Americas · South America

Bolivia

Plurinational State of Bolivia

Flag of Bolivia
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC-04:00
🏛️ Capital
Sucre
👥 Population
11,365,333
📐 Area
1,098,581 km²
💱 Currency
Bolivian boliviano (Bs.)
🗣️ Languages
Aymara, Guaraní, Quechua, Spanish
📞 Calling Code
+591
🕐 Time Zones
UTC-04:00
🌐 Region
Americas / South America

About Bolivia

Bolivia is one of South America's most extraordinary travel destinations — a landlocked nation of staggering altitude, surreal landscapes, and living Indigenous cultures that have endured for thousands of years. Straddling the Andes and spilling down into the Amazon basin, Bolivia encompasses an astonishing variety of terrain: the vast treeless altiplano plateau, the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real, the lush Yungas valleys, and the sprawling lowland rainforests of the east. At an average altitude of 3,650 metres, the capital Sucre and the world's highest administrative city La Paz will take your breath away — quite literally, so take the first day slowly.

Traveling in Bolivia means you are constantly confronted by the extraordinary. The Salar de Uyuni — the world's largest salt flat at over 10,500 square kilometres — creates one of the most otherworldly spectacles on the planet, especially after rainfall when a thin sheet of water turns the surface into a perfect mirror of the sky. At Lago Titicaca on the border with Peru, you can visit the Uros Islands, floating reed platforms where the Uros people have lived for centuries, and explore the sacred Isla del Sol where the Inca believed the sun itself was born.

Beyond the landscapes, Bolivia is defined by its vibrant Indigenous heritage. The majority of the population identifies as Indigenous or mixed heritage, and you will find Aymara and Quechua culture woven into every market, festival, and meal. Cities like Potosí — once the most populous city in the world thanks to its silver mines — carry layers of history so deep and complex they will stay with you long after you leave. Bolivia is challenging, humbling, and utterly magnificent, and for adventurous travelers it delivers experiences that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else.

History & Background

Long before the Spanish arrived, the Lake Titicaca region was the cradle of the Tiwanaku civilization, one of South America's most sophisticated pre-Columbian cultures, which flourished from roughly 200 CE to 1000 CE and left behind monumental stone gateways and precisely engineered agricultural terraces. The Inca Empire later absorbed the region, and the highlands of modern-day Bolivia became part of the Inca heartland. Spanish conquistadors arrived in the early 16th century and the discovery of silver at Cerro Rico in Potosí in 1545 transformed Bolivia into the engine of the Spanish colonial economy. The mountain yielded staggering wealth — and swallowed an estimated eight million Indigenous and enslaved African miners over three centuries of brutal extraction.

Simón Bolívar, for whom the country is named, liberated Bolivia from Spanish rule in 1825, and the country has been navigating complex democratic and authoritarian cycles ever since, including the devastating War of the Pacific (1879–1884) in which Bolivia lost its Pacific coastline to Chile. The 20th century brought a series of military coups and social upheavals culminating in the 1952 National Revolution that introduced land reform and universal suffrage. The election of Evo Morales in 2005 marked a watershed moment for Indigenous rights and resource nationalism, reshaping Bolivia's identity and its relationship with its own history in profound ways.

Culture & People

Bolivia has the highest proportion of Indigenous population of any country in South America, and this demographic reality shapes every dimension of cultural life. Aymara and Quechua peoples maintain their languages, cosmologies, and community traditions with remarkable vitality, and since the election of Evo Morales as Bolivia's first Indigenous president in 2005, Indigenous identity has been formally enshrined in the country's plurinational constitution. The Pachamama — Mother Earth — is not a metaphor here but a living spiritual presence that is honored with offerings, rituals, and thanksgiving ceremonies throughout the year.

