Bolivia's Unfriendly Reputation: Why So?

Bolivia is often considered an unfriendly country, with a 2013 report ranking it last globally for the attitude of population towards foreign visitors. However, this reputation may be unfounded, as the country offers unique landscapes, ancient landmarks, and a friendly and welcoming population to adventurous travellers who are willing to go the extra mile.

One of the reasons for this misconception may be the language barrier, as over half of the population speaks indigenous languages like Quechua or Aymara, with Spanish as a secondary language. Poor English teaching has also resulted in few Bolivians being able to communicate with English-speaking tourists. This can lead to a lack of patience and frustration during basic transactions, giving the impression of rudeness.

Another factor is the perception of crime and safety concerns, with anecdotes and warnings on travel forums contributing to a sense of unease among tourists. However, Bolivia's overall crime rating is lower than neighbouring Peru, and locals often look out for visitors, offering reminders about personal safety and potential scams.

Tourism in Bolivia is also underdeveloped, and the country may appear less welcoming to travellers than more seasoned destinations. Travelling outside the larger cities and well-trodden paths can be challenging, but it offers a rewarding, raw experience. Learning some Spanish before visiting can greatly enhance the experience, and responsible, locally-run tours can help ensure a positive impact on the communities visited.

Transport is tricky

The first thing most travellers will encounter in Bolivia is the transport system. Like most of South America, people get around the country via an extensive bus network – but experiences on these can be debatable.

The process of catching a Bolivian bus deserves a post all to itself, so for now, I’ll mention the bare basics: overspeeding drivers, bizarre departure and arrival times, a constant gamble as to the bus temperature… You get the idea.

In terms of the more short-term transport options in Bolivia, though, I spent most of my time in two different types: taxis and trufis.

When I first arrived in La Paz, I was pretty nervous about catching the local buses. Known as trufis, these little minibuses throng the city’s streets and feature ticket sellers leaning out of the open doors shouting their destinations – information supported by a placard propped up in the windscreen.

The problem is that the drivers essentially make up their routes: if there’s a roadblock or too much traffic, they simply go another way. For a tourist, this is something of a difficulty when they barely know the name of the street their hostel is on.

Luckily, by the time I conquered my fear and boarded a trufi, I’d walked around enough of the city to know which direction we were speed-driving in. And if I ever lost my bearings, I’d simply shout, “Isquina por favor!” and jump out at the nearest corner. A rule I never would have learned without experiencing it first – however worried I was about getting lost.

Bolivia is also the only country where I’ve been consistently required to know both the directions and the eventual location of where I’m headed infinitely better than the taxi driver. There have been slews of drivers who look terrified when you flag them down – that is, if they stop at all. Numerous taxis have driven straight past me, or started their engines and speeded off as soon as they hear an address they’re not explicitly familiar with.

I stayed at an incredible hostel in Cochabamba which was marred solely by the fact that absolutely no taxis had any clue how to get there. My favourite journey back to Las Lilas hostel was with a driver who held an expression like a frightened rabbit for the entire ten-minute ride. I had to continually coax him to take each new turning, and clambered out of the car exhausted.

There are a number of benefits to the way Bolivians travel, though. First off, Bolivian transport is cheap. Hence why I took taxis a lot of the time – something that’s never been a habit in other South American countries.

The scenery on the bus route is also pretty nice.

Secondly, the experience is usually pretty friendly. On every trufi ride, I realised that each passenger said “buen dia” or “buenas tardes” as they boarded, presumably to the rest of the bus – and I adopted the tactic very early on.

Third, and most appealing to me, is that being a taxi driver in Bolivia is often a full family operation. Many times I’ve caught taxis with the driver’s son or daughter, wife or girlfriend in the front seat – and once in Sucre, even met a newborn baby, whose father clearly couldn’t bear to spend his days away from her. Despite the numerous strange drivers, there are also many who are really eager to chat away in Spanish about what you’re doing in Bolivia.

Sadly, though, these conversations were often tainted by a constant issue: paying the fare.

Money is stressful

It's a common source of stress for people all over the world, and it can have a huge impact on your mental and physical health. Financial stress can lead to anxiety, depression, behavioural changes like withdrawing from social activities, or physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches. It can also cause unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as drinking, abusing drugs, or gambling.

Financial stress can be caused by a variety of factors, such as job loss, escalating debt, or unexpected expenses. It can be particularly acute for people with low incomes, who may also experience additional stress due to their jobs. They may work in unsafe environments and lack the flexibility to take time off, or they may not have access to resources such as health insurance to receive mental health treatment.

