Living Comfortably In Bolivia: How Much Does It Cost?

Bolivia is one of the cheapest countries in the world to live in, with a cost of living that is 49.69% lower than in the US. A retired couple can live very comfortably on $1,500 per month, while a single person can live comfortably on $600 to $800 per month. The minimum wage in Bolivia is $330 per month, and a lower-middle-class Bolivian will spend around $427 per month. For reference, a family of four's estimated monthly costs are $5,042, while a single person's are $1,519.70 or $430.70, depending on the source.

Renting in Bolivia

Understanding the Rental Market in Bolivia

Bolivia offers a range of accommodation options, from apartments in bustling cities to houses in tranquil countryside settings. The country's major cities, such as La Paz, Sucre, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz, provide a variety of dedicated apartment blocks and real estate agencies to assist you in finding your dream home. Additionally, online platforms like Airbnb and local rental listing sites have made it easier than ever to find short-term and long-term rentals.

Online Platforms for Renting in Bolivia

When searching for rental properties in Bolivia, online platforms can be a convenient option:

• Airbnb: Airbnb is a popular choice for finding accommodations worldwide, and Bolivia is no exception. With 300 Bolivian properties listed on Airbnb, you can easily browse and book accommodations that fit your requirements.
• Rental Listing Sites: Various property rental sites offer apartments and houses for rent throughout Bolivia. Sites like Inmobiliaria.com provide a wide selection of properties that can be filtered by type, location, and number of rooms. ArrangeYourVacation.com, Doplim, Evisos, and Sublet.com are also worth exploring for their English-language interfaces and vacation rental options.

Exploring Local Options

If you prefer a more traditional approach, there are other ways to find rental properties in Bolivia:

• Apartment Blocks: La Paz, Sucre, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz boast several dedicated apartment blocks with modern amenities and convenient locations. These complexes often provide spacious and well-furnished apartments, some even offering elegant touches like local artwork.
• Real Estate Agents: Bolivia's major cities are home to numerous real estate agencies or 'inmobiliarias'. These agents can assist you in finding apartments that match your criteria. A comprehensive list of Bolivian-based estate agents can be found on bolivia.inmobiliaria.com.
• Local Newspapers: Local newspapers, such as 'El Diario' in La Paz and 'Correo del Sur' in Sucre, regularly feature classified sections with apartment rental listings. This traditional method can be a great way to discover local rental opportunities.

Unique Rental Practices in Bolivia

Bolivia has a unique rental practice called "anticretico," which is rarely seen elsewhere. In this arrangement, instead of paying rent, you provide a lump sum to the landlord at the beginning of the rental period. At the end of the agreed-upon tenancy, the landlord returns your entire payment. Essentially, you get to live in the property rent-free. This method benefits the landlord by providing an interest-free loan, allowing them to invest or start a business with your lump sum.

Rental Costs in Bolivia

Rental costs in Bolivia vary depending on location, property type, and amenities. Here are some examples of monthly rental prices:

• A one-bedroom apartment in a safe, central neighborhood, including utilities and cable television, can cost around $200.
• A one-bedroom apartment in a historic district with utilities, cable TV, internet, and weekly maid service might be priced at less than $300.
• A three-bedroom condo in an upscale neighborhood could rent for between $600 and $800 per month.
• A three-bedroom house in a quieter area, surrounded by nature, may be more affordable, with rents as low as $200 per month.

In conclusion, renting in Bolivia offers a range of options to suit different budgets and preferences. Whether you choose to explore online platforms, connect with real estate agents, or discover local opportunities through newspapers, you can find accommodations that align with your desired lifestyle in this captivating country.

Utilities and groceries

The cost of utilities in Bolivia varies depending on the type of accommodation and the location. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Tarija with all utilities and cable television included costs around $200 per month. In contrast, Steve Nagy rents a one-bedroom apartment in the historic district of Sucre for less than $300 per month, which includes internet and weekly maid service.

The average price of residential electricity in Bolivia has been increasing over the years and surpassed $12 per megawatt-hour in 2019, an increase of nearly 20% compared to 2014. However, this is still significantly lower than electricity prices in other countries.

When it comes to groceries, the cost of food in Bolivia is relatively cheap compared to other countries, especially when compared to income. The average Bolivian spends around $70 per month on food and groceries, with a common meal costing around $3 and a breakfast around $2. Tourists, however, tend to spend much more, with an average of $15 per meal, as they often eat in tourist places that charge higher prices.

It is worth noting that food expenses can vary depending on income level. Lower-income individuals in Bolivia may spend as little as $45 per month on food, while high-income individuals may spend around $150 to $250 per month to get higher-quality meals and groceries.

Overall, a comfortable life in Bolivia for a retired couple can be achieved with around $1,550 per month, but it is possible to live on less. For example, Nathan Salveson lives a comfortable life in Tarija on well under $1,000 per month, including rent, utilities, and a food budget of $220 per month.

Transport costs

Bolivia is known for its cheap and reliable transport system. The country's bus network is extensive and frequent, with buses running to all the major towns and cities. Long-distance buses are usually large double-decker buses called "Flotas", which are newer and more comfortable than city buses. These buses are equipped with reclining seats, and passengers can choose from three types of seats: Cama Premium, Cama, and Semi-Cama, with the former being the most expensive and the latter being the cheapest.

