Exploring Bolivia: What's The Cost Of Entry?

Bolivia is known for being a reasonably affordable destination, with travellers spending less than $45 per day on average. The cost of entering Bolivia depends on several factors, such as transportation, accommodation, food, and entertainment.

For transportation, local buses are the cheapest option at $$0.30 for a one-way ticket, while taxis within the city centre cost around $0.60 per person. Long-distance bus journeys cost around $2 per hour, and flights are a more expensive but affordable option for those short on time.

For accommodation, hostels are the most popular choice for backpackers, with dorm beds starting at $8 per person. Private double rooms with ensuite bathrooms can be found for around $25 per couple, while luxury hotels typically range from $100 to $150 per night.

When it comes to food, eating out at local eateries is generally cheaper than tourist establishments, with meals costing around $2-$3 compared to $6-$8 at gringo-friendly places. Street vendors and markets offer hot meals, juices, and fresh fruit salads for as little as $1.

Entertainment and activities in Bolivia are also budget-friendly, with many museums and churches offering free entry or a small fee of $2-$4. Tours, such as the famous Salt Flats Tour, range from $175 to $250 per person for multiple days.

Overall, the cost of entering Bolivia depends on your travel style and preferences, but it is possible to have a memorable trip on a budget.

Food and drink

Bolivian cuisine is heavily influenced by indigenous traditions, particularly those of the Aymara and Inca peoples. Staples of Bolivian cuisine include corn, potatoes, quinoa, and beans, with many dishes featuring a combination of these ingredients. The Spanish have also had a significant influence on the country's food, introducing ingredients such as rice, wheat, beef, and pork. As a result, many Bolivian dishes blend indigenous and Spanish elements, such as the ubiquitous salteñas (baked pastries filled with meat, vegetables, and a mix of sweet and savoury sauces).

In Western Bolivia, particularly in the Altiplano region, the cold climate lends itself to spicy dishes. A notable example is the pique macho, a hearty dish consisting of beef, sausages, onions, peppers, egg, and fries topped with sauce. In contrast, the lowland Amazonian regions of Bolivia tend to feature local produce such as fruits, vegetables, fish, and yuca in their cuisine.

• Anticuchos: Grilled skewers of beef or chicken hearts, often served with potatoes and a peanut sauce.
• Cuñapé: A dish from Eastern Bolivia, made with white cheese, egg, salt, milk, and yam flour formed into bread balls. It is typically served with a hot beverage.
• Empanadas Bolivianas: Baked or fried pastries filled with cheese, commonly enjoyed for breakfast or at teatime.
• Queso Humacha: A thick and creamy soup made with corn, green beans, potatoes, milk, and a generous amount of Altiplano cheese.
• Sajta de Pollo: A traditional dish where chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, rice, and peanuts are served with a distinctive sauce called sajta.
• Silpancho: A filling dish from the valleys of Cochabamba, consisting of layers of white rice, sliced tomatoes, and pounded meat, often served with onion, beets, parsley, and a fried egg.
• Tucumanas: A vegetarian version of salteñas, these pastries are stuffed with potatoes, carrots, olives, and peas. A meat version with beef, pork, or chicken is also available.
• Yuca Frita: Thin slices of deep-fried yuca (cassava), served as a snack or side dish with grilled meats.
• Zonzo: A pancake-like entrée made with cheese and yucca, traditionally wrapped around a stick and grilled. It can now be found fried, baked, or grilled and is a popular afternoon snack.
• Alfajores: Mouth-watering cookies with a layer of dulce de leche in the centre, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
• Helado de Canela: A light and refreshing non-dairy frozen treat flavoured with natural cinnamon and lemon juice, perfect for cooling down on a hot day.

When it comes to drinks, Bolivia offers a variety of options as well. A typical Bolivian breakfast often consists of just a black coffee (cafe tinto) and a piece of bread. However, Bolivians observe an afternoon tea break similar to the English tradition, usually around 4-5 pm. Tea is typically served with biscuits or pastries, and they also enjoy coca or herb tea as an alternative to black tea.

