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This is a complete Bolivia Travel Guide and includes tons of relevant information such as the best ATMs, the best things to do and places to visit, visa requirements, and much more. If you’re planning to travel to Bolivia then reading this guide will be very helpful when preparing for your trip!
Bolivia is one of the most unique and unforgettable countries in South America to travel to – whether it be for the right or wrong reasons! As one of South America’s poorest countries, Bolivia can shock, and be slightly challenging to those who cherish their creature comforts (probably why it’s good to read this Bolivia travel guide before going!).
However, for those who are willing to look past the terrible wifi and lack of toilet paper, Bolivia will reward you greatly!
Home to some of the most authentic Andean cultures, Bolivia is seemingly stuck back in time. The traditional culture is real and unlike other places, there are no actors!
I was unsure of what I would find when I first crossed Bolivia’s border. But in the end, I found a beautiful country just waiting to be explored!
That being said, there are a few things I wish I had known first! So, below is everything you need to know to prepare to travel to Bolivia!
Bolivia Visas and Entry Requirements

The first thing (and most important) that you need to know before you travel to Bolivia is how to get into the country. When visiting Bolivia, every nationality falls into one of these four groups for tourism:
1. No Visa is required
2. Visa required but can be acquired upon arrival at the border
3. A visa needs to be obtained prior to your arrival to Bolivia
4. USA citizens
If you are traveling on a UK, EU, Canadian, Australian, or New Zealand (group 1) passport you do not require a visa and you’ll automatically get stamped for 30 days of entry. This can be extended up to 90 days in 30-day increments. I have heard of people acquiring 90 days at the border just by asking, however, the lady I spoke to had possibly woken up on the wrong side of the bed and simply refused.
If you fall into group 2, then a visa is required, however, it can simply be obtained at any border consulate. This will give you 30 days from the time you enter and can be extended.
Group 3 means you will have to get a visa prior to arrival at a cost of $30 USD. The processing time on this is 3-5 weeks. The visa can also be extended.
If you’re from the United States then you are in your very own category! You don’t need to obtain your visa prior, however, you must have all of the documents you require or you may be refused entry. The visa costs $160 USD and lasts for ten years. You can stay for a maximum time of 90 days per year. The specific documents required can be found here.
Related Read: There are a handfull of crazy things you can do in La Paz, Bolivia and I’m not just saying that!
Currency and ATMs in Bolivia
Currency
Bolivia uses its own currency, the Boliviano or BOB. The US dollar is accepted at most places, usually at a less competitive rate than using local currency, at the time of writing this (updated February 2023), $1 USD is worth about 7 BOB.
Banks
Banks in Bolivia are widespread throughout the big cities but they do become sparse in smaller towns. In some places you can choose to withdraw USD or BOB from ATMs, however, I found this only in big cities.
Eftpos (debit/credit) is rare and if you’re traveling cheaply you likely won’t use it. No markets or small shops take it. Some large hotels will but expect a 5% surcharge! I found myself stocking up on cash so I didn’t get stuck with just my card.
ATMs
ATMs are widespread throughout cities but can become harder to find in smaller towns. Even if you do find one in a small town the ATM could be empty or out of service. For this reason, it’s best to take what you need when you leave the city to head rural.
Banco Nacion Bolivia does not charge an ATM withdrawal fee and is a great choice. Other people from Europe have told me they withdrew from Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz for free with unlimited withdrawal, but for me, this bank was expensive using my Australian card.
Weather in Bolivia
Weather conditions in Bolivia vary significantly from region to region. This is largely due to Bolivia’s changes in elevation. With lower altitudes, temperatures become more humid and hot. With higher altitudes, you can expect hot days but freezing nights.
For this reason, I have put Bolivia’s weather into two categories: the lowlands and the highlands.
Lowlands (Santa Cruz, Trinidad, Amazon)
In the lowlands of Santa Cruz and Trinidad, you can expect hot humid temperatures and torrential downpours in the months of September to May.
These months are Bolivia’s wet season. This region is also the wettest in Bolivia and annual rainfall can reach 4000 mm (13 ft). The average temperature in this region is 30 degrees Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
Highlands (Potosi, Sucre, Uyuni, La Paz)
During the months of June-August, temperatures in the highlands reach their lowest. Temperatures in the Salt Flats push below zero and freezing winds chill you to the bone. However, this is also the driest time in these areas.
From November to March, you can expect heavy rainfall but warmer temperatures.
BEST Time to Travel Bolivia
During the rainy months of September to March, most of the tracks on the Salt Flats are flooded and inaccessible. Because of this, many travelers choose to visit in the dry season from May to September.
The best conditions for hiking the Andes in Bolivia are also from May to September.
Dangers and Safety in Bolivia

