as well as 1, 2 and 5 bolivianos. Remember to carry 5, 10 or 20 boliviano bills for everyday expenses (transportation, cabs and food). Small bills are often in poor condition. In order for them to be valid, the two serial numbers on the right and left sides of the bill must coincide. Whenever possible, all prices in this guide are given in Bolivianos (Bs) and American dollars (US$), which are widely used in the country.
Exchange rates: 1 € = 6.95 Bs, 10 Bs = 1.44 €; 1 US$ = 6.92 Bs, 10 Bs = 1.45 US$ (summer 2022). The Boliviano is pegged to the US dollar, despite some deflation against it in recent years
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 Bolivia
Visa. For a stay of less than 30 days, French, Belgian and Swiss nationals do not need a visa, only a passport still valid for 6 months from the date of entry into Bolivia. This entry permit can be renewed free of charge twice, in one visit, at the immigration service. Be careful, if you have not renewed your authorization, a fine will be required when you leave the territory, proportional to the number of days of infraction (20 Bs per day). No visa is required for any stay of less than 90 days. If you plan to exceed this length of stay, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy of Bolivia in France as it is impossible to obtain one on site (12, Avenue du Président Kennedy 75016 Paris ✆ 01 42 24 93 44 - www.emboliviafrancia.fr). The conditions of entry in times of pandemic were in perpetual evolution and we strongly advise you to inform you on the site www.diplomatie.gouv.fr to know the last updates
Passports. All passports issued in France are now biometric. They include your photo, your fingerprints and a secure chip. To obtain a passport, go to the town hall with a tax stamp, proof of address, an identity document and two passport photos. The passport is issued within about three weeks. It is valid for ten years. Children must have a personal passport (valid for five years).
Advice. Before leaving, remember to photocopy all the documents you take with you. Take one copy of each document with you and leave the other with someone in France. In case of loss or theft, the renewal process will be much simpler with the consular authorities. You can also keep copies on the official website (mon.service-public.fr). All you have to do is create an account and scan all your identity documents and other important documents in the confidential area
Driver's license Bolivia
Renting a car is not recommended for inexperienced drivers. On the one hand, road signs are rare in Bolivia, on the other hand the tracks are bad and really require experience in driving and in... mechanics. Asphalt roads are rare and you will sometimes need a 4x4 to cross some roads. If you are not used to driving in the mountains, beware of the winding roads of the Andes, which can be a challenge even for the most seasoned drivers... Especially since good travel agencies often rent a driver for the same price. To rent a car, you need to be over 25 years old, have an international driving license (even if, in practice, a national license is enough for a short term rental), and have a credit card (Visa or MasterCard) which will allow you to leave a signed form as a guarantee (do not leave the counterfoil as a deposit as they ask you to do...)
Health Bolivia
To receive advice before your trip, do not 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 go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website under the heading "Advice to travelers" (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/).
Your bank card or your health insurance company often accompanies you in case of a problem abroad. If you have a Visa® or MasterCard® bank card, you are automatically covered by medical insurance and repatriation assistance for any trip abroad lasting less than 90 days (you do not need to pay for your trip with your card to be covered; simply holding a valid card provides you with coverage). Ask your bank for information and check carefully 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 if you have a problem there. They generally have a list of doctors and hospitals with which they collaborate, which will avoid you having to pay in advance. If you are not covered by one of these cards, do not forget to subscribe to a medical assistance before leaving.
