CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
Bolivia

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 9 has been updated (roadblocks).

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Bolivia

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Travellers should remain alert and vigilant due to continuing political tensions. Canadians are advised to avoid all demonstrations and public gatherings and should not attempt to cross roadblocks even if these appear unmanned. Travellers should also refrain from approaching any area of demonstrations with cameras and communications devices. Canadians should evaluate their travel plans, take personal security measures and monitor media reports.

The road from Santa Cruz to the border with Argentina, the road from Chile to La Paz, roads leading to La Paz’s International airport, located in El Alto, and major routes surrounding Santa Cruz are particularly vulnerable to blockades. Food and fuel shortages have been reported, particularly in LaPaz and Santa Cruz.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

Petty theft, including pickpocketing, purse snatching, vehicle thefts, and highjackings, are extremely common in large cities, in commercial areas as well as residential districts. Travellers should be especially cautious on buses and at bus stations. Violent crime and armed robbery against foreigners are also on the rise in La Paz and Santa Cruz.

Avoid hailing taxis in the street. Radio taxi services are recommended. Travellers should ask for the plate number of the taxi that will be sent to them, as well as the driver’s name.

Crime is also high at tourist destinations. Canadians should especially be careful while hiking at La muela del diablo, located in La Paz. Travellers near Rurrenabaque, in the Bolivian Andes, in Los Yungas and the Inca trails should remain in large groups, with tours organized by reputable tour operators.

There is an increase in reported organized robbery. Typically, members of a group of thieves will distract victims by staging a fight, by blocking a sidewalk or by throwing an object or a liquid on them, while others are robbing them. You should remain alert to your surroundings at all times, dress down and avoid carrying large sums of money or credit cards.

Reports of express kidnappings by organized gangs also increased. Tourists are held for ransom, often in a car, and are robbed or forced to use their bank cards to withdraw cash. These incidents occur most frequently in La Paz and between Copacabana and Desaguadero. Tourists should avoid this route after 2:00 p.m. In La Paz, radio taxis have been involved in such incidents. Vigilance is recommended at the bus terminal near the main cemetery, in Sopacachi, Zona Sur and at the airport. Criminals often pose as police officers, who request to examine your belongings or ask you to accompany them to a police station. Bogus police stations are sometimes set up to scam tourists. All police officers should wear green uniforms with a name badge that clearly identifies them. You are not obliged to follow them unless they have a formal written request from a judge with your name on it. Ask to see identification and only agree to a luggage check in visible public locations. You should also demand your right to contact your Embassy.

In the Chapare area between Santa Cruz and Cochabamba and in the Yungas region, northeast of La Paz, violence and civil unrest, mainly associated with drug trafficking activities, may cause delays and risks to travelers. In the Pando Department, police presence has been intensified due to a recent increase in drug-related killings. The situation is also tense in areas along the border with Peru.

Assistance

Local police can be contacted at 110, ambulance services at 911 and the fire department at 119. The tourist police in La Paz can be contacted at 222-5016. Canadians may also contact the Embassy of Canada in La Paz for assistance.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Bolivian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Bolivia or its consulates for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Bolivia. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. On August 29, 2007 the Bolivian government introduced a new regulation which requires that all visitors arriving by air be able to produce a return air ticket or another proof of how they plan to leave the country at the end of their stay.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 30 days)
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required

Travellers staying for more than 30 days may obtain a tourist visa for approximately US$30. This type of visa can only be obtained twice.

A departure tax of 15 bolivianos is charged for internal travel. For international destinations, a traveller’s tax of US$25 is charged. The departure tax for international destinations must be paid in U.S. currency. Travellers who have Bolivian citizenship or residency must pay an additional fee upon departure.

