BOLIVIA
| Capital: | La Paz |
| Area: | 1.09 million km² |
| Population: | 11 m |
| Currency: | Boliviano |
| Language: | Spanish |
La Paz
Vallée de la Lune
Tihuanaco
Lac Titicaca
Copacabana
Isla del Sol
Salar de Uyuni
Oruro
Incahuasi
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Samaipata
San Javier
Concepcion
San José de Chiquitos
Sucre
Tarabuco
Potosi
ALTITUDE
Most of the cities and sites to visit are located at more than 3000 meters of altitude. For example, La Paz is at 3660 meters of altitude. However, Santa Cruz de la Sierra region and Jesuit missions are located in the plains.
EMBASSIES
CREDITS CARDS
Visa and MasterCard secured ATMs are accessible in big cities. Many hotels, restaurants or boutiques accept this payment system.
WEATHER
For the Andean area, the best season is without a doubt from April to November. From June to September especially, the highlands are always cold. To avoid December to March period when summer rains are heavy.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra region has a tropical climate.
ELECTRICITY
110 volts outlets sometimes flat blade plugs (recommended to bring a plug adapter).
CURRENT TIME
GMT – 4h, 5h on French winter time and – 6h on summer time. When it is 12h00 in Paris, it is 7h00 in La Paz in winter and 6h00 in summer.
FORMALITIES
For French citizens, a valid passport for 6 months after return date is required.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2023
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 22 January: Bolivia’s Foundation Day
- 20 and 21 February: Carnival
- 7 April: Good Friday
- 1 May: Labour Day
- 8 June: Corpus Christi
- 21 June: Aymara New Year
- 16 July: Peace Day
- 6 August: Independence Day
- 14 September: Cochabamba Day
- 24 September: Santa Cruz Day
- 2 November: Day of the Dead
- 25 December: Christmas
CURRENCY & EXCHANGE
Euro and US Dollars are accepted in exchange offices.
As an indication, 14 Boliviano = about 2 USD
TIPS
It is customary to tip about 10% of the bill, often the only income for the waiter when the service is not included.
HEALTH
Water is non-drinkable. It is wise to check your vaccination expiration dates. For the tropical region, the yellow fever vaccination is recommended. For the altitude sickness or “soroche”, get medical advice before leaving.
MEDICATION:
It is recommended if you have a specific medical treatment to take with you all your medication. Also bring other treatments for the “traveler’s diarrhea”, fevers, and mosquito repellent.
SAFETY
Be careful mainly in cities and touristic places. Wearing expensive belongings is highly discouraged.
TAXIS
Pricing is set before you get in the car and paid at the end of the ride. To avoid surprises request your taxi at the hotel.
TELECOMS
To call from France to Bolivia, please dial 00+591+city code+number.
To call from Bolivia to France, please dial 00+33+number without dialing 0.
HOW TO DRESS?
Warm and casual winter clothes. The heating in most of hotels does not work very well, hence bring night warm outfits. Also plan ahead, bring gloves, sunglasses and resistant shoes. For Santa Cruz de la Sierra region, summer and rain clothes.
