Bolivia
Capital:
La Paz / Sucre
Official Language: Spanish
Religions:
95% Roman Catholic, 5%
other
Currency:
Boliviano = 100
centavos
Placements: Bolivian
Community Lodge
Map
Background
Bolivia may be one of the poorest countries in South America, but its
cultural wealth, the mindblowing Andean landscapes and the remnants of
mysterious ancient civilisations make it a rich and exciting destination for
those looking for more than postcards.
Special Events
Major events
Climate
Knowing what clothes to pack when visiting Bolivia depends not so much on
when you go but how high you go. Ascending the whopping 3657m (12000ft) to a
town like La Paz will mean rugging up all year round, with maximum temperatures
only nudging the 20°C (68°F) mark and dropping to the low single digits at
night. Visit the Bolivian lowlands, however, and you'll be peeling off the
layers, with average monthly highs centring around 30°C (86°F). In both cases,
the rain is generally less in the middle months, especially July; November to
March at low altitudes are downright soaking.
Travel Info
The national airline is Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano (LAB), which offers both
domestic and international services. International airfares purchased in Bolivia
are subject to a 15% tax. International airports in La Paz and Santa Cruz charge
a 25.00 departure tax for those who have spent fewer than 90 days in the
country; those who've stayed longer than 90 days pay 50.00.
There are now
an increased number of direct services to Bolivia from elsewhere in the
Americas, as well as Asia and Europe though fares are high. Many people fly into
another South American country such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile or Peru, and
travel overland to Bolivia, which generally works out to be cheaper. Border
crossing points include Villazón-La Quiaca and Yacuiba-Pocitos (Argentina);
Quijarro-Corumbá and Guayaramerín-Guajará-Mirim (Brazil); Charaña-Visviri and
Abaroa-Ollagüe (Chile); and Yunguyo-Puno and Desaguadero-Puno (Peru).
Visas
Regulations change frequently, but currently citizens of Japan and most EU
countries can stay 90 days without a visa; citizens of the USA, Canada,
Australia and New Zealand can stay 30 days without a visa. Most other
nationalities require a visa in advance - usually issued for a 30-day stay.
Safety
Terrorism
The threat from terrorism is low. Two bombs
exploded in lodging houses in La Paz late on 21 March 2006 and in the early
hours of 22 March 2006, killing two and injuring eleven. Two foreigners have
been arrested in connection with the explosions. There have been reports linking
those detained to terrorism, but the government has not confirmed this while
investigations are ongoing.
Crime
Bolivia is generally safe
if sensible precautions are taken, but it is not risk free
There have been an increasing number of cases of "express kidnappings",
where tourists are kidnapped for ransom. Criminals posing as police officers are
targeting foreigners, and their operations are becoming more sophisticated, to
the extent that bogus police stations are being used to fool victims. On 29
March 2006, a British citizen was physically attacked and robbed in El Alto late
at night towards the end of a journey from Copacabana to La Paz. On the same day
another British citizen was attacked and robbed of her travellers cheques and
credit cards in central La Paz in an incident involving a taxi and what is
thought to have been a bogus police officer. If you suspect that you are being
targeted by such impostors, ask to see identification and only agree to a
luggage check at a police station or visible public location. These sorts of
incidents are becoming increasingly common and you should be very wary at all
times. You should avoid taking taxis with other unknown passengers. Two Austrian
citizens disappeared on 24 January 2006, on a journey between Copacabana and La
Paz, and have not yet been found. The local media report that, since their
disappearance, both their bank cards have been used regularly in various
locations in Bolivia to withdraw substantial amounts of cash. In August 2005,
two foreign tourists were robbed and killed in an area west of La Paz bordering
Peru.
Petty criminals are common in central La Paz and other destinations popular
with tourists. They are a common danger, especially on buses and in crowded
areas, and sometimes use aggressive tactics against foreigners, including
slashing bags and pockets, and partially strangling victims to disable them. You
should exercise maximum care, particularly at the bus station in La Paz and the
surrounding tourist areas. Many thieves work in teams to distract their victims
and are quick and effective once they have a target in view.
