Bolivia Local Customs - Travel Advice

TRAVEL ADVICE

Visa Requirements

For entry into Bolivia visitors will need a passport valid for at least six months beyond..

Travel Health

Recommended vaccinations for travel to Bolivia are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus..

Local Currency

The official currency for Bolivia is the boliviano. Notes are in denominations of Bs200..

Weather

Bolivia's climate varies throughout the country depending on altitude, and ranges from..

Local Customs

The people of Bolivia although sometimes a little shy are generally friendly and helpful...

Languages

The official language for Bolivia is Spanish and the main indigenous languages spoken are..

Transport Options

The International Airports for Bolivia are La Paz (LPB) (El Alto International) which is..

Travel Tips

Penalties for drug offenses in Bolivia are severe and include lengthy imprisonment in..

Local Food

The cuisine of Bolivia primarily consists of meat and potatoes with beef, chicken and..

Local Timezones

Bolivia Standard Time is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-4). Bolivia does not..

Dutyfree Limits

The following goods may be imported into Bolivia by persons over 18 years of age without..

Local Customs

The people of Bolivia although sometimes a little shy are generally friendly and helpful. It is expected in restaurants to add a 10% to 15% gratuity to the bill. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip however it is common practice to tip hotel porters about Bs4 to Bs8 per bag.

Religion in Bolivia is primarily Roman Catholic with a Protestant minority as well as indigenous religions.

When referring to rural Bolivians you should call them campesinos instead of Indians, Indio or Cholo as these are considered insulting. You will find female campesinos still wearing their traditional dress.

Casual wear for travellers is suitable in most cases except for smart social occasions where a suit and tie for men and dress for women is appropriate. Unless otherwise indicated smoking is accepted in nearly all places. In general Bolivians' time-keeping is poor so allow extra time for meetings and outings.