Bolivia Travel Overview
Important facts
Capital: Sucre (See more on SIMPLYYELLOWPAGES.COM)
Official language: Spanish
Currency: Boliviano
Continent: South-South America
The state in the Andes
Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America. Due to its location in the Andes, it is very popular among high-altitude hikers.
According to Countryaah, Bolivia is a state in South America located in the Andes. It borders Peru and Chile to the west, Argentina and Paraguay to the south, and Brazil to the east and north.
The area of today’s Bolivia was populated by different cultures, the most important of which was the civilization of Tiahuanaco. It became part of the Inca Empire in the 15th century. When the Spanish conquered the country in the 16th century, it became part of the viceroyalty of Peru, rich in silver.
Travel to Bolivia
Bolivia is popular with hikers exploring the highlands. Likewise for adventurers who take jungle guides to venture into the colorful world of the rainforest. A highlight of your Bolivia trip should be a visit to Lake Titicaca, the area of which extends into the national territory of Peru.
If you are interested in ancient culture, you can visit the ruins of the Mayan culture in Bolivia. You will also find traces of the Inca on the shores of Lake Titicaca, who made their influence felt as far as Bolivia in the 16th century.
Favorable travel times to Bolivia
Bolivia can be divided into three regions: highlands, jungle and coast. A slightly different travel time is considered optimal for each of the three regions. For the highlands the time from May to October and for the jungle the time between May and September is considered a good travel time. Then heavy rains set in.
Important facts
Capital: Sucre
Official language: Spanish
Currency
Currency (sub-unit)
Boliviano (100 Centavos)
ISO 4217 code
BOB / 068
Currency (sub-unit)
Mvdol
ISO 4217 code
BOV / 984
Geography
Continent: South America
Region: south
Geo coordinates: S -16 ° -17 ‘-24.6 ” W -63 ° -35’ -19.2″
Highest mountain: Nevado Sajama (6,542 m)
Total area: 1,098,580 km²
Mainland: 1,084,390 km²
National border: 6,743 km
Politics
Dependency: Spain until 1825
UN member since: 1945
Form of government: Presidential Republic
Houses of Parliament: bikameral
Party system: Multi-party system
State building: centralized (decentralization tendencies)
Political culture: Subject culture
Particularities: No runoff election for the president: Parliament chooses one of the top two
Economy
Export goods: Ores, charcoal, rock salt
BSP: $ 9,934,700,000
GDP: $ 10,292,700,000
GDP purchasing power parity: $ 26,988,000,000
Economic growth: 4.3%
GDP share of agriculture: 12.2%
GDP share of industry: 36%
GDP share of services: 51.8%
Inflation rate: 6%
Unemployment: 8th %
State budget revenue: $ 3.042 billion
State budget expenditure: $ 3371000000
Export: $ 2,687,000,000
Import: $ 2,177,000,000
Foreign debt: $ 6,970,000,000
Gold and currency reserves: $ 2,034,000,000
Electricity consumption: 4,387 million KWh
Gas reserves: 679,600 million m³
Gas production: 7,410 million m³
Gas consumption: 2,050 million m³
Oil reserves: 459 million m³
Oil production: 44,000 million m³
Oil consumption: 53,000 million m³
Cultivation area: 3.08%
Bovine: 6,970,000 pieces
Pigs: 3,210,000 pieces
Sheep: 9,230,000 pieces
Fishing: 6,600 t
Demographic data
Residents: 8.989.100
Residents in cities: 5,572,000
Minorities: Quechua 30%, Mestizo 30%, Aymara 25%, Whites 15%
Average age: 21.8 years
0-14 years: 35%
15-64 years: 60.4%
> 65 years: 4.6%
Population growth: 1.45%
Birth rate: 23.76 / 1,000 residents
Death rate: 7.53 / 1,000 residents
Migration: -1.22 / 1,000 residents
Ratio men / women: 0.98
Fertility: 2.85 children / woman
Infant mortality: 51.77 ‰
Life expectancy men: 63.21 years
Life expectancy women: 68.61 years
Country codes and abbreviations
ISO 3166 Alpha 2: BO
ISO 3166 Alpha 3: BOL
ISO 3166 numeric: 68
Top Level Domain: bo
IOC country code: BOL
UN / LOCODE: BO
Source: Abbreviationfinder
Communication
Telephone connections: 990,000
Cell Phones: 1,800,000
Radios: 5,880,000
TV: 1,130,000
Computer: 340,000
Internet users: 450,000
Transportation
Railway lines: 3,519 km
Paved roads: 4,584 km
of which expressways: 13 km
Cars: 293,000
Merchant fleet (ships over 1,000 GRT): 24
Pipelines: 9,200
Health
Number of doctors: 6,700
Daily food intake: 2,300 kcal / resident
HIV- infected people: 5,500
Education
Illiteracy: 11%
History
Foundation: 1825
Last sovereign since: 1825
Religion
Main religious group: Christians
Distribution of religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestants 5%
Crime
Prison inmates: 7,300
Military
Armed forces (troop strength): 32,000
Main battle tank: 40
Warplanes: 50
Defense Spending: $ 134.6 million
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
After the end of the Bolivian airline LAB (LLoyd Aereo Boliviano), the Bolivian government founded the new national airline Boliviana de Aviación (BoA), which, in addition to domestic cities, also flies to Madrid, Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo.
There are connections via Washington-Dulles, Miami and the like. South American airports. From Frankfurt, Zurich and Vienna there are connections to La Paz via Madrid.
