Bolivia
Country Specific Information
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July 27, 2012

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Bolivia is a constitutional democracy and one of the least-developed countries in South America. Tourist facilities are generally adequate, but vary greatly in quality.   La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, while Sucre is the constitutional capital and the seat of the Supreme Court.   La Paz isaccessible by the international airport in El Alto.   Read the Department of State Background Notes on Bolivia for additional information.

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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Bolivia, please take the time to tell our Embassy about your trip.   If you enroll, we can keep you up-to-date with important safety and security announcements.   It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency.   Here’s the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.

United States Embassy, La Paz, Bolivia  
Avenida Arce 2780, La Paz, Bolivia 
Telephone: 591-2-216-8246 
Emergency after-hours telephone: 591-715-33713 
Facsimile: 591-2-216-8808
There are two consular agencies in Bolivia, which provide limited services to U.S. citizens, including receiving passport applications which are then processed in La Paz.  If you request service at one of the consular agencies, please schedule an appointment through the Embassy's web page at http://bolivia.usembassy.gov.

United States Consular Agency, Santa Cruz, Bolivia  
Avenida Roque Aguilera #146 (3er Anillo), Santa Cruz, Bolivia 
Telephone: 591-3-351-3477 / 351-3479 
Emergency after-hours telephone: 591-715-33713 
Facsimile: 591-3-351-3478

United States Consular Agency, Cochabamba, Bolivia  
Edificio "SAAL" , Avenida Pando No. 1122, Piso 1, Suites B and C, Cochabamba, Bolivia 
Telephone: 591-4-411-6313 
Emergency after-hours telephone: 591-715-33713 
Facsimile: 591-4- 448-9119

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ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: To enter and depart Bolivia, you are required to have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months from the date of your proposed entry into Bolivia.

If you are a U.S. citizen seeking to enter Bolivia as a tourist, you must have an entry visa.   You can apply for a Bolivian tourist visa by mail or in person at Bolivian consulates in the U.S., as well as at Bolivian ports of entry, such as at Bolivia’s international airports and at land border crossings.   Bolivian tourist visas are valid for five years from the date of issuance and allow the bearer to enter the country three times in a year for a cumulative stay of not more than ninety days.   The tourist visa costs $135.00.   You can pay the $135.00 fee in cash, by deposit to the Bolivian Consulate’s bank account, or by money order.   If you choose to apply for your visa upon your arrival to Bolivia, you must pay this fee in cash to immigration authorities.   In addition to the $135.00 visa fee, you must present a visa application form with a 4cm x 4cm color photograph, a passport with a validity of not less than 6 months, evidence of a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation in Spanish, proof of economic solvency (credit card, cash, or a current bank statement), and an International Vaccination Certificate for yellow fever.

Please visit the Embassy of Bolivia web site for the most current visa information.   Bolivian consulates in the United States are located in Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, New York, , , and Washington, DC.

If you are a U.S. citizen whose passport has been lost or stolen in Bolivia, you must obtain a replacement passport and present it, together with reports of the loss or theft from the Tourist Police and/or Interpol, to a Bolivian government immigration office in order to obtain a replacement visa at a cost of $80.00.   For more information on replacement passport procedures, please consult the U.S. Embassy’s web site.

The Bolivian government charges an exit tax for air departures from the country.   If you have Bolivian citizenship or residency, the Bolivian government requires an additional fee upon departure.   While the Bolivian government does not currently require travelers to purchase round-trip air tickets in order to enter the country, some airlines have required travelers to purchase round-trip tickets prior to boarding aircraft bound for Bolivia.   Some tourists arriving by land report that immigration officials did not place entry stamps in their passports, causing problems at checkpoints and upon departure.   Travelers should ensure that they receive entry and exit stamps from the Bolivian authorities every time they leave or enter Bolivia.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Bolivia.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website.   For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