You should always keep your passport, air ticket and other valuable items,
especially credit cards, in a safe location. You should also keep a copy of your
passport, in case you lose the original to facilitate a more rapid
replacement.
Political Situation
Bolivia is South America’s poorest country. It is rich in natural resources
but lacks the infrastructure to take full advantage of its natural wealth. For
many people daily life is a constant struggle. Social protest is the traditional
way of gaining government attention to address local, regional and national
issues of concern. Protest can take the form of roadblocks, strikes and mass
marches.
In October 2003, mass demonstrations brought down the President and his
government after fatal clashes between protesters and the forces of law and
order. In June 2005, widespread protests forced the President to resign. Eduardo
Rodriguez Veltze was sworn in as Constitutional President on 9 June 2005, with a
mandate to hold elections within six months. General elections took place on 18
December 2005, following which Evo Morales was declared President. He was sworn
in on 22 January 2006 and his new government took office on 23 January
2006.
Local Travel
The national airline, Lloyd Aereo Boliviano (LAB), is reported to be in
serious difficulty. Some internal flights have been operating, but international
flights have been cancelled, affecting many passengers on the Madrid and Miami
routes.
Floods in the Salar de Uyuni area have recently covered almost the entire
salt flats and the local authorities have reported that there is a continuing
risk to people wishing to cross them.
You should avoid demonstrations and not attempt to pass through or go
around roadblocks. You should maintain contact with your airline/tour operator
before travelling. If in the country, you should monitor the local media. You
should register with the British Embassy on arrival.
The Rainy Season runs from November to March; landslides in mountainous
areas and impassable roads are a regular occurrence at that time.
Road Safety
Traffic is usually light, both on the main
highways and unpaved roads. But there is little control of vehicle
road-worthiness and serious accidents do occur on the main tourist routes. Some
of Bolivia’s principal roads are paved, but of variable quality. Most roads are
unpaved rough tracks, which are graded from time to time. 4-wheel drive vehicles
are often the best form of transport, especially during the rainy season, which
can make roads completely impassable for days. Broken-down vehicles with no
warning lights are a frequent hazard on roads at night. In the main cities,
taxis are plentiful and cheap. But they are also mechanically precarious and
rarely have seat belts. Hire cars are available, but you will need an
international driving licence.
You can take boat trips on Lake Titicaca
but you should be aware that the craft are often very basic.
Local Laws amd Customs
Bolivia is the world’s third largest producer of cocaine. In their efforts
to control the production, the government have harsh penalties for those caught
trafficking or in possession. You should therefore be very careful with your
luggage and belongings and avoid any contact with prohibited drugs. You should
be careful especially when carrying cameras or binoculars when travelling off
the beaten track, particularly in coca-growing areas such as the Chapare (where
cultivation is illegal) and the Yungas (where limited cultivation is allowed by
law). You should also check before taking photographs of the local
population.
Homosexuality is not illegal, but is frowned upon by the majority of
Bolivians, more so in the Altiplano than in Santa Cruz, where attitudes tend to
be more liberal.
Health
There have been a number of cases of Yellow Fever in the Yungas (La Paz
department) and in the Chapare (Tropic of Cochabamba). In the Yungas, the
government has set up a vaccination centre at the police checkpoint in Urujara.
Vaccination points have also been set up at police checkpoints before you enter
the Chapare. At each of these, you will be vaccinated if you do not hold a valid
Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. There is a high incidence of Malaria in
lowland tropical areas, particularly at the moment in the Pando department (near
El Sena).
We strongly recommend that comprehensive medical and travel insurance is
obtained before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your
policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Some
activities, such as mountain biking, are classified as hazardous and may be
excluded in personal insurance policies.
The altitude in La Paz (3800+ metres) and other parts of Bolivia, where
altitudes are even greater, can cause problems associated with altitude
sickness. You should consult a doctor before travelling if you suffer from
diabetes, heart, or chest complaints. You should avoid alcohol before and
shortly after arrival. You should also drink plenty of bottled water.
Injections required
Immunisations advised
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow
fever
Immunisations that maybe required
Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B,
Yellow Fever, Rabies
Malaria Yes
Reciprocal Health Care None