For shorter routes, there are minibuses called "micros" that travel along predetermined routes and can be hailed from anywhere along the route. Another option is the "trufi", a type of van/taxi that has a set route and is shared with other passengers. It is cheaper than a taxi and costs around Bs 3 ($0.40) for a one-way trip.

Taxis are also readily available in Bolivia and are considered the safest mode of transport. Official taxis can be identified by a taxi sign on the roof, and fares are usually fixed but need to be agreed upon before the journey. A regular taxi will cost around Bs 4 ($0.60) per person for a one-way trip, while a radio taxi, which is dispatched based on calls, will cost between Bs 6 ($0.90) to Bs 40 ($6) depending on the distance and the number of passengers.

For those looking for a more scenic route, there is also a cable car system in La Paz, connecting the city to neighboring El Alto. The initial fare is Bs 3 ($0.43), and it offers stunning views of the city.

Flying is another option for those short on time, with internal flights costing between Bs 350 ($50) and Bs 700 ($100) for a one-way ticket. However, delays and cancellations are common, so it is recommended to book in advance and reconfirm before departure.

When it comes to train travel, there are two separate networks in Bolivia: the Eastern network, which runs from Santa Cruz to the Brazilian border and the Argentine border, and the Western network, which runs from Oruro to Villazón on the Argentine border, with a weekly train to Calama in Chile. Train travel is not a popular mode of transport in the country, and the scenery on the Eastern route is fairly uninspiring. However, the Western route offers breathtaking views, making it a great alternative to the bus between La Paz and Uyuni.

Overall, transport costs in Bolivia are very affordable, with local buses costing as little as $0.15 for a one-way ticket and longer bus journeys costing around $2 per hour. A monthly pass for public transport is also very reasonable, costing around $88 on average.

Entertainment

Bolivia is the cheapest country in Latin America and the third cheapest country in the world. A single person's estimated monthly costs are around 430.7€ or $5042 without rent, while a couple can live comfortably on $1550 per month.

Bolivia has no shortage of entertainment options, from natural wonders to cultural delights. The country is known for its thriving artistic community, with prominent painters, sculptors, musicians, and folk dancers. Numerous theaters and art galleries in major cities showcase traditional Bolivian art and music. The National Museum of Art and the National Museum of Archaeology in La Paz and the Casa de Moneda National Museum in Potosí are among the most prominent museums in the country.

Bolivia also offers a range of adrenaline-pumping activities for thrill-seekers, such as sandboarding in Lomas de Arena, cycling down the infamous Death Road, and ziplining in Yolosa over the Amazon rainforest. For those seeking a more cultural experience, the dozens of Roman Catholic churches and cathedrals, dating from colonial times and adorned in extravagant Baroque style, are a national architectural treasure. The city of Potosí, with its impressive Casa de Moneda (Royal Mint), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The country's entertainment scene also includes cinema, performing arts, professional wrestling, radio, television, and theatre. The cities of La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz offer a variety of sports and recreational activities, with professional-quality golf courses and clubs for horseback riding, tennis, and other activities catering to all interests and age groups.

The combination of Indian and European cultural influences in Bolivia means that there is something for everyone when it comes to entertainment, whether it's exploring the surreal landscapes of Salar de Uyuni, discovering the colonial architecture of Potosí, or enjoying the vibrant nightlife and restaurants of Sucre.

Healthcare

Bolivia has a mix of public and private healthcare facilities, which are capable of delivering healthcare to both foreigners and locals. Public facilities are subsidised by the government but are drastically underfunded and heavily utilised, resulting in long wait times and a lower quality of healthcare when compared with western nations. Private clinics, on the other hand, are generally preferred by expats as they offer a higher level of care and are capable of handling most medical concerns. However, they can be significantly more expensive.

Outside of the major cities, finding quality healthcare can be difficult or even impossible. The prevalence of diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, leptospirosis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, and bacterial diarrhea, combined with a lower level of sanitation and inferior quality of healthcare, means that medical insurance is strongly recommended for anyone living in or visiting Bolivia.

The Bolivian government has introduced basic public health insurance, which covers the majority of the cost of care, and sometimes the complete cost, for at-risk groups (children, expectant mothers, and the elderly) at public hospitals. Social security is also in place for residents who are actively employed in the country, with payments being mandatory for both employers and employees. This can cover the cost of healthcare at some facilities in the country.

Private health insurance is also available and is designed to cover the cost of care at private hospitals. There are two types of health insurance plans available in Bolivia: local health insurance plans, which only cover the cost of care in Bolivia, and international health insurance plans, which cover the cost of care in any country.

The cost of an international health insurance plan in Bolivia will vary depending on factors such as age, coverage requirements, and nationality. For example, Americans seeking coverage in both Bolivia and the US can expect to pay more for their plan.

Expats are advised to seek care from private facilities in the country, but treatment for major conditions and surgeries should be done outside of Bolivia. Additionally, due to the lack of adequate health facilities in smaller cities and rural areas, medical evacuation may be necessary for those living outside of the big cities, which can be extremely expensive. Local health insurance plans typically do not cover healthcare outside of Bolivia or provide adequate evacuation coverage, so expats should consider securing international health insurance.

Frequently asked questions