Folk festivals are an explosion of color, music, and creativity. Oruro's Carnival is one of UNESCO's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, featuring the spectacular Diablada dance in which performers in elaborate demon costumes re-enact the struggle between good and evil. Witches' markets in La Paz sell everything from dried llama fetuses to amulets, and the mixing of Catholic and pre-Columbian religious traditions creates a spiritual syncretism that is uniquely Bolivian. Traditional textiles, woven by Aymara and Quechua artisans using techniques unchanged for centuries, are among the most beautiful crafts in South America and make meaningful souvenirs.

Food & Cuisine

Bolivian cuisine is robust, filling, and deeply shaped by altitude — hearty food that sustains people in cold, high conditions. Salteñas, Bolivia's beloved baked pastries filled with a saucy stew of meat, potatoes, olives, and hard-boiled eggs, are the quintessential breakfast food and eaten everywhere from street corners to offices before noon. Soup is a cornerstone of the Bolivian diet — chairo, a thick broth of chuño (freeze-dried potatoes), meat, and vegetables, and sopa de maní, a rich peanut-based soup with fried potatoes and noodles, are particularly beloved. Quinoa, native to the Andean region, appears in soups, salads, and grain dishes and is far more flavorful here than any imported version you have tried elsewhere.

In lowland cities like Santa Cruz, the cuisine shifts toward grilled meats, rice, and yuca, reflecting the tropical abundance of the east. Anticuchos — grilled skewers of marinated beef heart — are a popular street food that might sound confronting but are absolutely delicious. Api morado, a warm purple corn drink spiced with cinnamon and cloves, and chicha, a fermented corn beer, are traditional beverages with pre-Columbian roots. Markets in La Paz and Cochabamba — widely considered Bolivia's food capital — are the best places to eat cheaply, authentically, and memorably.

Top Attractions

  • Salar de Uyuni — The world's largest salt flat, stretching across 10,582 sq km at 3,656 metres above sea level, offering surreal photography opportunities and an unforgettable sense of infinite space.
  • Lago Titicaca — The world's highest navigable lake, shared with Peru, where you can visit floating reed islands, ancient Inca temples on Isla del Sol, and the vibrant border town of Copacabana.
  • La Paz — The world's highest administrative capital, with a dizzying cable car network, the Witches' Market, and a gateway to the Valle de la Luna's lunar rock formations.
  • Potosí — A UNESCO World Heritage city at 4,090 metres whose Cerro Rico mine remains active, offering guided tours into its depths for a visceral experience of colonial history.
  • Sucre — Bolivia's constitutional capital and a beautifully preserved colonial city of whitewashed buildings, excellent museums, and a genuinely pleasant altitude climate.
  • Madidi National Park — One of the most biodiverse protected areas on earth, encompassing Andean cloud forest down to Amazonian lowlands with extraordinary wildlife and community-run lodges.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Acclimatize to altitude before undertaking any strenuous activity — spend at least two days in La Paz or Sucre before trekking, and drink plenty of coca tea or chew coca leaves which genuinely help with altitude sickness.
  • Carry cash in bolivianos at all times; card payments are not widely accepted outside major hotels and restaurants in La Paz and Santa Cruz.
  • Book Salar de Uyuni tours through a reputable operator from Uyuni town — most tours run for two or three days and include the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve and geysers.
  • Dress in layers for the altiplano where temperatures can swing dramatically between day and night.
  • The Death Road (North Yungas Road) mountain bike descent is genuinely thrilling but only ride with an established operator who provides quality bikes and safety briefings.
  • Spanish is the official language though many Indigenous people speak primarily Aymara or Quechua — learning a few words in either language is deeply appreciated.
  • Carry your passport and immigration stamp at all times as police checkpoints are common on intercity roads.

Visa Overview

Citizens of most Western countries including the United States, Canada, and EU nations can enter Bolivia visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within a calendar year. Some nationalities, including citizens of Australia and certain Asian and African countries, must apply for a visa on arrival or in advance. The visa on arrival fee is approximately $160 USD for US citizens (due to a reciprocal fee). Always verify the current requirements before travel through the Bolivian consulate website or your country's travel advisory service, as policies have changed in recent years.