Bolivia is not without its problems – poverty is everywhere. As such, people can become desperate and pickpocketing and non-violent robberies are quite common. However, it is very easy to avoid with most incidents occurring late at night.
During my stay, I only ever heard of people getting robbed in La Paz. These incidents were during the early hours of the morning and all victims were intoxicated. With a small amount of awareness, you can most definitely enjoy Bolivia without any problems – as I did!
One thing to mention is that it is illegal for undercover police to approach tourists in Bolivia unless you are in the act of committing a crime. This law was introduced to combat criminals impersonating police officers. If you are approached by “police”, not in uniform, and have not committed a crime, do not comply and ask them to call your embassy. Do not hand over your passport!
I have written a full guide on general safety tips in South America so you can gather some more tips!
What Things Cost in Bolivia
Bolivia is one of if not the cheapest countries in South America. The prices mentioned below are the averages I spent while traveling in Bolivia.
Accommodation

A dorm bed in a hostel ranges from $5-10 USD. Private rooms in Bolivia are not that much more expensive (for two people) than getting two dorms. Typically a budget private room will cost $15-25 USD.
Most places include free Wi-Fi which is normally terrible, and on rare occasions, you can find a free breakfast. Seldom will you find a hostel with a kitchen in Bolivia and some hostels don’t even include toilet paper!
Tip: For booking hotels and hostels in Bolivia, it is best to use Booking.com or Hostelworld. These are the most widely used accommodation booking systems for travel in Bolivia and the two that we use 99% of the time!
Food

Street food such as hamburgers or hotdogs costs around $0.80 USD and a typical “meal of the day” at a local restaurant will only cost $1.50 USD. These meals consist of soup, meat, rice or potatoes, and a drink. During lunch, these typical meals are more expensive but you will receive a larger portion as Bolivians have their biggest meal at lunch.
Chicken feet soup (pictured above) is usually less than $1 USD.
At local markets, you can get fruit and vegetables extremely cheaply! For example, I was paying $0.20 for one avocado in Sucre!
If you’re after western food then prices are significantly higher. A meal at Burger King or Subway will cost $3-$6 USD and at a restaurant around $7-$15 USD.
Transport
Buses are the cheapest option for transport in Bolivia rather than flying. A typical intercity bus costs around $10 USD (though cheaper these buses are long and on some occasions dangerous.) With steep cliffs and under-maintained roads, it can be hard to sleep on a night bus!
The Death Train also operates in Bolivia and is commonly used by travelers in Bolivia heading to or from Brazil.
Expect to pay a couple of dollars for a short taxi ride. Always negotiate before entering the taxi as they don’t use meters often and will overcharge you if you don’t agree on a price ahead of time.
Tours

Tours are super cheap in Bolivia. If you wanted to do any tours then this is the place to do it! A 3-day 2-night Salt Flat tour only cost me $250 USD! That included transport in a 4WD, two nights in a private room with my partner Bailey, a guide, and all meals.
To browse the tours available in Bolivia click here!
Daily Budgets in Bolivia
Low
$13-$20 USD per day – This means staying in budget dorms, eating local set meals or cooking, rarely going on organized tours, using the cheapest intercity buses, and of course, not drinking a lot.
Medium
$20-50 USD per day – Once you extend your budget a little you can really get a lot more. This was our budget and we were able to do our Salt Flats tour, eat locally with the occasional pizza, drink a few beers, take average buses, and all-around travel without too much worry of going over our budget.
High
$50+ USD – With a budget of $50 USD a day you can do a lot in Bolivia. This budget is for those wanting to party, go on quite a few organized tours, eat western food, and take the nicest buses. I still don’t think this budget would include taking many flights, however, if you adopted some of the low-budget techniques it could!
BEST Places to Travel in Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni (the Salt Flats)

Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world! Located at over 4,000 m (1,300 ft) above sea level and covering 104 km2, the Salt Flats in Bolivia were by far the highlight of my trip in Bolivia.
The most classic way to see the Salt Flats is on a 3-day tour that explores the whole region including a desert at 5,000 m (16,400 feet) above sea level! You can also take a Salt Flats tour from La Paz – there are options via overnight bus or flying, which will get you there quicker.
In addition to the salt flats, you will see all kinds of different landscapes from mountains to lagoons to desserts and wildlife such as llamas, vicuñas, Andean rabbits, Andean foxes, and more!
During the months of March and April, it is possible to get the famous mirror reflection from the little water that still remains from the wet season. During sunset, this is spectacular!
For more information check out our blog which covers everything you need to know before visiting the Salt Flats blog!
La Paz

