Bolivia Travel Info

BOLIVIA
Capital: La Paz
Population: 10.9 Million
Currency: Boliviano (BOB)
Language: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
Time Zone: EST
Electricity: 220V/50 HZ
Fun Facts
●
●
●
●
Approximately 78% of Bolivia’s population is Roman Catholic
Almost half the population of Bolivia resides on Altiplano plateau, with an average altitude of 12,000
ft
Bolivia contains 40% of all animal and plant life in the world
Bolivia is one of the wettest countries in the world with annual rainfall over 26 feet
Bolivia sits east of Peru with Lake Titicaca positioned between them. If you're planning a trip to visit the Mayan
ruins of Peru and the mysterious Lake Titicaca, a skip over to Bolivia is well worth a few days’ visit. The
Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca is arguably the most beautiful – with the Andes Mountains as your backdrop and
on a clear day, you've never seen bluer blues. Bolivia offers modern cities, fascinating indigenous cultures,
ancient architecture, great food, and a unique history in the heart of South America.
Lake Titicaca
Of course one of the main attractions in Bolivia is Lake Titicaca. These strange and ancient waters have
been home to the native Urus Indians for thousands of years. It is unfathomable that the native tribes have
been maintaining the Urus-Iruitos Islands here for centuries as they are composed solely of reeds that are
constantly disintegrating into the lake; they perpetuate these volatile islands by adding new reeds to the
surface. Staying overnight at Lake Titicaca in Bolivia gives you the rare opportunity to share in the culture of
the people and absorb new perspective. Continuing on the path of visiting ancient Inca ruins, a trip out to the
Sun and Moon Islands is a must. These islands were a crucial spot on pilgrimages through South America
and they are thought to be some of the most sacred on the continent. There are over 180 ruins between
the islands and it was once believed by the Incas that the sun and moon were raised from this very spot
in the world. The beauty, history, and panoramic views from these islands cannot be captured – you simply
have to witness it. Some other historical spots to see while visiting the lake are the Tiwanaku Ruins, the
subterranean temple of Kontiki, and the strange Gate of the Sum – made from a single, massive piece of
stone, it is estimated to weigh 10 tons and holds a deep value in the history of art and architecture in South
America. Its engravings may be astronomical or astrological in nature and its current restored location may
not be its original, but it holds a mercurial power that you can't help but feel.
La Paz
On to the impressive La Paz, Bolivia! La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, is a vibrant metropolis, busy and full of
strange and wonderful things. Authentic food from street vendors, enchanting and bewitching markets, and
historical buildings sit in pockets around the city while buses decorated in wildly colorful designs zip through
catching your eye…and your camera if you're fast enough. Here you will also find the National Museum of
Archaeology – a field in which Bolivia prides itself and its land. It contains ancient sculptures, pre-colonial
artisan work, local Indian art, all infused with a European influence. Probably the most amusing and bizarre
amusement in La Paz is the local Witches’ Market – where an open mind is a good thing to have. You'll find a
mix of natural and herbal remedies, objects, and knickknacks promoting good health and happiness, mixed
with macabre superstitions – likely to be the most memorable part of your trip to Bolivia.
Copyright, All rights reserved.
History buffs, nature lovers, shoppers, and adventurers are lured into Bolivia through the puzzling power
of Lake Titicaca and once they cross over they discover an array of indigenous people and their cultures,
incredible landscapes, mysterious ruins and spiritual artifacts. It is a country rich in tradition and welcoming
of visitors looking for a bit of variety in their South American sojourns.
VISAS AND PASSPORTS
A visa for your visit to Bolivia is necessary for U.S. citizens. If you hold a passport from another country,
check with your local consulate about requirements for travel to Bolivia.
