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Bolivia rewards a little preparation. It is one of South America's most dramatic and least polished countries — salt flats, high Andean plateau and Amazon lowlands — and the altitude alone means it pays to plan.
This guide answers the practical questions UK travellers ask most before a trip to Bolivia, so you arrive feeling ready rather than uncertain.
If a question here is not covered, our team — part UK-based, part on the ground in Bolivia — is always happy to help.
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Bolivia is generally safe for visitors, especially travelling in a small guided group. Opportunistic theft happens in busy parts of La Paz, so keep valuables out of sight and use the transport we arrange for you.
Altitude is the real thing to prepare for, and Bolivia is extreme: La Paz sits at around 3,600m and the Uyuni salt flats at 3,650m. Expect to feel breathless at first. We pace itineraries for acclimatisation, and your guide will brief you on going gently, drinking plenty of water and easing off the alcohol.
Standard travel sense still applies: keep your documents safe and take out travel insurance before you go.
British citizens travelling for tourism do not currently need a visa for Bolivia for short stays of up to 90 days. You will need a passport valid for at least six months, and you may be asked to show onward travel and accommodation details.
Rules can change, so always confirm the latest requirements with the UK government's Bolivia travel advice and the Bolivian Embassy in the UK before you travel. Different British nationality types, or longer stays for work or study, have different rules.
The dry season (May to October) is the most reliable time to travel, with clear skies and cold, bright days across the Altiplano.
Dry season (May to October) - firm ground on the salt flats, sharp light and very cold nights. This is our main season.
Wet season (roughly December to April) - this is when the Uyuni salt flats flood with a thin layer of water and become the world's largest mirror. It is spectacular, but some areas of the flats become harder to reach.
One candid note: you are choosing between the mirror and the access. Both are extraordinary; they are simply different trips.
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Bolivia is demanding less because of the walking and more because of the air. At 3,600m even climbing a flight of stairs can leave you puffing for the first day or two.
You do not need to be especially sporty, but you should be comfortable walking for a few hours and carrying a small day bag, and you should be prepared for long drives over rough ground.
Itineraries are built around acclimatisation. If you have heart or lung conditions, please speak to your doctor before booking.
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Bolivian food is hearty, honest mountain cooking - salteñas (juicy savoury pastries), thick soups, quinoa, freeze-dried potatoes and, on the lowland routes, tropical fruit. Come with an open mind.
An open heads-up: vegetarians will manage, but outside La Paz and Sucre the choices narrow quickly, and meat or stock is the default. It is very doable with a little flexibility - tell us your needs when you book and your guide will help throughout.
If you have a serious allergy you must tell us at the time of booking. We'll do everything we can, but cross-contamination can't be fully guaranteed in every kitchen, so please plan accordingly.
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Plenty of our guests travel solo — a small group is one of the easiest, most sociable ways to see Bolivia on your own.
You can choose to share a room with another solo traveller of the same gender, or book a single room for an additional fee.
Our reviews are full of travellers who arrived alone and left with friends.
Currency is the boliviano (Bs); Bolivia is very cash-based, so carry small notes
Cards are accepted in some city hotels and restaurants, but rarely anywhere else
ATMs are reliable in cities — withdraw what you need before heading to the salt flats or the Altiplano
Connectivity is good in La Paz and Sucre but drops away sharply in remote areas
Tipping is not obligatory, but small tips for guides and drivers are appreciated
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Comfortable, well-located hotels and guesthouses with real local character, usually within walking distance of the main square.
On the Uyuni route you may stay in a hotel built almost entirely from blocks of salt — walls, floors, furniture. It is simple, genuinely memorable, and unlike anywhere else you will sleep.
On the Altiplano, accommodation is basic by design: remote, few facilities, and heating is limited. Pack a warm layer for the nights, which fall well below freezing.
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Getting there: There are no direct flights from the UK. Expect 16h+ overall with one or two stopovers. See our recommendations.
Time difference: Bolivia is 4-5 hours behind the UK (4 in winter, 5 in summer); no daylight saving
Currency: Boliviano (Bs)
Plugs: Types A & C, 220-230V — bring an adapter
Language: Spanish, plus Quechua and Aymara; English is limited outside hotels
Altitude: La Paz sits at 3,600m and Uyuni at 3,650m — this is a high-altitude trip throughout
Best time to travel: the dry season (May to October); the salt flats mirror forms in the wet months — see our Bolivia tours
Our team can help with anything this guide did not cover.
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