Understanding The Bolivian Boliviano's Movement Restrictions

The Bolivian boliviano (BOB) is the national currency of Bolivia. Since 1987, the central bank has allowed the boliviano to float freely against other currencies. The government has also targeted inflation since that time, through partial privatisation of public-sector businesses and legislative policymaking designed to promote private investment.

Entry requirements for Bolivia

To enter Bolivia, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry. If you are a citizen of the UK, you can visit Bolivia without a visa for up to 90 days per calendar year. For US citizens, a visa is required and can be obtained at a Bolivian Embassy or Consulate in the US or a neighboring country. A tourist visa can also be purchased at any land or air border. This allows visitors to stay for 30 days per trip, not exceeding 90 days per year. The visa costs $160 and can be paid in US or local currency upon arrival.

If you are planning to stay in Bolivia for more than 90 days, you must apply for a visa from a Bolivian Consulate before your arrival in the country. You will need to meet the Bolivian government's entry requirements, which include a police criminal record certificate from the UK, which can be obtained from the ACRO Criminal Records Office. Any documents from the UK will need to be translated into Spanish and legalised by the Legalisation Office.

If you are travelling with children, and only one parent or legal guardian is present, you cannot visit Bolivia for longer than 90 days. If you stay for more than 90 days, the child will need a judicial permit to leave Bolivia with only one parent.

All visitors to Bolivia must have proof of a round-trip ticket or confirmation of plans to depart the country, as well as proof of lodging. If you are staying with Bolivian friends or family, you may need a letter of invitation from the host.

Foreign travellers to Bolivia must complete the web-based registration process (SIGEMIG) prior to arrival. If this is not done, a fine will be imposed when exiting the country.

If you plan to work, study, volunteer, or conduct business in Bolivia, you must apply for a separate visa.

To enter Bolivia, you must have a certificate to prove you have had a yellow fever vaccination if you are coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

Bolivian currency

The Bolivian boliviano (BOB) is the national currency of Bolivia. It was introduced in 1987 and is the most recent in a series of Bolivian currencies with the same name. The boliviano is issued and overseen by Bolivia's central bank, the Banco Central de Bolivia, which circulates the currency in both coin and banknote formats.

A single boliviano is made up of 100 subunits, called centavos. Boliviano coins come in denominations of 10, 20, and 50 centavos, as well as larger coins worth one, two, and five bolivianos. Banknotes are available in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 bolivianos.

Since 1987, the central bank has allowed the boliviano to float freely against other currencies. The government has also targeted inflation through partial privatisation of public-sector businesses and legislative policymaking designed to promote private investment.

The boliviano has been relatively stable since its introduction, although Bolivia has experienced significant currency devaluations in its history. Since 2012, the Banco Central de Bolivia has held the boliviano's value steady at 6.9 bolivianos per US dollar. The inflation rate has also gradually decreased, registering just under 2% in 2019.

Bolivia's economy has grown steadily, with its per-capita gross domestic product (measured in terms of purchasing power parity) increasing from around $4,800 per person in 2008 to over $9,000 in 2019.

Transport in Bolivia

Overview

Bolivia's rugged topography and challenging internal geography make getting around the country a tricky and unreliable affair. The country's transport system is mostly based on roads, with aviation also playing an important role. Bolivia has a vast network of bus routes, and also has rail and air links with neighbouring countries.

Road

Bolivia has 62,479 km of road, of which only around 6% is paved. The country's road network includes a small network of 4-lane freeways, and several major national roads connecting its towns and cities. However, due to the country's geography and lack of resources, it is difficult to develop an advanced road network.

Bus

The most common way to travel in Bolivia is by bus. Buses run throughout the country's towns and cities, with larger double-decker buses called "Flotas" servicing longer journeys. These buses can hold up to 80 passengers and are equipped with reclining seats, offering a comfortable option for long-distance and overnight travel.

Rail

Historically important, railways now play a relatively small part in Bolivia's transport system. The country has two separate rail networks: the Western network, which runs from Oruro to the Argentine border, and the Eastern network, which has its nucleus at Santa Cruz and links to Brazil and Argentina.

Air

Air transport is the fastest way to travel between Bolivia's major cities and is essential for connecting isolated settlements in the Oriente region, especially during the rainy season when roads are often destroyed. Bolivia has 1,009 airports as of 2008, including 16 with paved runways. The country's nationally-owned airline, Boliviana de Aviacion (BoA), operates more than 70 flights per day to domestic and international destinations.

Healthcare in Bolivia

The country's healthcare system is primarily funded by the government, social health insurance contributions, and out-of-pocket spending. An additional 12.5% of the population is covered by the Sumi and Health Insurance of the Elderly programs, which cater to mothers, children under five, and individuals over 60. In 2019, Bolivia introduced a national health insurance program, the Seguro Único de Salud (SUS), to provide primary, secondary, and tertiary health services to its citizens. However, the impact of SUS in improving access to quality healthcare has been limited.

