Bolivia Travel Insurance Plans

In this article:

• Travel Insurance Plans for Bolivia
• Bolivia Travel Tips and Safety Information
• Other Bolivia FAQs

Travel insurance is not a requirement for entry to Bolivia; however, it can be a good idea to get a travel insurance plan with medical expense coverage as many U.S. health insurance plans may not include international coverage.

Travel Guard has comprehensive travel insurance plans to help protect your trip to Bolivia. Our Deluxe Plan is a great option since it includes the highest benefit limits for coverages such as trip cancellation, trip delay, baggage coverage, medical expense coverage and more. If you plan to participate in any daring activities such as mountain climbing, consider adding our Adventure Sports Bundle to give you the coverage you may need.

Travel insurance plans typically cost between 5-7% of the total price of your trip. Several factors come into play when pricing your plan, which may include the product you choose and the number of travelers in your party. For more details on pricing, check out our article on how much travel insurance costs.

To ensure travelers to Bolivia are as safe and informed as possible, Travel Guard compiled some popular questions asked by tourists visiting the country.

For the latest information related to COVID-19 travel requirements for Bolivia, please visit the official U.S. Embassy site.

Bolivia is relatively safe to visit, but travelers should be mindful of some prominent security and safety concerns. Protests and strikes are prevalent throughout the country – including in tourist areas – and often involve roadblocks. Visitors should monitor local media reports and follow any advice issued by local officials. Before traveling to and from the airport or anywhere in Bolivia, it is important to check for route disruptions via the Bolivian highway authority and avoid any demonstrations or roadblocks.

Bolivia has lower crime rates in comparison to neighboring countries, incidents have increased in recent years. Travelers are most likely to be affected by petty theft, bag-snatching, and scams, especially in tourist areas. However, more serious crimes like assaults and express kidnappings, where a victim is held for a short time and forced to withdraw money from ATMs, do occasionally impact travelers. Travelers should maintain a low profile, arrange taxis through a hotel instead of hailing a cab on the street and avoid walking alone, especially after dark. Visitors should also carry a passport copy and leave the original in a hotel safe or other secure location and should not hand documents over to plain clothed individuals claiming to be police officers.

Bolivia has no shortage of options for outdoor adventures. Visitors should book any guided activities through trusted providers in advance of travel. Travelers may experience issues associated with high altitudes, so it is important to take appropriate health precautions. Additionally, the thinner atmosphere due to high altitudes means protection from the sun is needed at all times, even in freezing temperatures.

Visit the U.S. Department of State website for up-to-date information on travel advisory levels and safety information for travelers to the Bolivia.

All U.S. travelers should consider enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service offered to U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad. Enrolling in this program allows you to receive important information from the embassy as well as helps the embassy contact you in an emergency.

The official currency in Bolivia is the Bolivian Boliviano, however, the U.S. dollar is accepted in some parts of the country. Travelers can exchange currency before their departure at most U.S. banks or a currency kiosk in the airport. If exchange is needed once you arrive, most major cities will have currency exchange available. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, just be sure to alert your bank of your travels to best avoid interruption.

Spanish is the official language of Bolivia, along with several indigenous languages such as Aymara, Chimane and more. English is not commonly spoken throughout the country, so we recommend learning common sayings, phrases and questions in Spanish before leaving for your trip to ensure you can read signage and navigate through the country as necessary. To ease any worry, we also recommend downloading a translation app that works offline to best avoid confusion.

Visas are required for U.S. citizens who are visiting Bolivia as well as a passport valid for six months past the date of your arrival. You will need to have one page available in your passport per stamp.

For the latest information regarding visas and passports for Bolivia travel, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s Bolivia country information page.

The U.S. Embassy in Bolivia is in La Paz. Visit the official U.S. Embassy government website for a list of up-to-date phone numbers and addresses.

Bolivia has several different climates depending on where you are in the country. The lowlands of the country have an equatorial climate, meaning it’s hot and rainy year-round while the northern part of the country has cooler climates and a longer dry season. Landslides, flooding and road disruptions are an issue during the rainy season. Since Bolivia lies below the equator, the seasons are reversed when compared to the U.S.

The beginning of the year is a popular time to visit Bolivia as there are plenty of events for tourists to take part in. In February, visitors can take part in the Virgen de la Candelaria, a three-day festival to celebrate the folklore of the Virgin Mary saving fisherman in Lake Titicaca. In February or March, tourists can visit the Oruro Carnival, a festival celebrating the culture of the country. Be sure to check the scheduling of the year you plan to visit. Finally, tourists are invited to celebrate Santa Semana, or Holy Week, the seven-day event where tourists can see decorated churches and try various meals throughout the country.

Bolivia’s dial code is +591 which can be used to reach landlines and cellphones in the country. When calling from the U.S. to a residence in Bolivia, be sure to use the exit code of +11 for the number you’re trying to reach. Remember when calling internationally, landlines are typically more affordable than connecting to a cell phone so be sure to contact your phone provider for cost estimates and to let them know of your travel plans to best avoid unwanted interruption during your trip.

Bolivia uses the same voltage as the U.S. Travelers do not need a transformer; however, Bolivia uses a different prong type. Because of this, we recommend bringing a universal travel adaptor that can be adjusted to other prong types and used for future trips.

Bolivia is considered safe for tourists to travel alone. Still, travelers should take precautions such as avoiding walking or driving at night, not displaying signs of wealth and only carrying small amounts of cash at a time. Solo travelers should also use reputable transportation services and should not hail taxis on the street.  
 
For more safety tips, visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Yes, tourists visiting Bolivia will need to have an international certificate for Yellow Fever vaccination.  
For the latest information, visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Yes, bus travel is one of the most common ways for tourists to explore the country of Bolivia for both long-distance and short-distance travel. Be aware of petty criminals on buses and at bus stations. For long-distance bus trips, pack some food and water and bring warm clothing if the nights are expected to be cold.

Travel Guard offers comprehensive and customizable travel insurance plans for travelers visiting Bolivia. With excellent coverage and specialized emergency travel assistance representatives ready to help you at any time, Travel Guard is there for you. Compare our popular plans and find the best one for you!