Transportation - Bolivia - page 713

Reservations
To be certain, reserve bus tickets at least several hours in advance. Many buses depart in
the afternoon or evening and arrive at their destination in the small hours of the morning.
On most major routes there are also daytime departures. Bolivia en tus Manos
( www.boliviaentusmanos.com/terminal ) has online bus schedules for departures from ma-
jor cities, including Cochabamba, La Paz, Potosí and Sucre.
Car & Motorcycle
The advantages of a private vehicle are flexibility, access to remote areas and the chance
to seize photo opportunities. More Bolivian roads are being paved (most recently, between
La Paz and Potosí), but others are in varying stages of decay, making high-speed travel
impossible (unless you're a Bolivian bus driver) and inadvisable.
The undaunted should prepare their expeditions carefully. Bear in mind that spare parts
are a rare commodity outside cities. A high-clearance 4WD vehicle is essential for off-
road travel. You'll need tools, spare tires, a puncture repair kit, extra gas and fluids, and as
many spare parts as possible. For emergencies, carry camping equipment and plenty of ra-
tions. You'll also need to purchase a good travel insurance policy back home (check with
your credit card to see if it covers rental insurance in Bolivia).
Low-grade (85-octane) gasoline and diesel fuel is available at surtidores (gas stations)
in all cities and major towns. Gas costs about B$3.74 per liter, and more in remote areas.
Expect some lines.
In lowland areas where temperatures are high and roads are scarce, motorbikes are pop-
ular for zipping around the plazas, as well as to explore areas not served by public trans-
port. They can be rented for about B$80 to B$100 per day from moto-taxi stands. Note
that many travel insurance policies will not cover you for injuries arising from motorbike
accidents.
Driver's License
Most Bolivian car-rental agencies will accept your home driver's license, but if you're do-
ing a lot of driving, it's wise to back it up with an International Driver's License.
Bolivia doesn't require special motorcycle licenses, but neighboring countries do. All
that is normally required for motorcycle and moped rentals is a passport.