Bolivia
Summary
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Bolivia’s current entry restrictions and requirements. Due to COVID-19, these may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country on your journey, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides appropriate cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
There is currently an increased risk of political unrest and demonstrations. You should continue to avoid large crowds and public demonstrations, don’t attempt to cross blockades, and pay close attention to developments via local media and this travel advice. If you’re intending to travel within Bolivia, you should plan your travel carefully, regularly check the viability of your plans and be prepared to change them at short notice. See Safety and security
Most visits are trouble free.
There is a risk of ‘express kidnappings’. Take care when travelling around Bolivia, particularly when you first arrive. If you take a taxi, use a registered company. See Crime
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Bolivia, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
Carry a photocopy of your passport, including the personal details, entry stamp and disembarkation card with you at all times in case it is requested by immigration officials or the police. See Local laws and customs
Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Bolivia, including La Paz and the Salar de Uyuni. See Health.
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Bolivia’s current entry restrictions and requirements. Due to COVID-19, these may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country on your journey, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides appropriate cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
There is currently an increased risk of political unrest and demonstrations. You should continue to avoid large crowds and public demonstrations, don’t attempt to cross blockades, and pay close attention to developments via local media and this travel advice. If you’re intending to travel within Bolivia, you should plan your travel carefully, regularly check the viability of your plans and be prepared to change them at short notice. See Safety and security
Most visits are trouble free.
There is a risk of ‘express kidnappings’. Take care when travelling around Bolivia, particularly when you first arrive. If you take a taxi, use a registered company. See Crime
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Bolivia, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
Carry a photocopy of your passport, including the personal details, entry stamp and disembarkation card with you at all times in case it is requested by immigration officials or the police. See Local laws and customs
Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Bolivia, including La Paz and the Salar de Uyuni. See Health.
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Update history
2024-10-24 22:45
Further information about road blockades and transport strike (Warnings and insurance)
2024-10-22 19:32
Correction to today’s travel advice update regarding blockades (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-10-22 15:58
New information on transport strike in the city of La Paz on 23 October and updated information on road blockades (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-10-08 09:35
Removal of information about protests and blockades (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-09-23 12:07
Information about protests (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-09-13 16:48
Information about travel disruption due to road blockades (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-09-12 11:42
Information about forest fires in Southern and Eastern Bolivia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-08-20 09:32
Information about the Oropouche virus disease (‘Health’ page)
2024-08-12 15:06
Removal of information about strikes and blockades (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-08-01 10:08
Information about travel disruption due to strikes and blockades (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-25 21:42
There may be political protests on Friday 26 July 2024 near the airport in La Paz. Give yourself plenty of time if you have a flight and ask for local advice about travelling to the airport (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-07-25 21:40
There may be political protests on Thursday 26 July 2024 near the airport in La Paz. Give yourself plenty of time if you have a flight tomorrow and ask for local advice about travelling to the airport (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-07-03 16:44
Advice about protests (Safety and Security page)
2024-06-27 12:31
Information about military activity in La Paz (‘Warning and insurance’).
2024-06-27 01:08
Information about reports of heightened military activity in La Paz (‘Warnings and insurance’) and updated contact number for assistance for British nationals in Bolivia (‘Warnings and insurance’).
2024-06-26 23:43
“Information about reports of heightened military activity in La Paz (‘Warnings and insurance’)
2024-06-18 11:41
Information about shortages of some medicines (‘Health’ page).
2024-06-12 14:28
Information about criminal kidnaps (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-10 10:10
Information about protecting yourself from crime (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-20 10:19
Information about the impact of a nationwide census taking place in Bolivia on 23 March (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-02-21 14:03
Information about flooding alerts due to torrential rain (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-16 11:22
Removal of information about road blocks (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-01-24 12:55
Information about road blocks on many main roads in Bolivia (see ‘Road blocks’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-11-16 11:31
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-11-07 17:00
Updated details about blockages and demonstrations currently taking place in La Paz (‘Summary’ page).
2023-10-05 15:20
Updated contact details if you need urgent consular assistance while in Bolivia (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2023-06-22 11:04
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-05-11 11:28
Updated information about entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-04-25 15:13
Updated information about altitude sickness (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2023-01-30 10:45
Updated information about protests (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-01-03 16:15
Updated information about blockades, demonstrations and protests in Santa Cruz and transport disruption (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-12-29 22:50
Updated information about demonstrations and protests in Santa Cruz including details of a 24 hour strike on 30 December and transport disruption (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-12-28 23:27
We are aware of demonstrations and violent protests in and around the city of Santa Cruz. There are reports that air and road travel are being affected in the city. We advise you to check with local authorities before attempting to travel to and from the airport. (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-11-30 15:23
Updated information about protests and blockades in and around the city of Santa Cruz, following the end of strikes in Santa Cruz (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-11-09 12:55
Updated information about protests and blockades in and around the city of Santa Cruz, following the announcement of an indefinite strike (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-10-18 10:58
New information about an indefinite strike, announced in the city of Santa Cruz on 21 October 2022 (‘Safety and security page).
2022-04-29 16:27
Updated information on entry requirements for Bolivia (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)