Bolivia (BO)
Bolivia is South America's highest and most landlocked country — a plurinational state of dramatic contrasts, from the world's highest navigable lake (Titicaca at 3,812m) and the vast salt flats of Uyuni to the tropical Amazon basin.
⚠️ Costly Mistakes to Avoid
The most expensive and common mistakes expats make in Bolivia — and exactly how to avoid them.
Altitude sickness risk arriving in La Paz (3,650m)
La Paz sits at 3,650m; El Alto at 4,100m. Altitude sickness (soroche/mal de altura) affects most new arrivals within hours. Symptoms: severe headache, nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness. Serious forms (HAPE — high altitude pulmonary oedema, HACE — high altitude cerebral oedema) are life-threatening emergencies.
⚡ Untreated serious altitude sickness (HAPE or HACE) can result in death within hours. Less severe soroche will incapacitate you for 24–48 hours and make the first week in Bolivia extremely uncomfortable. Flying directly from sea level to La Paz without preparation dramatically increases risk.
📅 Deadline: Within 24–48 hours of arrival
✅ Rest in bed for the first 48–72 hours — avoid exertion. Drink 3+ litres of water daily. Take mate de coca (coca leaf tea) freely — available everywhere. Carry acetazolamide (Diamox, available over the counter at any Bolivian farmacia — take 125–250mg twice daily starting 24 hours before arrival if possible). Avoid alcohol completely for first 72 hours. If severe headache or confusion: go immediately to Clínica de la Virgen (+591 2-222-1122, Miraflores, La Paz) or Clínica Incor (+591 2-241-7980) — both have altitude medicine specialists. Hyperbaric chamber: Clínica SOAM La Paz. Santa Cruz is at 416m — much safer for arrival, then ascend to La Paz gradually.
Taxi pirata (fake taxi) robbery — serious crime risk in La Paz and Santa Cruz
False taxis (unmarked or superficially marked) are used by criminal groups to rob passengers. Additional accomplices enter the taxi mid-journey. Victims are robbed, forced to ATMs, and sometimes held for hours (secuestro express — express kidnapping). This is the most dangerous crime for expats in Bolivia, with multiple incidents involving foreigners reported monthly.
⚡ Armed robbery, physical violence, forced ATM withdrawals (up to daily withdrawal limits), loss of passport, phone, cash, jewellery. In severe cases, physical injury or death. Police recovery of stolen property is rare.
📅 Deadline: Ongoing risk — every time you take transport in La Paz or Santa Cruz
✅ NEVER flag down a street taxi in La Paz or Santa Cruz — particularly at night. ALWAYS use: (1) Uber (uber.com/bo) or InDriver (indriver.com) — GPS-tracked, plate visible before getting in; (2) Radio taxis by phone: Radio Taxi Eguino (+591 2-245-4141), Radio Taxi Copacabana (+591 2-236-2222) — both bookable by phone; (3) Your hotel/restaurant calling a trusted taxi. Before entering any taxi: note the plate number, share your location with a contact, verify the driver matches the radio taxi company name visible on the car. Never share a taxi with strangers. At night, only Uber or pre-booked radio taxi — no exceptions.
Overstaying the 90-day tourist visa period
Most nationalities receive 90 days visa-free entry to Bolivia (stamped in passport at border). Overstaying — remaining in Bolivia beyond the stamped date — is an immigration violation regardless of circumstances. The grace period myth is false — any overstay triggers penalties.
⚡ Exit ban at airport or border: cannot leave Bolivia until fines are paid and an exit permit is obtained from Cancillería. Overstay fine: approximately USD 5–20 per day. Bar on re-entry: typically 90 days to 1 year. Serious overstays can result in deportation, detention and multi-year re-entry bar. Your Bolivian residency application will be complicated by an overstay record.
📅 Deadline: 90 days from stamped entry date — check your passport entry stamp immediately on arrival
✅ Check your entry stamp date immediately on arrival and set a phone reminder 2 weeks before expiry. If planning to stay beyond 90 days, initiate your residency permit application (radicatoria) at Cancillería (Av. Ingavi, La Paz — migracion.gob.bo) BEFORE the 90-day period expires. Engage an immigration lawyer within the first month: USD 200–500 for full application management. A 30-day single extension may be available — ask Cancillería. Never assume the 90 days resets by crossing to Peru/Chile and returning — immigration officers have records.
Plainclothes fake police extortion scam
Criminals impersonating plainclothes police (FELCC undercover officers) approach tourists and foreigners, demanding to inspect passports and wallets claiming to check for "counterfeit money" or "drug investigation." This is one of Bolivia's most reported tourist crimes, frequently occurring in La Paz's Sopocachi neighbourhood, the Witches' Market area, and near tourist attractions.
⚡ Robbery of wallet, passport, cash and credit cards. In some cases, victims are taken to fake "police stations" and held until family members send money for "fines." Passport theft creates a weeks-long replacement process at your embassy.
