The Latin America Travel Company

BOLIVIA | TRAVEL ADVICE

How to get to Bolivia & other Travel Advice

There are very few direct flights to Bolivia. These include flights from Miami, the USA, Madrid, Spain and neighbouring Latin American countries. The most common connections are from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Lima, Peru. Bolivia's main international airports can be found in Santa Cruz, La Paz and the capital. Flying is not an option.

There are no direct flights between the UK and Bolivia. Direct routes to Bolivia include Madrid, Miami and Buenos Aires. Each of these cities is connected by daily flights departing from London.

Direct flights are available from Miami to Santa Cruz and La Paz for those who are traveling to Bolivia from the US. It takes about seven hours to complete this route. All major US cities have daily flights that fly to Miami. You can also fly to Bolivia using other airlines such as Avianca and Copa, with a layover in Bolivia.

You can also fly from the US to another South American city, such as Lima, Buenos Aires, or Sao Paulo. Then you can transfer to a flight to Bolivia. Canadian passengers will need to fly to the US to connect to a flight to South America.
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What is the Voltage in Bolivia?

Bolivia could be described as a country with dual voltage. Bolivia has two electric systems so you'll need to bring adapters or voltage converters and plug adapters for any electronic and electrical items you use. The majority of the country is equipped with 220V power, but La Paz has 110V.
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What Plugs & Sockets are used in Bolivia?

There are two types of plugs that can be used in Bolivia: type A and type C. Type A has two parallel flat pins, while type C has two circular pins.
Bolivia power sockets
Plug Types in Bolivia

What is the Capital City of Bolivia?

Bolivia's capital is Sucre which is the judicial center. However, La Paz is where the government is located and is where the Council of Ministers is located.

Sucre, the regional capital of Chuquisaca, is also home to the Corte Suprema de Justicia (the Supreme Court of Bolivia). The city is located at 2,800m above sea level. It was previously called Charcas, La Plata, and Chuquisaca.

What Time Zone is Bolivia in?

Bolivia is GMT -4 hours.
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Are Visas Required for Bolivia?

British and American passport holders do not require a visa to visit Bolivia. Initially, Bolivia allows 30 days of residence. You can extend your stay for up to 60 days by applying before the expiration of the 30-day period at any of the Department of Immigration offices in the country.
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What Currency is used in Bolivia?

The official currency of Bolivia is the Boliviano. It was introduced for the first time in November 1986. There are currently coins in circulation of 10, 20, and 50 cents, as well as 1, 2, and 5 bolivianos. The obverse of the coins bears the inscription "Unity makes Strength" while the reverse shows the coat of arms and the inscription "Plurinational state of Bolivia".

Obtaining Bolivianos for travel to Bolivia

It is very difficult to obtain Bolivianos prior to travelling. This is usually only possible in neighbouring countries like Peru and Argentina, and even then usually in areas near the border at poor rates.

You can exchange and withdraw BOB at the airport if you fly into Santa Cruz or La Paz airports. You can exchange USD to BOB at the border towns if you're crossing the Bolivian land border from Peru, Argentina or Argentina.

Keep in mind that rates will not be the best, and that you will see improvements when you move to larger cities. Money exchange services are available in most cities and towns. They can often offer better rates than banks, so it's worth looking into them.

TIP: Keep plenty of small-sized US Dollar notes from home. This will allow you to change as often as you like, and also allows you to pay in USD smaller notes at many places.

Are Cards or Cash Best to use in Bolivia?

While card payments are common in most western countries, it is much less common in Bolivia, especially in the rural areas.

Most restaurants, hotels, and stores that accept credit cards will charge a fee. Merchant service fees are very high. Payments are often made in USD. Additionally, there is an additional bank charge for USD transactions. All credit card transactions must pass through the tax system. This means that merchants will need to declare and pay tax.

While Mastercard support is improving, Visa is much more reliable. To ensure you are covered, you should have multiple cards from different issuers.

Overall it is often easier to use cash for payments in Bolivia.
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Do I need Vaccinations to Visit Bolivia?

Some vaccines are required or recommended for Bolivia. The WHO and the National Travel Health Network and Centre recommend that Bolivia be vaccinated against COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Rabies, and Tetanus.
For travelers to Bolivia, the yellow fever vaccine should be taken. If you're coming from countries with known yellow fever cases, such as Brazil or Peru, it may be necessary.

To avoid the Zika virus, travellers should take extra precautions. Travellers are at greater risk from the spread of the virus by local mosquitoes. Birth defects can be caused by the virus. Bolivian women who are pregnant or could become pregnant should not travel to Bolivia.

Travellers should wear long-sleeved shirts, trousers, and windowsill-equipped buildings to prevent mosquito bites.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is purely for guidance purposes and we are not medical experts. We always recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor 6-8 weeks before departure who will be able to properly assess your personal medical history, give accurate advice and advise on exactly which immunisations or medical precautions you personally need to take.

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