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| Bolivia ((es) Bolivia, (qu) Bulibiya, (ay) Wuliwya, (gn) Volívia) | |
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| Flag | |
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| Information | |
| Capital city | Sugar (capital city) La Paz (seat of government) |
|---|---|
| Area | 1 100 000 km² |
| Population | 10 000 000 hab. (2010) |
| Density | 9,09 inhab./km² |
| Form of State | parliamentary republic |
| Other languages | Spanish (official) Quechua (official) Aymara (official) |
| Change | boliviano (BOB) |
| Electricity | 220 V/50 Hz, American and European plugs |
| Telephone prefix | 591 |
| Internet suffix | .bo |
| Flow direction | Right-hand drive |
| Spindle | UTC-4 |
| Location | |
 17 ° 0 ′ 0 ″ S 65 ° 0 ′ 0 ″ W | |
The Bolivia is a country ofSouth America, frontier of Peru to the north-west, from Brazil to the northeast, from Paraguay in the south-eastArgentina to the south and Chile Southwest Bolivia shares control of Lake Titicaca with Peru, the highest navigable lake in the world (3 800 m).
Understand
Geography
Weather
History
The ancient site of Tiwanaku is home to the oldest ruins in the Andes (several centuries BC). However, this civilization declined around 1100 and gave way to lordships in the Altiplano. The Incas from the North (Cuzco) imposed their domination around 1450 and a war of succession tore them apart at the beginning of the following century. The Spaniards arrived in 1533 and took advantage of their technical superiority and their wearing of armor to conquer this immense empire in a few years.
They develop the exploitation of metals, notably opening the huge silver mine of Potosí which ensures the wealth of the Spanish Empire at the cost of millions of indigenous lives. Due to exploitation and contact with new diseases, the population declined before being reinforced by Spanish settlers, creating a favored social class of mestizos and settlers. The latter took advantage of the Napoleonic invasion of the metropolis in 1809 to declare their independence throughout Latin America, triggering sixteen years of war. In 1825, representatives of ten departments of Upper Peru choose to separate from Peru and take the name of the hero Simon Bolivar, soon adapted in Bolivia.
The country remained dominated by wealthy families and the military for the next century. It loses many territories to the benefit of its neighbors, with or without war: the opening up to the Atlantic for the benefit of the Brazil, part of the dry Chaco towards the Paraguay, and especially the last coastal lands of the Pacific after a lost war against the Chile in 1894. In 1952, a revolution overthrows the oligarchy and imposes universal suffrage (including female). Military coup d'etats and periods of democracy then alternated until the 1980s. In 2005, the first direct presidential election brought to power Evo Morales, the first president from the Indian majority of the population. He changed the Constitution in 2009, favoring the recognition of about thirty Indian groups and allowing their integration into places of power.
Population
The population is young and 65% identify with an Indian group, the two main ones being the Aymaras (around La Paz) and the Quechuas (people from which the Inca civilization originated).
Holidays and public holidays
Bolivians love to party, including outside of public holidays. Carnival is celebrated depending on the region between January and March. Saints (especially the Virgin) can have important festivals (up to a week, with parades, fairs and concerts) in the city of which they are patron.
Independence is celebrated on August 6. The first Sunday in September is pedestrian day : all motor vehicles are prohibited in town from midnight to 18 h (this day takes place later in September at Tarija).
Regions
.png/370px-Bolivia_regions_map_(fr).png) Bolivia map |
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Cities
- 1 La Paz
- 2 Potosí
- 3 Santa Cruz de la Sierra
- 4 Sugar
- 5 Uyuni
- 6 Cochabamba
- 7 Yacuiba
- 8 Tarija
- 9 Villamontes
- 10 Riberalta
- 11 Cobija
- 12 Oruro
Other destinations
- Altiplano
- 1 Salar de Uyuni – largest salt lake in the world.
- South Lípez
- The Yungas
- Andes Cordillera
- Cordillera Royale
- Bolivian Amazon
- Huayna Potosí
- Illimani
- 2 Sajama – At the foot of the Nevado Sajama volcano (altitude 6 542 m), highest point in Bolivia
- 3 Lake Titicaca – Largest mountain lake in the world (3 812 m), shared between Bolivia and Peru, Lake Titicaca is at the center of Andean civilizations. TheSun Island hosts Inca ruins and is considered the birthplace of the Moon and the Sun. The city of Copacabana is a seaside resort and a place of pilgrimage to the Virgin popular with the surrounding populations.