At first glance, La Paz can seem like just another overcrowded city. However, all it takes is for you to have a good walk around the city, and that all changes.
Not many cities around the world can beat La Paz’s extraordinary setting. Located at 3,650 m (12,000 ft) above sea level, La Paz is essentially situated in a bowl that descends from a large flat plain.
Around the city, the markets breathe with life and are perfect for doing a little shopping. From great museums, the famous Witches Market, and pebble stone streets, La Paz is anything but normal!
You can read about what we did while we were in La Paz, Bolivia here!
Samaipata

If large cities aren’t your thing then Samaipata will be! Located only a few hours from the city of Santa Cruz, Samaipata is the perfect place to enjoy some peace and quiet. Known as Bolivia’s own “Little Switzerland” because of its beautiful location and stunning landscapes, this small sub-tropical town is amazing!
During the day you can explore the nearby waterfalls and in the evening enjoy a coffee in the main square. This town is perfect for those who love a little tranquility!
Copacabana
It’s true! Bolivia is home to the famous Copacabana Beach! Well, not quite – but it is still pretty amazing! This beach town is actually located on Lake Titicaca near the border of Peru.
The town is really beautiful and is a great place to eat locally caught fish!
Overlooking the town is a giant hill that can be climbed. From the top, the views of the beach and town are stunning! Although not the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, it is still worth a visit!
Sucre
Sucre is likely the most beautiful city in Bolivia. From the main square, you can venture down the many side streets and be welcomed by beautiful white colonial buildings.
Sucre is famous for being both a cheap and a great place to learn Spanish. During my stay, I did two weeks of Spanish lessons in Sucre and loved them!
Potosi

Potosi is the highest town in the world at almost 4,000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level! Just being in Potosi can have you out of breath, and if it doesn’t, then climbing one of the many steep hills will!
Other than visiting the highest town in the world, one draw card to Potosi is a chance to visit one of the surrounding mines. These mines are hundreds of years old and are a death sentence for those who work them.
Be warned though, booking this guided tour is not for the faint-hearted!
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is located in the lowlands and is the closest city to Brazil. The city was most definitely not my favorite, but I did enjoy the warm weather.
Santa Cruz borders the Amazon Rainforest and the city’s surroundings are lush and green which makes for some nice scenery and the ability to spot wildlife like sloths and monkeys.
Just outside of the city is a great local skydive club so if you have ever thought of jumping, then this is a great opportunity.
Related Read: Did you know that you can cross from Brazil to Bolivia by land?
BEST Things to do in Bolivia
3-day Salt Flats Tour
Being that the Uyuni Salt Flats are the largest salt flats in the world it’s no wonder that this is the most popular tourist activity in Bolivia. I agree, having visited here for myself, this tour is a must for any traveler going to Bolivia!
The 3-day classic tour is awesome and takes you to some amazing places in Bolivia that look like they are from another world.
On top of the salt flats, there are several different types of terrain and landscapes you’ll see here including lagoons, mountains, hot springs, geysers, and even lots of native wildlife like Andean Foxes and flamingoes.
The tour can be done from the San Pedro de Atacama in Chile and finishes in Uyuni, or vice versa, from Uyuni back to Uyuni. I did the latter option and loved it.
There is a lot of driving but the views are amazing! Seriously, you must do this!
You can book a 3-day Salt Flats tour (like we did) online in advance, or if you’re really short on time, just visit for one day!
Hike the Cordillera Real