📅 Deadline: Ongoing risk — entire stay in Bolivia
✅ Real Bolivian police conducting routine operations will be in uniform — plainclothes officers stopping tourists on the street for wallet inspections is not standard procedure. If approached: ask to see the officer's placa (police badge) and note the number. Call 110 (police emergency) in front of them — legitimate officers will be fine with this; criminals will leave. Offer to walk to the nearest police station (comisaría) together — real officers can do this, fake ones cannot. Never hand over your wallet or open your bag for inspection on the street. Travel with a photocopy of your passport and leave the original in your hotel safe.
Exporting coca leaves or coca products from Bolivia
Coca leaves are legal in Bolivia and are a sacred cultural plant freely used throughout the country. However, exporting coca leaves (even in small quantities) from Bolivia is illegal under most destination countries' narcotics laws. Customs at airports and land borders make random checks.
⚡ Arrest and prosecution for drug trafficking in your destination country. Coca leaves are a controlled substance in the USA, EU, UK and most non-Latin American countries. Penalties: imprisonment 1–10+ years depending on jurisdiction. Bolivian airlines and border officials will warn you but are not responsible for what you carry.
📅 Deadline: Before every departure from Bolivia
✅ Do not take coca leaves or products containing coca extract (some teas, candy) when departing Bolivia to any country outside Latin America. Coca leaf tea bags are safe to consume in Bolivia but illegal to export to USA, UK and EU. Maté de coca (loose leaf tea) is the most commonly confiscated item at international borders. If travelling to Peru, Colombia or Ecuador, coca is also legal — check destination country laws for any other destination.
Extremely strict Bolivian drug laws for foreigners
Bolivia has very strict narcotics laws despite its reputation as a source country. Drug offences are prosecuted severely under Ley 1008 (1988) — one of the harshest drug laws in South America. There is NO light treatment for foreigners. "Narco-tourism" or drug use in public can result in years of pre-trial detention in Bolivian prisons before even reaching trial.
⚡ Mandatory minimum sentences: 10–25 years for drug trafficking or significant possession under Ley 1008. Pre-trial detention in Bolivian prisons (Palmasola, San Pedro) — conditions are very poor. Diplomatic intervention from your embassy is very limited once charged. Conviction means serving time in Bolivia — there is no repatriation agreement for prison sentences.
📅 Deadline: Entire stay in Bolivia
✅ Do not purchase, carry, or use any illegal substances in Bolivia. Do not agree to carry packages across borders for any person, regardless of how legitimate the request sounds. Bolivia's coca leaf is legal internally but processed cocaine is not — the distinction is absolute. If you are offered substances in a bar or club, refuse firmly. The legal minimum for "personal use" quantities is very low and unevenly applied to foreigners.
Working in Bolivia without an Autorización de Trabajo
Any paid work in Bolivia by a foreign national requires an Autorización de Trabajo (AT) issued by the Ministerio de Trabajo. This includes freelance work, remote work for Bolivian companies, part-time teaching, and any employment. A tourist visa expressly prohibits work.
⚡ Employer: fine of USD 500–5,000 and potential business closure. Employee: visa cancellation, deportation, and bar on re-entry. For serious violations, criminal charges possible. AT is linked to a specific employer — freelancers must apply under the independent worker category.
📅 Deadline: Before beginning any paid work in Bolivia
✅ Employer applies for the AT on employee's behalf at the Ministerio de Trabajo (mintrabajo.gob.bo | Calle Yanacocha esq. Mercado, La Paz). Self-employed freelancers apply independently for AT (independiente). Processing: 30–60 business days. Begin the process before your first day of work. Note: the 15% foreign worker quota (Art. 9 Código Laboral) means employers cannot take on unlimited foreign staff — check the quota position with your employer.
Missing monthly RC-IVA personal tax declaration
Employed workers registered with SIN must file a monthly RC-IVA (Régimen Complementario al IVA — personal income tax) declaration, even if the result is zero owed (because facturas offset the liability). Filing is due by the 20th of the following month. Non-filing triggers automatic fines.
⚡ Late filing fine: Bs.200–500 per month missed. Multiple missed filings: NIT suspension (inability to issue or receive facturas, effectively stopping legal business operations). Accumulated non-compliance can result in SIN audit covering prior years.
📅 Deadline: 20th of each month (for the prior month's income)
✅ Set a monthly calendar reminder for the 18th of each month (buffer before the 20th deadline). File at impuestos.gob.bo using your SIN online account. Collect facturas from all business spending — these offset your RC-IVA liability. Most formal employees hire a contador (accountant: Bs.200–500/month) to manage all SIN filings. If your employer handles payroll tax (impuesto directo), confirm with HR whether you still need to file independently.
Driving without valid SOAT at police checkpoints
SOAT (Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes de Tránsito) is mandatory for every vehicle. Police checkpoints (controles de tránsito) on intercity roads and in cities specifically check SOAT, RTV certificate, and driver's licence. Checkpoints intensify around holidays (Carnaval, Independence Day, Semana Santa).
⚡ Vehicle impounded at the checkpoint. Fine: Bs.200–500. Retrieval from DIPROVE impound: additional fee Bs.300–800 plus presentation of valid SOAT. Without SOAT, you are personally liable for all medical costs of any road accident victim.
