Ten Essential Tips – and what I wish I knew – For Traveling Bolivia
When I first arrived in Bolivia ten months ago, I mistook the picturesque backdrops of Bolivia for some sort of indication that life here would be just as quaint. Take it from me, folks – for a country comparable to the size of California and Texas combined, Bolivia is an unassumingly complex nation and at times can be challenging to navigate. (As in (for example), weather conditions varying from glacial to Amazonian jungle in a few hours of travel, and 38 official spoken languages to differentiate – that kind of challenging.)
And while bumps in the road make for the best detours and mishaps turn into the most epic of stories, there are a few things in life that one just needs to know before exploring a new country. Whether you’re planning a visit or initiating your new expat adventure, bear in mind these essential survival guidelines to help make the most of your experience in Bolivia.
1. Be armed. Water balloons are the citizens’ weapons of choice. Holidays and festivals here are celebrated with a good soak and sneak attacks during carnaval, and especially during ordinary days plagued by heat, water balloons are a favorite pastime. Gringos, as you may guess, make for the best targets. Keep a few balloons in your back pocket.
2. Wear comfortable shoes. Bureaucracy is not Bolivia’s forte. In fact, it appears as though government rather enjoys inefficiency and nonsensical procedures leaving you at the mercy of reams of carbon paper and incessant lines. At least once you will stand in line to be directed to yet another which will close abruptly forcing you to start the process over only to have all of your documentation lost. This applies at airports, grocery stores, government agencies, schools, hair salons, etc.
3. Pack a spare roll. Toilet paper, like in many Latin American countries, is not a guarantee in public restrooms. Unfortunately, neither is soap. Keep ‘em handy and don’t shake anyone’s hand you’ve seen visit the “washroom.”
4. Ask and ask again. It is advisable to inquire for a second and third opinion when soliciting information, even if just asking for the time. On a very, very rare occasion will someone admit they simply don’t know the answer, leaving you with directions that lead you in circles and no indication as to when lunch is served.
5. Be patient. In Bolivia, time is never of the essence. In fact, American punctuality is viewed as an obsession with time and foreigners are encouraged to relax when setting appointments. A good rule of thumb when planning events is to set the time an hour of ahead of when you would actually like your guests to arrive.
6. Skip dessert. You undoubtedly will eat carbs with your carbs accompanied by a choice side of more carbs for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bolivians just love their potatoes. It’s little wonder, though, as the Andes are the potatoes’ geographic birthplace, and more than 4,000 varieties of the tuberous crop are grown here.
7. Stay on the guided trails. It’s a jungle out there and it’s not particularly the safest. Wildlife conservation is a struggle for the country as hardwood traffickers after Mahogany trees attack national parks throughout the night, while trophy hunters stalk jaguars during the day (a legally permissible sport). Bolivia also has narcotraffickers and cocaine operations, a sight you don’t want to see on a trekking excursion. Stay safe and always participate in guided excursions through the forest and mountain regions.
8. Buckle up. Perhaps more dangerous than a run-in with lurking drug lords is the act of getting from one place to another. Not only does Bolivia claim the number one world’s most dangerous road, appropriately known as “Death Road,” the country also operates on the mentality that each driver owns the road and may do as he pleases. Pedestrians do not have the right of way and there are no laws regarding the proper usage of brake lights, blinkers or headlamps. Watch out!
Carnaval de Oruro 2014
9. Pack your party pants. Bolivians sure know how to throw a fiesta! The country enjoys a huge number of national, regional and local festivals throughout the year, some which feature thousands of costumed dancers and brass bands.
10. Disfruten. Enjoy. Be appreciative of the foreign traditions, the seemingly strange customs and the beautiful views that Bolivia has to offer. It’s a country rich in cultural and ethnic diversity set amid mystical terrain and astonishing landscapes. There truly is something for everyone. Remember, we travel not only to see the beauty of the world, but also to experience the reality of it.
Loved these tips! Looking forward to visiting Bolivia for the first time later this year, will be sure to take your advice with me!
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed the guide and keep in touch when you make it to Bolivia!
Thanks to you, I will definitely pack party pants when my travels take me to Bolivia.
Haha good to hear, Mindi! Keep in touch when your travels bring you to Bolivia and I’ll bust mine out as well!
Really good post with a lot of helpful tips and fun as well! Thanks.
Thanks for stopping by, Bente! Glad you enjoyed the post!
Thats pretty compact tips il keep it on mind
Traveling to Bolivia one needs all the tips and heads up they can get! Thanks for reading, Anne!
