Praktisch · Kapitel 5
By the HolidayGenie editorial team ·
Entry, Money, Transport, Safety, and Emergency Calls.
Entry & Documents
German, Austrian, and Swiss citizens do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days (tourists). Passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the departure date.
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended or even required for the lowlands (Amazon, Santa Cruz) if entering from a yellow fever country. Best to have the vaccination certificate with you.
Money
- Currency: Boliviano (BOB), colloquially "Peso"
- Exchange rate approx. 1 EUR ≈ 7-8 BOB (stable for years)
- US dollars are accepted in tourist hotspots, but only clean, undamaged bills
- ATMs only in larger cities. Often unavailable on the shores of Lake Titicaca or in the lowlands
- Credit card payment possible in mid-range hotels and better restaurants; otherwise cash dominates
- Exchange offices (Casa de Cambio) in tourist areas — rates usually okay, compare
Getting Around
Domestic Flight
Often the best option for long distances — bus can take 12-20 hours. Airlines: BoA (Boliviana de Aviación), Ecojet, Amaszonas. Flights often cheaper than expected, but booking in advance is advisable.
Bus
Comprehensive, affordable. Cama and Semi-Cama beds in long-distance buses. Quality varies greatly. To avoid: night buses on mountain roads (dangerous). Bus station is called "Terminal de Buses". Popular companies: Trans Copacabana, Bolivar, Todo Turismo.
Train
Very limited. The tourist-interesting route: Expreso del Sur and Wara Wara between Oruro, Uyuni, and Villazón (Argentina border).
Rental Car
Only recommended to a limited extent — international driving licenses and nerves of steel required. For the Salar region, DEFINITELY take an organized Jeep tour.
Safety
Bolivia is considered moderately safe. Main risks:
- Pickpocketing and "express kidnappings" in La Paz, El Alto, and Cochabamba. Always take licensed radio taxis, never one hailed randomly on the street
- Fake police officers — never hand over your passport or wallet to strangers; real police do not ask for this
- During political demonstrations and blockades (which occur in Bolivia): stay away, travel routes can become impassable at short notice
- In the Amazon / lowlands: mosquitoes (Dengue, some Malaria)
Health
- Altitude sickness (Soroche) — see Arrival chapter. Take it seriously!
- Do not drink tap water — buy bottled water, avoid ice in drinks
- Yellow fever vaccination recommended for the lowlands
- Standard vaccinations (Tetanus, Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid) recommended
- Medical care in La Paz, Sucre, Santa Cruz is good in private clinics; basic in rural areas
- Travel health insurance with repatriation option recommended
Useful Information
Emergency Calls
- 110 — Police
- 118 — Fire Department
- 119 — Emergency Medical Service
- Tourist police in La Paz: special unit for foreign visitors
German Embassy in La Paz
- Avenida Arce 2395, La Paz
Swiss Consulate / Austria
Consulates in La Paz or representatively via Peruvian embassies.
Website
- Official Tourism Portal: boliviatravelsite.com
Language — Useful Words
- Hello: "Hola" / in Aymara: "Kamisaraki"
- Thank you: "Gracias" / "Yuspagara" (Quechua)
- How much does it cost?: "¿Cuánto cuesta?"
- Where is …?: "¿Dónde está …?"
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