Capital: La Paz
Time zone: GMT – 4
Telephone services: Country Code: 591
Outgoing Code: 011
Emergency telephone numbers: Not available at present
Tourist information: Direccón Nacionale de Turismo, Calle Mercado 1328, Casilla 1868, La Paz, Bolivia Tel: (2) 367 463 Fax: (2) 374 630.
Passport information: Valid Passport required by all except holders of a ‘Cedula de Identidad’ issued to nationals of Argentina and Uruguay. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.
Visa information: Visa required for all tourist purposes except: Nationals of EU countries for stays up to 90 days. Travellers in transit do not require a visa providing they are continuing their journey within 24 hours, and do not leave the airport.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in rural and low lying areas below 2500m in the Vivax variety. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: Vaccination is recommended to all travellers. Those arriving from infected areas must have a vaccination certificate.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.
Currency: Boliviano (B) = 100 centavos.
Sterling can not be exchanged. Most money is changed at Gambios and Hotels. All major credit cards have very limited acceptance. US Dollars travellers cheques are the most acceptable form of currency to take with you. Sterling cheques can be changed with difficulty.
. ATM availability: 70 locations.
Cost of living: Caters for all budgets. Reasonable prices for comfortable accommodation and eating out
Languages: Spanish, English, Inca and other local dialects spoken.
Weather: There can be extreme temperature changes between day and night especially in the mountain areas. The wet season is between November and February. Le Paz has very thin air due to its high altitude
Electricity: 110/220 Volts AC in La Paz. 220 Volts AC in the rest of the country, 50 Hz. Plugs: most houses have 2-pin sockets for both electrical currents. Variations may occur.
Post: 3 – 4 days. A Poste Restante service is available.
Transport: During the rainy season all modes of public transport including airlines may suspend services for weeks at a time without explanation. ROAD: Work is in progress to improve the condition of the road network. Standards of driving are often low which may make rail a preferred option. When driving; a full set of spares; tools; extra petrol; food and water should be carried. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required. When entering Bolivia a circulation card “Hoja de Ruta” must be obtained from the “Servicio National de Transito” at the border of Bolivia. These will be presented and stamped at all police posts.
Special information: Respect for traditions should be observed. Rural Bolivians should be referred to as campesinos; rather than Indians; which is considered an insult. Petty theft is an occasional problem.