Additional requirements for minors:
In an effort to prevent international child abduction, the Bolivian government has initiated procedures at entry/exit points.   Minors (under 18) who are citizens or residents of Bolivia and who are traveling alone, with one parent, or with a third party must obtain a travel permit from the Juzgado del Menor. In order to obtain this permit, the parent or guardian must present a copy of the minor's birth certificate, parents' identification, and written authorization from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian, specifically granting permission to travel alone, with one parent, or with a third party.   When a parent is deceased, Bolivian authorities require a notarized copy of the death certificate in lieu of the written authorization.   If documents are prepared in the United States, you must have the documents translated into Spanish, notarized, and authenticated by the Bolivian Embassy or a Bolivian consulate within the United States.   If documents are prepared in Bolivia, only notarization by a Bolivian notary is required.   This requirement does not apply to children who enter the country with a U.S. passport as tourists, unless they hold dual U.S./Bolivian citizenship or have been in Bolivia for more than 90 consecutive days.   Upon departure, U.S./Bolivian citizen minors traveling alone, with one parent, or with a third party, who have been in Bolivia for ninety (90) days or longer, will be required to present a travel authorization issued by the Juzgado del Menor, a copy of the minor's birth certificate and a copy of parents' identifications to immigration at the airport or land border. These travel are only valid for 90 days after they are issued and notarized, and a child may be prevented from leaving the country with an expired authorization. 

The new visa requirement states that unaccompanied minors to Bolivia must present an official Parental Authorization and Consent Certificate duly provided by the appropriate authorities.   Until the Bolivian government provides further specifics on this document, the embassy recommends that all unaccompanied minors to Bolivia carry a letter of permission from their parents or legal guardians authorizing travel. 

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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: Protests, strikes, and other civic actions are common and disrupt transportation on a local and national level.   While protest actions generally begin peacefully, they have the potential to become violent.   The police have used tear gas to break up protests.   In addition to rallies and street demonstrations, protesters sometimes block roads andhave reacted with force when travelers attempt to pass through or go around roadblocksYou should avoid roadblocks and demonstrations.   Demonstrations protesting government or private company policies occur frequently, even in otherwise peaceful times.   If you plan to travel to or from Bolivia, you should take into consideration the possibility of disruptions to air service in and out of La Paz and other airports due to protests.   You should monitor Bolivian media reports and the U.S. Embassy website for updates.   The embassy strongly recommends that U.S. citizens avoid areas where roadblocks or public demonstrations are occurring or planned.   Political rallies should similarly be avoided in light of press reports of violence at some rallies in various parts of Bolivia.

If you find yourself in a roadblock, you should not attempt to run through it, as this may aggravate the situation and lead to physical harm.   Instead, you should consider taking alternative, safe routes, or returning to where the travel started.   If you plan to embark on a road trip, you should monitor news reports and contact the American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy in La Paz at (591-2) 216-8246 or the U.S. Consular Agencies in Cochabamba at (591- 4) 411-6313 and/or Santa Cruz at (591-3) 351-3477 for updates.   Given that roadblocks may occur without warning and have stranded travelers for several days, you should take extra food, water, and warm clothing.   The U.S. Embassy also advises American citizens maintain at least two weeks’ supply of drinking water and canned food in case roadblocks affect supplies.   For more information on emergency preparedness, please consult the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) web site.   That website includes a Spanish language version.

Visitors should be careful when choosing a tour operator and should not accept any type of medication or drugs from unreliable sources.

The countrywide emergency number for the police, including highway patrol, is 110.   The corresponding number for the fire department is 119.   The National Tourism Police has offices in La Paz and Cochabamba, providing free assistance to tourists.   In the city of Santa Cruz, Interpol will provide these same services to tourists.   These services include English-speaking officials who may assist tourists in filing police reports of lost/stolen documents or other valuables.   The La Paz office is open 24 hours a day and is located at Plaza del Stadium, Edificio Olympia, Planta Baja, Miraflores, telephone number 222-5016.   The Cochabamba office is located at Plaza 14 de Septiembre, Edificio Prefectura, tel. (4) 451-0023; it is open from 7:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. seven days a week.   In the Chapare region between Santa Cruz and Cochabamba and the Yungas region northeast of La Paz, violence and civil unrest, primarily associated with anti-narcotics activities, periodically create a risk for travelers to those regions. Another risk in this region is the dangerous flooding of roads due to heavy rains from December to February.

