Bolivia travel guide
Bolivia is a country of extremes: high Andean plains, vast salt flats, colonial cities and Amazon rainforest. In one trip you can ride a cable car above La Paz, cross the white expanse of the Salar de Uyuni, sail to the Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca and watch wildlife along the rivers near Rurrenabaque. The highland cities each have their own character. La Paz is dramatic and busy, Sucre is whitewashed and graceful, Potosí recalls the silver era, and Cochabamba is a food-focused valley city. In the south, Tupiza and Tarija offer red canyons and vineyards, while the lowlands around Santa Cruz open the way to Jesuit missions and national parks. The dry season, from May to October, is the most reliable time to travel, with clear skies and cold nights on the Altiplano. Altitude calls for a slow start, but the rewards suit adventurous, curious travellers. Plan your Bolivia itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: La Paz.
Visa for Indian passport holders
E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
Before you go to Bolivia
- Currency
- BOB Bs.
- Emergency number
- 911 / 110
- Plug type
- Type A, C
- Tap water
- Drink bottled water
- Tipping
- Optional
- Bargaining
- Common
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard
- ATM fees
- Varies by bank; the bigger problem is empty machines and low per-transaction caps (roughly USD 200-300)
Cities in Bolivia
- Uyuni Gateway town to the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat. Base for 1–3 day 4x4 tours across the salt, coloured lagoons and the…
- La Paz The world's highest administrative capital (3,640 m), set in a dramatic canyon below the Altiplano. Famous for the Mi Teleférico cable-car…
- Sucre Bolivia's constitutional capital and a UNESCO World Heritage city of whitewashed colonial buildings. Mild climate, rich independence…
- Santa Cruz de la Sierra Bolivia's largest and most prosperous city, a hot lowland business hub with a relaxed tropical vibe, ring-road layout and gateway to the…
- Cochabamba The "City of Eternal Spring" and Bolivia's gastronomic capital, watched over by the giant Cristo de la Concordia statue. Mild climate,…
- Copacabana Pilgrimage town on the shore of Lake Titicaca, home to the Virgin of Copacabana basilica and the launch point for boats to Isla del Sol,…
- Potosí Once one of the richest cities in the world thanks to Cerro Rico's silver. A UNESCO city of colonial churches and the still-working…
- Oruro Mining city on the Altiplano famous for the Carnaval de Oruro, a UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage with its Diablada devil…
- Rurrenabaque Amazon gateway town on the Beni River, base for jungle lodges in Madidi National Park and wildlife-rich pampas tours of the Yacuma River.
- Tupiza Red-rock canyon country in southern Bolivia, Butch Cassidy's last stand, popular for horseback rides and as an alternative start point for…
- Tarija Sunny southern valley city, the heart of Bolivian wine and singani country, with an Andalusian feel and vineyard tours in the nearby Valle…
Frequently asked questions about Bolivia
- Do Indian citizens need a visa for Bolivia?
- E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
- What currency is used in Bolivia?
- The currency in Bolivia is the Bolivian Boliviano (Bs). Bs.1 is about ₹8.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Bolivia?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Bolivia?
- Tipping in Bolivia: optional. Typically about 10% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Bolivia?
- Drink bottled water.
- What plug type does Bolivia use?
- Bolivia uses Type A, C plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Bolivia?
- Emergency: 911. Police: 110. Ambulance: 165. Tourist helpline: Tourist Police (POLTUR) La Paz: +591 2 222 5016.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Bolivia?
- SIM and eSIM available in Bolivia.
- What is the capital of Bolivia?
- The capital of Bolivia is La Paz. Time there: IST - 9 h 30 min.