Getting Around

Bolivia's main international airports are in La Paz (El Alto International) and Santa Cruz (Viru Viru). Domestic flights on carriers like Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) are the fastest way to cross this large country, and fares are reasonable. Long-distance buses are comfortable and affordable on most major routes. The famous Death Road can only be reached by bus from La Paz. Train services are limited but the scenic route between Oruro and Villazón to the Argentine border is memorable. Within La Paz, the Teleférico cable car network is an excellent, inexpensive way to navigate the city across its dramatic ravines.

Safety Notes

Bolivia is generally safe for travelers who exercise sensible precautions. Petty theft is the most common concern, particularly on overnight buses and in markets — keep bags close and do not display expensive electronics. Express kidnappings (secuestro exprés) have been reported in La Paz, so only use radio-dispatched taxis or apps like InDriver rather than flagging random cabs. Altitude sickness is a genuine health risk — ascend slowly and seek medical attention if symptoms are severe. Protests and road blockades occasionally disrupt travel; check local news and have flexible itinerary plans.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Bolivia.

Bolivian boliviano (BOB) Bs.
Updated: 2026-10-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.788528
AAVE 0.000459
ADA 0.309363
AED 0.306147
AFN 5.386118
AKT 0.108931
ALGO 0.649097
ALL 6.837696
AMD 30.158396
AMP 130.005617
ANG 0.149903
AOA 76.360575
APE 0.520310
APT 0.101536
AR 0.018492
ARB 0.408910
ARS 126.703576
ATOM 0.045786
ATS 1.022825
AUD 0.119622
AVAX 0.007342
AWG 0.149218
AXS 0.063653
AZM 708.585998
AZN 0.141717
BAKE 324.778103
BAM 0.145380
BAT 0.790289
BBD 0.166724
BCH 0.000264
BDT 10.247680
BEF 2.998530
BGN 0.145380
BHD 0.031344
BIF 250.454360
BMD 0.083362
BNB 0.000107
BND 0.106660
BRL 0.416703
BSD 0.083362
BSV 0.004175
BSW 202.581568
BTC 0.000001
BTCB 1.193105
BTG 0.126359
BTN 8.037594
BTT 224,230.643154
BUSD 0.083348
BWP 1.147330
BYN 0.254314
BYR 1,634.119663
BZD 0.167649
CAD 0.118946
CAKE 0.034088
CDF 192.649042
CELO 0.801566
CFX 1.519232
CHF 0.069336
CHZ 4.983495
CLP 81.113572
CNH 0.558777
CNY 0.558955
COMP 0.003401
COP 266.644697
CRC 38.145320
CRO 1.227579
CRV 0.226130
CSPR 32.680625
CUC 0.083373
CUP 1.996835
CVE 8.196547
CVX 0.037659
CYP 0.043504
CZK 1.818447
DAI 0.083396
DASH 0.001471
DCR 0.004520
DEM 0.145380
DFI 91.210564
DJF 14.830166
DKK 0.555558
DOGE 0.879179
DOP 4.995972
DOT 0.067376
DYDX 0.570550
DZD 11.206046
EEK 1.163040
EGLD 0.018652
EGP 4.370505
ENJ 2.518121
EOS 0.820314
ERN 1.250429
ESP 12.367740
ETB 13.559808
ETC 0.009394
ETH 0.000031
EUR 0.074332
EURC 0.074322
FEI 0.083398
FIL 0.069837
FIM 0.441956
FJD 0.187572
FKP 0.063086
FLOW 2.634735
FLR 11.565026
FRAX 0.084206
FRF 0.487583
FTT 0.322705
GALA 34.406759
GBP 0.063086
GEL 0.216365
GGP 0.063086
GHC 9,800.573890
GHS 0.980057
GIP 0.063086
GMD 6.169702
GMX 0.009494
GNF 732.932022
GNO 0.000686
GRD 25.328498
GRT 2.862972