Confrontations between area residents and government authorities over coca eradication have resulted in the use of tear gas and stronger force by government authorities to quell disturbances.   Pro-coca groups have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments and may attempt to target U.S. government or private interests.   If you plan to travel to the Chapare or Yungas regions, we encourage you to check with the Embassy's Consular Section prior to travel.   Violence has also erupted between squatters unlawfully invading private land and security forces attempting to remove them.

Stay up-to-date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs' website, which contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.

You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.   These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

There is nobody better at protecting you than yourself.   Take some time before travel to improve your personal security – things are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States.   Here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

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CRIME: The U.S. Department of State currently classifies Bolivia as a medium to high crime threat country.   Street crime, such as pick pocketing, assaults following ATM withdrawals, and theft from parked vehicles, occurs with some frequency in Bolivia.   You should secure your belongings in a hotel safe and refrain from wearing expensive jewelry.   U.S. citizens have also had backpacks, passports, and other property stolen at bus terminals or while traveling on buses, as well as at Internet cafes and in other situations where the U.S. citizen is distracted or leaves property unattended.   Theft of cars and car parts, particularly late-model four-wheel-drive vehicles, is common.   Hijacking of vehicles has occurred, and you should take appropriate precautions to avoid being victimized.

Express kidnappings are common in La Paz.   The areas where these crimes are most known to occur include Plaza Humbolt (Zona Sur), Plaza Abaroa, Plaza del Estudiante, Plaza Isabel La Católica, Plaza San Francisco and through several places in the downtown section of the city.   These incidents typically occur when the victim boards a taxi in which the driver is an accomplice.   Once the victim is inside, an additional person or two (the kidnappers) board the vehicle.   At this point, the victim is robbed of his/her belongings and/or driven to an ATM where he/she is forced to provide PINs for debit and credit card withdrawals.   Recommended tips to avoid becoming a victim include using only radio taxis which one calls in advance and not traveling alone, particularly if under the influence of alcohol or out late at night.

We recommend that you avoid the Coronilla Hill, a Cochabamba landmark adjacent to the main bus terminal and near several markets, hostels, and restaurants. The Coronilla Hill has become an increasingly dangerous place for tourists and local citizens alike.   The local police, tourist authorities, and press have declared the area off limits and cautioned people to enter the area at their own peril.   U.S. citizens have been assaulted in the area. The police have made several sweeps of the area in an attempt to control the population of street people, most of whom are reportedly drug addicts and alcohol abusers.   Nonetheless, incidents of crime continue.   Police reports indicate that thieves in that area have gone from purse snatching and burglary to increasingly violent assaults on passerbys.

The U.S. Embassy in La Paz continues to receive reports of U.S. citizens traveling by bus from Copacabana to La Paz being kidnapped and robbed of their ATM cards and other valuables.   This crime reportedly involves U.S. citizens taking an evening bus from Copacabana.   While the bus is scheduled to stop at the La Paz bus terminal, the driver will stop short of that location, typically near the General Cemetery late at night.   Disembarking and disoriented passengers then have little option but to hail a waiting taxi.   Thieves in cooperation with the taxi driver enter the taxi to blindfold and coerce the U.S. citizen(s) into surrendering cash, cameras, ATM cards, and other valuables.   U.S. citizen victims have reported that once the thieves withdrew funds using the ATM cards, the U.S. citizens were released without further harm.   If you plan to travel from Copacabana, you should try to arrive during daylight hours, verify the final destination, and buy tickets directly at the Copacabana bus terminal rather than from third parties.

Bolivian police report that there are eight organized criminal groups operating in the La Paz area.   The techniques employed by these groups vary, but there are a few major patterns that can be identified:

There have been reports of “false police” -- persons using police uniforms, identification, and even buildings modified to resemble police stations -- intercepting and robbing foreign tourists, including U.S. citizens.   Under Bolivian law, police need a warrant from the “fiscal” (prosecutor) to detain a suspect.   Any searches or seizures must occur at a bona fide police station in the presence of the prosecutor.   The warrant requirement also applies to suspected drug trafficking cases, although such searches and seizures may occur without a prosecutor present.   If detained, you should request to see the warrant and demand immediate contact with the nearest U.S. consular office (in La Paz, Cochabamba or Santa Cruz).

