Tips on travel to Bolivia?

Question

I am British and planning a trip to Bolivia in October. Generally Santa Cruz/Cochabamba and Uyuni salt flats. Everytime I look at travel guides it all sounds scary. Political unrest, floods, disease, kidnappings! What tips would you give me! (Apart from not to go)

Answer 1

I live in La Paz.  Yes it is true that things are not very stable right now her, I would say still come but be careful and flexible about you travel and destinations.  There is air service to uyuni via AeroSur-www.aerosur.com.  Santa Cruz is trying to become autonomous from the rest of Bolivia right now, so there are some protests from time to time.  Cochabamba is right in the region where Coca is produced and also there are some problems in the Chapare region near to Cochabamba.  There have been some roadblocks recently on the main highways and bus service has been suspended on some main routes between the key cities.  As I said I would still come but please check on the latest developments and maybe get a ticket which can be refunded or date changed easily in case things go bad here over the summer or fall-There are few tourists here right now, as most are fearful of Bolivia right now and choose to go to Peru instead.  Good luck

Answer 2

I've just returned froma trip around the lake titicaca region and spent quite a bit of time in Bolivia.

The present problems exist between the La Paz region and the Eastern areas calling for Autonomy. This is more of a political wrangling than a threat to Foreign Travellers. The worst problem you ar elikely to encounter is Altitude sickness - don't take warnings about acclimitisation lightly as it effects lots of people in different ways. Take your time moving up to the higher regions.

Road blocks are probably the worst local problem which is more disruptive than threatening and in the rainy season which starts around December roads can take a long time to travel in the North and East of the country. Likewise tours through Uyuni Salt plains get cancelled as the salt lake floods.

My suggestion is to enter bolivia by land from Argentina or northern Chile, acclimitise slowly and ask other travellers what situations they encountered if any. You may even find others to travel with - safety often comes by travelling with others.

Final tip - you will inevitably hear stories of people having things stolen. Bus Staions are mostly the masin areas where this happens. My tips are keep your eyes on your stuff and be aware in crowds. Things get stolen when you are not on your toes - almost all theft is opportunist not threatening. Keep your wits about you like you would if you were travelling around london.

Finally - go to Bolivia yourself and see the place! Its spectacular, 99% of the people you meet will be genuine, and you will have some great stories of travelling around what is possibly one of the most traditional parts of South America.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Ok, I think you are going to enjoy your trip to Bolivia, most people do...and the Uyuni salt flats are awesome...something out of this world!!!

So here are my tips for your trip

1) Flight with an international Airline (AA, British Airways). I think AA services Bolivia regularly (that's what I usually use to go back home). If there is a problem, you bet they will take good care of you.

2)Santa Cruz it's like heaven on earth. Santa Cruz is by far the friendliest city in Bolivia. The climate is beautiful, almost year-round, and you will not feel any animosity against "gringos" (gringos = European type of individual who is usually blonde, blue-eyed). Actually, a good % of people in Santa Cruz have some sort of European heritage...so don't worry you'll love it...

3) About Cochabamba (and the highlands - La Paz, Oruro, Potosi): don't travel alone. If you can pair with a local, even better. Be especially carful when you are in rural areas. It is sad, but President Evo Morales has been fostering racial animosity against anybody who is not, or doesn't look like 100% native Bolivian. However, as long as you are traveling with good guidance you'll be fine. Kidnapping?..I don't think so...that would be really rare...a local (Bolivian) driving an SUV has more chances than you of being kidnapped (and that's still low). However, you would be ratter being away of places like the tropical areas in Cochabamba (Chapare = the headquarters of the Coca Growers Movement and drug dealers), El Alto city, and small towns in the highlands.

4)As far as Uyuni, you definitely have to go there. Try to pick up a package with a serious travel agency; avoid staying overnight there, and also try to avoid being there during the weekend. Aymaras -locals from the highlands- like to drink during the weekends and that would be a really dangerous situation, not only for you but for anybody who is not Aymara.

5)As someone who is not used to "Bolivian" bacterias/viruses, you better drink only bottled water (trust me on this one as well...you don't to spend half of your trip running to the bathroom like some friends did a some years ago

5)The flood season is over. Besides, unless you visit the Bolivian Amazonas (Beni and Pando) you should be fine, even in flood season.

So, I hope you enjoy your trip!!