According to a 2022 report by the Defensoría del Pueblo de Bolivia, the public entity responsible for defending citizens' rights, the SUS faces several challenges. These include a lack of quality control guidelines, insufficient medical personnel and resources, bureaucratic procedures, and deficient information dissemination.

Bolivia's health indicators also highlight areas for improvement. Every year, 6% of households face catastrophic health expenditures, with underserved groups such as indigenous communities and informal labourers being particularly vulnerable to high out-of-pocket costs. To address these inequities, the government introduced ambitious health reforms in 2019 through the Single Health System (SUS) model, aiming to provide universal and free coverage to 50% of the population.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the necessity of Bolivia's health model. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and social unrest, public health facilities maintained uninterrupted essential health services. The SUS played a crucial role in ensuring access to COVID-19 treatment and mitigating the economic impact on marginalized communities.

Safety in Bolivia

Crime and Safety

Bolivia has lower levels of theft and violent crime than its neighbours Peru and Brazil, although crime levels have been rising in recent years. Most ordinary Bolivians are shocked by stories of theft or assault, and the threat of crime is no greater than in North America or Europe. However, as a tourist, you are likely to stand out, and it is important to take precautions to avoid opportunistic theft, which is the most common type of crime against tourists.

It is important to take out adequate travel insurance and check what the insurance company requires in the event of a claim. Most will need a police report for any theft. It is a good idea to make a careful note of important details such as airline ticket numbers, phone numbers for cancelling credit cards, and insurance details. You should also copy the important pages of your passport and travel documents, keeping them separate from your valuables. Keep an emergency stash of cash hidden on you. If you are staying for a long period, consider registering with your embassy, which can save time if your passport is lost or stolen.

Always carry your valuables, such as your passport, money, credit cards, and airline tickets, under your clothing and next to your skin. Money belts are good for this, but you can also get secure holders that hang under your shirt or from a loop on your belt. Keep your petty cash separate from your main stash so that you don't reveal your money belt every time you make a small purchase.

If you are staying in a hotel, ask if there is a safe (caja fuerte) at reception where you can deposit your valuables. It is usually safe to do this, but it is better to leave items in a tamper-proof holder or a signed and sealed envelope, getting an itemised receipt. Never leave valuables lying around in your room, and be cautious of sharing with people you don't know well, as other travellers can sometimes be thieves.

You are most vulnerable when you are on the move or arriving in a new town with luggage. Bus stations are a favourite hunting ground for thieves, so try not to arrive after dark, keep a close eye and hand on your bags, and consider taking a taxi to your hotel. Transport terminals, markets, city centres, fiestas, and other crowded public places where tourists gather are also hotspots for pickpockets and thieves. If you are carrying a bag, keep it in front of you where you can see it, and loop a strap around your leg when you sit down to make it harder for someone to grab.

There have been instances of "express kidnapping", where armed men, sometimes disguised as police, enter a taxi or minibus and take travellers to a secret location, forcing them to reveal their ATM PIN and holding them for several days while their account is drained. This has mostly occurred on the La Paz-Copacabana route, so it is recommended to stick to larger buses when travelling this route and be particularly careful when arriving after dark in the cemetery district of La Paz.

Taxis carry an element of risk. If travelling alone, don't sit in the front seat, lock the passenger doors, and be wary of cabs driving away with your bags. Wait for the driver to get out first. Radio taxis called by phone are safer than unmarked cabs.

Robbery is rare in rural areas, although campsites are sometimes targeted on popular trekking routes. Keep all your possessions inside your tent at night, avoid camping near villages, and always get local advice before setting off.

There are several scams used by professional thieves that you should be aware of. One is the "distraction" technique, where your bag or clothing is mysteriously sprayed with a substance, and a friendly passer-by points it out and helps you clean it, while their accomplice picks your pocket. Another involves something valuable being dropped at your feet, and a passer-by asking you to check your wallet to see if it is yours, or offering to share it with you. Walk away as quickly as possible and ignore anything dropped at your feet.

A third scam involves thieves posing as plain-clothes police officers and asking to see your money to check for counterfeit notes. They may have an accomplice who will vouch for this being normal procedure. Insist on the presence of a uniformed officer.

Terrorism

Although there is no recent history of terrorism in Bolivia, attacks cannot be ruled out. The risk of terrorist attacks globally affecting UK interests and British nationals is high, and you should stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

Natural Disasters

The rainy season, especially in mountainous areas, can be a risky time for tourists, with floods and landslides from November to March.

Other Risks

There is a high risk of getting scammed. Be wary of people impersonating "non-uniformed policemen" and trying to extort money from you. Official policemen will only need to see a copy of your passport and your Bolivian visa. If they turn aggressive, scream to scare them away. Taxi drivers might also try to trick you into paying more, giving you wrong information about the price of the ride.

Women travellers should apply precaution measures at all times and avoid dark and empty streets and locations, especially at night.

Frequently asked questions