Bolivia
About
| Bolivia, landlocked at the heart of Andean Latin America, remains something of a well-kept secret. Explore the street life in the world's highest capital city: La Paz is situated 3,632m above sea level and is overlooked by Mount Illimani. Take a cruise on Lake Titicaca, the highest commercially navigable lake in the world, which straddles the Bolivia-Peru border. Discover the garden city, Cochabamba, with its excellent local cuisine, warm climate and imposing statue of Christ. Venture into the Amazon and stay at a jungle eco lodge, such as Chalalan typical jungle trips include motorised canoe trips, guided rainforest walks with a local guide who knows the indigenous plants and wildlife, and rustic lodge accommodation. |
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| Official Name: | Plurinational State of Bolivia |
| Capital: | La Paz (LPB) |
| Currency: | Boliviano (BOB). USD is accepted in tourist areas. . |
| Language: | Spanish, but Quechua, Aymara and Guaraní are more widely spoken. English is not widely spoken, but may be understood in the tourist areas. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 591 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT -4 (6 hours behind South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right. |
| Best time to go: | May – October is the winter / dry season but also the high season. |
| Best for: | Amazon Jungle, Carnival, Archaeological Sites |
| Plugs: | Most of Bolivia is 220V/50Hz as well having 110V and 220V supplies. Plugs are two-pronged with round prongs (European) and flat-pronged pins (US) |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. If drinking bottled water, check the seals on the bottle. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. Medication is widely available. In rural areas, medical facilities may be harder to find and medication should be carried. Altitude sickness is a common health risk – anyone suffering from diabetes, heart problems or chest problems should seek medical advice before travelling to Bolivia. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies. Rural Bolivians are called campesinos and should not be referred to as Indians. Conservative clothing should be worn when travelling to the rural areas. It is best to ask permission before entering religious ceremonies. It is best to learn a few simple phrases, including greetings. Homosexuality is frowned upon and public displays of affections should be avoided. Roles within the family are very traditional. |
| Local Offences/Laws: | Penalties for drug-related offences are severe. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Try to break big notes of currency where possible, as smaller shops, stalls and buses will only accept small notes. Take care when buying food from street vendors – hygiene is poor in some areas. Street protests and strikes can affect the main tourist areas – travellers should keep up to date with current conditions and avoid demonstrations. Female travellers should avoid travelling to the rural areas by themselves and only use licenced guides. |
| Duty Free: | The following goods may be imported into Bolivia by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco • 3L of alcoholic beverages • New articles up to a maximum of US$1,000 |
| Prohibited Imports: | Prohibited imports include illegal drugs, unauthorised guns, explosives and ammunition, knives and deadly weapons, counterfeit money and goods, and pornographic material. Restricted imports include pharmaceutical and medical products, live animals and animal products, wild products, cheese, milk, raw meat, and other food and drinks. You must declare these, and cannot import them without authorisation. |
Travel Alerts
Please note that the visa form was received from the consulate and is supplied for informational purposes. However, as per the visa requirements, you should request the visa form from the Consulate directly.
This Information is intended as a Guideline.
Issuing Authorities
Honorary Consulate of Bolivia
1 Erslwold Way, Saxonworld, Johannesburg
PO Box 783104, Sandton City, Sandton, 2146, Johannesburg
Cell: +27 (0) 833779081. For emergencies only
NOTE: All visits are strictly by appointment only
Please send sms (not Whatsapp) requesting an appointment for the delivery of applications and collections.
All other communications must be directed by email to seabeco@tiscali.co.za
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 22; Mar 3-4; Apr 18; May 1; Jun 19, 21; Aug 6; Nov 2; Dec 25
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1, 22; Feb 16-17; Apr 3; May 1; Jun 4, 21-22; Aug 6; Nov 2; Dec 25
Visa Requirements
SA passport holders require a visa to enter Bolivia.
All South African and African passport holders to apply at the Honorary Consulate of Bolivia in Johannesburg
VISA REQUIREMENTS:
- Visa Application Form: completed in black ink, duly signed and dated. No corrections or overwriting is allowed. If a question does not apply it must be left blank (do not write NA, N/A or Not Applicable). NOTE: this must be obtained from the Consular Offices (not from Travel Agents or Unauthorised Websites).
- Colour photocopy of the bio page of the Passport. Passport must have 6 months validity from the departure date from Bolivia with 4 blank pages. Only the copy of the passport is to be submitted with the application (not the original passport).
- Return / onward travel arrangements (airline ticked or bus ticket)
- Travel/touring itinerary for the entire duration of stay in Bolivia (one page).
- Proof of hotel/accommodation booking/reservation.
- Copy of the Yellow Fever Certificate.
- Copy of the Medical Travel Insurance for the duration of the stay in Bolivia.
- Proof of funds: Original latest bank statement (one month), or declaration from bank of sufficient funds available (one page)
- One recent 3cm x 3cm passport photograph in white background (printed, to be delivered with supporting documents).
- One recent 3cm x 3cm digital photo sent by email to seabeco@tiscali.co.za in jpg format of 147kb.
Visa Processing Time
20-25 working days
Visa Validity
The period of duration of the tourist visa will be determined from the applicant’s date of admission into Bolivia in accordance with any conditions that may appear on the actual visa stamped on the passport. On admission, the visa will be deemed to be a visitor’s permit for 30 days.
Visa Cost
Visa cost varies depending on the nationality of the passenger as well as the urgency. Visa fees are non-refundable. please contact the Consulate directly.
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A &B , Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
