Travel Essentials

Bolivia: What To Know Before You Go

Q: What is the emergency number in Bolivia?

One number for everything: 911, Police: 110, Ambulance: 118, Fire: 119

Plugs: Types A and C; 230 V, 50 Hz. Emergency: One number for everything 911, Police 110, Ambulance 118, Fire 119. Tipping: Around 10% in restaurants is appreciated; small tips for guides and drivers are welcome. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.

Open The Bolivia Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types A and C; 230 V, 50 Hz

Emergency Numbers

One number for everything	911
Police	110
Ambulance	118
Fire	119

Tipping

Around 10% in restaurants is appreciated; small tips for guides and drivers are welcome.

Water And Health

Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water
Vaccines: Routine vaccines, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies; yellow fever recommended for all travelers
Malaria: Risk in lowland/Amazon areas below 2,500 m; ask about preventive tablets

Apps To Download Before You Go

Yango: Ride-hailing app widely used in La Paz, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba with fixed fares.
inDrive: Popular ride app where you negotiate the price with the driver.
Uber: Also operates in the main cities.
Tigo Money: Mobile wallet for paying and transferring money, useful for bills and top-ups.
Simple (QR): Bank QR-code payment standard accepted in shops and markets via local banking apps.
WhatsApp: Standard for booking tours, hostels and taxis.
Mi Teleférico: Official app for La Paz's cable-car lines, the best way to cross the city.
PedidosYa: The dominant food and grocery delivery app in Bolivia.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. A handshake is standard; among friends a single cheek kiss is common. Use formal titles with elders and officials.

Coca leaves. Chewing coca leaves or drinking coca tea (mate de coca) is legal, traditional, and helps with altitude — don't confuse it with cocaine.

Markets and bargaining. Gentle bargaining is normal in craft markets but not in shops with fixed prices; be polite and unhurried.

Safety And Scams

Bolivia is generally safe for tourists who stick to common sense precautions, though altitude, road conditions, and occasional political roadblocks (protests/strikes) can disrupt travel.

Fake police / document checks. Scammers posing as plainclothes police ask to see wallets or passports; ask for ID, insist on going to a real police station, or refuse and walk to a public place.

Taxi overcharging. Agree on a fare before riding, especially from bus terminals and airports.

Women travelers. Reasonable safety in tourist areas; harassment can occur on public transport, so stay alert at night.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Legal · Mostly Safe

Same-sex relations are legal in Bolivia and sexual orientation is a protected category under a 2010 anti-discrimination law, but same-sex marriage is not recognized and social acceptance is lower outside La Paz and Santa Cruz.

What Things Cost

Coffee (café)	Bs 17	$2.45
Local bus or metro ride	Bs 2.50	$0.35
Mid-range restaurant meal	Bs 60	$8.50
Hostel bed / budget room (night)	Bs 70	$10
Mid-range hotel (night)	Bs 280	$40
Daily budget, mid-range traveler	Bs 280	$40

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

May to October (dry season) is easiest for trekking and the Andes; if you want the famous Uyuni 'mirror' effect, aim for January-March instead.

Phrases

Basic Spanish phrases · Basic Quechua phrases · Basic Aymara phrases