Nice tips. I love the advice in the end: “Remember, we travel not only to see the beauty of the world, but also to experience the reality of it.” 🙂
Thanks, Sandra! It’s sometimes hard to keep this in perspective when traveling long-term but I try to little travel manifesto with me wherever I go 🙂
Sounds like a fascinating country – I hope to get there some time.
It is an amazing place to visit, no doubt! Cheers, Karen!
Hah the food wouldn’t be my cup of tea because I dislike potatoes :D. Nice tips though!
Haha! I LOVE potatoes but it truthfully gets old after a while. Actually, I think the food in Bolivia is tasty but pretty boring compared to other South American countries. Thanks for reading, Axelle!
Theres great tips there
Thanks for reading, Anne!
Great tips! I would never have thought that arming oneself with water balloons would be necessary in Bolivia. Guess I’ll have to hit a party store before I eventually make it there.
I was fully unprepared and can tell you it’s no fun if you can’t fight back a little haha! Cheers, Dave!
I love that learning fun tips like these from fellow travelers. My favorite was be prepared to be patient. A tip we should remember more often in everyday life!
True, we should apply that tip to our everyday life! Thanks for reading, Daidri!
Yep, seen pics of the death road, and there couldn’t have been a more apt name for it! But I love points no. 9 and 10! That’s the reason we travel after all, isn’t it?
I can’t wait to bike death road, even if it lives up to it’s name! As travelers we should definitely push ourselves out of our comfort zones, even if just a little, to fully experience new cultures. Happy travels!
Really enjoyed reading your post about Bolivia. It was fun hearing we should take some balloons with us (will keep it in mind).
About the toilet paper. It´s a great tip and if you are in India I would suggest taking it with you too. 😉
Good to know TP is needed when I cross continents! Thanks for reading, safe travels!
Great tips! Some of those really apply to places in Asia too.
The paperwork part reminded me of an Asterix thing about administration. Made me laugh!
Bolivia is on our to do list when we get to that part of the world so thank you for sharing!
Thanks for reading! I definitely needed the TP tip while in Asia, and most people in Cambodia and Thailand wanted to be able to help you so asking and asking again until you get the right info is something to keep in mind over there, too!
The fact that jaguar hunting is legal just broke my heart,
It is heartbreaking. One thing that’s challenging about living here is seeing how behind the country really is when it comes to conservation and environmental awareness.
What an awesome post! Great an awesome post. I have an upcoming trip to back home to Zambia and you can so easily apply some of these tips in some of the places I will be visiting.
Thanks Bianca, I’m glad you enjoyed it!! Oooh, I look forward to reading about your visit back home! Travel safe!
Really Great tips and especially about brining my party pants I love places where I can wear my party pants. Thanks so much for sharing I will use this a guide for sure if we ever make it to Bolivia – Fun place!
I hope you get the chance to bust ’em out, Stacey! Bolivia awaits you!
Oh my gosh – the death road! Now that would scare me! These are some truly awesome and honest tips. Thanks very much for sharing! Love your last line, too. So true.
Thanks, Alli! Honest advice is the best advice 🙂 Happy travels!
Thanks for these useful tips! There’s nothing like an insider’s knowledge and as an expat, I’m sure you know Bolivia well! I’d love to come back and experience more of the fiestas!
There’s so much yet to learn and discover, one of the many reasons I enjoy this country! Saludos!
Fantastic tips! I agree to “stay on the trail” – generally a good idea in spots where you’re unfamiliar, anyway!
It’s never a good idea to stray from the group or the trail but especially unnerving when there’s more to worry about than just animals and the possibility of getting lost :/ Thanks for reading!
Nice list, some pretty accurate and good advice there.
Thanks! Glad it’s expat-approved!
Water balloons should ONLY be taken along with you during the 3 days of Carnaval (celebrated in months February or March, 40 days before Semana Santa.) The food is great in Cochabamba and many other cities in Bolivia, there are many different things to try; and not only potatoes are in the menu, I think rice is more popular. Try “arroz con queso” (which is something like a cheesy risotto) with “churrasco”, it is very good. You should also try empanadas, cuñapé, majadito, tamales, etc.
Agreed, Natalia. Water balloons only during Semana Santa! I have YET to spend some real time in Cochabamba after living in Bolivia for three years! We have sooo much churrasco and arroz con queso here in Santa Cruz that I will need to find something else “más cochabambino” when I visit. Saludos!