To go
Formalities
An agreement between France and Bolivia allows you to stay in the country without a visa for three months. A residence permit is issued for one month upon your arrival. You can renew it twice. Longer stays require a Specified Purpose Visa to be renewed each month (price: 66 €, need proof of travel, one month validity) from the Bolivian Immigration Service.
- Bolivia
- National ID card
- Visa exemption
- Visa on arrival (Special rules for United States and theIran)
- Visa required (Special rules for China, Hong Kong and Macau)
By plane
Two international airports, La Paz and Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The one in La Paz is 4 200 m altitude. It is common for tourists to experience the first symptoms of altitude sickness when they step onto the catwalk. If possible, it is better to start your journey with Santa Cruz. Few companies serve Bolivia from Europe. There are direct flights from Madrid to Santa Cruz.
On a boat
Tourist boats connect Puno, Peru, to Bolivia by crossing Lake Titicaca.
By train
There are few railway lines that connect the various cities of the country. All journeys are made mainly by plane or bus. However, it is possible to travel to Brazil with the tren de la muerte (death train).
By bus
From Argentina
Buses connect Salta in Argentina in La Quiaca, the border town on the Argentine side (7 h, 50/80 pesos (semi-cama / cama)). The bus terminal is at 15 min walk from the border post. Bolivian side, 10 min a further walk will take you to the Villazón bus terminal. From there, buses connect Tupiza on an unpaved road (3 h, 10 Bs), Tarija, Potosí and La Paz (24 h, 80/100 Bs).
From Brazil
From Chile
Occasional transport or organized tours in the Salar d'Uyuni from San Pedro de Atacama can drop you off at Uyuni.
From Paraguay
From Peru
A road along Lake Titicaca leaves from Juliaca / Puno in Peru and arrives at Copacabana in Bolivia, from where you can reach La Paz. If you arrive at night, the border is closed; you can then spend the night in the small village of Yunguyo on the Peruvian side, then cross the border on foot and take a microphone on the other side to reach Copacabana. Prepare to wait: drivers usually wait until the bus is full before leaving.
By car
When crossing the border, it is compulsory to take out temporary insurance. An import permit valid for 30 days is issued by customs.
Circulate
By plane
Domestic lines are widely used because road trips are very long. There are several companies including BOA (Boliviana de Aviacion) and Amaszonas. You must plan to pay an airport tax before departure.
By train
It is possible to get from Villazón to Oruro by train, approximately 18 h path. The train stops in the towns of Tupiza and Uyuni.
By bus
It is the most efficient way to get around. There are buses everywhere, for all destinations. To move between big cities, the easiest way is to go to the bus station where there are several departures per hour. The price is very low but the quality of the buses varies. Trips of more than 5 h often offer evening departures (between 19 h and 10 p.m.) with buses semi-cama (reclining seats) or it made me (reclining seats, wider, with a support for the legs), with an additional cost compared to normal buses. Bus stations impose an exit fee varying between 1 and 2.5 Bs, to be paid at the station or when boarding the bus.
By car
The international driving license is compulsory, car rental is possible from 25 years old.
Road signs are far removed from European standards.
In large cities, taxis are very common. Some only do a certain route and then you will pay a one-time price. While others are "normal" taxis. Remember to always agree on the price of the trip before entering the taxi at the risk of rip off (especially with "normal" taxis). Some examples :
- from Sucre airport to city center: ~ 60 Bs
- in Sugar: ~ 5 Bs
- from Santa Cruz "Viru Viru" airport to downtown: ~ 70 Bs
Speed limits:
- Route: 80 km / h
- City : 40 km / h reduced to 10 km / h when approaching schools
Speak
Bolivia has 37 official languages. The main ones areSpanish (often called castellano), the quechua and theaymara. The greatest linguistic diversity is found in the lowlands region. Bolivia is a good country for learning Spanish as the locals speak it slowly and clearly.
Buy
The official currency is the boliviano, often abbreviated as Bs. In January 2019, 1 € = ~ 7.9 Bs.
There are banknotes of 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 Bs, coins of 5, 2, 1 Bs and 50, 20 and 10 centavos (1 boliviano = 100 centavos).
You can exchange Euros, US dollars and most South American currencies in casas de cambio (exchange offices) numerous in tourist areas. US dollars are commonly accepted in hotels, tourist shops, and for large purchases.