Local authorities require that tourists get a yellow fever vaccination before travelling to Bolivia if they are coming from infected countries. It is also recommended to get this vaccination when travelling to flood-affected and tropical regions, such as Los Yungas, El Chapare, Beni, Pando and Santa Cruz.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Bolivia - LA PAZ, Embassy of Canada (Program Office)
Address: 2678, Calle Victor Sanjinez, Edificio Barcelona, 2nd Floor, Plaza España (Sopocachi), La Paz, Bolivia
Tel.: 591 (2) 241-5141
Fax: 591 (2) 241-4453
E-Mail: lapaz@international.gc.ca

The Embassy of Canada in Lima, Peru, also has consular responsibility for Bolivia.

Peru - LIMA, Embassy of Canada
Address: Calle Bolognesi 228, Miraflores, Lima 18, Peru
Postal Address: P.O. Box 18-1126, Miraflores Post Office, Lima 18, Peru,
Tel.: 51 (1) 319-3200
Fax: 51 (1) 446-4912
E-Mail: lima@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.peru.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in La Paz and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call (via the international operator at 800-10-0101) to the Consular Operations Centre in Ottawa at 1-613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Since April 28, 2009, Bolivian officials have been conducting on-board screening of passengers for H1N1 Flu Virus arriving on international flights.

Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever can be a threat, especially during the rainy season, when stagnant water becomes a fertile breeding ground. Although health authorities are actively combating these diseases, travellers should cover up and use mosquito repellent. Water-borne and food-borne diseases are prevalent. Purify tap water or buy bottled water, and avoid ice cubes. Fruits and vegetables washed in tap water should be disinfected, peeled or cooked. Purchase only reliably pasteurized and refrigerated products. Choose restaurants carefully. Avoid consuming food or beverages sold by street vendors.

Prior to departing Canada for high-altitude locations over 3,000 metres/10,000 feet above sea level, such as La Paz (which is over 4,000 metres/13,000 feet), travellers should discuss the trip with their personal physician and request specific recommendations concerning medication and high-altitude issues. Alcohol should be avoided before and shortly after arrival. Drink plenty of water.

Even healthy and fit persons will feel symptoms of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) upon arrival at high altitudes. Most people will experience increased respiration and increased heart rate. Many will have headaches, difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, minor gastric and intestinal upsets, and mood changes.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Imprisoned individuals may have to wait up to two years for their trial. Jail conditions are primitive, and prisoners have to pay for their cells.

Possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs is severely punished. Travellers should not under any circumstance carry a stranger's baggage. Travellers visiting non-tourist locations, especially coca-growing areas, must exercise great vigilance and not carry a camera or binoculars.

It is illegal to remove any item that the Bolivian government considers to be a national treasure (e.g., pre-Columbian artefacts, certain historical paintings, items of Spanish colonial architecture and history, some native textiles, and certain flora, fauna, and fossils). Any type of excavation for fossils or collecting fossils without prior written authorization is illegal.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Air services are not always reliable. Prior to departure, Canadians should check with airlines to determine if there are delays or changes in their flight schedules.

Road conditions in Bolivia are very poor. Although the major population centres of La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba are connected by improved highways, less than five percent of all roads in Bolivia are paved.

Roadblocks are a common occurrence throughout Bolivia and can cause significant disruptions to transportation, even in remote parts of the country. More information on which roads to avoid is available from the Bolivian Highway Administration (in Spanish only).

Public transportation is unsafe. Beware of hailing taxis in the street. It is advisable to use only well-known radio taxi companies (especially after nightfall), requesting the plate number of the assigned taxi and the driver's name. Use only tour buses from reputable companies for trips. Avoid extensive travel on foot. Avoid small restaurants away from downtown and tourist areas.

For trips outside major cities, especially in mountainous areas, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. Risks include most drivers' lack of formal training, unlit vehicles speeding at night, and drunk drivers, including those driving commercial buses. These factors have particularly contributed to the death of tourists in Bolivia’s salt flats.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the boliviano. It is almost impossible to exchange Canadian dollars (cash or traveller's cheques) in Bolivia. Travellers should use credit cards, U.S. dollars, or bolivianos for purchases.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Travel during the rainy season (November through March) is extremely difficult, as many roads become impassable. Heavy rains may contribute to dangerous landslides. Water-borne and insect-borne diseases may also become a threat. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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