Bolivia Tours & Treks

While most countries do not require a visa to visit Bolivia, you will need a visa in advance if you are traveling from the United States, and a very expensive one at that, that reflects the charges that the US has for Bolivian citizens - it's called "reciprocation"... Start this process as soon as you decide on your dates, up to six months in advance. The following countries do not require visas: United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Africa, New Zealand, Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Canada, Belgium, and Australia.
 

Not mandatory, but always a nice gesture. There is usually a 10% service charge on restaurant bills, and you can leave any spare change additionally as well. For your guide, you can tip up from $2-$10/day, and private drivers appreciate $1-3. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
 

It varies, so make sure to ask us and we’ll find out based on where you’re going. Most of Bolivia is on 220-volt, 50 cycle electricity, which requires a voltage converter for 110-volt, however, La Paz and several other areas do use 110-volt. It’s best to confirm with the hotel upon arrival. Plugs are generally all either 2-prong round or flat, so it’s good to have an adapter just in case.

You will most likely have internet access from your hotel, and in major cities like La Paz, there are cyber cafes where you can connect for as little as one cent per minute. Since many of our itineraries are active tours and treks through the Bolivian backcountry, it is possible that you will be disconnected for several days while you are in the mountains or the Altiplano.
 

The best way to use your cell phone in Bolivia is to exchange your SIM chip for a pre-paid card from a local carrier, like Entel, Viva, Boliviatel, Cotel, or Tigo. To do this, you must have a GSM phone that is either unlocked or has a roaming option on your plan. This is much more affordable than paying the roaming fees from your carrier. However, note that in some of the more isolated parts of the country, especially on the Altiplano, in the Salar de Uyuni, or in the Andes, it can be impossible to get a signal.

Depending on where you are, you will find both flushing and squat toilets. In the nicer hotels and restaurants, there are flushing toilets. Itineraries that visit the more remote corners of Bolivia and the rural backcountry will likely have access to only the squat toilets. Always make sure to have toilet paper and hand sanitizer, as you can’t really count on any given place to have these available.

You should not drink the tap water in Bolivia, however, we make sure that there is always safe bottled water available for you. You can use the tap water to shower, wash your hands, and wash dishes with a strong antibacterial soap as long as you let them dry completely before using. We do recommend against brushing your teeth with the tap water.

 

Credit cards are accepted by higher-end businesses like hotels, restaurants, and tourist establishments, however, you will likely have to pay cash with smaller vendors, market stalls, and local diners and restaurants.
 

You definitely should! We highly recommend buying travel insurance before heading out on your vacation, and we work with TravelGuard Insurance company to provide you with the best deals. They offer fair prices for comprehensive insurance packages. Our Once You’re Booked page has more info.