📅 Deadline: Annual renewal — must be current at all times
✅ Purchase SOAT annually when renewing your vehicle registration (RUAT). Valid from any authorised Bolivian insurer: Bisa Seguros (bisaseguros.com), La Boliviana Ciacruz (bolivianaciacruz.com), Alianza Seguros. Cost: Bs.150–250/year for passenger cars. Keep the SOAT certificate IN the vehicle at all times — glovebox or vehicle document folder. SOAT covers bodily injury only — purchase comprehensive insurance (todo riesgo) separately for vehicle damage.
Street currency exchange counterfeit and shortchange scams
Street money changers (cambistas) on Av. Camacho and city centre streets mix counterfeit bolivianos into exchanges, use sleight-of-hand to shortchange during rapid counting, and sometimes grab back notes claiming they are false after you have handed over your foreign currency.
⚡ Financial loss — typically USD 20–200 per incident. Counterfeit bolivianos accepted at your risk — businesses can confiscate them and you have no recourse. Police rarely pursue small-value currency fraud cases.
📅 Deadline: Every currency exchange transaction
✅ Use only authorised casas de cambio (exchange offices) on Av. Camacho, La Paz — multiple competing offices with good rates and legitimate operations. Count all notes before leaving the counter — never let the cambista touch the notes again after you have counted them. Check each Bs.100 and Bs.200 note for: embedded security thread (visible against light), colour-shifting ink on the denomination number, watermark. Reject any note that feels slippery or lacks security features. For ATM cash: use BNB or BCP ATMs inside bank branches during business hours.
Bolivia is NOT rabies-free — bite risk from dogs and bats
Unlike some Latin American countries, Bolivia has endemic rabies in both dog and bat populations. Urban stray dogs are widespread in all Bolivian cities. Bats in jungle and rural areas also carry rabies. A bite from an unknown animal in Bolivia is a medical emergency.
⚡ Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear. Without immediate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), a bite from a rabid animal is lethal. PEP treatment (vaccine + immunoglobulin) must begin within hours of exposure and continue over 2 weeks — not all Bolivian public hospitals stock the full regimen.
📅 Deadline: If bitten by any animal in Bolivia — seek treatment IMMEDIATELY
✅ Get pre-exposure rabies vaccination before arriving in Bolivia (3 doses over 28 days) — especially if travelling to rural areas, working with animals, or planning extended stays. Avoid approaching stray dogs. If bitten: immediately wash the wound for 15 minutes with soap and water, then go to the nearest private clinic or CNS hospital IMMEDIATELY and report an animal bite. Private clinics (Clínica de la Virgen +591 2-222-1122) are most reliable for PEP availability. Bring your pet's full vaccination record — pets must be vaccinated against rabies annually in Bolivia.
Malaria and tropical disease risk in Bolivian lowlands
The Amazon basin departments (Beni, Pando) and tropical lowlands of Cochabamba and Santa Cruz have malaria risk. Dengue fever, yellow fever, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are also present. Expats from La Paz (high altitude, no malaria risk) may underestimate this risk when travelling to lowland areas.
⚡ Malaria: can be life-threatening without treatment (particularly Plasmodium falciparum). Dengue: severe cases cause haemorrhagic fever. Chagas disease: chronic infection can cause heart disease decades later. Yellow fever: potentially fatal.
📅 Deadline: 2 weeks before travel to lowland areas (for malaria prophylaxis to take effect)
✅ Yellow fever vaccination: recommended for all Bolivia visitors; required if entering from endemic countries. Malaria prophylaxis: chloroquine or mefloquine for Beni and Pando — consult your doctor at least 2 weeks before travel. Use DEET insect repellent (50%+ concentration), long sleeves at dusk/dawn, mosquito net when sleeping in jungle areas. Dengue: no vaccine available for most adults — insect avoidance only. Chagas: avoid sleeping in adobe/mud-walled structures in rural areas where triatomine bugs live. If you develop fever within 2 weeks of returning from lowland areas, seek immediate medical attention and mention your travel history.
Extreme danger of driving outside cities at night
Rural roads in Bolivia outside city limits are extremely dangerous at night: no street lighting, sharp mountain curves with no guardrails, livestock on the road (cattle, llamas, pigs — unmarked), drunk drivers, unpaved surfaces, and landslide debris. Deaths from night driving accidents are reported regularly.
⚡ Fatal road accidents, vehicle breakdown in remote areas with no mobile signal, encountering criminal roadblocks targeting lone drivers on deserted roads.
📅 Deadline: Every inter-city driving journey — plan to arrive at destinations before sunset
✅ Do not drive outside city limits after dark — it is a serious life risk on Bolivian roads. Plan inter-city journeys to arrive at the destination before sunset. If you must travel overnight: use BoA domestic flights, long-distance buses (flotas with professional drivers), or wait until first light. On mountain roads (La Paz–Yungas, La Paz–Oruro), drive only during daylight even in dry season. If your vehicle breaks down at night in a remote area: stay in the vehicle with doors locked and hazard lights on until daylight. Carry a charged phone and have emergency contacts saved.