A visa is required for entry into Bolivia for US citizens (one is not required for Canadians). You can apply
for a Bolivian tourist visa by mail or in person at Bolivian consulates in the U.S., as well as at Bolivian ports
of entry, such as at Bolivia's international airports and at land border crossings. The tourist visa costs US
$160.00. You can pay the US$160.00 fee in cash. If you choose to apply for your visa upon your arrival to
Bolivia, you must pay this fee in cash to immigration authorities. In addition to the $160.00 visa fee, you
must present a visa application form (which will be mailed to you or given to you by your Local Host) with
two 4cm x 4cm color photographs, a passport with a validity of not less than 6 months, a bank or credit
card statement (ATM receipt will work as well) proving solvency while in Bolivia, and your travel itinerary
in Bolivia, which will be provided by Monograms. The Local Host will have a copy of the visa application
form if this is forgotten at home.
In general going through a visa service is more expensive but offers convenience and peace of mind. If
you choose to go this route, we recommend contacting Generations Visa Services (GenVisa), our preferred
partner for visa and passport services, at least 90 days prior to departure. GenVisa has a special Web
site and toll-free number. Call (800) 845-8968, email info@genvisa.com, or visit their below web sites for
additional information. Our travelers receive discounted prices and other special services:
●
For Monograms, visit: www.genvisa.com/monograms
All passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Please carry proper identification
(your passport) on you and do not leave in your suitcase or hotel room. Most countries have laws that require
you to carry your passport with you at all times.
You can apply for a Bolivian tourist visa by mail or in person at Bolivian consulates in the U.S., as well as
at Bolivian ports of entry, such as at Bolivia’s international airports and at land border crossings. The tourist
visa costs US$160.00. You can pay the US$160.00 fee in cash, by deposit to the Bolivian Consulate’s bank
account, or by money order. If you choose to apply for your visa upon your arrival to Bolivia, you must
pay this fee in cash to immigration authorities. In addition to the $160.00 visa fee, you must present a visa
application form with two 4cm x 4cm color photographs, a passport with a validity of not less than 6 months,
and your travel itinerary in Bolivia.
COUNTRY CODES
The country code for Bolivia is 591. When calling to Bolivia from overseas, dial your international access
code (011 from the U.S./Canada) followed by the country code, area code, and phone number. Phone
numbers in Bolivia are 7 digits in length. Dialing from the U.S./Canada: 011 591 # ### ####.
CURRENCY
The official currency of Bolivia is the Boliviano.
1 Boliviano (Bs) = 100 centavos (cvs).
●
●
Banknote denominations: 10Bs, 20Bs, 50Bs, 100Bs, 200Bs.
Coin denominations: 10cvs, 20cvs, 50cvs, 1Bs, 2Bs, 5Bs
For the most current exchange rates, please go to our Web site at www.globusfamily.com/currency.
Copyright, All rights reserved.
Credit cards are accepted in Bolivia, and you should have no problems using them in larger shops and
restaurants. Visa and MasterCard are most accepted. Smaller shops may ask you to pay in cash or have
a minimum amount required to use a credit card.
BUDGETING AND SHOPPING
The following budget guidelines are just approximate values or starting values for meals and are per person.
Actual prices will vary widely by restaurant and city within a country but below are some averages as
provided by our experienced personnel.
The approximate cost of a soft drink/mineral water/coffee is $0.50.
An average lunch consisting of a salad or sandwich and a soda or water starts at approximately $4 per
person.
A steak dinner at a mid-range restaurant with dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage starts at approximately
$8 per person.
TIPPING
Restaurants include a service charge on the bill as tip. However it is customary to add additional tip on top
of this. 5% is usually acceptable. Tips should be left in cash and not added to the credit card payment.
For a taxi, round up the fare to the nearest whole dollar.
Tipping hotel staff for room or bar service is not customary.
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
Voltage for outlets is 220V. North American voltage is generally 110V. Therefore, a converter may be
necessary for your travels. Adapters will be necessary to adapt your plug into the outlet but may not convert
the voltage, so both devices are necessary.
Type C
Type E
TEMPERATURES
Bolivia’s climate changes with altitude and from one city to another. In most parts of the country, winters
are dry and summers are mild and wet. The capital city of La Paz is generally cool year round so warm
clothing is recommended.
To help you plan, below are average low and high temperatures for Bolivia.
