Bolivia
Warnings and insurance
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Chapare region of Cochabamba Department including Villa Tunari and highway routes 4 and 24 that pass through Chapare.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Road blockades and transport strike
Since 22 October there have been a number of blockades in place across much of the country with the situation changing daily. Check Bolivian news websites before travelling and do not attempt to cross blockades in a motor vehicle or on a motorbike. Pedestrians are not usually prevented from crossing blockades but exercise caution before doing so. There are petrol and diesel shortages across the country with extremely long queues forming at service stations in anticipation of deliveries.
For tourist excursions, please check with your operator for any restrictions imposed before travelling. If necessary, taxi drivers at El Alto International Airport may know routes into La Paz that are unaffected by blockades. The cable car (Mi Teleférico) in La Paz and El Alto continues to operate without any restrictions. Blockades have led to fresh food shortages in La Paz, which has restricted the availability of meat, chicken, fruit, and vegetables.
Forest Fires
Forest fires have been burning in Bolivia since August and continue to affect some parts of Southern and Eastern Bolivia. This is having an impact on air quality in the areas most affected by the fires but also in other parts of the country, including La Paz. It is advisable to wear a face mask if the air quality is particularly bad, or to stay inside.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates
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Update history
2025-04-03 12:35
Updated information on health risks in Bolivia (‘Health’ page).
2025-03-11 17:00
New information on safety standards for bus transportation (see ‘Buses and taxis’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-02-05 16:58
Updated information about protests and shortages of food and fuel (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-11-07 14:26
FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the Chapare region of Cochabamba Department (‘Warnings and Insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-10-24 22:45
Further information about road blockades and transport strike (Warnings and insurance)
2024-10-22 19:32
Correction to today’s travel advice update regarding blockades (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-10-22 15:58
New information on transport strike in the city of La Paz on 23 October and updated information on road blockades (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-10-08 09:35
Removal of information about protests and blockades (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-09-23 12:07
Information about protests (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-09-13 16:48
Information about travel disruption due to road blockades (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-09-12 11:42
Information about forest fires in Southern and Eastern Bolivia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-08-20 09:32
Information about the Oropouche virus disease (‘Health’ page)
2024-08-12 15:06
Removal of information about strikes and blockades (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-08-01 10:08
Information about travel disruption due to strikes and blockades (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-25 21:42
There may be political protests on Friday 26 July 2024 near the airport in La Paz. Give yourself plenty of time if you have a flight and ask for local advice about travelling to the airport (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-07-25 21:40
There may be political protests on Thursday 26 July 2024 near the airport in La Paz. Give yourself plenty of time if you have a flight tomorrow and ask for local advice about travelling to the airport (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-07-03 16:44
Advice about protests (Safety and Security page)
2024-06-27 12:31
Information about military activity in La Paz (‘Warning and insurance’).
2024-06-27 01:08
Information about reports of heightened military activity in La Paz (‘Warnings and insurance’) and updated contact number for assistance for British nationals in Bolivia (‘Warnings and insurance’).
2024-06-26 23:43
“Information about reports of heightened military activity in La Paz (‘Warnings and insurance’)
2024-06-18 11:41
Information about shortages of some medicines (‘Health’ page).
2024-06-12 14:28
Information about criminal kidnaps (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-10 10:10
Information about protecting yourself from crime (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-20 10:19
Information about the impact of a nationwide census taking place in Bolivia on 23 March (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-02-21 14:03
Information about flooding alerts due to torrential rain (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-16 11:22
Removal of information about road blocks (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-01-24 12:55
Information about road blocks on many main roads in Bolivia (see ‘Road blocks’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-11-16 11:31
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-11-07 17:00
Updated details about blockages and demonstrations currently taking place in La Paz (‘Summary’ page).
2023-10-05 15:20
Updated contact details if you need urgent consular assistance while in Bolivia (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2023-06-22 11:04
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-05-11 11:28
Updated information about entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-04-25 15:13
Updated information about altitude sickness (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2023-01-30 10:45
Updated information about protests (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-01-03 16:15
Updated information about blockades, demonstrations and protests in Santa Cruz and transport disruption (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-12-29 22:50
Updated information about demonstrations and protests in Santa Cruz including details of a 24 hour strike on 30 December and transport disruption (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-12-28 23:27
We are aware of demonstrations and violent protests in and around the city of Santa Cruz. There are reports that air and road travel are being affected in the city. We advise you to check with local authorities before attempting to travel to and from the airport. (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-11-30 15:23
Updated information about protests and blockades in and around the city of Santa Cruz, following the end of strikes in Santa Cruz (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-11-09 12:55
Updated information about protests and blockades in and around the city of Santa Cruz, following the announcement of an indefinite strike (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-10-18 10:58
New information about an indefinite strike, announced in the city of Santa Cruz on 21 October 2022 (‘Safety and security page).
2022-04-29 16:27
Updated information on entry requirements for Bolivia (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)