Bolivia Travel Overview

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

Bolivia GDP - gross domestic product

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.