Copyright, All rights reserved.
39/55°F
39/56°F
38/56°F
36/57°F
32/57°F
28/55°F
27/55°F
29/56°F
32/57°F
36/58°F
36/58°F
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
La Paz
38/59°F
To convert to Celsius, subtract 32, then multiply by 5 and then divide by 9.
FOOD SPECIALTIES
The cuisine of Bolivia is mostly “meat and potatoes.” Some notable dishes include: Pique a lo macho grilled chunks of meat in a slightly spicy sauce with tomatoes and onion, on potatoes; Silpancho - beef
pounded to a thin, plate-sized patty, served on a bed of rice and potatoes, with a fried egg on top (Similar
to wiener schnitzel).
A FEW WORDS OF THE LOCAL LANGUAGE
Spanish:
CONVERSATION
¡Hola! Hi!, ¡Buenos Dias! Good morning!, ¡Buenas Noches! Good evening!, Me llamo _______. My name
is _______., ¿Cómo se llama usted? What is your name?, Mucho gusto. Pleased to meet you., ¿Cómo
está usted? How are you?, Bien, gracias. ¿Y usted? Fine, thanks. And you?, Mas o menos So-so, ¡Hasta
luego! See you later!, Adiós. Good-bye., Por favor. Please., Vivo en ________I live in _____________,
(Muchas) gracias. (Muy amable.) (Many) thanks. (Very kind.), De nada. You're welcome., Lo siento.
I'm sorry., ¿Me permite? May I?, Disculpe. Excuse me. (To get someone's attention.), Con permiso.
Excuse me. (For leaving or passing through.), Perdón. Excuse me. (For sneezing, arriving late, etc.),
¡Salud! Gesundheit! (When someone sneezes.) Cheers! (For toasting with drinks.), ¿Me pasa _______ por
favor? Could you please pass me _______?, Sí. Yes., No. No., Gracias Thank you, No entiendoI don’t
understand, No hablo español I don’t speak Spanish,¿Habla inglés? Do you speak English?, ¿Dónde
está el baño? Where is the bathroom?, Está cerca? Is it near?, Está lejos? Is it far?, Siga recto. Go
straight ahead., Gire a la derecha. Turn right., Gire a la izquierda. Turn left., Nescito esto. I would like
this., Una mesa para dos, por favor. A table for two, please., La carta, por favor. The menu, please.,
La lista de vinos, por favor. The wine list, please., primer plato appetizers, plato principal main course,
postre dessert, Quisiera algo para beber. I would like something to drink., Un vaso de agua, por favor.
A glass of water, please., Una Cerveza. Beer, Una Copa de vino tinto/blanco Glass of red/white wine,
La cuenta, por favor. The check, please., Incluye la propina? Is the tip included?, Desayuno Breakfast.,
Comida lunch, Cena dinner, ¡Buen provecho! Enjoy the meal!, ¡Salud! To your health!, Está riquísima!
It's delicious!, Plato. plate, Tenedor. fork, Cuchillo. knife, Cuchara. spoon, Servilleta. napkin, Hielo. ice,
Sal. salt, Pimiento. pepper, Azúcar. sugar, Sopa. soup, Ensalada. salad, Pan. bread, Mantequilla. butter,
Pollo. Chicken, Carne. Beef, Cerdo. Pork, Quisiera la carne poco cocida. I like my steak rare., Quisiera
la carne a medio cocer. I like my steak medium., Quisiera la carne bien cocida. I like my steak well done.
NUMBERS
Cero. Zero, Uno. 1, Dos. 2, Tres. 3, Cuatro. 4, Cinco. 5, Seis. 6, Siete. 7, Ocho. 8, Nueve. 9, Diez.
10, Once. 11, Doce. 12, Trece 13, Catorce 14, Quince 15, Dieciseis 16, Diecisiete. 17, Dieciocho. 18,
Diecinueve. 19, Veinte. 20, Cien. 100, Mil. 1000.
Last Updated 6/30/16
Copyright, All rights reserved.