Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hostel prices are often based on a per-person rate, although more upmarket hotels have
separate prices for single and double, with the latter being more economical.
The recent increase in tourism to Bolivia has meant that locals are becoming more ac-
customed to seeing Western travelers, including unaccompanied women. This has signi-
ficantly reduced the incidence of sexual harassment and the concept of the 'loose gringa,'
but in some places you may still face unwanted attention.
If you are traveling without a male companion and/or alone, it's wise to avoid
testosterone-filled domains such as bars, sports matches, mines and construction sites. It's
generally safe to catch a lift on a
camión
(flatbed truck) if you see lots of other people
waiting; don't get on board if anything seems fishy. Women should never hitchhike alone.
Especially in urban areas and at night, women - even in groups - should be careful, and
avoid isolation. Hiking alone is discouraged under any circumstances.
Telephone
Numerous carriers - such as Entel, Viva, Boliviatel, Cotel and Tigo - offer local and long-
distance rates on both landlines and cellular phones. Bolivia's first company, Empresa Na-
cional de Telecomunicaciones (Entel), is still the most prevalent in smaller towns but oth-
er companies are making an entrance. Local calls cost just a few bolivianos from these of-
fices.
Puntos,
run by all of the above companies, are small, privately run outposts offering
similar services and are open late. Alternatively, street kiosks are often equipped with tele-
phones that charge B$1 for brief local calls.
In some tiny villages you'll find card-phone telephone boxes - phones take both mag-
netic and computer chip varieties. Both card types
(tarjetas)
come in denominations of
B$10, B$20, B$50 and B$100. Touts in fluorescent jackets with cellular phones chained
to themselves offer calls for B$1 per minute.
Cellular SIM cards are cheap (starting at B$40, inclusive of B$20 to B$30 credit) and
available from larger carrier outlets as well as small private phone shops. If you buy from
a private outlet, activate the number and check that the phone works before purchasing.
Make sure your phone has tri-band network capabilities (similar to the US system). To top
up your call amount, buy cards (ask for
crédito,
ie credit) from the numerous
puntos
in
any city or town.