Air passes
The TAM South American Airpass is valid on all routes of the participating airlines within Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile (with the exception of Easter Island), Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. The participating airline is: TAM (JJ). The pass is valid for stays of a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 45 days and is only available to passengers residing outside of South America in conjunction with an international round-trip ticket. A minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 countries must be visited. A maximum of 8 flight coupons are allowed (9 if Iguazú is being flown to), with a maximum of 2 flight interruptions (stopovers) per country. The flight route must be specified in the ticket and firmly reserved. Flights may be rebooked, but the flight route may not be changed. Children under 12 years of age receive a 25% discount, infants under 2 years of age (without their own seat) 90% discount.
The Oneworld Visit South America Pass is valid on routes operated by participating airlinesAmerican Airlines, British Airways, LAN, Qatar Airwaysas well as the associated airlines within South America in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Applicable only to passengers residing outside of South America. Valid for a maximum of 6 months from arrival in South America. The Airpass includes at least 3 coupons. The number of coupons is not limited. A coupon is required for each section of the route. The stopovers are limited to the number of coupons purchased. Children from 2 years of age: no discount. Infants under 2 years of age are free (no seat occupancy). The reservation of the entire route must be made before departure or the ticket is issued. A fee is charged for each route change or change in the flight date. Cancellation fees: With cancellation fee before departure, No reimbursement after departure. Purchase of tickets / issue before departure in Germany.
Departure fee
Airport Fee: Domestic Flights: US $ 2/15 Bolivianos. International flights: US $ 25. Transit passengers and children under 2 years of age are excluded.
Exit tax: US $ 33 (only payable to travelers who are legally staying in Bolivia for more than 3 months. The exit tax is included in the flight ticket if the ticket is purchased in Bolivia.)
In addition, an entry tax for foreigners is currently only charged at the airports.
Arrival by car
The Panamericana connects Argentina with Peru and passes through Bolivia from south to northwest. Thanks to the road connection from La Paz to Ilo (Peru), the Pacific can be reached in 5 hours. The Andean Road connects Peru, Chile and Bolivia. This new tourist route leads from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile through Bolivia to Arequipa in Peru.
Driving is not recommended during the rainy season. The main roads are in good condition.
Arriving by train
There is a connection with the Tren Internacional from Uyuni to Calama in Chile.
The line from La Paz to Arica (Chile) has been closed.
Arrival by ship
Bolivia is a landlocked country. European and American ships call at the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America. From the ports of Peru, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina you can continue by train to La Paz or Santa Cruz. The closest port is Arica (Chile).
The main port on Lake Titicaca is Guaqui, which is called from Puno (Peru). Guaqui is 90 km from La Paz and can be reached by train or bus.
ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
Amaszonas (Z8) ( Internet: www.amaszonas.com), TAM Airlines (JJ) (Internet: www.tam.com.br) and EcoJet (8J) (Internet: www.ecojet.bo) operate domestic air traffic. Due to the geographical and climatic conditions, the plane is the best means of transport.
Note on air travel
Airport taxes
15 Bs.
On the way by car / bus
The country is still poorly developed in terms of transport. The road network covers 50,419 km, only 1940 km of which are paved. Most of the roads are in the Altiplano region and the Andes. Bus: All major towns can be reached by bus, Bolivia’s No. 1 mode of transport. Irregular bus traffic on the branch lines. Taxis have fixed fares and are often shared with other passengers; tipping is not common. Rental cars: Hertz and local companies are represented in La Paz. Documents: International driver’s license, from the Federación Inter-Americana de Touring y Automobil (Internet: www.fitac.org) available on presentation of the national driving license. However, it is advisable to apply for the international driver’s license before leaving.
Traveling in the city
The regular buses in La Paz are operated by an association of private bus companies. There are also taxis (Trufi) that run on certain routes and shared taxis (Trufibus). The respective routes can be recognized by the different colored flags. Fares are fixed.
All larger cities usually have a central bus station (terminal terrestre).
On the go by train
The railways are only conditionally suitable for traveling over longer distances. The route network covers 3697 km and consists of two separate rail networks in the east and west of the country. Train traffic has been privatized and train connections are restricted. The western rail network is operated by Ferrocarril Andino SA (FCA) (Internet: www.fca.com.bo) and the eastern one by Ferrocarril Oriental SA (FCO). Bolivia and Brazil are planning to jointly build a new line between Santa Cruz and Cochabamba.
The following routes are served:
Oruro via Uyuni, Tupiza to Villazón: Expreso del Sur and Wara-Wara del Sur.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra – Yacuíba:Ferrobus and Mixto.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra – Roboré – Quijarro: Rapido.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra – Quijarro: Rapido: express train.
Sucre – Potosí: Ferrobus.
Cochabamba – Higuerani: Ferrobus.
Cochabamba – Aiquile: Ferrobus.
Buen Retiro – Cochabamba: Local.
Out and about by ship
The agreement with Paraguay allows shipping on the Paraguay and Paraná rivers, so that Bolivia has connections to the sea. Bolivia has more than 14,000 km of navigable rivers that connect almost all of Bolivia with the Amazon basin.
Bolivia also has duty-free access to the ports of Matarani in Peru, Antofagasta and Arica in Chile, Rosario and Buenos Aires in Argentina and Santos in Brazil.
Passenger ships operate between Copacabana, Huatajata, Puno in Peru and the small islands in Lake Titicaca. Hydrofoils and catamarans operate on Lake Titicaca. Cruises on Lake Titicaca can be booked.