In Bolivia, the major problem remains the acute mountain sickness (MAM), or Accute Mountain Sickness (AMS). The famous sorojche is due to the difficulties for a person to adapt to the rarefaction of oxygen, direct consequence of the altitude. Before your departure, consult your usual doctor, especially if you are over 60 years old and intend to go to the Andean part of Bolivia. If you arrive by plane directly from France or from a country located at low altitude, it is preferable to plan an arrival in Santa Cruz de la Sierra rather than in La Paz. This way, you will gradually climb in altitude during your stay and your body will acclimatize all the better. Don't underestimate this fact, in fact many travelers arriving directly in La Paz "lose" a few days of their trip to acclimatize. On the other hand, if you come from Peru or Chile, an arrival in La Paz will not be a problem
Water. It is not always easy to know if the water has been purified or not. You can purify your water with disinfectant tablets (Aquatabs®, Drinkwell Chlore®, Micropur®) that you will have taken with you. But be careful, the different disinfectants do not protect against all microbes transmitted by the water unless it has been filtered beforehand. In any case, you will have to be very vigilant. In many countries, and in particular in Bolivia, water is the main enemy of the traveller. Statistically, one out of two travellers is affected by turista during the first forty-eight hours and 80% of the diseases contracted during a trip are directly attributable to contaminated water
Mosquitoes. Malaria is a common disease in Bolivia, so it is important to protect yourself properly against mosquito bites. Prevention requires treatment prior to departure. If you do not fear anything from 2 000 m of altitude, below, it is imperative to protect you, especially if you intend to go in the Amazonian forest. On site, use powerful repellents and wear suitable clothing (trousers, long-sleeved sweatshirt, socks). At night, a mosquito net is a must, complemented for more security by the use of anti-mosquito sprays. These precautions also help to protect against dengue fever, yellow fever, the Zika virus or leishmaniasis, diseases also carried by species of mosquitoes present in Bolivia
Mandatory vaccination Bolivia
To go to Bolivia, you must update your diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis vaccination. Vaccinations against typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B and rabies are recommended. Vaccination against yellow fever is strongly recommended and is compulsory if you come from infected countries (some African and South American countries). It is recommended to be vaccinated at least 2 weeks before your departure. Tropical diseases are numerous in Bolivia and can strike anyone who does not follow certain safety instructions. In the Amazon region, beware of mosquitoes that can carry many diseases (Zika, dengue, malaria, etc.).
For more information, you can consult the website of the Ministry of Health (www.sante.gouv.fr) to find the vaccination centres near you
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 against tourists are quite rare. Nevertheless, insecurity exists, especially in tourist areas where petty crime is developing(pickpockets, pickpocketing...). It is therefore advisable to be vigilant.
Due to trafficking (drugs, contraband) and the large quantity of weapons in circulation, it is strongly advised not to travel to or stay 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, especially in Guayaramerin (Beni department). The rest of the country has been placed on heightened vigilance
It is recommended to register on the Ariane platform, especially in the case of travel to isolated areas (Salar de Uyuni, Sud-Lípez, Sajama National Park, Amazonia) or in regions that are difficult to access, and especially in the rainy season (from December to April for the Yungas, Alto Beni, Beni, etc.) in order to inform the platform of the planned itineraries
Time difference Bolivia
The local time is GMT -4, so there is a 5 hour difference with France in winter (when it is 8pm in Paris it is 3pm in La Paz) and 6 hours in summer.
Spoken languages Bolivia
Spanish (Castellano) is the language in all the cities. In the countryside of the Altiplano or the Oriente, you will usually find at least a few people who speak Spanish, even if the language used there is different (Aymara, Quechua, Guarani, etc.). Even in the big cities, very few people speak English or French.
Communication Bolivia
In the main cities in general, hotels, restaurants and cafes have free wi-fi connection. If your phone is unlocked, buying a local SIM card will give you access to an LTE connection. Entel offers attractive mobile plans ranging from 1GB to 12GB (Bs20 to Bs100). You will need to bring your passport with you when you buy the card. Recharge cards are sold in many kiosks and grocery stores. To add digital data to your cell phone from them, dial *109* followed by the 14-digit PIN of your prepaid card, followed by # and press the call key. For example: *109*12345678901234#. A 20 Bs refill is equivalent to 1 GB of internet data.
Electricity and measurements Bolivia
Bolivia uses the metric system, like in France. The electricity used is 220V and 50Hz. The voltage is the same as in France but its variations can sometimes damage computers (especially in 110 volts) and a small lightning plug can be useful for your electronic devices, and in particular for your laptop! The plugs can be either round or rectangular, but have an adapter at hand (grounded plugs do not exist).
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.