According to press reports, criminals using the “false police” method focus on foreigners in areas frequented by tourists, including bus terminals and tourist markets such as Sagarnaga Street in La Paz.   The perpetrators will identify a potential victim and have an accomplice, typically driving a white taxi, offer taxi services to the potential victim.   They focus on European and U.S. tourists who are not wearing a traditional “trekker” backpack and are traveling without a large number of bags.   A few blocks after the potential victim boards the taxi, another accomplice, pretending to be a recently arrived tourist, boards the taxi with the potential victim.   With all the accomplices then in place, the “false police” stop the taxi, “search” the passengers, and rob the victim.   As part of this scam, the false police may take the victim to a false police station.

A similar variation also introduces a “tourist” to the victims.   This introduction can take place on a bus, taxi, train, or just walking down the street.   The “tourist” will befriend the victims and might seek assistance in some manner.   After a period of time, the “police” intercept the victims and the “tourist.”  At this point, the “police” discover some sort of contraband (usually drugs) on the “tourist.”   The entire group is then taken to the “police station.”  At this point, the “police” seize the documents, credit cards, and ATM cards of the victims.   The perpetrators obtain personal identification numbers, sometimes by threat of violence, and the scam is complete.

Another technique introduces a “tourist” to the victims.   This “tourist” can be any race or gender and will probably be able to speak the language of the victims.   This meeting can happen anywhere, and the goal of the “tourist” is to build the trust of the victims.   Once a certain level of trust is obtained, the “tourist” suggests a particular mode of transportation to a location (usually a taxi).   The “taxi” picks up the victims and the “tourist” and delivers the group to a safe house in the area.   At this point the victims are informed that they are now kidnapped and are forced to give up their credit cards and ATM cards with personal identification numbers.   In most instances, the victims are released, but violence is always a possibility.   The techniques and the perpetrators are convincing.   Authentic uniforms, badges, and props help persuade the victims that the situation is real and valid.

You should exercise great caution if visiting Bolivia.  If you have doubts about a situation, you should immediately remove yourself from the scene.   Thefts of bags, wallets, and backpacks are a problem throughout Bolivia, but especially in the tourist areas of downtown La Paz and the Altiplano.   Most thefts involve two or three people who spot a potential victim and wait until the bag or backpack is placed on the ground, often at a restaurant, bus terminal, Internet café, etc.   In other cases, the thief places a disagreeable substance on the clothes or backpack of the intended victim and then offers to assist the victim with the removal of the substance.   While the person is distracted, the thief or an accomplice grabs the bag or backpack and flees.   If you find yourself in such a situation, you should decline assistance, secure the bag/backpack, and walk briskly from the area.

To steal wallets and bags, thieves may spray water on the victim's neck, and while the person is distracted, an accomplice takes the wallet or bag.   At times, the thief poses as a policeman and requests that the person accompany him to the police station, using a nearby taxi.   If this happens to you, you should indicate a desire to contact the U.S. Embassy and not enter the taxi.   Under no circumstances should you surrender ATM or credit cards, or release a personal identification number.   While most thefts do not involve violence, in some instances the victim has been physically harmed and forcibly searched for hidden valuables.   This is particularly true in “choke and rob” assaults where the victims, including U.S. citizens, reported being choked from behind until they lost consciousness and later awoke to find all of their possessions gone.   These assaults have happened during both day and night.   You should avoid being alone on the streets, especially at night and in isolated areas.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.   Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law, too.

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VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates).   If your passport is stolen, we can help you replace it.   For violent crimes such as assault and rape, we can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and help you get money from them if you need it.   Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. 

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Bolivia is 110, but you are unlikely to find an English speaker answering your call.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to the local laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.   Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.   In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you.   In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings and driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.   There are also some things that might be legal in Bolivia, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods or engage in child pornography.   While you are overseas, U. S. laws don’t apply.   If you do something illegal in your host country, your U.S. passport won’t help.   It is very important to know what is legal and what is not legal where you are going.   If you violate Bolivian laws, even unknowingly, Bolivian authorities may expel, arrest, or imprison you.   Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Bolivia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: In the run-up to the July 2006 Constituent Assembly elections, President Morales accused the U.S. military of infiltrating Bolivia with operatives disguised as “students and tourists.”   As an apparent result of these comments, some U.S. citizens have reported harassment by Bolivian officials and been subjected to unwanted media attention.   If you plan to travel to Bolivia, be aware of the political atmosphere and the possibility of unwanted attention from pro-governmental groups and Bolivian officials.

