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: 2026-08-20
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 1.006036
AAVE 0.000910
ADA 0.467671
AED 0.319739
AFN 5.698343
AGIX 1.530070
AKT 0.169355
ALGO 1.057590
ALL 6.907958
AMD 31.603420
AMP 226.956155
ANG 0.155949
AOA 79.957349
APE 0.677001
APT 0.155639
AR 0.046842
ARB 0.995413
ARS 130.340362
ATOM 0.058340
ATS 1.025575
AUD 0.122481
AVAX 0.012853
AWG 0.155843
AXS 0.096592
AZM 740.018346
AZN 0.148004
BAKE 125.162135
BAM 0.145771
BAT 1.392388
BBD 0.174126
BCH 0.000412
BDT 10.593583
BEF 3.006591
BGN 0.145771
BHD 0.032736
BIF 258.953962
BMD 0.087063
BNB 0.000139
BND 0.110704
BRL 0.450853
BSD 0.087063
BSV 0.005438
BSW 240.234151
BTC 0.000001
BTCB 1.470913
BTG 0.198415
BTN 8.325088
BTT 320,010.782062
BUSD 0.087005
BWP 1.171067
BYN 0.263236
BYR 1,706.183007
BZD 0.174880
CAD 0.120170
CAKE 0.054025
CDF 199.584097
CELO 1.391184
CFX 1.987790
CHF 0.069536
CHZ 6.810673
CLP 80.235584
CNH 0.585536
CNY 0.585565
COMP 0.004724
COP 265.784924
CRC 39.196704
CRO 1.747243
CRV 0.333694
CSPR 32.598274
CUC 0.087050
CUP 2.306829
CVE 8.218584
CVX 0.053824
CYP 0.043621
CZK 1.801395
DAI 0.087052
DASH 0.002740
DCR 0.007369
DEM 0.145771
DFI 87.496170
DJF 15.463384
DKK 0.557181
DOGE 1.159660
DOP 5.084704
DOT 0.110001
DYDX 0.791457
DZD 11.554489
EEK 1.166167
EGLD 0.030646
EGP 4.409877
ENJ 3.440670
EOS 1.319164
ERN 1.305946
ESP 12.400991
ETB 14.149123
ETC 0.013197
ETH 0.000039
EUR 0.074531
EURC 0.075060
FEI 0.086953
FIL 0.129329
FIM 0.443144
FJD 0.191570
FKP 0.063986
FLOW 3.011222
FLR 13.540838
FRAX 0.087806
FRF 0.488894
FTT 0.419465
GALA 60.421157
GBP 0.063986
GEL 0.226835
GGP 0.063986
GHC 9,633.792909
GHS 0.963379
GIP 0.063986
GMD 6.451721
GMX 0.012796
GNF 764.038372
GNO 0.000718
GRD 25.396593
GRT 6.222356
GT 0.012510
GTQ 0.662683
GUSD 0.087206
GYD 18.109576
HBAR 1.228467
HKD 0.682754
HNL 2.327562
HNT 0.502299
HOT 257.814287
HRK 0.561557
HT 0.766619
HTG 11.323626
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ICP 0.037541
IDR 1,549.891268
IEP 0.058698
ILS 0.259309
IMP 0.063986
IMX 0.832204
INJ 0.018744
INR 8.325088
IQD 113.394615
IRR 119,659.140918
ISK 10.599175
ITL 144.313021
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JMD 13.677017
JOD 0.061728
JPY 13.786963
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KAVA 2.115198
KCS 0.011936
KDA 18.541627
KES 11.269624
KGS 7.621869
KHR 350.636660
KLAY 3.542042
KMF 36.667073
KNC 0.822711
KPW 78.345164
KRW 121.331524
KSM 0.028276
KWD 0.026837
KYD 0.072323
KZT 40.159797
LAK 1,951.883804
LBP 7,781.994003
LDO 0.256943
LEO 0.009363
LINK 0.008307
LKR 28.647473
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LTL 0.257342
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LUNA 1.969076
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LVL 0.052381
LYD 0.550913
MAD 0.805738
MANA 1.298665
MBX 4.210092
MDL 1.492434
MGA 372.906441
MGF 1,864.532203
MINA 2.037304
MKD 4.596689
MKR 0.000060
MMK 182.784917
MNT 313.202139
MOP 0.703236
MRO 34.675622
MRU 3.467562
MTL 0.031996
MUR 4.089349
MVR 1.345882
MWK 150.275406
MXN 1.475510
MXV 0.168429
MYR 0.351976
MZM 5,555.870216
MZN 5.555870
NAD 1.401778
NEAR 0.049939
NEO 0.047833
NEXO 0.116587
NFT 309,134.812385
NGN 117.247846
NIO 3.194526
NLG 0.164246
NOK 0.812126
NPR 13.326385
NZD 0.146467
OKB 0.000850
OMR 0.033510
ONE 120.674349
OP 0.980250
ORDI 0.023649
PAB 0.087063
PAXG 0.000019
PEN 0.291727
PEPE 30,055.082754
PGK 0.390869
PHP 5.364713
PI 0.968813
PKR 24.068339
PLN 0.321891
POL 1.066567
PTE 14.942215
PYG 520.951454
QAR 0.316910
QNT 0.001473
QTUM 0.120616
ROL 3,910.203909
RON 0.391020
RPL 0.055986
RSD 8.746092
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RUNE 0.204128
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RWF 127.666415
SAND 2.107835
SAR 0.326486
SBD 0.696536
SCR 1.262907
SDD 5,225.197999
SDG 52.251980
SEK 0.821644
SGD 0.110704
SHIB 18,374.708366
SHP 0.063986
SIT 17.860718
SKK 2.245335
SLE 1.994826
SLL 1,994.826307
SNX 0.424741
SOL 0.001026
SOS 49.376062
SPL 0.014511
SRD 3.291462
SRG 3,291.461960
SSP 493.557254
STD 1,837.933044
STN 1.837933
STX 0.667435
SUI 0.123364
SVC 0.761802
SYP 1,131.826087
SZL 1.401778
THB 2.858620
THETA 0.579259
TJS 0.798583
TMM 1,523.285274
TMT 0.304657
TND 0.252315
TOP 0.207396
TRL 4,175,066.366971
TRX 0.260647
TRY 4.175066
TTD 0.588526
TUSD 0.087194
TVD 0.122481
TWD 2.771812
TWT 0.217696
TZS 230.433861
UAH 3.888481
UGX 323.485341
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USD 0.087063
USDC 0.087044
USDD 0.087102
USDP 0.087155
USDT 0.087095
UYU 3.483430
UZS 1,022.584154
VAL 144.313021
VEB 6,758,442,452.312901
VED 67.433052
VEF 6,743,305.203413
VES 67.433052
VET 17.936745
VND 2,274.308590
VUV 10.297752
WAVES 0.441492
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WOO 7.892898
WST 0.234475
XAF 48.889430
XAG 0.001301
XAU 0.000019
XAUT 0.000019
XBT 0.000001
XCD 0.235674
XCG 0.155949
XCH 0.061454
XDC 3.129861
XDR 0.063579
XEC 12,416.937901
XEM 185.958256
XLM 0.506903
XMR 0.000204
XOF 48.889430
XPD 0.000066
XPF 8.893968
XPT 0.000048
XRP 0.078462
XTZ 0.399659
YER 20.640126
ZAR 1.401778
ZEC 0.000155
ZIL 35.817076
ZMK 1,630.947957
ZMW 1.630948
ZWD 31.508119
ZWG 2.321999
ZWL 5,802.034849

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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.