Road closures and landslides during wet season (October–March)
Bolivia's wet season (October to March) brings significant rainfall, particularly in the Andes and Yungas. This causes: landslides (derrumbes/huaycos) that close highways for hours to days, flooded lowland roads, and mud-covered mountain tracks that become impassable to 2WD vehicles. The La Paz–Yungas route (Carretera a Los Yungas) is particularly affected.
⚡ Stranded on blocked highways — sometimes for 12–48 hours. Vehicle damaged by flash flooding or landslide debris. Missed appointments, cancelled tours (particularly Uyuni tours disrupted by flooding). Los Yungas road can close completely during heavy rains.
📅 Deadline: Check road conditions before every inter-city journey during wet season
✅ Check road status at abc.gob.bo (ABC — Administradora Boliviana de Carreteras) before any inter-city journey between October and March. Listen to local radio (Radio Panamericana, Radio Fides) for live road reports. Take 4WD vehicles for any rural or mountain journey during wet season — 2WD sedans frequently get stuck. For Uyuni Salt Flat trips: book tours in the dry season (June–September) when the salt flat is at its best and roads are reliable. Build 1–2 day buffer into travel plans during wet season for unavoidable delays.
Scopolamine (burundanga) drugging in bars and clubs
The use of scopolamine (burundanga) to incapacitate bar and club patrons has been reported in La Paz's nightlife areas (Sopocachi, Calle Loayza). Victims are rendered compliant and confused, then robbed. The drug can be introduced into drinks or even inhaled from treated paper.
⚡ Complete incapacitation, loss of hours of memory, robbery of all valuables (phone, wallet, cards, passport), and in some cases sexual assault. Victims typically wake up in unfamiliar locations with no recollection of events.
📅 Deadline: Ongoing risk during nightlife activities
✅ Never accept drinks from strangers at bars — only accept drinks you have personally ordered and watched being prepared. Keep your drink in your hand at all times — never set it down unattended even briefly. Go out in trusted groups, not alone. If you suddenly feel disproportionately drunk: tell your companions immediately and ask them to take you to safety. Avoid new acquaintances who are unusually insistent about buying you drinks or who steer you toward private areas. Stick to established venues in safe areas — Sopocachi neighbourhood is generally safer than outer nightlife zones.
Phone theft from hands in city streets
Opportunistic phone snatching is common in La Paz, El Alto and Santa Cruz. Thieves on foot or motorcycles grab phones being used on the street. The moment of vulnerability is holding your phone visibly while walking — reading maps, texting, checking apps.
⚡ Loss of phone and all data. In La Paz, phones are harder to replace immediately (imported smartphones are expensive in Bolivia). Police recovery rate is very low. If phone is used for banking (2FA), fraudulent transactions may follow.
📅 Deadline: Ongoing risk in city streets
✅ Do not use your phone while walking in streets — step into a shop or face a wall. Never hold a phone visible at waist or chest height on crowded streets or near traffic. Store phone in a front trouser pocket (not back pocket) or inside-jacket pocket — not in an exposed bag pocket. For navigation: study the route before leaving your location, then put the phone away. Enable remote wipe (Find My iPhone, Google Find My Device) and use a strong screen lock. Report theft to FELCC (Ciberdelitos) for insurance purposes (+591 2-222-6662).
Property purchase without DDRR title verification
Property fraud is a significant risk in Bolivia — some sellers offer properties with disputed, incomplete, or fraudulently transferred titles. INRA (agrarian reform) disputes, unresolved inheritance claims, and properties still in "saneamiento" (titling process) are all common in rural Bolivia. Urban properties also carry title risks if not verified at DDRR.
⚡ You could purchase a property with no legal title, losing the full purchase price with very limited legal recourse. Bolivian courts are slow for property disputes (2–10 years). For rural land: INRA can reclaim land that was improperly titled even after sale.
📅 Deadline: Before signing any property purchase document or paying any deposit
✅ Never purchase property without: (1) Independent lawyer (abogado) — separate from the agent and seller; (2) DDRR (Derechos Reales) title verification — in person at DDRR, not from a photocopy; (3) Full chain of title review for at least 10 years; (4) INRA check for rural properties; (5) Municipal tax (IPBI) clearance — no outstanding municipal tax. DDRR La Paz: Calle Baptista 887 (+591 2-231-3311). Budget: 4–6% of property value for all legal costs — this is cheap insurance against fraud. Never pay a deposit before title verification is complete.
Aguinaldo (13th month salary) employer deadline
Bolivia's Aguinaldo (mandatory 13th month bonus) must be paid by employers to all formal employees by 25 December each year (or 20 December in some interpretations). If the employee's NIT shows Bolivia's GDP grew over 4.5%, a second aguinaldo (Esfuerzo Boliviano) may also be payable. Self-employed workers must set aside this obligation for their own employees.
