Covid Testing: Bolivia's Entry Requirements Explained

As of December 2021, Bolivia required all travellers to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure from the first embarkation point. However, as of 2024, Bolivia seems to have no travel restrictions. Vaccinated travellers need to show proof of vaccination when entering Bolivia—the final dose must have been administered more than 14 days before arrival. Unvaccinated travellers must provide a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before entering the country) or a negative antigen test (taken no more than 48 hours before entering the country). Children under five years old are exempt from COVID testing.

Vaccinated travellers need to show proof of vaccination when entering Bolivia

As of May 2022, vaccinated travellers need to show proof of vaccination when entering Bolivia. The final dose must have been administered at least 14 days before arrival. Bolivia recognises the following vaccines:

• Sinopharm
• Pfizer
• Johnson and Johnson
• AstraZeneca

Vaccinated travellers do not need to quarantine upon arrival. However, all travellers, regardless of vaccination status, must register their accommodation address online for the duration of their stay. This must be updated as you travel throughout the country. Failure to do so will result in fines when you exit Bolivia.

All travellers must also show proof of medical insurance that covers the cost of COVID treatment.

Unvaccinated travellers need to show a negative PCR test result or a negative antigen test

As of December 2021, unvaccinated travellers to Bolivia must self-isolate for 10 days. They also need to show a negative PCR test result or a negative antigen test. The PCR test must be taken no more than 72 hours before entering the country by land, or before boarding a flight. The antigen test must be taken no more than 48 hours before boarding a flight or entering the country by land. Children under four or five years old are exempt from testing.

If you are unvaccinated, you will need to take another PCR test on day 3 of your quarantine. If this test is positive, you will need to quarantine until you receive a negative result. The cost of this test must be covered by the traveller.

Children under five do not need to show a negative PCR test result

If you are planning to travel to Bolivia with children under five, you will need to know the following. Children under five do not need to show a negative PCR test result to enter Bolivia. This rule applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated children. However, they do need to follow other entry requirements.

All passengers, including children under five, must have a passport with a minimum validity of six months. If you are entering Bolivia by air, you must fill out a "Declaracion Jurada del viajero para el seguimiento COVID-19" form and submit it upon arrival. Additionally, all passengers must have insurance to cover COVID-19 expenses, except for nationals and residents of Bolivia.

If you are entering Bolivia by land, river, or lake, you must carry a certified negative nasal antigen test for children over the age of five. This test must be carried out within 48 hours before entering Bolivia.

Please make sure you have all the necessary documentation for your children to ensure a smooth entry into Bolivia.

All arrivals are required to complete a travel form

All arrivals in Bolivia are required to complete a travel form. This is a mandatory requirement and must be done before entering the country. The form is called the "Declaracion Jurada del viajero para el seguimiento COVID-19" and must be presented upon arrival. The form can be filled out online, and a code will be generated by the system. It is important to note that failure to complete this form may result in denied entry to the country.

In addition to the travel form, there are other requirements for entering Bolivia. These requirements may vary depending on the traveller's nationality and vaccination status. Here are the key points to keep in mind:

Visa Requirements:

Firstly, verify your nationality. Nationals of certain countries, including those in Group I as defined by the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, do not need a tourist visa for stays of up to 30 days (extendable to 90 days within Bolivia). For these visa-exempt countries, a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and an international certificate of yellow fever vaccination are required. This certificate is specifically needed if travelling to endemic areas in the Bolivian Amazon.

Nationals of countries not on the visa-exempt list need a tourist visa and must meet additional requirements, including providing a visa application form, bank statement or proof of income, passport with a minimum validity of 6 months, round-trip plane ticket, and the international certificate of yellow fever vaccination if travelling to endemic areas.

Health Requirements:

Bolivia has implemented the following health requirements for entry:

• Present a vaccination certificate against COVID-19 in physical or digital format, with the final dose administered at least 14 days before arrival.
• For unvaccinated travellers or those without a complete vaccination cycle, provide a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before boarding (for air travel) or 72 hours before entering Bolivia (for land, river, or lake travel). Alternatively, a certified negative nasal antigen test taken within 48 hours is also accepted.
• All travellers, regardless of vaccination status, must have insurance to cover COVID-19 expenses. This requirement does not apply to Bolivian nationals and residents.

It is important to stay updated with the latest information, as COVID-19 travel restrictions can change frequently. Additionally, Bolivia may have specific requirements for travellers from certain countries or regions. Always review the official government sources and consult your local embassy or consulate for the most accurate and up-to-date information before planning your trip to Bolivia.

Tourists must show proof of medical insurance that will cover the cost of COVID treatment

As of May 1, 2022, tourists travelling to Bolivia must show proof of medical insurance that will cover the cost of COVID-19 treatment. This applies to all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status.

This requirement is in place alongside other COVID-19-related travel restrictions. Vaccinated travellers must show proof of vaccination when entering Bolivia, with the final dose administered at least 14 days before arrival. Unvaccinated travellers must provide a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before entering the country) or a negative antigen test (taken no more than 48 hours before entering the country).

All travellers to Bolivia must also register their accommodation address online for the duration of their stay. This information must be updated as travellers move around the country, and failure to do so will result in fines when leaving Bolivia.

Frequently asked questions