The Cordillera Real is a chain of mountains that are part of the greater Andes Range. This section of mountains near La Paz offers some breathtaking hikes not to be missed.
I know this as I missed them! It is my biggest regret over my whole trip. Oh well, I guess I will have to go back now!
This particular tour is an epic 3-day beginner-friendly hiking tour where you will learn mountaineering techniques in order to scale the mountain which will lead you to amazing views of the Cordillera Real.
When I go back to Bolivia for the second time, I will most definitely be doing this tour!
Mountain bike the Death Road
The Death Road is considered to be the most dangerous road in the world. Dug into a cliff, the road has claimed thousands of lives since its construction.
These days, a new road has made the Death Road rather unused and instead it’s now a tourist attraction. Visitors can now try their luck and mountain bike down the road.
Starting from a high point, not much riding is involved and instead, you must tackle the rock road and 1,000 ft straight drops! If you’re worried about giving it a go, don’t! It’s not as crazy as it sounds and you can go at your own pace. I was racing a friend and had a few scary, close calls, but you don’t have to!
Do be careful though, in recent years a couple of tourists have died doing this. Be sure to choose a reputable company that supplies high-quality bikes (with good breaks) and full safety gear.
We paid extra to ride the Death Road with a very highly-rated company. You can book the same tour as us online in advance here!
Visit the Dinosaur Footprints
Only a short bus ride from Sucre is the largest collection of dinosaur footprints in the world. Spread across a huge rock wall the footprints are from several different large dinosaurs including the Brachiosaurus (long-necked herbivore).
You can get right up and close to the footprints and see just how big they are! This is one of the most unique things to do in Bolivia and something you simply need to add to your Bolivia travel bucket list!
You can buy your entrance ticket online or book this city tour of Sucre that also includes a visit to Cretaceous Park to see the dinosaur footprints.
Explore the waterfalls of Samaipata
Only a 10-minute drive from Samaipata nestled in the beautiful forest is 3 beautiful waterfalls. These waterfalls are a great place to come and spend the day. The waterfalls are along a small trail that slowly leads upwards.
Just before the last waterfall, you are welcomed with amazing views of the green valley – just be ready for some icy cold water!
Visit “Crazy Dave” at the San Pedro Prison
For those that are thinking “huh? Why would I visit a prison on holiday?” Well, this prison was made famous after the book titled Marching Powder was published. The book followed the life of an English man named Thomas McFadden locked up in Bolivia for drug smuggling. The prison he was locked up in was San Pedro prison in La Paz.
San Pedro is unlike any other prison in the world for many reasons. A few are that you must buy your cell, families live in there, the kids that live there attend a school over the road, and oh, they make drugs in the prison and sell them over the walls!
These days you can no longer enter the prison (you used to be able to do a tour). However, a man who goes by “Crazy Dave” still does tours from the outside. Crazy Dave is an American who was locked up with Thomas. The tour is in no way professional, however, it is interesting!
Related Read: Sold on visiting Bolivia? Check out our Bolivia bucket list so you can plan the most exciting and adventurous trip!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!

To finish off our Bolivia travel guide, I would like to say that Bolivia is a magnificent country that often gets missed by many travelers. The ones that do go find out that Bolivia is a beautiful country filled with rich culture and traditions.
The people of Bolivia are modest and many live as they did many years ago. If you’re ever wondering what Bolivia has to offer while you’re there just look out the bus window at the amazing scenery or watch some locals go about their daily lives.
I hope you found this Bolivia travel guide helpful. If you have any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments and we will get back to you!
Be sure to also browse all of our Bolivia blogs, or check out some other popular articles we have below:
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Debora
Saturday 13th of July 2019
Thank you for the excellent post
destinationlesstravel
Wednesday 17th of July 2019
Thanks! Glad you found it helpfull :)
Nick
Tuesday 24th of April 2018
Hi Dan and Bailey. Looks like you had an amazing time. My wife and I are currently in itacare in Brazil and are trying to work out if it is time to head over to Bolivia or to keep heading up North. How did you guys find Brazil up past Salvador. We might look at flying into Santa Cruz as its a bit of a hike from here and not much cheaper to fly after all the buses. Also we want to learn Spanish and from what you have said Sucre is the best. We do like the warmth so was looking at doing this in Santa Cruz but this city is not really rated by any travellers. Are there any othertowns/cities that you can learn Spanish in that are in the lower parts? Thanks Nick and Julie
Destinationless Travel
Wednesday 25th of April 2018
Hi Nick and Julie, Thanks for your comment! Natal and Olinda were really cool in Northeast Brazil, but they are quite the journey and you likely will want to fly. I would recommend that from Salvador make sure you head inland and check out Chapada Diamantina National Park near the town of Lencois. If I remember correctly, Lencois is about a 5-hour bus ride from Salvador. There isn't anywhere lower in altitude in Bolivia to learn Spanish other than Santa Cruz. There isn't much to do in Santa Cruz but it is still a nice city, super modern in comparison to the rest of Bolivia so it would be comfortable to stay there while learning Spanish (big grocery stores, a mall, a cinema.) Learning spanish does take a lot of time and studying so staying in a city with not much to do wouldn't be the worst thing. We stayed at La Jara hostel and it was good, had a nice pool! Hope this helps, and enjoy your travels!