⚡ Employer failure to pay Aguinaldo by the deadline: double the owed amount as penalty (doble aguinaldo). Ministerio de Trabajo inspections specifically check aguinaldo compliance. Employee complaint to Ministerio de Trabajo results in formal investigation and fine. For business owners: this is a significant cash flow risk.
📅 Deadline: 25 December each year
✅ Business owners: set aside aguinaldo provisions monthly (accrue 1/12 of each employee's salary per month). Calculate and pay by 25 November at the latest to avoid last-minute issues. Note: employees who worked partial year receive proportional aguinaldo (e.g., employee who started July receives 6/12 of monthly salary). Second aguinaldo: announced by the government if GDP criteria are met — check announcement by Ministry of Economy in November.
Heart and blood pressure risk at altitude for pre-existing conditions
La Paz at 3,650m is one of the highest capital cities in the world. For people with pre-existing heart conditions, high blood pressure, anaemia, COPD, or pulmonary conditions, high altitude presents significant medical risk — even if the condition is well-managed at sea level. Altitude forces the heart to work harder to oxygenate the blood.
⚡ Cardiac events (angina, heart attack) can be triggered or worsened at altitude in at-risk individuals. Pulmonary hypertension can develop with prolonged high-altitude exposure. Blood pressure elevation is common and can push borderline hypertension into dangerous ranges.
📅 Deadline: Before arriving in La Paz — medical consultation required
✅ Consult your cardiologist or GP before moving to La Paz if you have any heart, blood pressure, lung or blood condition. Some conditions are genuinely contraindicated for La Paz altitude — your doctor may recommend Santa Cruz (416m) instead. If proceeding, request an altitude adjustment plan and adjusted medication dosages. Monitor blood pressure weekly for the first 3 months. Keep a portable pulse oximeter — normal altitude resting SpO2 in La Paz: 88–94%. If SpO2 drops below 85% or you have chest pain: go immediately to Clínica de la Virgen (+591 2-222-1122).
NIT suspension for unpaid or unfiled taxes
SIN (Servicio de Impuestos Nacionales) automatically suspends the NIT (tax number) of taxpayers who miss 3 consecutive monthly declarations or have significant outstanding tax debt. A suspended NIT means you cannot issue or receive legal facturas — effectively stopping all formal business operations.
⚡ Cannot issue facturas — clients cannot claim tax deductions for your services. Cannot receive facturas — cannot offset RC-IVA. Business operations become non-compliant. Reactivating a suspended NIT requires paying all back taxes, penalties and interest, then applying for reactivation at SIN — process takes 5–15 business days.
📅 Deadline: Monthly — declarations due by 20th of each following month
✅ File monthly IVA/IT/RC-IVA declarations even if you owe zero — filing is mandatory regardless of whether tax is owed. Set reminders in your calendar. Engage a contador (accountant) to manage SIN filings — Bs.200–500/month is cheap insurance. Monitor your NIT status at impuestos.gob.bo. If you know you cannot file on time: contact SIN proactively and request an extension or payment plan before the suspension is triggered.
Altitude risk for pregnant women and newborns in La Paz
Pregnancy at La Paz's altitude (3,650m) is associated with higher risk of: premature birth, low birth weight, pre-eclampsia, and gestational hypertension compared to sea-level pregnancies. Newborns born at altitude need careful monitoring for low oxygen saturation. Most published research on La Paz pregnancy risks confirms the elevated risk profile.
⚡ Higher risk of pregnancy complications, premature delivery and neonatal intensive care need. La Paz has competent obstetric services at private clinics, but the altitude risk itself cannot be fully mitigated.
📅 Deadline: Before becoming pregnant or before arriving in La Paz if already pregnant
✅ Discuss altitude pregnancy risks with an OB/GYN before becoming pregnant in La Paz or before relocating there during pregnancy. Many expat families choose to deliver at lower altitude (Santa Cruz, or Buenos Aires/home country) and return to La Paz after the neonatal period. If continuing pregnancy in La Paz: register early at a private obstetric clinic (Clínica de la Virgen has experienced altitude obstetrics team), attend appointments more frequently than at sea level, and ensure detailed monitoring of foetal growth and maternal blood pressure.
Pet import requires SENASAG permit and government health certificate
Importing dogs or cats into Bolivia requires an import permit from SENASAG (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria e Inocuidad Alimentaria, senasag.gob.bo) obtained before departure. Animals must be microchipped (ISO 11784/11785), vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before travel (and no more than 12 months prior), and accompanied by a health certificate issued by a government-authorised veterinarian in the origin country within 10 days of travel. Bolivia is classified rabies-endemic; animals from other endemic countries may require a rabies neutralising antibody titre test (RNATT ≥0.5 IU/mL) in addition.
⚡ Animals arriving without an import permit or complete documentation may be quarantined at customs at the owner's expense or refused entry and returned to the country of origin. Quarantine at El Alto or Viru Viru airport customs can reach BOB 500–1,000 per day.