Woven or knitted, multicolored clothing is one of the items most often purchased. Do not bring a sweater or scarf; there are alpaca or llama on site that will keep you warm on the Altiplano. Consider ponchos and mantas to protect you from the wind.
For the more cautious or for those who prefer a "more traditional look" there are stalls making synthetic fleeces for a few euros in the rue Sagarnaga (for example next to the Europa Tours agency) of La Paz. Local guides equip themselves there. If you have two or three days ahead of you, you can even choose your own colors!
For people with "mountain sickness", a good address for coca leaves: go to the San Francisco basilica in La Paz, an essential place of prayer and devotion; sympathize with the small itinerant merchants. If you are "sympatico", for 5 Bs, they will sell you a small bag of coca leaves with the "priming" paste, effect guaranteed for 3 days (to be consumed in moderation even if there is no habituation). Above all, do not bring it back to France; it can cost you five years in prison. Forbidden in France while in Bolivia daily use is recommended to avoid the feeling of hunger and especially disorders due to altitude. More effective than aspirin and other substances of modern medicine.
Eat
One of the best ways to eat typical and economical is to go to the markets that most large cities have. The prices are extremely attractive (around 10 Bs) and the food is often traditional. Even if the quality is often a lottery, the atmosphere is guaranteed. Hygiene conditions, on the other hand, are far from European standards. Two unmissable restaurants in terms of price. We eat for 35 Bs at Paladar Brasileiro, Av Saavedra (near the Radisson Hotel). Lots of students and tertiary workers in the area.
Another address is at La Tranquera restaurant (Camina Hotel Real restaurant). Varied menu and buffet.
Have a drink / Go out
Housing
Cheap hotels for locals cost around 30 bolivianos a night while tourist hotels, generally cleaner and with hot water, generally cost between 40 and 70 bolivianos.
Learn
To work
security
 | Emergency telephone number: All emergency services:911 |
In the city
- Find out about the neighborhoods not to go to. Some neighborhoods are "notorious" for pick-pocketing.
- Also, avoid trusting someone who spontaneously offers to help you without your asking when you are in a rather deserted place. Indeed, some people, supposedly wanting to help you, will try to pull you away from traffic to extort you more easily.
- Finally, do not leave your pockets unattended and prefer to store your money in an inside pocket. A good trick to avoid attracting attention is to put your change in your trouser pocket and your bills in an inside pocket. The change is often sufficient for a small purchase, you can easily, quickly and discreetly pay the person.
Government travel advice
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Belgium (Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) 
Canada (Government of Canada) 
France (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 
Swiss (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs)
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Health
- Avoid drinking tap water unless you have chlorine tablets to treat it. Also watch out for the many drinks such as Chicha which are almost always made with tap water. To wash the fruits, you can use potassium permanganate powder. In most cases, the risks are limited to the appearance of intestinal germs causing digestive problems and diarrhea. However, there are also risks of hepatitis A in particular. In case of fever, consult a competent doctor as soon as possible.
- If you stay on the Altiplano, you don't risk malaria. On the other hand, if you plan to go to the lower parts, it is strongly advised to plan before leaving a preventive anti-malaria treatment. This is all the more true in summer, a wet period (November to April). Different types of malaria exist, so before leaving, check with specialized doctors for the medications to take depending on the geographical area where you will be staying.
- If you arrive directly in La Paz, you will be at 3 000 m approximately and the first days may be difficult (shortness of breath, headaches, even slight dizziness). There isn't much you can do except to avoid straining for a few days. "Altitude sickness" is common especially in the first few days. Rest and the coca leaf to chew are the essential remedies.
- Mandatory or recommended vaccines (in order of importance): DTP, yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, typhoid. The rabies vaccine is not mandatory and can sometimes cause complications. It does not immunize against the disease, but delays its incubation time. Rabies is usually transmitted by biting, or licking a wound. In case of doubt, consult a doctor as soon as possible. The first symptoms are pain and numbness at the site of the injury, followed by death after a few days / weeks (the duration depends on the distance between the wound and the nerve centers, and also varies between individuals) .
Respect
Communicate
In order to avoid surprises when you return from vacation, I advise you to buy a prepaid card (several operators). The incumbent operator Entel is the one with the best coverage in the countryside, while the others can offer internet access. Just provide an unlocked phone and, for 10 Bs, you will have the choice of the number among many Sim cards available. The communication then costs about 1 € for one minute of national communication.
