Bolivia's Wifi: Availability And Accessibility

Bolivia is a country with stunning natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage. It offers travellers diverse landscapes, unique cultural attractions, and adventure activities. When visiting this South American country, staying connected is easy, as free Wi-Fi is available at many popular places. From cafes and restaurants to hotels and airports, travellers can access the internet and share their experiences with loved ones back home. Additionally, there are various Wi-Fi devices and apps that can be used to stay connected while exploring Bolivia's natural wonders and historical cities.

Wifi availability in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and airports

Bolivia is a country that offers stunning natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage. It has made significant progress in recent years in terms of Wi-Fi availability, especially in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and airports.

Many cafes and restaurants in Bolivia now offer free Wi-Fi to their customers. This allows visitors to easily stay connected and share their travel experiences with friends and family back home. Whether you're exploring the Uyuni Salt Flats, trekking through the Amazon, or visiting the historic city of La Paz, you can find free Wi-Fi in many eateries throughout the country.

Hotels in Bolivia have also recognised the importance of staying connected. Most hotels, from boutique guesthouses to large chains, provide free Wi-Fi to their guests. This is especially useful for travellers who wish to stay connected during their stay and share their experiences without incurring additional internet fees.

Additionally, major cities in Bolivia offer free Wi-Fi hotspots in certain public areas, including airports. However, the connection may be unreliable and slow at times. Malls, coffee shops, and airports usually offer a more solid connection. When accessing Wi-Fi in public spaces, it is recommended to have low expectations and a backup plan, such as a book or engaging conversation.

Overall, Bolivia has made strides in improving Wi-Fi availability in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and airports, making it easier for travellers to stay connected and share their experiences during their visit to this beautiful country.

Internet service providers in Bolivia

Bolivia has several nation-wide companies that provide internet services, including local phone companies. Despite being the second poorest country in Latin America, Bolivia has the most expensive internet service in the region. This is because the country ""rents" its fiber optics from neighbouring countries like Chile and Brazil.

Some of the internet service providers in Bolivia include:

• Nuevatel PCS de Bolivia S.A.
• Entel S.A. - EntelNet
• Telefónica Celular de Bolivia S.A.
• Digital TV CABLE DE EDMUND S.R.L.
• ENTEL
• AXS
• SCBBS
• COTAS

COTAS is the local phone company in Santa Cruz, and its internet services cost roughly 8 to 10 times more than in the U.S. due to the cost of renting fiber optics. To set up COTAS, you can visit one of their offices or call 103 to request a salesperson to come to your home or office. They will bring a contract and help you choose a plan. You will need a copy of your passport or local carnet, and they will already have your other information if you have set up a home phone line.

Other internet providers may require a copy of your ID, a bank statement, and a copy of your water or electricity bill to make the connection.

Additionally, Bolivia offers free Wi-Fi in many popular places, including cafes, restaurants, hotels, and airports. Apps like Wifi Map and Wifi Near Me can help locate public Wi-Fi hotspots in the country.

Cost of internet services in Bolivia

Bolivia has some of the most expensive internet services in Latin America. In 2014, Bolivia was found to be the most expensive country in South America for a 1MB connection, at an average of $29 per 1MB per month. This was 17% of the minimum wage in Bolivia.

In 2020, Bolivia was found to have the third most expensive fixed broadband service in Latin America, at a cost of $45.96 per month.

In 2022, the average monthly cost of a mobile phone contract in Bolivia was $20.20, which was 4% less than the previous year. This equates to 7.4% of a Bolivian's income, compared to a worldwide average of 5.4%.

The high cost of internet services in Bolivia is due to the country's landlocked status, which means it must rent access to fibre optic cables from neighbouring countries at an inflated price.

Several nation-wide companies provide internet service in Bolivia, including local phone companies. In Santa Cruz, these include COTAS, ENTEL, and AXS. COTAS offers internet services at a cost of around 8 to 10 times more than in the US.

Other internet service providers in Bolivia include Tigo, Viva, and Vuela.

Portable wifi devices in Bolivia

Bolivia has the most expensive internet service in Latin America, with internet services costing roughly 8 to 10 times more than in the US. However, there are several options for portable wifi devices in Bolivia that can help you stay connected while travelling.

My Webspot offers a portable wifi device with unlimited internet access in Bolivia. The device provides 512 Mb/day of high-speed internet and can be shared with up to 5 devices. It has an 8-hour battery life and no hidden costs or data roaming fees. You can book the device online, have it delivered to your home, hotel, or another location, and then easily return it with a return envelope or by dropping it off at their partner offices.

TravelWifi offers another option for a portable wifi hotspot with 130+ country coverage. Their devices use CloudSIM technology to connect to the strongest and fastest local network wherever you go. You can rent or buy their hotspots, which provide global data, a secure and password-protected wifi signal, and the ability to connect up to 5 devices simultaneously. The devices also have a built-in power bank to charge your phone and other gadgets, and a 5-inch HD touchscreen to manage data on the go.

Rent 'n Connect also provides a portable wifi rental service for Bolivia, offering hassle-free connectivity. You can reserve your mobile hotspot device online and have it delivered to your hotel or another requested location prior to your arrival. They also offer easy return options, allowing you to return the device to their partner offices or have it picked up at your selected location.

With these portable wifi devices, you can stay connected and enjoy unlimited internet access during your travels in Bolivia.

Wifi speed in Bolivia

Bolivia has made significant progress in recent years when it comes to Wi-Fi availability. Free Wi-Fi is available in many popular places, including cafes, restaurants, hotels, and airports. There are also many public Wi-Fi hotspots available.

However, Bolivia has the most expensive internet service in Latin America. The local phone company in Santa Cruz, COTAS, charges approximately 8 to 10 times more than in the U.S. for internet services because they rent fiber optic cables from Chile and Brazil.

In December 2021, the median download speed of fixed internet connections in Bolivia was approximately 23.66 Megabits per second (Mbps). Mobile internet connections were slower, at around 15.91 Mbps.

According to a Reddit user planning to work remotely from Bolivia, the internet speed in the main cities can be as low as 20 Mbps, and in small towns, it depends on the region, with some having no internet access at all. Another user mentions that the internet speed in La Paz, the capital city, is good most of the time.

A comment from a person living in the Amazon jungle mentions that they have an internet speed of 17 Mbps, while another person living in a town near La Paz experienced poor internet connectivity, with WhatsApp texts barely coming through.

To improve internet speed and connectivity, some users suggest changing the DNS on the router and using a VPN service.

Frequently asked questions