GT 0.007447
GTQ 0.636170
GUSD 0.083534
GYD 17.401754
HBAR 0.828087
HKD 0.654179
HNL 2.235252
HNT 0.160652
HOT 182.028938
HRK 0.560052
HT 2.285537
HTG 10.893067
HUF 27.305946
ICP 0.023909
IDR 1,493.448764
IEP 0.058541
ILS 0.254934
IMP 0.063086
IMX 0.454631
INJ 0.010998
INR 8.037594
IQD 108.982242
IRR 149,928.603049
ISK 10.178327
ITL 143.926077
JEP 0.063086
JMD 13.191649
JOD 0.059104
JPY 13.180470
KAS 1.943124
KAVA 1.202473
KCS 0.010981
KDA 8.538405
KES 10.821119
KGS 7.290723
KHR 337.707785
KLAY 2.001565
KMF 36.568758
KNC 0.581985
KPW 75.036133
KRW 111.910375
KSM 0.016271
KWD 0.025768
KYD 0.069300
KZT 37.952919
LAK 1,870.535576
LBP 7,517.795313
LDO 0.181981
LEO 0.009374
LINK 0.006027
LKR 27.495455
LRC 8.119549
LRD 14.225619
LSL 1.387884
LTC 0.001197
LTL 0.256652
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LUNA 1.632439
LUNC 1,576.561243
LVL 0.052240
LYD 0.534859
MAD 0.832008
MANA 0.806117
MBX 2.818596
MDL 1.494022
MGA 369.163498
MGF 1,845.817489
MINA 0.618738
MKD 4.573366
MKR 0.000041
MMK 174.991221
MNT 299.700731
MOP 0.673804
MRO 33.375572
MRU 3.337557
MTL 0.031911
MUR 3.951541
MVR 1.288747
MWK 144.285264
MXN 1.506787
MXV 0.171292
MYR 0.340588
MZM 5,320.928380
MZN 5.320928
NAD 1.387884
NEAR 0.015953
NEO 0.032891
NEXO 0.098029
NFT 349,341.766192
NGN 110.208181
NIO 3.064648
NLG 0.163805
NOK 0.800096
NPR 12.866179
NZD 0.148933
OKB 0.000639
OMR 0.032083
ONE 0.569163
OP 0.620124
ORDI 0.018322
PAB 0.083362
PAXG 0.000020
PEN 0.287025
PEPE 19,275.174387
PGK 0.375568
PHP 5.238990
PI 0.954972
PKR 23.049593
PLN 0.325619
POL 0.762303
PTE 14.902151
PYG 486.999423
QAR 0.303437
QNT 0.000322
QTUM 0.085042
ROL 3,973.284243
RON 0.397328
RPL 0.043595
RSD 8.730576
RUB 7.072412
RUNE 0.107373
RVN 33.976433
RWF 122.873036
SAND 1.267698
SAR 0.312607
SBD 0.672622
SCR 1.180717
SDD 5,003.220936
SDG 50.032209
SEK 0.837343
SGD 0.106660
SHIB 14,240.763105
SHP 0.063086
SIT 17.812828
SKK 2.239314
SLE 1.921900
SLL 1,921.899839
SNX 0.332947
SOL 0.000695
SOS 47.428965
SPL 0.013894
SRD 3.143229
SRG 3,143.229274
SSP 477.383340
STD 1,834.030287
STN 1.834030
STX 0.222456
SUI 0.069849
SVC 0.729417
SYP 1,084.021646
SZL 1.387884
THB 2.805933
THETA 0.360006
TJS 0.767233
TMM 1,462.742334
TMT 0.292548
TND 0.249487
TOP 0.200773
TRL 4,099,371.602381
TRX 0.248075
TRY 4.099372
TTD 0.564422
TUSD 0.083428
TVD 0.119622
TWD 2.649396
TWT 0.146026
TZS 219.941028
UAH 3.754562
UGX 335.127051
UNI 0.009409
USD 0.083362
USDC 0.083385
USDD 0.083421
USDP 0.083858
USDT 0.083404
UYU 3.367495
UZS 980.594994
VAL 143.926077
VEB 7,258,526,836.2220
VED 72.585268
VEF 7,258,526.836222
VES 72.585268
VET 9.552622
VND 2,167.023710
VUV 10.021108
WAVES 0.279427
WEMIX 0.435297
WOO 6.089982
WST 0.232012
XAF 48.758343
XAG 0.001378
XAU 0.000020
XAUT 0.000020
XBT 0.000001
XCD 0.225654
XCG 0.149903
XCH 0.053267
XDC 2.480639
XDR 0.061618
XEC 10,453.676174
XEM 132.778087
XLM 0.386260
XMR 0.000149
XOF 48.758343
XPD 0.000071
XPF 8.870121
XPT 0.000049
XRP 0.055483
XTZ 0.249502
YER 19.689894
ZAR 1.387884
ZEC 0.000062
ZIL 22.844596
ZMK 1,648.094346
ZMW 1.648094
ZWD 30.168678
ZWG 2.231726
ZWL 5,576.467624

