Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ADDRESSES
Addresses
are usually written with just the street name (and often only the surname if the
streetisnamedafteraperson),followedbythenumber-forexample,“Paredes704”rather
than “Calle Max Paredes 704”. Often, however, numbers are not used, and the nearest in-
tersection is given instead - for example, “Illampu con Comercio”. Note also that street
numbers in Bolivia do not always run consecutively: number 6 could easily be between
numbers 2 and 4.
By bus
Bolivia's
buses
(also known as
flotas
) are run by a variety of private companies and ply all
the main routes in the country, moving passengers at low cost over great distances despite
often appalling road conditions.
Cities and larger towns have
bus terminals
- known as
terminales terrestres
or
terminales
de buses
- from which buses to most (but often not all) destinations leave. Departing passen-
gers usually have to pay a small fee (Bs1-3) for the use of the terminal.
The terminals often have some kind of
information office
, but even so the number of dif-
ferent companies operating the same route can make it difficult at times to work out depar-
ture times and frequencies. If in doubt, taxi drivers usually have a good grasp of the timing
of buses to different destinations and where they depart from. For less frequently used routes
it's worth buying a
ticket
in advance, but there's no need on busier routes. Buses on many
longer-distance routes travel only at night so Bolivian travellers can visit other cities without
paying for accommodation.
The major long-distance intercity routes are served by more modern and comfortable buses,
often equipped with reclining seats and TVs. Some routes are also served by comparatively
luxurious overnight
sleeper-buses
(
bus-camas
), which have extra leg-room and seats that re-
cline horizontally. These cost about fifty percent more, but are well worth it.
Most buses, however, are much older and in poor condition.
Breakdowns
are frequent, but
fortunately many drivers are masters of mechanical improvisation. Other than sleeper-buses
and some smarter long-distance services, Bolivian buses stop anywhere for anyone, even if
they're only travelling a few kilometres, until every available crack of space has been filled.
Because of the poor condition of most roads and many vehicles, you should always be pre-
pared for major
delays
; in the rainy season, buses can arrive days rather than hours late. Most
buses stop for regular meal breaks, and food and drink sellers offer their wares at the roadside
at every opportunity, but it's worth carrying some food and drink with you. When travelling
in the highlands or overnight, you should have
warm clothing
and a blanket or sleeping bag
to hand, as it can get bitterly cold, and heated buses are virtually unheard of. If you can, avoid