✅ Contact SENASAG (senasag.gob.bo) at least 3 months before travel to request the import permit application and confirm current requirements, which change periodically. Have a government-authorised veterinarian in your home country issue the health certificate within 10 days of your departure date. Ensure the microchip is ISO 11784/11785 compliant and implanted before the rabies vaccination. Declare your animal at customs on arrival and present all original documents to SENASAG officials at the airport.
Tap water not safe to drink in Bolivia
Tap water in Bolivia is not treated to drinking water standard in most cities — safe for washing and bathing but drinking causes diarrhoea and gastrointestinal illness for most foreigners. Contamination with bacteria, protozoa (Giardia) and parasites is common. Markets and street food also pose risks.
⚡ Traveller's diarrhoea: typically 3–5 days of diarrhoea, cramping, nausea. More serious: giardiasis, typhoid, hepatitis A. Altitude combined with diarrhoea causes rapid severe dehydration — dangerous at La Paz's altitude.
📅 Deadline: Ongoing — entire stay in Bolivia
✅ Drink only bottled water (agua purificada — widely available in 5-litre and 10-litre bottles from supermarkets and tiendas: Bs.5–15). Use bottled water for teeth brushing. Order drinks without ice in street restaurants (ice is usually made from tap water). At established restaurants (Sopocachi, San Miguel La Paz), filtered water is generally used. Have oral rehydration salts and loperamide in your medicine kit. If tap water must be used: boil for 3 minutes (longer at altitude — boiling point is lower at 3,650m). Install a kitchen water filter for rental accommodation.
Counterfeit boliviano notes in circulation
Counterfeit Bs.100 and Bs.200 notes are in circulation throughout Bolivia. Commonly passed at markets, by cambistas (street money changers) and sometimes in rapid-change situations (taxis, market stalls). USD counterfeit bills also circulated.
⚡ You lose the full face value — businesses will confiscate suspected counterfeit notes without compensation. Police rarely pursue small-value counterfeiting cases. Possession of counterfeit currency (even unknowingly) can create complications at police checkpoints.
📅 Deadline: Every cash transaction
✅ Learn to identify genuine boliviano notes: (1) Security thread embedded in paper — visible as a dark line against light; (2) Colour-shifting ink on the denomination number — changes from gold to green when tilted; (3) Watermark of flag/emblem visible against light; (4) Microprinting around borders (visible with magnifying glass). When receiving change at markets: check Bs.100 and Bs.200 notes immediately. ATM cash from bank ATMs is reliable. Supermarkets (Hipermaxi, Ketal) have UV detectors for staff. If given a suspect note: refuse it politely — "no la acepto, creo que es falsa" — and ask for a replacement.
Political strikes and road blockades disrupting travel
Bolivia has a strong tradition of political protest including road blockades (bloqueos de carretera), strikes (paros) and demonstrations. The La Paz–Cochabamba road, El Alto–La Paz routes and intercity highways are frequently blocked for hours to days during protests. Blockades can trap travellers in cities or on the road without warning.
⚡ Stranded on the road without fuel, food or shelter. Missed flights from El Alto International Airport (accessible via the El Alto road — blocked during major protests). Business meetings cancelled. Schools closed. In some protests, civil unrest escalates to tear gas and road closures near city centres.
📅 Deadline: Monitor conditions before any inter-city travel or important appointment
✅ Follow Bolivia-specific news sources: El Deber (eldeber.com.bo), Los Tiempos (lostiempos.com), El País Bolivia. Join expat WhatsApp groups — community alerts are faster than media. Check road conditions at abc.gob.bo before departing. Follow ABC Bolivia (@ABCBolivia) on social media for real-time highway conditions. If you must travel during a blockade: wait — attempting to force through a blockade risks violence against the vehicle. Keep a 2-day supply of food and water in the car on long journeys. Book morning flights — protests typically escalate during the day and blockades are more likely by afternoon.
ATM robbery and skimming risk in cities
ATMs in Bolivia carry two risks: (1) physical robbery — criminals observe ATM users then follow and rob them outside; (2) card skimming — card reading devices installed on ATMs, particularly on standalone machines away from bank branches.
⚡ Physical robbery: loss of cash withdrawn plus any other valuables. Card skimming: fraudulent withdrawals from your account (typically discovered 1–3 days later). International cards: contact your card issuer immediately to freeze the card.
📅 Deadline: Every ATM use
✅ Use ATMs inside bank branches during business hours (BNB, BCP — both have extensive networks). Inspect the card slot for any loose or unusual attachment before inserting your card. Cover the keypad with your hand when entering PIN. Withdraw only as much cash as needed for immediate use — do not carry large cash amounts. Set foreign transaction notification alerts on your card. If you suspect your card was skimmed: call your bank immediately to freeze the card. Daily ATM withdrawal limit in Bolivia: Bs.3,000–6,000 (approx USD 430–860).
Photography of military, police and government facilities
Photographing Bolivian military installations, police buildings, presidential palace, border crossings, and some government infrastructure is prohibited. Bolivia's laws on this point are strictly enforced — what looks like an interesting building from a tourist perspective may be a sensitive government facility.