So, what can you do to manage financial stress? Here are some tips:

• Talk to someone: Don't bottle up your financial worries. Speak to a trusted friend or family member, or seek professional help from a therapist or financial counsellor.
• Take inventory of your finances: Understand your income, debt, and spending. This can help you devise a plan to solve your money problems.
• Make a plan and stick to it: Identify your financial problem and brainstorm solutions. This could include living within a tighter budget, lowering your interest rates, or finding a new source of income.
• Create a monthly budget: Set aside money for everyday expenses, monthly bills, and unexpected costs. Prioritize your spending and cut down on non-essential purchases.
• Manage your overall stress: Practice stress-reducing techniques such as exercise, meditation, or deep breathing. Eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and make time for relaxation and social activities.

Food is an experience

When it comes to food, Bolivia is a country of extremes. From the bizarre to the bland, the delicious to the disgusting, Bolivia's cuisine is certainly an experience.

For the uninitiated, the country's signature dish is Plato Paceño, a huge cob of unflavored choclo (corn) served with beans, fried cheese, and potatoes. It's not going to win any awards for presentation, but it's certainly a hearty meal.

If you're after something a little more exotic, why not try the bull penis soup? Or perhaps some fried cow intestines? If that doesn't take your fancy, there's always the whole sheep's head, complete with eyes, nose, teeth, and wool.

Of course, there are plenty of delicious options too. Salteñas, for example, are oven-baked pastries filled with beef, pork, or chicken, and a variety of vegetables. Tucumanas are deep-fried empanadas, typically filled with beef or chicken, eggs, peas, carrots, and various spices. And if you're looking for something sweet, you can't go past the Cuñapé, a bread ball made with white cheese, egg, salt, milk, and yam flour.

But be warned: eating in Bolivia can be a challenge. Dishes are often served with a mountain of choclo, and it can be difficult to find anything other than plain white rice and a bland Bolivian salad of lettuce, tomato, and onion. The portions are also notoriously small, so don't be afraid to order multiple dishes.

Despite the challenges, Bolivian food is definitely worth experiencing. It's a unique cuisine that reflects the country's rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes. So go ahead and dive in—you never know what you'll discover!

The culture is fascinating

Bolivia is a country that is rich in culture and history. The country is home to thousands of different varieties of potato, and the locals supplement a starch-heavy diet with a nationwide obsession with sweet treats: plastic cups of coloured gelatine topped with whipped cream are sold on every street corner, sugary empanadas are grasped in sticky hands, and Coca-Cola is the drink of choice.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Bolivian culture is the traditional dress. Indigenously dressed men and women are a common sight in all towns, villages and most big cities – many of whom shy away from photos because they think a camera will steal their souls.

Another unique aspect of Bolivian culture is the use of llama foetuses, which are often hung above market stalls. People believe that burying a llama foetus under the foundations of a new house will bring good luck.

Bolivia is also home to a number of unique superstitions and traditions. For example, if a Bolivian offers you a gift, it is considered extremely rude to decline – in fact, it could even be seen as a personal insult. So, no matter how strange or unwanted the gift may be, it's best to just smile and say "gracias".

Another interesting aspect of Bolivian culture is the way people interact with each other. When passing someone's table in a restaurant, it is customary to say "buen provecho", which is the Spanish equivalent of "bon appetit". It is also not uncommon for strangers to share tables in restaurants – a trait that many other cultures could benefit from adopting.

Overall, Bolivian culture is fascinating and unique. From the traditional dress to the superstitions and traditions, there is always something new and interesting to discover.

Giving advice means making things up

Bolivia is a country that's not very set up for tourism. It's full of idiosyncrasies that can make or break a traveller's experience. One of these is the unique way Bolivians give advice.

On Boxing Day in Copacabana, I wanted to hire a motorbike. I'd spoken to an elderly gentleman renting out bikes a few days before. He'd given me a good price for four hours of renting an automatic bike – "Si, of course, we definitely have automatics", he'd said. But when we arrived to pick up the bike, he wheeled out a tired, battered motorbike, and proceeded to explain that there were only four gears we needed to use. "So it's not automatic", I said. "Si, si, it is! There is no clutch, so it's automatic", he replied, grinning. "No… if it has gears, it isn't automatic. We asked for an automatic because we don't know how to drive with gears!" His teenage assistant tried a different tactic. "This road is straight, it's flat. It's an automatic road," he said, unsuccessfully evading eye contact.

Time and time again, these things kept happening in Bolivia. A stranger would confidently point me in the wrong direction. A shop owner would tell me they didn't stock produce which I could clearly see on the shelf.

So what's going on here? Well, in welcoming developing countries, people are often desperate to help you, but too proud to admit that they don't know the answer to your question. So instead, they make things up. They give you 'advice' that isn't true. It comes from a good place – they don't want to be rude and they want to be as helpful as possible. But it can be frustrating for travellers who don't know the local culture.

The solution? Try to see the funny side of these situations. Remember that people are trying to be kind, even if their advice isn't accurate. Learn some Spanish so you can communicate better with locals and understand their perspective. And spend longer in one place so you can get to know it and its people better, rather than rushing around as a fast-moving tourist.

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