South America and South Atlantic Islands

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For more general information see terrorism abroad.

Crime

You should be vigilant and cautious about your surroundings on arrival and while travelling in Bolivia because of the number of violent crimes against foreign nationals, including British visitors. You should exercise caution when choosing which type of transport to travel in. Look out for established transport companies and ask widely for guidance - you should avoid people offering cheaper transport, particularly, but not exclusively, at the popular overland Copacabana crossing point from Peru. This has been a regular starting point of violent, and sometimes life-threatening, attacks and abductions.

Beware of individuals offering help at taxi points at bus terminals where many thieves work in teams throughout the day and night to distract their victims. They are quick and effective once they have a target in view. If you do use a taxi look out for a 'radio taxi' (identifiable by the telephone number prominently displayed on the vehicle's roof), and make a note of the taxi's registration number and telephone number before starting your journey. Such taxis should carry no other passengers.

Some criminals pose as police officers and act in collusion with bogus taxi drivers to target foreigners on arrival. Their tactics have included using bogus police stations to fool victims. If you suspect that impostors are targeting you, please note that you cannot be searched without a written order from a state prosecutor.

You should also be aware of the risk of so called 'express kidnappings' - short-term, opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from the victim - that are occurring in Bolivia. Victims are normally selected at random and held while criminals empty their bank accounts with stolen cash cards, or use their credit cards. Once the criminals have managed to obtain two or three days money from the ATM, the victim is usually quickly released. Foreign visitors are particularly vulnerable when entering Bolivia on overland border points with Peru and Chile, such as Desaguadero and Copacabana, and in transit to La Paz. Visitors travelling from Copacabana to La Paz should try to get direct buses. All travellers should exercise caution on arrival, especially in the Cementerio General area in La Paz where a number of incidents have been reported. There have also been recent incidents in the Sopocachi area of La Paz, and recent cases of tourists being choked unconscious and robbed.

Petty criminals are common in central La Paz and other destinations popular with tourists, e.g. Sagarnaga. They are a common danger, especially on buses and in crowded areas and we have received numerous reports of bags being stolen.

You should always keep your passport, air ticket and other valuable items, especially bankcards, in a safe location. You should also keep a copy of your passport, in case you lose the original, to facilitate a more rapid replacement.  Please note you are required to carry some form of identification at all times. See Identification section for further details.

For more general information see victims of crime abroad.

Adventure Tourism

Bolivia offers a number of adventure activities, including mountain biking, salt flat tours and jungle expeditions. There are no Government-implemented minimum standards for tour operators, so tourists should take care in choosing their operator, and check with recommendations from guide books and other travellers’ experiences. For mountain biking on the so-called 'Road of Death', travellers should ensure that the bicycles are in good condition, and that the guides are fully equipped with safety equipment and first-aid kits. You should also check any exclusions to your travel insurance policy, to ensure that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. When booking trips through tour operators, you are advised to use reputable companies.

Prison Tours

The Embassy is aware that prison tours, particularly in San Pedro prison in La Paz, are widely advertised. These tours are against the prison rules. Visitors should note that Bolivian prisons are guarded on the outside only - there are no police officers on guard within the prison walls, so if something should happen within the prison, the authorities could not guarantee your safety. As such, we advise against British tourists going on such tours due to the inherent danger present whilst within the prison. Bolivian authorities are aware that such tours exist and are making efforts to stop them.

Political situation

Bolivia Country Profile

Local travel

The political situation in Bolivia means that there is a risk of public disturbances. Demonstrations, which could turn violent, can break out at short notice. You should therefore take care to avoid all demonstrations.

Social protest is the traditional way of gaining government attention to address local, regional and national issues of concern. You should avoid all protests. Although most are peaceful, some can turn to violence. Strikes and demonstrations, of which there is a constant risk in Bolivia, can affect local travel including the interdepartmental bus routes. You should exercise caution and avoid protests wherever possible. Travel is likely to be disrupted.

Groups often use road blockades as a form of protest, and such blockades can arise with no warning. You are advised not to attempt to cross these blockades. There is a web-site (www.abc.gov.bo/vialidad) which gives up-to-date information on which roads are blocked.

Road travel

Hire cars are available, but you will need an international driving licence.  

During the rainy season (which runs from November to March) there is risk of roads being washed away or flooded. Travellers should check with the Bolivian road authority website (above) on the state of the roads.

Traffic is usually light, both on the main highways and unpaved roads. However there is little control of vehicle road-worthiness and serious accidents do occur on the main tourist routes. Many drivers do not have licences and commercial operators drive for well over the time permitted in comparison with European laws. There are also no controls over drink driving.  Some of Bolivia’s principal roads are paved, but of variable quality.  Most roads are unpaved rough tracks, which are graded from time to time. 4-wheel drive vehicles are often the best means of transport, especially during the rainy season, which can make roads completely impassable for days.  Broken-down vehicles with no warning lights are a frequent hazard on roads at night. 

In the main cities, taxis are plentiful and cheap (but see Crime section above relating to bogus taxi drivers). However many taxis do not meet European standards and rarely have seat belts. There have been a number of recent accidents involving public transport, especially long distance buses.

For more general information see driving abroad.

River travel

You can take boat trips on Lake Titicaca but you should be aware that the craft are often very basic.

For more general information see River and Sea Safety.