Renting a car
You will find car rental agencies in the large cities. Your
normal driver's license will often be adequate. A credit card is
necessary to pay the deposit.
Travel Documents
To enter Bolivia, citizens of the EU and Switzerland need a passport
that is valid for at least three months from the time they cross
the border.
The entry form (tarjeta de embarque) must be filed out when you
enter the country. The copy you receive will be checked when you
leave again, or when you cross into Peru.
If you travel to Bolivia by plane, you will have to pay an airport
tax of about USD 25.
Elektricity
In Bolivia, electric current is 220 volts AC at 60 Hz. An adapter
for American sockets is necessary.
Airport Tax
At present, the airport tax for domestic flights amounts to 10 Bolivianos
(about USD 2), and for international flights, USD 25.
Photography
Please keep cultural differences in mind. Indian women in particular
still believe that having one's photograph taken can harm the soul.
Make sure to ask before you point your camera at strangers. You
will need to be very considerate when it comes to photographing
people here.
Women on Their Own
It is important to know that Bolivia is a male-oriented society.
Compliments or suggestive comments expressed to women on the street
should simply be ignored.
Opening Hours
There are no legally prescribed closing hours. Most shops are open
between 9-10 a.m. and 7-8 p.m. There is also usually a two-hour
break at midday.
Money
Since 1987, the Boliviano (Bs.) has been the national currency of
Bolivia. It is recommended that you carry money in the form of travelers'
checks in USD. You can change money at banks and money exchange
bureaus (casas de cambio). Larger restaurants, hotels and other
service providers accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and
Diners' Club cards.
Health
The air at high altitudes is low in oxygen and has low atmospheric
pressure. This means the sun's rays are very intense --particularly
ultraviolet rays - and it cools off significantly at night.
For the extremely high altitude of La Paz (the airport is located
at a height of 4,040 meters), the following basic hints should
help:
- smoke and drink alcoholic beverages as little as possible;
- rest on your first day;
- drink coca tea (mate de coca);
- if you have a severe headache, inhale oxygen for about 5 - 10
minutes (bottled oxygen is available at your hotel day and night).
Inoculations are not required at the present time. However, vaccinations
against Hepatitis A and B are recommended, along with prophylaxis
against malaria and vaccination against yellow fever.
Travel Weather
The main travel season is in the South American winter (from April
through October). In the highlands, little precipitation is to be
expected at this time of year, and during the day it is usually
sunny and warm. The months of May and June are the coldest of the
year. The South American summer (December - March) is the rainy
season.
Safety & Security
In general, Bolivia is a safe country to travel in, with a low crime
rate. Nevertheless, you must take the usual precautions and make
sure to deposit your valuables in your hotel safe or carry them
with you.
Bolivia has one of the largest drug-producing areas in the world.
It is recommended that travelers not go to the coca growing area
(chapare), particularly as there are constant conflicts there
between the authorities and the local population, as well as acts
of violence against outsiders. The Bolivian authorities point
out that crimes related to drugs are punishable by long periods
of incarceration. Both in large cities as well as in remote places,
travelers are being robbed more and more frequently. Particularly
in attractive but remote touristy parts of La Paz, armed robbery
is fairly common. It is recommended that travelers go to these
areas only in larger groups and with the assistance of a travel
agency. (Travel agencies in Bolivia are required to send a guide
with a cell phone along with groups of tourists. The guide must
also be able to provide proof of his identity).
The foreign office can provide you with information about the current
security situation:
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Language
The official languages are Spanish, Quechua and Aymara. Most of
the people working in the tourism sector speak English, with German
being the exception.
Phoning
You can place phone calls using the public telephones provided by
the Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (ENTEL).
Tipping
In Bars, restaurants and hotels, service personnel expect a tip
of between 5-10 percent. Tipping is not necessary for taxi rides.
Time Zone
In Winter, Bolivia is five hours behind Central European time. During
the European summer (end of March - End of October), the time difference
increases to six hours. There is a one-hour time difference between
Bolivia and Peru.
History
