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Call 119.
Call 118 or go to the hospital.
Call 222 5016 for English-speaking tourist police.
Call 110 or contact the nearest police station.
Excercise a high degree of caution in Bolivia.
Excercise a high degree of caution in Bolivia because of ongoing political and social tensions and the risk of serious crime. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Political and social tensions are ongoing. The situation is now relatively calm, but remains unpredictable. Large-scale political demonstration could occur with little warning and may result in violence. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
You could encounter:
Authorities use tear gas and force to control protests.
Strikes and demonstrations may disrupt:
Anti-narcotics activities can lead to conflict between authorities and their targets in coca-growing regions:
Bystanders can be affected.
During periods of unrest:
Don't cross roadblocks set up by protesters, even if they appear unattended. Doing so may lead to violence.
More information:
Theft is common:
Thieves work in teams using various forms of distraction.
Criminals sometimes pose as police officers. Under Bolivian law, police need a written order or warrant to detain or search a suspect. If a police officer approaches you, ask to see a written order or warrant.
Violent crime against foreigners, including armed robbery and assault, has increased.
Violent crime can happen in the cities of La Paz and Santa Cruz, particularly:
Assaults and robberies are becoming more common, especially:
Use an experienced, reputable tour guide to reduce risks when hiking.
Express kidnappings are a high risk at overland border points with Chile and Peru, such as Copacabana and Desaguadero. Victims are forced to withdraw money from ATMs to secure their release.
Travellers in Bolivia can also be victims of:
To protect yourself from violent crime:
Use only well-known radio taxi companies with the phone number displayed on the vehicle's roof. Don't hail taxis off the street.
Note the taxi's registration number and phone number.
Bolivia experiences severe weather, including landslides and flooding.
The rainy season is from November to March. Landslides, blocked roads and flooding are common.
Severe flooding and landslides can:
If you plan to travel in the rainy season, confirm arrangements before you leave and check local weather reports.
In case of a natural disaster:
More information:
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Bolivia. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
Yellow fever is a risk in Bolivia. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.
Zika virus is widespread in Bolivia. If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends you:
In areas below 2500m, travellers are at risk from:
To protect yourself from illness:
Consult your doctor about how to prevent malaria.
Seek medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.
More information:
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common. These include:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away.
Seek medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
You're at risk of altitude sickness if you travel above 2500m.
Altitude sickness can be life threatening and affect anyone, even if you're healthy.
You're more at risk if you:
Many areas of Bolivia are above 2500m, including:
To minimise the risk of altitude sickness, see your doctor for specific advice.
Check your insurance covers emergency evacuation from altitude and related medical costs.
Private hospital facilities in Bolivia's major cities are reasonable. Outside of major cities, facilities are limited.
Treatment at private clinics and hospitals is expensive.
Hospitals often need payment or proof of medical insurance before they will treat you, even in an emergency.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you could need treatment at a more suitable place.
Medical evacuation from Bolivia can be difficult and very expensive. Many air ambulance services can't fly into La Paz due to the high altitude.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include long prison sentences in local jails.
More information:
You must always carry photo identification in Bolivia. This can be a photocopy of your passport.
It's illegal to remove national treasures, including:
It's illegal to excavate or collect fossils without written approval.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Bolivia has compulsory military service. Dual national males older than 18 must complete military service upon arrival in Bolivia.
Children who are dual citizens and travelling alone or with only one parent or legal guardian must follow strict entry and exit rules. See Travel
More information:
Ask permission before taking photos of people, particularly children and in remote areas.
Same-sex relationships are legal, but they aren't widely accepted.
More information:
If you're visiting for less than 90 days, you don't need a visitor visa.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and other travel requirements.
If you're travelling through the US you must meet US entry or transit requirements.
Check your visa requirements with a US embassy or consulate well in advance of your travel.
More information:
You'll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Bolivia. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.
More information:
Unless travelling with both parents, dual nationals under the age of 18 years must:
More information:
Bolivian Immigration Service
Avenida Camacho entre Calles Loayza y Bueno
La Paz, Bolivia
Phone: (+591 2) 211 0960
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
The currency is the Boliviano (BOB).
Declare all amounts more than $US10,000 on arrival. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
US dollars are the most easily exchangeable foreign currency.
ATMs are available in cities throughout Bolivia.
Many businesses accept international credit cards.
Transport and tour operators don't always follow recommended safety precautions or maintenance standards. They may not provide safety equipment, such as life jackets and seatbelts.
This includes adventure activities, such as diving and tours to the Uyuni salt plains.
If you plan to take part do a tour or adventure activity:
If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.
Choose a tour operator that has a CB radio or satellite phone. Mobile phone coverage is limited.
Be prepared for delays from melting snow and snowfalls.
To drive in Bolivia, you need both:
Get your IDP before you leave.
You're 4 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident in Bolivia than in Australia.
Driving in rural areas is dangerous. Hazards include:
During the wet season, November to March, the road to the Yungas and Beni may experience flooding and landslides.
It's illegal to drive with a blood alcohol reading above 0%.
If driving:
Allow extra time and be prepared to change your plans if travelling to:
More information:
Check with your travel insurer whether your policy covers you when using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
Book registered taxis and limousines through your hotel.
Be aware of criminals and scams targeting taxi passengers.
Public transport can be unsafe due to poor roads, driving and vehicle maintenance standards.
Avoid public transport where possible.
Tourist boats used on Lake Titicaca and for river excursions in jungle areas are often basic.
Always wear a life jacket, even if others don't.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Bolivia's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 119.
Call 118 or go to the hospital.
Call 222 5016 for English-speaking tourist police.
Call 110 or contact the nearest police station.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia has a consulate in La Paz. It provides limited consular assistance and can't issue Australian passports.
Av Montenegro # 961
Torre Olimpo, piso 1
San Miguel
La Paz, Bolivia
Phone: (+591) 767 68787; (+591) 706 10626
Email: cristinafernandezm@gmail.com
Opening hours: 9:00am to 12:00pm Monday to Friday, except public holidays
The Australian Embassy in Peru also offers consular assistance.
Avenida La Paz 1049, 10th Floor
Miraflores, Lima, 18, Peru
Phone: +51 1 630 0500
Fax: +51 1 630 0520
Email: consular.lima@dfat.gov.au
Website: peru.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia en Perú y Bolivia
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
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