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Exercise increased caution in Bolivia due to civil unrest.
Country Summary: Demonstrations, strikes, and roadblocks can occur at any time in Bolivia. Demonstrations can result in violence. Roadblocks and strikes may cut off traffic and restrict the flow of goods and services around the country. Domestic and international flights may be delayed or unexpectedly cancelled.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Bolivia.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Bolivia has a moderate level of COVID-19. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
If you decide to travel to Bolivia:
Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information.
Six months (as of entry date into the country).
One page per stamp.
Yes.
Yellow Fever.
$10,000.
$10,000.
U.S. Embassy La Paz
Avenida Arce 2780
La Paz, Bolivia
Telephone: + (591) (2) 216-8000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: + (591) (2) 216-8000
Fax: + (591) (2) 216-8111
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 08:00 – 17:30 and Friday: 08:00 – 12:00 (except U.S. and local holidays)
Email: ConsularLaPazACS@state.gov
United States Consular Agency, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Avenida San Martin
Equipetrol Norte
Edificio Empresarial Equipetrol
Calle G esquina Ave. Salvador (parelela a la Avenida San Martin)
Piso 4
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Telephone: + (591) (2) 216-8000
Emergency after-hours telephone: +(591) 2-216-8000
Email: ConsularSantaCruz@state.gov
Hours: Monday and Tuesday: 08:00 – 15:00
Wednesday and Thursday: 8:30 – 15:00, and
Friday: 09:00 – 12:00 (except U.S. and local holidays)
See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Bolivia for information on U.S. – Bolivia relations.
Please visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on entry/exit requirements related to COVID-19 in Bolivia.
All U.S. citizens visiting Bolivia are required to obtain a visa. A visa can be obtained at a Bolivian Embassy or Consulate in the United States or neighboring country. In addition, a tourist visa can be purchased at any land or air border. Entry is granted for 30 days. U.S. citizens who wish to extend their stay can apply for an extension through the Direccion General de Migración (National Migration Service), which has offices in most major cities. Visit the Embassy of Bolivia website for the most current visa information.
Entry requirements:
Dual Nationality: Upon entering and/or exiting Bolivia, U.S.-Bolivian citizens may be required to show a valid Bolivian identity document, such as a Bolivian cedula de identidad.
HIV Restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions, either for visitors or foreign residents of Bolivia.
Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction, and customs regulations on our websites.
Protests, strikes, and roadblocks are common. While they generally begin peacefully, they have the potential to become violent.
You should:
Messages regarding demonstrations, strikes, and weather-related events are posted on the embassy’s website.
Emergency medical care outside of large cities, in rural areas, and inside national parks is inadequate. The U.S. Embassy recommends that visitors to remote areas inquire with their travel agency or guide service about contingency plans for emergency communication and medical evacuation, and that all travelers purchase insurance that covers emergency medical care and evacuation while abroad.
Chapare and Yungas Regions: Organized criminal groups near Coroico and Carnavi in Yungas have committed carjackings and robberies. Additionally, government authorities have used force in past confrontations with residents over coca eradication, and pro-coca groups may attempt to target U.S. interests. Contact the Embassy before traveling to these regions.
Crime: Pick pocketing, assaults following ATM withdrawals, and car theft are common.
International Financial Scams: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.
Victims of Crime:
U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should immediately get to a safe place, seek medical care if necessary, and then contact the U.S. Embassy.
Report crimes to the local police at 110 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +591 (2) 216-8000. After working hours: +591 (2) 216-8000. The National Tourism Police provides free assistance in English to tourists. Contact the La Paz office at 800-14-0081. Contact the Cochabamba office at +591 (4) 450-3880. In the city of Santa Cruz, contact Interpol at +591 (3) 349-7720.
Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.
See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.
We can:
Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.
Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.
Bolivian authorities are generally required to press official charges within 24 hours of arrest, and to release a detainee within 48 hours if no formal charges are brought. However, investigative and pre-trial periods may drag on indefinitely.
Bolivian law allows law enforcement officials to detain any foreigner pending proof of legal status in country (i.e. passport, visa, or residency card). Though this is rarely enforced, anyone who cannot produce proof of legal status may be detained until legal status is confirmed.
Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.
In Bolivia, you may find products made with wild plants and animals. Many of these products could involve protected or endangered species, whose sale and export are illegal. Any protected species that is sold or transported, either live or transformed into food, medicinal beverages, leather, handcrafts, garments, etc., could be seized by Bolivian authorities. Some products, including live animals, require special permits when leaving Bolivia. Knowingly importing into the United States wildlife or plants that were taken from the wild or sold in violation of the laws of Bolivia (or any other country) violates U.S. law.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.
Mountain Trekking and Climbing Safety: Many popular trekking routes in the Bolivian Andes are at 16,000 feet or higher. Regardless of medical history or physical fitness, you may experience significant health issues due to the high altitude. Exercise extreme caution when trekking or climbing in Bolivia.
Authentication of Documents: The Embassy is prohibited from issuing apostilles or authenticating U.S. or Bolivian-issued documents, such as birth, marriage, or death certificates, or driver’s licenses. For information on where to obtain an apostille on a U.S. document, please click here.
Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.
Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:
LGBTI Travelers: The Bolivian constitution prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Bolivia.
See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.
Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance. Few buildings and streets are accessible by wheelchair. Sidewalks and ramps are often in disrepair. Most public transportation vehicles are ill-adapted.
Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.
Women Travelers: Bolivia has one of the highest domestic violence rates against women in South America. A very high percentage of women have experienced intimate partner violence. See our travel tips for Women Travelers.
Please visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Bolivia.
Bolivia is subject to extreme drought and shortage. During the dry season, many neighborhoods, particularly in La Paz, Potosi, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca, and Oruro, may not have regular running water.
Medical care in large cities is adequate, but of varying quality. Medical facilities are generally not equipped to handle serious medical conditions, and risk of infection is high. Emergency medical care outside of large cities, in rural areas, and inside national parks is inadequate.
For emergency services in Bolivia, dial 110.
Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery: Undergoing elective cosmetic procedures in Bolivia presents significant risks. The blood supply and regulation of doctors and medical services do not meet U.S. standards in many areas. Visit the CDC Medical Tourism page for more information.
We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.
Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.
We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.
Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Government of Bolivia to ensure the medication is legal in Bolivia. The following diseases are prevalent:
Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Further health information:
Road Conditions and Safety: Use extreme caution when driving on roadways. Few highways have shoulders, fencing or barriers, and lane markings are minimal. Even when lanes are marked, it is common for drivers to disregard them.
Traffic Laws: Most drivers lack formal training. Maintain situational awareness on the roads and employ defensive driving skills.
Public Transportation: Although violent assaults on public transportation are rare, petty theft is common.
Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Bolivia’s Civil Aviation Authority to be in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Bolivia’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Bolivia. For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA) report.
The CDC's latest guidance on international travel for vaccinated people can be found here.
Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.
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