Bolivia

Police and immigration officials sometimes carry out ID checks. Carry copies of the photo page from your passport and the Bolivian entry stamps. Leave the original document in a safe place.

There are illegal bars in Bolivia. If the police find you at one, you may be detained for questioning, particularly if drugs are found at the premises. Legal bars close at 3am.

Bolivia is the world’s third largest producer of cocaine. There are harsh penalties for those caught trafficking or in possession of drugs. The minimum sentence is 8 years and prison conditions are very poor. Never leave luggage unattended when departing the country and avoid any contact with illegal drugs. Under Bolivian law carrying any amount of illegal drugs or substances is considered drug trafficking.  

All passengers on departing international flights from Bolivia will have their hold and hand baggage searched by the Police Narcotics Division, and this will include a search of your person and your bags by a sniffer dog.

Ayahuasca is a traditional plant used in ‘spiritual cleansing’ ceremonies by indigenous communities in Bolivia, primarily in the Amazon region, but also near La Paz. At these ceremonies people consume a brew containing dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a hallucinogenic drug that is a class A substance in the UK. It is not illegal to consume this brew, but its interaction with existing medical conditions is not well understood. People have suffered serious illnesses and in some cases death after consuming it. Some Ayahuasca retreats are in remote areas, making it difficult to get medical help.

Be careful travelling with cameras and binoculars in remote areas, particularly in coca-growing areas such as the Chapare and the Yungas, where people can be suspicious of anyone taking photographs. 

Check before taking photographs of local people.

Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal. However, same-sex relationships are frowned on by many Bolivians, more so in the Altiplano than in Santa Cruz, where attitudes tend to be more liberal.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Forest fires are common during the dry season (May to October) and affect some parts of Southern and Eastern Bolivia. This can impact air quality in the areas most affected by the fires but also in other parts of the country, including La Paz. It is advisable to wear a face mask if the air quality is particularly bad, or to stay inside.

Floods and landslides are common, particularly in mountainous areas during the rainy season (November to March), although weather can be unpredictable throughout the year. Roads can become impassable for days at a time. Travellers may become stranded in high, remote areas. Take food, water and warm clothing with you in case of delays or bad weather. 

Earthquakes.

Earthquakes can happen in Bolivia, although serious earthquakes are rare. Many buildings, particularly older buildings and those outside major cities, may not be built to withstand earthquakes.

If you’re affected by an earthquake:

• follow the advice of local authorities
• if you’re indoors, stay inside and take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture or against an interior wall, away from windows
• if you’re outdoors, move away from buildings, trees and power lines
• be aware of the risk of aftershocks

You should familiarise yourself with general earthquake safety advice before travelling.