⚡ Camera/phone confiscated. Detention for questioning (typically 2–6 hours). In rare cases, cameras are seized permanently and photographs deleted. Border crossing photography: confiscation of all photography equipment.
📅 Deadline: Ongoing — entire stay in Bolivia
✅ Do not photograph: military bases, police headquarters, the presidential palace Casa Grande del Pueblo (La Paz), border crossings, hydroelectric facilities, prison exteriors. Coca leaf fields and processing facilities: extremely sensitive — never photograph. If unsure whether a building is restricted: do not photograph it. In markets (Witches' Market, Mercado Lanza), always ask permission before photographing market sellers — indigenous vendors particularly may object strongly and reactions can escalate.
Using the black market currency exchange (parallel/blue dollar)
Bolivia's ongoing foreign currency shortage created a parallel market where USD cash trades at 30–45% above the official Bs.6.96/USD rate (parallel rate approximately Bs.9.50–10/USD as of mid-2026). While the parallel rate is practically used by many Bolivians, it is technically illegal under Bolivian law. Foreigners are particularly vulnerable to being scammed or entrapped.
⚡ Legal risk: ASFI and police anti-currency-smuggling operations periodically target parallel market participants. Criminal prosecution for currency trafficking is possible. Practical scam risk: criminals offer excellent rates then deliver counterfeit bolivianos or shortchange. Safety risk: parallel exchange often happens in isolated locations.
📅 Deadline: Ongoing risk if using informal exchange channels
✅ Use only authorised casas de cambio (exchange offices) on Av. Camacho, La Paz for currency exchange. For international transfers, use official SWIFT transfers at BNB or BCP. The legal exchange rate at Bs.6.96/USD is still very favourable for USD/EUR earners relative to local prices. The premium from the parallel market does not justify the legal and safety risks for most expats.
Earthquake risk in western Bolivia
Bolivia lies in a seismically active zone — the western Andes region (La Paz, Oruro, Potosí) experiences regular moderate earthquakes. Most are minor but strong events occur periodically. The 1998 Aiquile earthquake (6.6 magnitude) and 2019 La Paz tremors are examples. Building standards vary widely.
⚡ Building collapse risk in older unreinforced adobe/stone structures. La Paz's steep terrain and population density increase landslide risk after strong earthquakes. Infrastructure disruption (utilities, roads) for days to weeks.
📅 Deadline: Preparedness before arrival and throughout stay
✅ Prefer modern reinforced concrete construction for rented accommodation — avoid older adobe houses for long-term residence. Know your building's construction type. Earthquake preparedness: identify structural shelter points in your home (under sturdy table, doorframe of internal walls). Learn Bolivia's earthquake emergency number: 119 (Bomberos). Keep an emergency kit: water (for 3 days), torch, first aid kit, cash, copies of documents. Buildings in Santa Cruz (lower altitude, different geology) are less at risk than La Paz hilltop neighbourhoods.
Driving with expired RTV vehicle inspection certificate
RTV (Revisión Técnica Vehicular) is the annual vehicle technical inspection — equivalent to MOT/state inspection. An expired RTV certificate prevents RUAT registration renewal and is checked at police highway checkpoints. Many expat vehicle owners are unaware of the annual requirement.
⚡ Vehicle impounded at highway checkpoint. Fine: Bs.500–1,500. Cannot renew RUAT (annual vehicle registration tax) without valid RTV — vehicle becomes technically unregistered. Driving an unregistered vehicle compounds the SOAT fine risk.
📅 Deadline: Annual — renewal date printed on RTV certificate
✅ Book RTV inspection at least 30 days before certificate expiry at revtech.bo (REVTECH inspection centres). La Paz: Av. Periférica El Alto and Av. Costanera (+591 2-229-6868). Arrive early (before 8am) or book online to avoid multi-hour queues. Ensure vehicle has functioning lights, good tyres and no major mechanical faults before attending — minor failures can be fixed at roadside talleres (workshops) near inspection centres.
Electricity and copper theft affecting utilities in residential areas
Copper wire and electrical component theft from residential buildings and vehicles is common in outer city areas of La Paz and El Alto. Exposed copper electrical connections, car battery terminals and catalytic converters are targeted. In some neighbourhoods, external electricity meters are also targeted.
⚡ Unexpected power outages in your building. Vehicle battery theft or catalytic converter removal (expensive repair, USD 500–2,000). Utility restoration can take 2–7 days through DELAPAZ.
📅 Deadline: Take protective measures before leaving vehicle in vulnerable areas
✅ Park vehicle in secured (guarded) parking (playa de estacionamiento) whenever possible. Install a battery isolator switch on vehicles parked outdoors overnight. Ensure building management keeps external electrical boxes locked. Report any theft to FELCC (+591 2-222-5555) — not for recovery (unlikely) but for insurance police report. Report utility theft to DELAPAZ (+591 2-237-0000).
Losing rental deposit without notarised contract
Bolivia has no formal deposit protection scheme (equivalent to UK Tenancy Deposit Scheme). Rental deposits (garantía — typically 2 months) are held by landlords without third-party protection. Without a notarised contract and documented property inspection, recovering a disputed deposit from a non-cooperative landlord is extremely difficult.
