Travel Advice: Know Before You Go
South American Experience is a partner in the Know Before You Go campaign and we are working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to do all that we can to help British Travellers stay safe overseas. For the latest information regarding the political situation and personal safety please check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website:
www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo

Documentation
British Citizens do not require visas for Bolivia but should check that they have a full, valid 10 year passport with at least 6 months to run. Nationals of other countries should check with the Bolivian Consulate on:  020 7235 4255.

Inoculations
There are no compulsory requirements although vaccination against Typhoid, Tetanus, Hepatitis, Yellow Fever and Polio are all strongly recommended as well as anti-malaria tablets for tropical areas. If you are travelling on to Brazil after visiting Bolivia, a Yellow fever certificate is required. Please check with us for the latest regulations and check with your GP or travel clinic for inoculation information. The following website has some useful information:
www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

Consumer protection
Flights and air holidays on these pages are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under our licence. South American Experience is ATOL6094.

Climate and when to go
Due to its high altitude, Bolivia’s altiplano region: La Paz, Lake Titicaca, Potosi and Oruro, can be very hot during the day and bitterly cold at night. The wet season is approximately December to March when it is warmer but wetter. Most people visit during the dryer, colder months of May to October. The rainforest and semi-tropical lowlands are warm and humid most of the year.

The Altitude The airport in La Paz is over 4000m above sea level and travellers who are not accustomed to altitude may well find they suffer from the symptoms of mountain sickness when they first arrive in the highest capital city in the world. However, if you are sensible and rest and avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours, the majority of healthy people will acclimatise. Headache tablets (not aspirin based) may help. An infusion of the local brew "coca tea" may alleviate some of the effects of "soroche" and oxygen is available at most hotels for severe cases. If you have experienced difficulties in the past or have a history of respiraratory or heart problems you must check with your doctor.

Last Updated: Tuesday May 13 2008