Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Exchanging Money
Visitors fare best with US dollars (travelers have reported that it's difficult to change
euros). Currency may be exchanged at
casas de cambio
(exchange offices) and at some
banks in larger cities. You can often change money in travel agencies, hotels and some-
times in stores selling touristy items.
Cambistas
(street money changers) operate in most
cities but only change cash dollars, paying roughly the same as
casas de cambio
. They're
convenient after hours, but guard against rip-offs and counterfeit notes. The rate for cash
doesn't vary much from place to place, and there is no black-market rate. Currencies of
neighboring countries may be exchanged in border areas and at
casas de cambio
in La
Paz. Beware, too, mangled notes: unless both halves of a repaired banknote bear identical
serial numbers, the note is worthless. Also note that US$100 bills of the CB-B2 series are
not accepted anywhere, neither are US$50 bills of the AB-B2 series.
International Transfers
The fastest way to have money transferred from abroad is with
Western Union
(
www.westernunion.com
)
. A newer, alternative option is through
Money Gram
(
www.moneygram.com
)
, which has offices in all major cities - watch the hefty fees,
though. Your bank can also wire money to a cooperating Bolivian bank; it may take a
couple of business days.
PayPal is increasingly used to make bank transfers to pay for hotels.
A NOTE ABOUT PRICES
Prices in this guidebook are generally listed in bolivianos. However, many higher-end hotels will only quote
prices in US dollars; likewise for many travel agencies and tour operators. Therefore, prices in this topic are listed
in bolivianos, except in cases where a business quotes its costs in US dollars. The currency is fairly stable.
Photography
Keep in mind that the combination of high-altitude ultraviolet rays and light reflected off
snow or water will conspire to fool both your eye and your light meter.
