Include a taste of the enchanting in your customized South America tours. Jacqueline Spencer captures the heart of an uncharted territory with an account of her recent trip and highlights exactly Bolivia travel is a must.
What to know before traveling to Bolivia
From language and what to expect to health information, vaccination, and currency, discover top tips from our experts in our Bolivia travel guide.
High Altitudes
Many of the cities and attractions in Bolivia are located at high altitudes. In areas such as La Paz, Uyuni, Copacabana, Potosi, El Alto, and Sajama, we recommend taking it slow so your body can adapt to the high altitude. In the first hours after arrival we recommend you lie down and drink plenty of water. Acclimation generally takes 1-2 days.
Our travel consultants plan your Bolivia tours to give you plenty of time to get used to the altitude. If you need any assistance, our Trip Team is available around the clock.
How to Prevent Altitude Sickness
- Eat light and avoid alcohol
- Ensure that you get a lot of rest, especially during the first few days
- Drink plenty of water
- Drink coca tea or chew on coca leaves
- Soroche Pills may be helpful – these can be purchased at any pharmacy
Currency, Cash and Credit Cards in Bolivia
Bolivia’s national currency is called the Boliviano (BOB).
You can change your money for a favorable rate at currency exchange facilities called Casa de Cambio. At the exchange, make sure that all your bills are in good condition. Torn or worn notes are generally not accepted anywhere.
ATMs, known as cajero automatic, are quite easily available in larger cities. However, not all of these are always in the best working condition and not all machines accept foreign cards. Therefore, it is always a good idea to carry some cash with you. To withdraw cash, you will need a credit card. If you are traveling to remote areas, it will be difficult to find ATMs that accept foreign cards. In remote areas ATMs use the Plus (Visa), Cirrus (Maestro / MasterCard) or Link Systems that will accept your debit card.
Although most hotels and restaurants in Bolivia accept VISA and MasterCard, this is not true for local restaurants and shops. Carrying some small denomination notes is recommended.
Language of Bolivia
Spanish is the official language of Bolivia, however, there are over 30 native languages spoken in various regions of the country, with Quechua and Aymara being the most common. Over 50% of the population has a native language other than Spanish as their mother tongue. Whilst you will find plenty of people speaking English in the cities during your Bolivia tour, it would be unwise to expect the same in rural areas.
From the Blog
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In December 2015, Dianne Graham decided on one of our customized South America tours. An avid traveler and a passionate photographer, to Dianne, the journey was all about capturing the beautiful country through her lens. How did she fare? Read on to find out! Exploring Bolivia: Thoughts about my journey Bolivia is a showcase of dramatic…
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Popular Trips to Bolivia
13 Days
from
$6,490 USD
/ person
From enchanting UNESCO World Heritage sites to rolling sierras and fascinating insights into vibrant cultures – this Bolivia tour offers it all! Explore the best known sights and sounds on a private tour spanning the country.
13 Days
from
$6,090 USD
/ person
This Bolivia tour lets you immerse yourself in the fascinating history, colorful culture and natural splendor. From diverse capital cities to iconic salt flats, the magic of the country is that it still has many unbeaten paths to explore.
9 Days
from
$5,090 USD
/ person
Experience extreme sceneries on your Bolivia and Chile tour. Haunting landscapes, glittering salt pans and the world’s oldest desert will take your breath away!
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Best Places To Visit
Best Time To Visit
When is the best time to travel to Bolivia? Our destination experts share on overview on when to visit the various regions of the country and what to pack for your Bolivia holiday.
Things To Do
What are the top things to do on a Bolivia holiday? From traversing endless salt flats, to climbing mountains and discovering unique cultural delights, our destination experts share their personal favorites.
History
From its Tiwanaku beginnings to Inca conquest, the Spanish empire and 20th century and modern history – discover our top tips for a history and heritage tour of Bolivia.
Culture
Discover the authenticity of Bolivia’s culture and local people, who retain their indigenous heritage even in modern times.
Cuisine
Due to several distinct climatic regions and the abundance of natural resources, Bolivian cuisine is divided by regionality and infused with local ingredients.
The Enchanting Difference
What Our Guests Say
Enchanting Travels was the only agency willing to adapt to our desire to fly into and out of Santiago after traveling to Bolivia. The Bolivian guide company was as good as we could ever imagine. Our Atacoma experience was also wonderful. Animals, lakes, caldera, and salt flats were not just seen, but every location was augmented with hikes, climbs, discussions and even great outdoor lunches. This was an experience of a lifetime.
Larry Witlen
USA
Enchanting Travels was one of kind. They really cared on how we experience the trip. They wanted only the best for us. They did a great job at finding experiences that we would lo d had done if we planned this on our own. Bolivia had SO many hidden gems and we got to see most/ to all of the beauty of Bolivia.
Daniele Pepe
USA
Enchanting Travels crafted a two-week, private trip to Bolivia and Chile that was exactly what we asked for, included guides and drivers who were knowledgeable and kept us informed and safe while showing us all the wonderful things to see, included perfectly located, clean and safe hotels, and arranged for in-country transportation that was flawlessly executed.
Pamela Robillard Mackey
USA
Enchanting organized a remarkable and exciting journey to Bolivia. Everything was perfect!
Hilda Heritage
USA
Enchanting Travels helped plan a beautiful and memorable trip to Bolivia for us. We wanted to do it all and they were able to narrow the scope and create a really awesome itinerary. They made sure to keep in mind our personal preferences and did not miss any details. The booking process was smooth. Very responsive during the planning stage and also while on the trip itself. Accommodations were excellent, transfers and hand-off from one guide to another was very well coordinated. The company was extremely attentive to our safety.
Deanna Lopez
USA
The comfort, attention to detail, and planning such a niche trip to satisfy all of your specific needs!
Ariella Banin
USA
South America for Asian people is considered a tough destination – not only the long distance but also completely different languages and cultures that made a trip to this continent seemly impossible. Enchanting Travels has made our journey to South America an unforgettable one and even also still in the wishlist to re-visit this wonderful continent and its people again.
Pichamon Prisawong
Thailand
This was my first adventure as a solo traveler. But while I may have traveled on my own, I was never alone. I was well taken care of by a superb team of planners, trip coordinators, guides and drivers.
Lori McCarney
USA
It’s a real tailor made tour. It’s rather costly but it’s worth it. Just perfect for people who have limited time, like us. Professional guides made the trip enjoyable and knowledgeable. Excellent transportation and chauffeur. All hotels were in a good location, clean , lovely service and served very early breakfast.
Nuantip Aroonsri
Thailand
Enchanting Travels made our dream trip come true. We were met at every step of the way by local tour guides and the advice provided by Enchanting Travels on the itinerary was spot on, helping us include better activities and avoid problems. Enchanting Travels helped us plan and delivered the exciting and adventurous trip we hoped for.
Barbara Jasny
USA
I think that the support staff was very good and I felt like everyone was considerate and kind and did their best to make my trip enjoyable.
Dianne Graham
USA
Sensational value for money! Unparalleled service delivery. Our Trip Coordinator couldn’t have done anything more to ensure we had the holiday of a lifetime!
Florence Robinson
Australia