For those looking to dine on a budget, Bolivia offers plenty of affordable options. Street food and local restaurants can provide delicious meals for as little as $2-5. At mid-range restaurants, you can expect to pay around $10-20 per person. Alcoholic drinks are also reasonably priced, with a bottle of beer costing around $2.

Transport

Bolivia is accessible by land, air, and water transportation.

Land Transportation

Bolivia has a vast network of roads, totalling 62,479 km in distance. However, only 3,749 km of these roads are paved, while the remaining 58,730 km are unpaved. The country's road construction is challenging due to its geography and limited resources. Nevertheless, Bolivia maintains a small network of 4-lane freeways.

The most common form of transportation in Bolivia is the bus. Local buses, called "micros" and "trufis," are cheap and operate on set routes within cities. Long-distance public buses are also available for travelling between cities, and they are usually overnight buses. Bolivia Hop is a popular choice for travellers, offering safe pick-ups and drop-offs, bilingual guides, and assistance with border crossings.

Taxis are readily available in Bolivia's major cities, and radio taxis are considered the safest option as they are operated by legal taxi companies. In bigger cities, ridesharing apps such as Uber and Easy Taxi are also available.

For those seeking more flexibility and independence, renting a car is an option, although it is not the most common or easy way to travel in Bolivia. It is important to be cautious when driving in Bolivia due to narrow roads and drunk drivers.

Air Transportation

Bolivia has 1,009 airports as of 2008, with a mix of paved and unpaved runways. The country's unique geography makes aviation an important mode of transportation. La Paz airport, located in El Alto, is over an hour away from the city centre by taxi.

Water Transportation

Bolivia has 10,000 km of commercially navigable waterways as of 2007. The country also has port facilities and free-trade zones through agreements with neighbouring countries like Peru, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.

Rail Transportation

Historically, railways played a significant role in Bolivia's transport system. While their importance has diminished, Bolivia still has a functioning rail network. The country is also home to Mi Teleférico, the world's first urban transit network to use cable cars as the primary mode of transportation, serving the twin cities of El Alto and La Paz.

Accommodation

Bolivia offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. Here is a detailed guide to help you navigate the choices:

Budget-Friendly Options:

• Hostels: Backpacker hostels are abundant and cheap, with prices ranging from $6 to $12 for a dorm bed and $15 to $25 for a private room. They often include advantages such as kitchens and free WiFi.
• Family-run Hotels: Known as "Hostals" or "Alojamientos," these offer the best value for money. They are usually cheaper than big hotel chains and provide a more personalised experience.
• Camping: Although limited, there are some camping areas near National Parks and the Altiplano. Expect to pay around $2 for a camping spot.

Mid-Range Options:

• Three-Star Hotels: These offer comfortable stays at reasonable prices. For example, the Hotel Rosario in La Paz (three-star) costs $65 for a single room and $70 for a double.
• Apartments: SC Apartments in Santa Cruz de la Sierra offers a sustainable stay with a rooftop pool. It is located near the university and provides free WiFi and private parking.

Luxury Options:

• Five-Star Hotels: For a more luxurious experience, five-star hotels like the Radisson in La Paz offer rooms for around $80 per night.
• Boutique Hotels: Casa de Sal, a salt hotel in Uyuni, offers unique rooms built with salt blocks and Andean décor. It features an on-site restaurant, room service, and free private parking.

Other Options:

• Airbnb: For a more local experience, Airbnb offers accommodations like El Prado in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, which boasts air-conditioned rooms with a terrace and garden views.
• Bed and Breakfast: Parador Santa Maria La Real in Sucre is a charming bed and breakfast with a courtyard and spacious rooms. It offers a group discount and excellent service.