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Cities in Bolivia 297
Browse all cities and towns
Achacachi Achocalla Aiquile Apolo Arani Arroyo Concepción Ascensión de Guarayos Atocha Bermejo Betanzos Camargo Camiri Capinota Caracollo Caranavi Challapata Chimoré Cliza Cobija Cochabamba Colcapirhua Colomi Colonia Belice Colonia Casas Grandes Colonia El Cerro Colonia El Dorado Colonia El Palmar Colonia Manitoba Colonia Menonita Canadiense 2 Colonia Menonita El Tinto Colonia Menonita Iboperenda Colonia Menonita Las Piedras 2 Colonia Nuevo Valle Colonia Rivas Palacios Colonia Swift Current Colquechaca Colquiri Comarapa Concepción Copacabana Cotoca Cuatro Cañadas Durango El Alto El Paso El Torno Entre Ríos Entre Rios Eucaliptus Fernandez Alonso General Saavedra Guayaramerín Huanuni Irpa Irpa Ivirgarzama La Guardia La Paz Lahuachaca Llallagua Machacamarca Magdalena Mairana Mayaya Minero Mizque Monteagudo Montero Municipio Alalay Municipio Ancoraimes Municipio Antequera (Bolivar) Municipio Anzaldo Municipio Arani Municipio Arque Municipio Ascencion de Guarayos Municipio Aucapata Municipio Ayo Ayo Municipio Baures Municipio Belén de Andamarca Municipio Bella Flor Municipio Bolivar Municipio Bolpebra Municipio Boyuibe Municipio Buena Vista Municipio Cabezas Municipio Cajuata Municipio Calacoto Municipio Calamarca Municipio Capinota Municipio Caquiaviri Municipio Carangas Municipio Caraparí Municipio Catacora Municipio Chacarilla Municipio Charagua Municipio Charazani Municipio Chipaya Municipio Chuma Municipio Colcha K Municipio Collana Municipio Colquencha Municipio Colquiri Municipio Comanche Municipio Combaya Municipio Concepción Municipio Coroico Municipio Cotagaita Municipio Cotoca Municipio Cruz de Machacamarca Municipio Culpina Municipio Curva Municipio de Las Carreras Municipio El Choro Municipio El Puente Municipio El Villar Municipio Entre Rios Municipio Escara Municipio Esmeralda Municipio Exaltación Municipio Filadelfia Municipio General Saavedra Municipio Guanay Municipio Guaqui Municipio Gutiérrez Municipio Huacaraje Municipio Huacaya Municipio Huachacalla Municipio Icla Municipio Ingavi Municipio Inquisivi Municipio Irupana Municipio Ixiamas Municipio La Asunta Municipio La Rivera Municipio Lagunillas Municipio Licoma Municipio Loreto Municipio Machacamarca Municipio Magdalena Municipio Mairana Municipio Mizque Municipio Mocomoco Municipio Mojinete Municipio Monteagudo Municipio Moro Moro Municipio Nueva Esperanza Municipio Omereque Municipio Oruro Municipio Padcaya Municipio Padilla Municipio Pailón Municipio Pampa Grande Municipio Papel Pampa Municipio Pazña Municipio Pelechuco Municipio Pojo Municipio Porco Municipio Poroma Municipio Porongo (Ayacucho) Municipio Porvenir Municipio Postrer Valle Municipio Presto Municipio Pucará Municipio Puerto Carabuco Municipio Puerto Pérez Municipio Puerto Siles Municipio Quiabaya Municipio Quillacas Municipio Quime Municipio Quirusillas Municipio Sabaya Municipio Sacabamba Municipio Saipina Municipio Samaipata Municipio San Agustin Municipio San Andres Municipio San Antonio de Esmoruco Municipio San Carlos Municipio San Javier Municipio