Travel advisory · BoliviaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Bolivia.The warnings cover only these areas: Chapare Region.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice

Areas with warnings

Chapare Region · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK, US

Also named by one government: Brazil border region, Santa Cruz Department (Germany), Brazil border zone (France), Highway routes 4 and 24 (UK), Villa Tunari (UK)

Government	Advice	Updated	Read the advice
United Kingdom (FCDO)	No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
United States (State Dept)	Exercise Increased Caution (regional advisories)	Aug 18, 2026	Read the advice
Canada (Global Affairs)	Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)	Besondere Vorsicht walten lassen (exercise special caution) (regional advisories)	Oct 13, 2026	Read the advice
New Zealand (SafeTravel)	Exercise increased caution in the rest of Bolivia (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)	vigilance renforcée (reste du pays) (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice

Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.

flock of birds on body of water during daytime

South America

Bolivia

Bolivia is known for high Andean scenery, the Uyuni salt flat and Lake Titicaca, with colonial cities and rainforest lowlands to the east.

Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Bolivia

Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America and the fifth-largest on the continent. Its Andean west holds high plateaus, peaks and Lake Titicaca, the highest commercially navigable lake in the world. La Paz is the seat of government, Sucre is the constitutional capital, and Potosí grew rich from the Cerro Rico silver mine that made the Spanish empire rich. Cochabamba, in the temperate valleys, has an international airport.

The east sits far lower. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the largest city and main industrial centre, lies in tropical lowlands that include part of the Amazon basin. Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, lies in the southwest Andes, and Tiwanaku, near Lake Titicaca, was the capital of a pre-Inca polity. Most people live in the Andean region. Expect high altitude in La Paz and Potosí, and many unpaved lowland roads. In the lowlands, May is usually dry with clear skies, though cold southerly winds called surazos can arrive.

Five things to know before Bolivia

Complete the online registration before arrival
Bolivia asks all foreign visitors to register online before they arrive, with lodging details for the whole stay. Keep the confirmation with your passport. Visas and entry
Check the visa rule for your passport
UK and Canadian citizens need no visa for tourism. Border officers usually stamp 30 days; the UK says up to 90 days a year are allowed, and Canada's advice is to extend. Check other passports on Bolivia's migration site.
Plan the first days around the altitude
El Alto airport sits above 4,000 m and La Paz at about 3,600 m. Take the first day slowly, drink water and avoid alcohol, and ask a doctor about altitude medicine before you go.
Book the Uyuni salt flats with a licensed operator
Most people see the Salar on a one- to four-day jeep tour. Nights in the desert drop well below freezing in the dry season, so check what heating and sleeping bags are included.
Carry a yellow fever certificate if you need one
Proof of vaccination is required if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk. Vaccination is also advised depending on your route, so ask a travel clinic well before you go.

Bolivia travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

Visas and entry

Visa-free stays, online registration and yellow fever rules.

Read the guide Travel insurance

Altitude, remote tours and evacuation cover.

Read the guide Getting around

Night buses, domestic flights and the road to Uyuni.

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash for rural areas and where cards work.

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Signal in cities, and long gaps in the desert.

Read the guide

Top places to visit in Bolivia

See all attractions in Bolivia

a view of a city with mountains in the background

Monument · CochabambaChrist of the Concord Monument

Church · CochabambaMetropolitan Cathedral Basilica of St. Sebastian of Cochabamba

Landmark · La PazThe Witches MarketGo in the early evening, when the street lights come on, but expect many shops to close around 5 or 6 p.m.

A yellow church with a tall bell tower at night

Sight · Santa CruzSan José de chiquitos

Destinations in Bolivia

CitySanta CruzExplore

CityCochabambaExplore

white and brown mountain under blue sky during daytime

CityLa PazExplore

CityUyuniExplore

What a day costs in Bolivia

Per person, in BOB

Work out your trip

BudgetBOB 140a day≈ $12 · per person

Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.

Bed a night: BOB 70
Food: BOB 60
Transport: BOB 10
Sights: Free

Mid-rangeBOB 520a day≈ $43 · per person

A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.

Bed a night: BOB 250
Food: BOB 180
Transport: BOB 40
Sights: BOB 50

ComfortBOB 1,250a day≈ $103 · per person

A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.

Bed a night: BOB 500
Food: BOB 350
Transport: BOB 100
Sights: BOB 300

Checked Oct 3, 2026 by Lucas MoreiraA source for every line on the trip cost page. Flights not included. Rates By Exchange Rate APIWork out your trip

When to go

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best

JanuaryRain24 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Rainy season
FebruaryRain23 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Rainy season
MarchRain25 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Rain easing
AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh13°Low3°Drying out
MayPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh13°Low2°Dry, clear
JuneClear3 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh12°Low0°Dry, cold nights
JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh12°Low0°Dry, cold nights
AugustPartly cloudy5 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh13°Low1°Dry, windy
SeptemberRain12 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh13°Low2°Dry, clear
OctoberRain17 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh14°Low3°Warmer
NovemberRain16 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh14°Low4°Showers start
DecemberRain23 rainy days3 days with stormsHigh13°Low5°Rainy season

Average daily high and low in La Paz, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BoliviaPut the places you like in Bolivia on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Right now in Bolivia

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 34°
Humidity: 68%
Wind: 28 km/h
Chance of rain: 94%

Bolivia

04:05 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-4

Today31°24°94%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 94%.
Tue32°24°29%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 29%.
Wed33°26°21%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 33°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 21%.
Thu28°22°92%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 92%.
Fri31°24°55%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 55%.
Sat27°20°80%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 80%.
Sun26°20°37%Sunday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 37%.

Updated 12:21 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 12.1 BOB

Amount

Converted to

BOB · Bolivian Boliviano

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Bolivia

Big events, festivals and concert tours

Events calendar

NovemberCopa Libertadores finalNov 28, 2026

FebruaryRio CarnivalFeb 5 – 13, 2027

Four people in traditional embroidered clothing and hats against a bright sky

JuneInti RaymiJun 24, 2027

Festivals by month

Jan
FebOruro carnivalAcross Bolivia
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Before you go to Bolivia

Travel insuranceAltitude and remote toursRead the guide eSIM for BoliviaCity and highway coverageRead the guide Cash and cardsCarry bolivianos outside citiesRead the guide

Rules for Bolivia, checked

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more Get an entry stamp when you arrive overland; missing stamps lead to fines when you leave.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more Register online before you arrive, including your lodging details; officers register you at the border if you have not.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more

Bolivia FAQ

When can I see the Uyuni mirror effect?

In the rainy season, roughly January to March, when a thin layer of water covers parts of the salt flat. Some routes close after heavy rain.

How do I cope with altitude in La Paz?

Arrive with a slow first day, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. If you can, fly into lower Santa Cruz or come overland from Peru to adjust gradually.

How many days do I need in Bolivia?

Ten to fourteen days covers La Paz, Lake Titicaca, Sucre or Potosí and a three-day Uyuni tour. Distances are long and buses slow.

Can I travel from Bolivia to Chile through the Uyuni desert?

Yes. Many multi-day tours end at the Hito Cajón border for San Pedro de Atacama. Chile's customs checks for food are strict.

Do I need cash in Bolivia?

Yes, outside the main cities. ATMs are common in La Paz, Sucre and Santa Cruz but scarce around Uyuni and in the Amazon.