Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hitchhiking
Thanks to relatively easy access to
camiones
and a profusion of buses, hitchhiking isn't
really necessary or popular in Bolivia. Still, it's not unknown and drivers of
movilidades
-
coches
(cars),
camionetas
(pickup trucks), NGO vehicles, gas trucks and other vehicles -
are usually happy to pick up passengers when they have room. Always ask the price, if
any, before climbing aboard, even for short distances. If they do charge, it should amount
to about half the bus fare for the same distance.
Please note that hitchhiking is never entirely safe in any country. If you decide to hitch-
hike, you should understand that you are taking a small but potentially serious risk. Travel
in pairs and let someone know where you're planning to go.
Local Transportation
Camión
Prior to today's expansive bus network,
camiones
(trucks) were often the only way for
travelers to venture off the beaten track. These days, in the more populated areas you
might consider a
camión
trip more for the novelty value than necessity; it is how many
campesinos
(subsistence farmers) choose to travel.
Camiones
generally cost about half of the bus fare. You'll need time and a strong con-
stitution, as travel can be excruciatingly slow and rough, depending on the cargo and num-
ber of passengers. A major plus is the raw experience, including the best views of the
countryside.
On any
camión
trip, especially in the highlands by day or night, be sure to take plenty
of warm clothing as night temperatures can plunge below freezing and at best they can be
chilly.
To get on a
camión
, wait on the side of the road and flag it down as it passes.
Micros, Minibuses & Trufis
Micros
(half-size buses) are used in larger cities and are Bolivia's least expensive form of
public transportation. They follow set routes, with the route numbers or letters usually
marked on a placard behind the windshield. There is also often a description of the route,
including the streets taken to reach the end of the line. They can be hailed anywhere along
their route, though bus stops are starting to pop up in some bigger cities. When you want
