Ancient Chincana ruins on the Island of the Sun, Lake Titicaca.
If you are reading this article, then congratulations! You are likely preparing to visit a beautiful country with a rich history and diverse culture. You probably can’t wait to explore the Island of the Sun on Lake Titicaca, and you can practically see the amazement on your friends’ faces when you send them photos you took at the Salar de Uyuni.
But you may have some questions about visiting Bolivia due to its not-so-great relationship with the United States. This article will provide guidance on what to expect when you visit Bolivia as an American.
Entry Requirements
When I visited Bolivia earlier this year, I flew into Santa Cruz de la Sierra from Asunción, Paraguay. I was the only American on the flight, and the immigration officials at the airport did not know what the procedures were for Americans entering the country. It made me realize that not many Americans were visiting Bolivia anymore. I had to wait for about 30 minutes – long after the other passengers had passed through immigration and left the airport – until an official who knew the proper procedures could allow me to enter.
Here’s the bad news: the visa that you must buy costs $160.
This is a turn off for a lot of travelers and enough reason for some to give up on ever visiting this amazing country. Instead of viewing this as a deal-breaker, you should consider how little you will spend in Bolivia due to the cost of living. I spent $3 per night at a nice hostel with free breakfast in Sucre, and $10 per night for a 2-bedroom apartment in La Paz. So while the $160 for a visa to enter the country is hard to swallow, you can rest assured that everything from food to transportation in Bolivia will be extremely cheap.
As of July 2022, you will also need to present a negative COVID antigen test conducted no more than 48 hours prior to embarking on a flight to Bolivia. This was something they took very seriously when I arrived. You will also have to purchase travel insurance that will cover any medical expenses resulting from COVID. I wasn’t too thrilled about this when I found out, but it only cost me about $14 for 4 weeks in Bolivia.
Language Considerations
In terms of language, it is a very good idea to learn at least conversational Spanish prior to traveling to Bolivia. In the areas with more tourism, such as Sucre and the area around Salar de Uyuni, you can probably find some locals who can speak English, but in general, English speakers in Bolivia are few and far between. Learning even just a little bit of Spanish can go a long way. If you are feeling up to it, learning some words in Guaraní (if you are visiting Santa Cruz de la Sierra), Quechua (for Uyuni and Lake Titicaca), or Aymara (for La Paz) will help you out too. Knowing even how to just say thank you or hello in one of these languages may impress somebody so much that they give you a discount on a good or service they provide.
If you need to brush up on Spanish prior to traveling, consider downloading Duolingo or watching one of the many videos on YouTube that go over basic Spanish words and phrases.
Final Thoughts
A final consideration is that everybody will stare at you. This is especially so if you have light hair, skin or are taller than 5’10. If you have a beard, drivers will stop their cars in the middle of the street to take a good look at you. This may be uncomfortable, and even a little intimidating, at first, but don’t take it personally.
However, because you will be constantly the center of attention, it is a good idea to stay vigilant and to not walk around with a lot of jewelry or your smart phone in your hand. Bolivians are generally friendly people so there is no need to constantly feel on edge, but it is good to be aware of your surroundings.
