Bolivia

Recommended Vaccinations For Bolivia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is an intermediate to high risk of hepatitis B in Bolivia, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of hepatitis A in Bolivia, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in the country for more than 3 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age and older travelling to the at-risk areas including the entire departments of Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz, and designated areas in the departments of Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, and Tarija. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers over one year of age if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Those visiting yellow fever risk areas in Bolivia should carry a yellow fever vaccination card. Vaccination is not recommended for travellers whose itineraries are limited to areas at altitudes above 2300 meters and all areas where there is no risk, including the cities of La Paz and Sucre.

Rabies Vaccine

Recommended for travellers in rural areas involved in activities such as bicycling, camping, or hiking. Also recommended for children, long-term travellers and expatriates living in areas with a significant risk of exposure, and for travellers involved in any activities that might bring them into direct contact with bats, dogs, carnivores, and other mammals.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in Bolivia through consumption of contaminated food or water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.

Recommended Medications For Bolivia

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline and mefloquine in the departments of Beni, Pando and Santa Cruz. In other areas, chloroquine may be recommended.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Bolivia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is an intermediate to high level of hepatitis B transmission throughout Bolivia.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever can occur in Bolivia.

Hepatitis A

There is a risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Bolivia.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

For Some Travellers

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites.

West Nile Fever

There is a risk of acquiring West Nile virus in this country.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.

Chagas Disease

American trypanosomiasis (“Chagas disease”) occurs in this country.

Rabies

Rabies is a risk throughout Bolivia, especially in dogs and bats.

Zika Fever

There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of transmission of yellow fever in this country in areas east of the Andes Mountains at altitudes below 2,300 meters, including the entire departments of Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz, as well as some areas of the departments of Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz and Tarija.

Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever occurs commonly in Bolivia, especially in smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where exposure might occur through contaminated food or water.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Bolivia. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Malaria

There is a low risk of malaria in the Amazon basin and in rural areas below 2,500m. Awareness of risk and bite avoidance is recommended. There is no risk above 2,500m. CDC recommends that travellers to certain areas of Bolivia take prescription medicine to prevent malaria.

Safety & Security in Bolivia

Personal Safety

Be alert in your surroundings at all times when travelling around Bolivia. Petty theft, including pickpocketing, purse snatching, assaults following ATM withdrawals, backpack theft, vehicle theft, kidnapping, and hijacking are common in tourist areas, commercial areas, and residential districts of large cities. Do not leave personal property unattended. Minimize your risk of theft by avoiding signs of affluence such as expensive clothing or jewelry. Do not carry large sums of money. Keep valuables, such as cameras and electronic equipment, out of sight as much as possible. Secure your valuables in a hotel safe.

Road travel may be dangerous due to poor road conditions, poorly maintained vehicles, debris on roadways, and reckless driving. Exercise extreme caution in rural areas where roads may be unpaved and unlit at night. Avoid travelling after dark. Road travel is made more difficult during the rainy season (November to March) when flooding and landslides make some roads impassable.

Public transportation is not safe, including buses, trains, and some taxis. Only use tour buses from reputable companies and well-known radio taxis, which are called in advance. Avoid hailing a taxi on the street.

Exercise extreme care when trekking or participating in adventure activities in Bolivia. Exercise extreme caution if trekking in areas around La Paz, near Rurrenabaque in the Bolivian Andes, in Los Yungas, and on the Inca trails. Always stay with a group and choose a reputable tour provider. Ensure travel and medical insurance covers adventure activities.

Same-sex sexual activity and marriage are both legal in Bolivia and discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited. However, it is not widely accepted.

If travelling by bus between Copacabana and La Paz, try to travel during daylight hours. There have been reports of robberies during evening hours. Buy tickets at the bus terminal only and not from third parties.

Be vigilant in tourist areas of La Paz.

Political Unrest

Demonstrations, strikes, and other civil unrest are common in Bolivia, with some protests turning violent. Transportation is often disrupted by these events. All border areas are particularly at risk for blockades which could cause severe travel disruptions.

If you encounter a roadblock, do not attempt to cross, even if it appears unattended, and consider a different route.

Minimize risk by avoiding large public gatherings and demonstrations due to the unpredictability of these situations and the threat of violence.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid the border area with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Peru.