Basics - The Rough Guide to Bolivia - page 69

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The internet
Like almost everywhere else in the world, Bolivia has seen a huge growth in internet use in
recent years and, because few Bolivians have their own computers, this has meant an explo-
sion of internet cafés , especially in places where there are large student populations. Inter-
net cafés tend to charge about Bs3-5 an hour, and sometimes more in remote areas where
competition is thin on the ground. The speed of machines and servers usually isn't very fast,
especially outside the main cities.
Some of the better-equipped internet cafés also offer net phone or Skype services, which
allow you to make calls via the internet for the same price as if you were just surfing the net
- by far the cheapest way of calling home.
Increasing numbers of hotels, cafés, restaurants and bars in the more touristy areas offer free
wi-fi access.
Laundry
In cities and larger towns you'll find laundries ( lavanderías ) where you can have your
clothes machine-washed for around Bs10-15 per kilo; top end hotels can arrange this for you.
Otherwise, most hotels can find someone to wash your clothes by hand if you ask. Some
budget hotels have facilities for hand-washing your own clothes.
Living and working in Bolivia
Official requirements to gain residency in Bolivia are complicated and time-consuming, so
most travellers who want to stay in the country for longer periods do so informally, leaving
Bolivia every ninety days to come back in on a new tourist card.
There are several options available to people looking to work or study in Bolivia. Several
cities have language schools where you can study Spanish, Quechua or Aymara, and those
withinitiative andenthusiasmshouldn'thavemuchtroublefinding voluntary work withone