For information on in-country visa procedures and requirements, please consult the Bolivian Immigration Service at fax/telephone (591-2) 211-0960, street address Avenida Camacho entre Calles Loayza y Bueno, La Paz, Bolivia.   In emergency cases, the Immigration Service may permit temporary residency applicants to retrieve their passports from those applications.   However, under current regulations in such cases, the applicant would need to commence the application anew, including paying the corresponding fees.   Any U.S. documents, such as birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificates, to be presented in Bolivia must first be authenticated in the U.S. at the nearest Bolivian Embassy or consulate.   For information on those procedures, please consult the Department of State Office of Authentications web site and the nearest Bolivian Embassy or consulate.

Marriage:
Please see our information on marriage in Bolivia, available on the Embassy’s web site.

Mountain Trekking and Climbing Safety:
The Embassy urges you to exercise extreme care when trekking or climbing in Bolivia.   Since June 2002, four U.S. citizens have died in falls while mountain climbing in Bolivia.   Three of the deaths occurred on Illimani, a 21,033-foot peak located southeast of La Paz.   Many popular trekking routes in the Bolivian Andes cross passes as high as 16,000 feet.   Trekkers must have adequate clothing and equipment, not always available locally, and should be experienced mountain travelers.   It is not prudent to trek alone.   Solo trekking is the most significant factor contributing to injuries and robberies.   The safest option is to join an organized group and/or use a reputable firm to provide an experienced guide and porter who can communicate in both Spanish and English.   If you develop any of the following symptoms while climbing at altitude – severe headache, weakness, vomiting, shortness of breath at rest, cough, chest tightness, unsteadiness – descend to a lower altitude immediately.   The Embassy strongly encourages trekkers and climbers to purchase adequate insurance to cover expenses in case of injury or death.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Throughout the country, both personal hygiene and sanitary practices in food handling are far below U.S. standards.   Food and beverage precautions are essential.   Medical care in large cities is adequate for most purposes but of varying quality.   Ambulance services are limited to non-existent.   Medical facilities are generally not adequate to handle serious medical conditions.   Pharmacies are located throughout Bolivia and prescription and over-the-counter medications are widely available.   Western Bolivia, dominated by the Andes and high plains (Altiplano), is largely insect-free.   However, altitude sickness (see below) is a major problem.   Eastern Bolivia is tropical, and visitors to that area are subject to related illnesses.   Insect precautions are recommended.   Dengue is endemic throughout eastern Bolivia, including in Santa Cruz city.   Since January 2007, there have been several thousand cases, representing a significantly increased incidence, and part of a region-wide trend.   Bolivia is a high risk area for rabies.   Dog and bat bites and scratches should be taken seriously and post exposure prophylaxis sought.   Yellow fever is present in subtropical Bolivia.   Yellow fever vaccination certification is required for visa application and may be required by airlines flying into Bolivia and at entry into Bolivia.

High Altitude Health Risks:
The altitude of La Paz ranges from 10,600 feet to over 13,000 feet (3,400 to 4,000 meters) above sea level.   Much of Western Bolivia is at the same altitude or higher, including Lake Titicaca, the Salar de Uyuni, and the cities of Oruro and Potosi.   The altitude alone poses a serious risk of illness, hospitalization, and even death, even for those in excellent health.

Prior to departing the U.S. for high-altitude locations (over 10,000 feet above sea level), you should discuss the trip with your healthcare provider and request information on specific recommendations concerning medication and lifestyle tips at high altitudes.   Coca-leaf tea is a popular beverage and folk remedy for altitude sickness in Bolivia.   However, possession of this tea, which is sold in bags in most Bolivian grocery stores, is illegal in the United States. "Sorojchi pills" sold locally at pharmacies contain high amounts of caffeine and are not usually recommended.

