Information about Bolivia

Location:

Located in the center of South America

Population:

8.275.000 people

Area:

1.098.581 Km2

Capital:

Sucre, but the seat of government is in La Paz

Official Languages:

Spanish, Aymara, Quechua and Guarani

Government:

Democratic, Evo Morales is the current president and of indigenous origin

Religion:

90% Catolics, law garanties freedom of worship

Local Time:

4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

Currency:

Bolivianos

Visa requirements:

In order to enter Bolivia it is necessary to have a valid passport or a visa granted to you for 30 or 90 days according to the agreement with the country of origin. Some countries do not need visa. Some countries require visas without previous consultation. Some countries require a visa and a previous consultation.Some European countries are granted a 90 day stay for free. United States are granted a 30 day free stay and they pay for more time.

Health:

If arriving in La Paz at 3.600m directly from sea level, take it easy for a few days while acclimatizing. A Yellow Fever vaccination is obligatory. Anti-malaria precautions are advisable if going to the lowlands (below 2.000m), jungle and pampas. Other vaccinations like against typhoid cancer are advisable.

Energy:

The electric current in Bolivia is the standard 220 volts, 50 cycles. In some places such as La Paz and a few other areas in Bolivia it is also 110 volts, 50 cycles.

Measure System:

Bolivia uses the metric system of measurement, just like practically the rest of the world; therefore distances are measured in meters, weight in grams, temperature in degrees Celsius, and volume in liters. Some smaller shopping locales also use the Imperial system of pounds, but the standard is the metric system.

Precautions:

This is a list of suggestions to follow in order to ensure a safe, hassle-free trip.

Take a photocopy of your passport, a copy of both sides of your credit cards and travelers checks. Carry these copies in another pocket or bag. Have your passport, air ticket, credit cards, etc. in a safe place. Don't leave valuables in your hotel room. Bring these objects to the reception so they can store them in the hotel safe. Go to the ATM's in the morning or afternoon and try to go with another person. If you don't have somebody to go with, find one with a policeman close by. Ask somebody working at the hotel if it is safe to walk in the area around the hotel and what areas are dangerous that you should avoid. If you travel with expensive equipment, it is best to obtain extra insurance for it ahead of time. Be alert, especially in crowded places.

Water and Food:

It is preferable to drink only bottled or boiled water in Bolivia. Avoid eating food sold on the street. You should also ensure that the shellfish and seafood is fresh and try to eat them cooked. Bolivian food is varied and exquisite, and the best and safest food is found in restaurants.

Tips and bargaining:

Tips are not common, with the exception of four and five star hotels and some fine restaurants, in which case there is a 10% tip included in the bill. It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers or bus drivers, unless they have provided some extra service. In regards to bargaining, prices are already established in most shopping malls and fine restaurants; but in other areas such as craftsmanship, some food locales, transportation and accommodation, the prices are negotiable.

Customs:

Upon entering the country and before declaration of rights, basic tourism regulations require the tourist to pay customs taxes and take the proper legal actions in order to bring in the following items: cameras, laptops or other portable writing machines, video camcorders and accessories, tape recorders, sports equipment, five liters of alcoholic beverages, four hundred cigarettes (two cartons), fifty cigars or five hundred grams of tobacco, or whatever exceeds the exemption level of $US 2,000.