INFORMATION ABOUT PLANNING TRAVELS TO BOLIVIA
Here you can find important information for planning your journey
to Bolivia classified into the following categories: travel
Arrival and entry - Embassies
- Health tips - Currency
- Climate / travel period - Clothing
- Safety -
Guidebooks and Literature
Flights from USA, Canada, UK and Europe are offered by the following
airlines:
Varig -> via Río de Janeiro or Sao Paulo to La Paz or
Santa Cruz
American Airlines -> via Dallas and Miami to La Paz or Santa
Cruz
British Airways -> via London and Buenos Aires or Sao Paulo to
La Paz or Santa Cruz
Visa requirements:
For citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and
Europe staying as tourists in Bolivia for no longer than 3 months
there is no visa requirement.
For entering the country you need a valid passport. The tourist
visa you get at the airport, allowing a stay of 30 or 90 days, can
be extended for 90 days.
Non-tourists, such as interns, students, employees, have to apply
for the specific visa in their respective country.
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Embassy of the Bolivian Republic:
in Canada:
17 Metcalfe St, Suite 608
Ottawa
ON K1P 426
Phone: 613-236 5730
in the United Kingdom:
106 Eaton Square
London
SW12W
Phone: 020-235 4248
in the United States of America:
3014 Massachusetss Ave, N.W.
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 483 4410
Embassies in Bolivia:
Canada:
La Paz
Plaza Avaroa
Avenida 20 de Octubre 2475
Phone: 375 224
United Kingdom:
La Paz
Avenide Arce 2732
Phone: 357 424
USA:
La Paz
Avenida Acre 2780
Phone: 430 251
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Vaccinations:
Although, officially no vaccinations are required for Bolivia, you
should contact a GP or travel clinic regarding necessary vaccinations
before departure. Principally recommendable is an up to date protection
against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A and B. Furthermore,
vaccination against yellow fever when travelling to Santa Cruz or
the Oriente, and taking anti- Malaria tablets when visiting the
lowlands are advised.
General precautions:
To eat moderately, to salt well and to drink a lot. Have analysed
your urine if it gets dark. Don't eat mayonnaise, tatar or ice-cream
except in luxury and upper-range hotels and renounce raw salads,
ice cubes, raw milk and tap water. The most important precaution
rule is: "cook it, fry it, peel it or forget it"!
However, if you should experience stomach or intestine troubles
then a lot of fluid and salt, as well as Oral Rehydration Salts
in ready-made sachets can help and are available in any pharmacy.
Altitude sickness:
Due to the high altitude of La Paz (3.636 meter) you might feel within
the 6 to 12 hours after landing in the first few days an adverse
effect of the general state of health, such as headaches, a faster
heartbeat, an intensified respiration, loss of appetite, nausea
or sleeping disorders.
For the extreme heights in Bolivia here some guidelines: try to
avoid smoking and alcohol, rest on the first day, drink coca-tea
(mate de coca) and inhale oxygen for 5 - 10 minutes when having
a very strong headache. To counter altitude sickness, doctors recommend
DIAMOX. Untrained mountaineers are best advised to consult an expert
before departing. The occurrence of the acute altitude sickness
depends on the individual disposition, the starting altitude, the
ascending pace and the level of body effort. An increased water
supply and a physical ease can be of help.
Hospitals and doctors:
Especially in the private health sector, there are excellent doctors
and almost all travel health insurances finance far reaching treatments.
Private clinics mostly offer a good medical ambulance or in-patient
treatment on European level.
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National currency in Bolivia is the Boliviano.
Exchange rate December 2005:
1 US Dollar (USD) =
7.97000
Boliviano
1 Boliviano =
0.12547
US Dollar
1 Euro (EUR) =
9.33972
Boliviano
1 Boliviano =
0.10707
Euro
1 British Pound (GBP) =
13.64886
Boliviano
1 Boliviano =
0.07327
British Pound (GBP)
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There are four distinct climate zones in Bolivia:
The tropical lowlands with an altitude between 150 meter and 750 meter
where rainfall is high but seasonal (heaviest Nov-Mar) and large
areas suffer from alternate flooding and drought. The climate is
hot ranging from 23°C to 27°C.
The Yungas north of La Paz and Cochabamba at an altitude
of 750 meter - 1.500 meter with an average temperature of 24°C.
The Valles or high valleys and basins with an average temperature
of 19°C. Rainfall in the Yungas valleys is from 700mm to 800mm
a year (heaviest Dec-Feb) with high humidity.
The Puna and Altiplano with an average temperature of 10°C,
but above 4.000 meter it may get down to -25°C at night in June-August.
By day the tropical sun raises temperatures over 20°C. Rainfall
on the northern Altiplano is 400mm to 700mm. The period from Dec-Mar
is considered the rainy season throughout Bolivia.
The best time to visit Bolivia is consequently from May to November
which is considered the dry season. June to August are the coldest
months.
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Due to the different climate regions it is suitable to wear summer
as well as warmer clothes. The nights can often get quite cold.
As one can get surprised by sudden rain showers it is advisable
to carry a rain jacket.
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Tourists should always show a certain degree of caution and discretion,
as well as they should act according to the respective situation.
In bigger cities it is advisable to highly pay attention to one's
valuable belongings, especially in public places where there is
a great number of tourists. At the dawn of night one should not
walk alone through the streets but take a low-priced taxi.
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