⚡ Loss of 2 months' rent (Bs.3,000–10,000+ depending on property). Legal action possible but slow — courts are backed up and a deposit dispute can take 6–18 months to resolve in civil court, costing more in legal fees than the deposit.
📅 Deadline: Before signing any rental agreement and paying deposit
✅ Notarise the rental contract at a Notaría de Fe Pública before paying deposit (cost: Bs.200–500). Conduct a joint photographic property inspection (inventory/acta de estado) on arrival day — photograph every room and note all existing damage in writing. Both parties sign and date the inspection record. Attach photos to the notarised contract. Obtain meter readings on arrival day and record them in the contract. Upon departure: repeat the inspection jointly and get the landlord's signature on the finiquito (final settlement) before departing.
High altitude health risk for brachycephalic dog breeds
Short-nosed (brachycephalic) dog breeds — French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Boxers — already have restricted airways and struggle significantly at La Paz's altitude (3,650m). The reduced oxygen at high altitude can trigger respiratory distress, exercise intolerance and heat stroke in these breeds.
⚡ Respiratory emergencies requiring oxygen support and veterinary intervention. In severe cases: death. Chronic exposure to altitude causes ongoing health problems for affected breeds. Vet bills: Bs.300–1,500 for emergency respiratory treatment.
📅 Deadline: Before bringing a brachycephalic breed to La Paz
✅ Consult your home country vet before relocating a brachycephalic breed to La Paz. Many vets advise against it. Consider Santa Cruz (416m altitude) as an alternative residence if you have such a breed. If you do bring brachycephalic dogs to La Paz: limit exercise significantly, never let them overheat, monitor breathing rate daily, keep a vet contact (Veterinaria Miraflores: +591 2-222-7890) on speed dial, and have supplemental oxygen equipment available.
Failing to renew annual FUNDEMPRESA company registration
Bolivian companies (SRL, SA, etc.) must renew their Matrícula de Comercio at FUNDEMPRESA annually, typically in the first quarter of the year. Failure to renew: the company is listed as "inactive" on FUNDEMPRESA — making it impossible to issue facturas or sign valid commercial contracts.
⚡ Company cannot legally issue facturas. Cannot renew NIT. Clients conducting FUNDEMPRESA verification checks see an "inactive" status — damaging business credibility. Fines and penalty interest accumulate.
📅 Deadline: Annual — typically January–March each year
✅ Set a January calendar reminder for FUNDEMPRESA renewal. Renewal can be done online at fundempresa.org.bo (Bs.200–500 fee depending on company type and size). Your contador (accountant) should remind you — include FUNDEMPRESA renewal in your accountant's annual service mandate. Keep FUNDEMPRESA renewal receipts for 5 years for audit purposes.
Accepting payment without facturas — cash economy tax risk
Bolivia's large informal economy means many business transactions happen without facturas (tax invoices). For foreigners with formal NIT registration, however, all income must be declared — whether paid by factura or not. SIN conducts periodic net worth audits (auditorías de incremento patrimonial) comparing declared income against visible lifestyle and asset accumulation.
⚡ Undeclared income discovered in a SIN audit triggers back taxes + 36% annual interest + penalties of 100–300% of the undeclared amount. Criminal charges for sustained tax evasion. Foreigners are not exempt from these audits and may attract more scrutiny if lifestyle appears inconsistent with declared income.
📅 Deadline: Monthly declaration deadlines at SIN
✅ Declare all income to SIN regardless of whether it was paid with or without a factura. For each payment received without a factura: include it in the income declared in your monthly IT (Impuesto a las Transacciones) return. Request your own factura from clients to formalise the transaction. Maintain clear financial records showing income sources. Engage an experienced Bolivian contador who understands mixed formal/informal income situations.
Internet connectivity is slow and unreliable outside major cities
Bolivia has among the slower broadband connections in South America. Fixed-line internet via Entel, Tigo, or AXS reaches La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, and Sucre at workable speeds in city centres, but quality drops sharply in suburbs and beyond. Mobile 4G/LTE coverage is patchy outside urban areas; remote departments (Beni, Pando, rural Potosi) often have 2G or no signal. Frequent power cuts compound connectivity issues. Streaming and cloud applications are feasible in central areas of major cities but unreliable for sustained remote-work needs.
⚡ Remote workers dependent on consistent uptime for video calls or cloud platforms face chronic disruptions. Areas with 2G-only mobile signal make digital nomad work impractical without a confirmed fixed-line connection.
✅ Test accommodation internet speed via speedtest.net before committing to a long lease. Entel has the widest rural mobile coverage — buy a local SIM on arrival for mobile data backup. Fibre-optic connections are increasingly available in La Paz (Miraflores, Sopocachi) and Santa Cruz; confirm with your landlord before signing. Co-working spaces in major cities offer more reliable connections. Carry a secondary SIM from a different carrier (Tigo or Viva) as a hotspot backup for important calls.
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