Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Citizens of most South American and Western European countries can get a tourist card
on entry for stays up to 90 days (depending on the nationality). Citizens of Canada, Aus-
tralia, New Zealand and Japan are granted 30 days, while citizens of Israel are granted 90
days. This is subject to change; always check with your consulate prior to entry. If you
want to stay longer, you have to extend your tourist card (this is accomplished at the im-
migration office in any major city with a letter requesting the extension; it's free for some
nationalities - for others, it costs B$198 per 30-day extension). The maximum time travel-
ers are permitted to stay in the country is 180 days in one year. Alternatively, you can ap-
ply for a visa. Visas are issued by Bolivian consular representatives, including those in
neighboring South American countries. Brazilian visas can be complicated, so check
ahead. Costs vary according to the consulate and the nationality of the applicant, but hov-
er around B$2500.
Overstayers can be fined B$14 per day (or more, depending on the nationality) - pay-
able at the immigration office or airport - and may face ribbons of red tape at the border
or airport when leaving the country.
In addition to a valid passport and visa, citizens of many Communist, African, Middle
Eastern and Asian countries require 'official permission' from the Bolivian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs before a visa will be issued.
More up-to-date visa information can be found at
www.lonelyplanet.com
.
Vaccination Certificates
Border agents may or may not request a yellow-fever vaccination certificate, and there are
occasional checkpoints heading into the lowlands, where you will need to produce a certi-
ficate. Many neighboring countries, including Brazil, require anyone entering from
Bolivia to have proof of a yellow-fever vaccination. If necessary, a jab can often be ad-
ministered at the border but it is preferable to take care of this at home.
Volunteering
There are hundreds of voluntary and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working in
Bolivia, making this a popular spot to volunteer. Many of the opportunities included here
follow the pay-to-volunteer model, and often include room and board, costing anywhere
from US$200 to US$1000 per month.
Be aware that some profit organizations offer 'internship' or 'volunteer' opportunities,
when in reality it's unpaid work in exchange for free trips or activities.