Activities

Bolivia is a treasure trove of natural wonders, vibrant culture, and rich history. Here are some activities to consider when visiting:

• Bike the North Yungas Road: Also called the "Death Road," this route connects La Paz to Yungas and is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the world due to its steep descent and treacherous conditions.
• Explore the Uyuni Salt Flats: This vast salt desert covers over 10,000 square kilometres and offers a surreal and mesmerising experience, especially during the wet season when it transforms into a giant mirror.
• Visit Lake Titicaca: The largest lake in South America and the birthplace of the Inca civilisation, Lake Titicaca is surrounded by traditional villages and ancient ruins. You can take a boat to nearby villages or visit the Inca ruins in Copacabana and Tiwanaku.
• See the sunset at the Valley of the Moon: Located near La Paz, this unique landscape of canyons and stalagmites was supposedly named by Neil Armstrong. It offers a challenging but rewarding biking trail.
• Experience the Rainforest: Starting from the town of Rurrenabaque, you can choose between budget-friendly pampas tours that showcase abundant wildlife or a classic Amazon jungle experience with a stay in an eco-lodge.
• Walk across Isla del Sol: A day trip or an overnight stay on this island involves a lovely walk and offers panoramic views of the lake, ancient ruins, and modern settlements.
• Visit the Witch Market in La Paz: A macabre yet fascinating market that sells strange concoctions and items like dried snakes and owl feathers. Be cautious when purchasing items that may support animal cruelty.
• Explore the Train Cemetery in Uyuni: This unique site features abandoned trains and equipment from the 1940s, left to rust in the salt winds over the years.
• Ride the Mi Teleferico: The world's highest cable car system in La Paz offers a spectacular view of the city and a convenient way to travel between La Paz and El Alto.
• Watch a Cholitas Wrestling Match: Witness the Fighting Cholitas, diminutive ladies in bowler hats and traditional skirts, competing in the wrestling ring every Sunday in El Alto, defying gender stereotypes.
• Visit the Pre-Incan Tiwanaku Ruins: This well-preserved archaeological site features impressive stone gateways, statues, and walls adorned with faces. It was once the capital of a sprawling empire that laid the foundations for the Inca civilisation.
• Wildlife Watching in Madidi National Park: Home to nearly 1,000 species of birds and numerous mammals, this diverse reserve offers the chance to spot jaguars, ocelots, capybaras, caimans, and colourful birds like toucans and parrots.
• Visit the Historic Jesuit Missions: Explore the small, isolated towns and villages where Jesuit missionaries established settlements and taught the local populations writing and religious music. Admire the restored churches, now protected by UNESCO World Heritage status.

Visas and insurance

The visa requirements for Bolivia depend on your nationality and the type of passport you hold. There are three groups of countries: Group 1 citizens do not require a visa, Group 2 citizens must obtain a visa prior to entry for free or upon arrival for a fee, and Group 3 citizens must obtain a visa in advance with special authorization.

For US citizens, a tourist visa costs $160, while a business visa costs $200. This visa can be obtained at a Bolivian embassy or consulate or purchased at any land or air border. It is valid for 30 days, with the option to extend for up to 90 days per year. If you lose your passport after obtaining the visa at a land border or entry port, you will need to pay the visa fee again ($160) to leave the country.

Citizens from Canada, European Union member states, Brazil, Russia, Israel, and the United States are among those who do not require a visa for tourism or business purposes. However, Israeli and US citizens were moved to Group 2 in 2021, meaning they can obtain a visa upon arrival for a fee.

Nationals of Iran, China, Macao, Hong Kong, and Taiwan can obtain a visa on arrival for a duration of 30 to 90 days, but a fee of $30 USD is applicable.

It is important to have a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining when entering Bolivia. Additionally, an International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination is required.

Travel insurance is highly recommended when travelling to Bolivia. The cost of travel insurance varies depending on factors such as age, trip length, coverage needs, and the chosen insurance provider. For a single trip, travel insurance can range from $50 to $500. Annual travel insurance policies can cost between $200 and $1000. Comprehensive travel insurance, which includes medical expenses, trip cancellation, baggage loss, and other unforeseen events, typically ranges from $100 to $1000.

Frequently asked questions