South America / Destination guide

Bolivia

Rugged landscapes, high-altitude cities and refreshingly behind the times.

Salar de Uyuni salt flats stretching to the horizon, Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni

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A first look at Bolivia

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Quick Bolivia Facts

Capital
Sucre and La Paz
Languages
Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
Currency
Boliviano (Bs)
Time zone
UTC−4
Plugs
Type AType C

Explore Bolivia with these guides

Accommodation worth booking

Wild Rover, La Paz Hostel Wild Rover La Paz Mitru Sur, La Paz Mid-range Mitru Sur La Paz Atix, La Paz Luxury Atix La Paz

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Plan your entire Bolivia trip here

When to visit

Best overall time to visit Bolivia

May to October

Highlands seasons

  • Dry SeasonMay – Oct
  • Shoulder MonthsApr, Nov
  • Rainy SeasonDec – Mar
  1. January: rainy, 17°C, poor for visitingJanuary: rainy, 63°F, poor for visiting
  2. February: rainy, 17°C, poor for visitingFebruary: rainy, 63°F, poor for visiting
  3. March: rainy, 17°C, mixed for visitingMarch: rainy, 63°F, mixed for visiting
  4. April: partly sunny, 17°C, mixed for visitingApril: partly sunny, 63°F, mixed for visiting
  5. May: sunny, 17°C, good for visitingMay: sunny, 63°F, good for visiting
  6. June: sunny, 15°C, best for visitingJune: sunny, 59°F, best for visiting
  7. July: sunny, 15°C, best for visitingJuly: sunny, 59°F, best for visiting
  8. August: sunny, 16°C, best for visitingAugust: sunny, 61°F, best for visiting
  9. September: partly sunny, 17°C, good for visitingSeptember: partly sunny, 63°F, good for visiting
  10. October: partly sunny, 18°C, good for visitingOctober: partly sunny, 64°F, good for visiting
  11. November: partly sunny, 18°C, mixed for visitingNovember: partly sunny, 64°F, mixed for visiting
  12. December: sun and showers, 17°C, poor for visitingDecember: sun and showers, 63°F, poor for visiting
BestGoodMixedPoor

Travelling between cities

Select two cities above to see transport options.

Do you need a visa?

Last verified: June 2026

Visa requirements can change. Always confirm with the Bolivia Immigration Service (Migracion Bolivia) or your nearest Bolivian consulate before booking or travelling.

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4 countries covered Up next
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  2. Iceland
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Questions you might have

  1. Which SIM card should I get in Bolivia?

    Entel has the best coverage across Bolivia, particularly if you are travelling outside the main cities or through places like Uyuni and the Altiplano.

  2. Is tap water safe to drink in Bolivia?

    No, I wouldn’t drink the tap water in Bolivia. Stick to bottled or filtered water, particularly outside the larger cities.

  3. How should I prepare for the altitude in Bolivia?

    Give yourself time to acclimatise before doing anything strenuous. A lot of Bolivia is already at high altitude, so take your first couple of days slowly.

  4. Is Bolivia mostly cash or card?

    Bolivia is still very cash-based, so I would always carry bolivianos with me. Cards work in larger hotels, restaurants and supermarkets, but markets, buses and smaller businesses will often require cash.

  5. Which ATMs have the lowest fees in Bolivia?

    Banco Nacional de Bolivia (BNB), Banco FIE and Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz ATMs are usually the best ATMs to try for low or no local withdrawal fees, although this can depend on your card.

  6. Is Bolivia safe to travel?

    Bolivia is generally safe to travel, but I would take a few precautions, especially when travelling on overnight buses. I would also make sure to use taxis ordered through an app rather than hailing one from the street.

  7. Do roadblocks affect travel in Bolivia?

    Yes, they can. Protests, strikes and roadblocks are fairly common and can stop buses and other transport with very little notice, so check locally before any long travel day.

  8. Do I need to tip in Bolivia?

    I definitely recommend tipping in Bolivia, especially at the end of a tour, when eating at local restaurants, staying in guesthouses or catching a taxi.

Bolivia on 35mm film

Storm clouds mirrored perfectly in the flooded Salar de Uyuni at sunset
See the film archive