The State Department cautions travelers planning to visit La Paz to consider the following risks and advice:

  • Sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait: persons with sickle cell trait may have a crisis at elevations of more than 8,000 feet.   U.S. citizens with this condition have required urgent medical evacuation from La Paz to the United States.
  • Heart disease: Any person who has heart disease, or known risk factors for heart disease, should consult their doctor about their risks of ascending to altitude, and whether any testing of their heart would be in order.   Even U.S. citizens who adjust well initially to the altitude in La Paz have subsequently suffered heart attacks and been hospitalized.
  • Lung disease: Anyone with emphysema should consult closely with their doctor and seriously reconsider coming to La Paz or surrounding, high altitude areas. Anyone with asthma should consult their doctor; mild asthma may be manageable at high altitude, but it is important to remember that emergency care and intensive respiratory care are very limited even in the city of La Paz and are absent outside the city.   U.S. citizens with respiratory ailments have previously been medically evacuated from La Paz to other countries to receive medical treatment.
  • Given potential complications from altitude sickness, pregnant women should consult their doctor before travel to La Paz and other high-altitude areas of Bolivia.   A higher number of miscarriages and other pregnancy-related complications have been noted at altitude.

All people, even healthy and fit persons, will feel symptoms of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) upon arrival at high altitude.   Most people will have increased respiration and increased heart rate.   Many people will have headaches, difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, minor gastric and intestinal upsets, and mood changes.   Many travelers limit physical activity for the first 36 to 48 hours after arrival and avoid alcohol and smoking for at least one week after arrival.

Good information on vaccinations and other health precautions can be found on the CDC website.   For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website.  The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel.   It is very important to find out BEFORE you leave.   You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

  • Does my policy apply when I’m out of the U.S.?
  • Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service.   Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in Bolivia.   If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.   The information below concerning Bolivia is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.   If you plan on driving in Bolivia, despite the hazards described below, you should obtain an international driver’s license through your local automobile club before coming to Bolivia.

Road conditions in Bolivia are hazardous. A lthough La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba are connected by improved highways, the vast majority of roads in Bolivia are unpaved.   Few highways have shoulders, fencing or barriers, and highway markings are minimal.   Yielding for pedestrians in the cities is not the norm.   For trips outside the major cities, especially in mountainous areas, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is highly recommended.   Travel during the rainy season (November through March) is difficult, as most routes are potholed, and some roads and bridges are washed out.   Added dangers are the absence of formal training for most drivers, poor maintenance and overloaded vehicles, lack of lights on some vehicles at night, and intoxicated or overly tired drivers, including commercial bus and truck drivers.

The majority of intercity travel in Bolivia is by bus, with varying levels of safety and service.   Bus accidents, at times attributed to drunk drivers or mechanical failures, have caused scores of deaths and severe injuries.   In recent years, there have been major bus crashes on the highway between La Paz and Oruro, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, Oruro and Cochabamba and on the Yungas road.   The old Yungas road is considered one of the most dangerous routes in the world.   Taxis, vans, and buses dominate intracity transportation.   From a crime perspective, public transportation is relatively safe, and violent assaults are rare.   However, petty theft of unattended backpacks and other personal items does occur.   For safety purposes, the Embassy advises you to use radio taxis whenever possible.   U.S. citizens taking unlicensed taxis have reported being robbed and assaulted.

Drivers of vehicles involved in traffic accidents are expected to remain at the scene until the arrival of local police authorities.   Any attempt to leave the scene is in violation of Bolivian law.   The Embassy believes any attempt to flee the scene of an accident would place the driver and passengers at greater risk of harm than remaining at the scene until the arrival of local police.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Bolivia’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Bolivia’s air carrier operations.   For more information, visit the FAA’s safety assessment page.

There are limited flights within Bolivia and to neighboring countries.   Flight delays and cancellations are common.   You should keep this information in mind when making your travel plans.

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CHILDREN’S ISSUES:  Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Bolivia dated April 2011, with substantive changes in the following sections: STEP Enrollment Program, and Medical Facilities and Health Information.

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Worldwide Caution

Travel Warnings

Travel Alerts

Country Information

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