Bolivia

Traveling to Bolivia

The landlocked country of Bolivia is a treasure trove for adventurous travelers and culture seekers. Staggering vistas at equally breathtaking – no kidding – altitudes, abundant wildlife and genuine locals await those who travel to Bolivia.

The Plurinational State of Bolivia is located in the western part of South America. With starlet neighbors including Argentina, Chile and Peru the country is oftentimes overlooked.

It would however be a mistake to not add Bolivia to your itinerary. It offers a wealth of variety from the staggering Andes Mountains to lush Amazon rainforest and the expansive Uyuni Salt Flats. One could easily spend many months here and not get bored.

Aside from the varied terrain, one of the main reasons to travel to Bolivia is without a doubt its authenticity and eclectic mix of cultures which culminate in vibrant festivities such as UNESCO classified Oruro carnival.

Get inspired: 15 Must-See Tourist Attractions in Bolivia

Transportation in Bolivia

The most common form of transportation in Bolivia is by taking the bus, which comes in various shapes and sizes.

• Micro: Small colorful buses that travel on a fixed route in the cities.
• Trufis: Little vans (usually white) that have a fixed route and only depart when the van is full.
• Bus-Camas: Sleeper buses with seats that recline horizontally. Come in three different price classes: Semi-Cama/Cama/Cama Premium

GOOD TO KNOW: When you take a bus from a bus terminal usually a small fee is charged for the use of the terminal (Bs 1-3).

Tips for travel in Bolivia

A few additional nuggets of knowledge to take into account before planning a trip to Bolivia:

• Tipping in Bolivia: Not customary 
• Vegetarians in Bolivia: While Bolivian food is meat-heavy there are plenty of options for vegetarian dishes. Simply ask in the restaurants “sin carne por favor” (without meat please) and usually, the meat will be replaced with a fried egg.
• Local Simcard: Invest in a prepaid tourist sim card from Entel, Vivo, tigo or Airalo. I purchased an Entel card right at the airport and and had good service throughout the country. Pay Bs 10 for the card itself + the fee for your chosen package – in my case 30 days unlimited for Bs 150.