San Javier Municipio San Joaquin Municipio San Lorenzo Municipio San Matías Municipio San Pablo de Huacareta Municipio San Pablo de Lipez Municipio San Pedro de Curahuara Municipio San Pedro de Quemes Municipio San Rafael Municipio San Ramón Municipio San Ramón Municipio Santa Rosa del Sara Municipio Santiago de Andamarca Municipio Santiago de Machaca Municipio Santos Mercado Municipio Sapahaqui Municipio Sena Municipio Sicaya Municipio Sopachuy Municipio Soracachi Municipio Sorata Municipio Sucre Municipio Tacopaya Municipio Tapacarí Municipio Tarabuco Municipio Taraco Municipio Tipuani Municipio Todos Santos Municipio Toledo Municipio Tomave Municipio Tomina Municipio Trigal Municipio Umala Municipio Uriondo Municipio Urubichá Municipio Vacas Municipio Villa Alcala Municipio Villa Azurduy Municipio Villa Mojocoya Municipio Villa San Lorenzo Municipio Villa Serrano Municipio Vitichi Municipio Waldo Ballivián Municipio Yaco Municipio Yamparaez Municipio Yanacachi Municipio Yapacaní Municipio Yotala Municipio Yunchará Municipio Yunguyo del Litoral Municipio Zudañez Muyupampa Okinawa Oruro Padilla Pailón Palos Blancos Pandoja Patacamaya Pocpocollo Poopo Porco Portachuelo Potosí Puerto Quijarro Puerto Suárez Punata Quillacollo Reyes Riberalta Roboré Rurrenabaque Sacaba Salinas de Garcí Mendoza San Borja San Ignacio San Ignacio de Moxos San Ignacio de Velasco San Javier San José de Chiquitos San Juan de Yapacaní San Julián San Lorenzo San Matías San Ramón San Ramon Santa Ana Santa Ana del Yacuma Santa Barbara Santa Cruz de la Sierra Santa Fe Santa Rosa Santa Rosa del Sara Santiago de Huari Santiváñez Santos Reyes Shinahota Siglo XX Sipe Sipe Sucre Tarabuco Tarata Tarija Tiquipaya Totoral Trinidad Tupiza Ucurena Uncía Uyuni Vallegrande Viacha Villa Montes Villa Serano Villazón Vinto Warnes Yacuiba Yapacaní

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Bolivia needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Bolivia?
The capital of Bolivia is Sucre.
What currency does Bolivia use?
Bolivia uses the Bolivian boliviano (Bs.) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Bolivia?
The official language(s) of Bolivia include Aymara, Guaraní, Quechua, Spanish.
What is the population of Bolivia?
Bolivia has a population of approximately 11,365,333 people.
What region is Bolivia in?
Bolivia is located in Americas, specifically in the South America subregion.
What is the international calling code for Bolivia?
The international dialing code for Bolivia is +591.
What time zones does Bolivia observe?
Bolivia observes the following time zone(s): UTC-04:00.
What is the current time in Bolivia?
The local time in Bolivia is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Bolivia?
Bolivia covers a total area of 1,098,581 km².
How many states or provinces does Bolivia have?
Bolivia is divided into 9 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Bolivia in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Bolivia in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Bolivia?
Visa requirements for citizens of Bolivia vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.