Overland Bolivia Travel
Contents
At the border
Correct as of: November 8 2010
Required Paperwork
- Passport of registered owner (original and one copy)
- Vehicle registration (original and one copy)
Process at border
- The owner of the vehicle gains entry at Immigration (Migración), usually with a tourist card, including a stamp in their Passport.
- The owner must show the new passport stamp and original vehicle registration to Customs (Aduana).
- The owner is issued a temporary import permit for the vehicle.
Cost of entry
Free.
Permitted length of stay
Usually the same as the owner, which is 30 days for most Nationalities.
Extension of stay
Unknown.
Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
Unknown.
Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.
Exiting with a vehicle
- The registered owner presents the temporary import paper to customs.
- The registered owner is stamped out of Bolivia at immigration.
Overland Essentials
Vehicle Insurance
Insurance requirements
Insurance is mandatory in Bolivia, however it's difficult to purchase because the vehicle will not be in the Bolivian computer system. Most people simply show the police insurance from another country (i.e. Ecuador or Argentina)
Cost of insurance
See above.
Where to purchase insurance
Most people are told it's possible to purchase insurance in La Paz.
Driving license
Technically an International Driving Permit is required.
In reality, showing a license from anywhere in the world seems to be good enough.
Driving side of road
Right,
Right hand drive vehicles are permitted without problem.
Mandatory items in vehicle
Two safety triangles, a first aid kit and fire extinguisher are mandatory and a very good idea.
If you do not have these items with you, the Police will have an extra excuse to bribe you.
Roads
General Road quality
Roads in Bolivia are typically very poor quality. Only a few major highways are paved, everything else is gravel that ranges is commonly rutted, full of pot holes and extremely dusty. Be prepared for some very, very difficult driving conditions.
Road signs
Road signs do exist, but are far from common. Most towns have at least one sign stating the name of the town and distances to the next towns.
Toll roads
List the frequency and approximate price of toll roads.
Bribery
Police bribery is extremely common in Bolivia. The Police will try many different tactics to get money from you, often mentioning a "voluntary donation".
See the bribery tips page for advice.
Checkpoints
Police checkpoints are very common in Bolivia, where the Police are trying to stop the spread of stolen vehicles. Where a barrier blocks the road you will be asked to go inside and present your Passport, Vehicle registration, drivers license and the temporary import permit you were issued at the border. They may also ask if you have the Mandatory items with you. It is extremely common to encounter bribery at these checkpoints. They will ask for money in a variety of ways, usually in a friendly, non-threatening way. See the bribery tips page for advice.
Traveling with pets
Unknown.
List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.
Gasoline / Petrol / Diesel
Last updated: November 8, 2010
Price
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular | 3.14 bolivianos /l |
| Super | ?? |
| Premium | ?? |
| Ultra | ?? |
| Diesel | ?? |
Gasoline Availability / Frequency
Line-ups to purchase gasoline and purchase limits are a very common occurrence in Bolivia. Purchase a full tank of gas at every opportunity.
Foreigners are also supposed to pay a "surcharge" to purchase gas, which is double the listed price. Some people have reported this is only enforced within 100km of a border, others have been forced to pay regardless.
Gas stations are frequent, except south of the Salar de Uyuni towards Chile.
Gasoline Quality
Gasoline and Diesel are generally thought of as extremely poor quality. Gasoline is thought to have a very low octane rating, and diesel is likely high is sulfur.
External information about gasoline
Unknown.
Link to external websites with price & quality information, if available.
Safety / Security Considerations
Driving at night
Driving at night is not recommended.
- Extremely poor road quality means potholes, washouts and other hazards are common.
- Dangerous driving such as tailgating, overtaking around blind corners and excessive speeding are common.
- There can be many objects on and around the road that are nearly impossible to see at night, such as livestock, people, slow moving carts, cars with no lights, etc.
Vehicle parking
Parking vehicles on the street in smaller towns during the day is typically OK. Find a secure parking lot in big cities and at night. Cost is around 5 Bolivianos per night.
Special driving considerations
The roads in Bolivia are notoriously bad, so be extra watchful for road hazards like potholes, washouts and bad roads in general.
Drugs and related problems are increasing around Santa Cruz, probably the most dangerous part of Bolivia. The roads to Brazil in the East are more dangerous than elsewhere in the country.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Bolivia - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Paper maps
Maps of Bolivia are difficult to find, and road conditions change daily. Purchase maps before arriving in Bolivia.
GPS
- Open Street Map: Appears to have good coverage.[1]
- Garmin: No map of Bolivia.[2]
- TomTom: No map of Bolivia. [3]
Camping
Camping is not common or popular in Bolivia, though a few hostels in touristy areas have camping to cater for backpackers.
Prices for camping at hostels fluctuates with the tourist seasons - check a backpacker guide book.
Many Overland travelers roadside camp on the Salar de Uyuni and further South, and consider it safe enough. Note the overnight temperatures can be extremely low.
Camping guide books
No specific book exists, though the usual backpacker guide books mention when a hostel has camping facilities.
Links for camping sites
Propane filling
Drinking water
Tap water in Bolivia is not safe to drink. Every corner store sells 1 and 2 liter bottles, while 20 liter bottles are extremely difficult to find (possibly only available in La Paz).
Overland Travel Interest
Special Overland interests
- The Salar de Uyuni - The breathtaking Salt Flats are high on the list of every Overlander traveling across South America. Purchasing gas in Uyuni can be difficult depending on the time of year, day of week and who serves you. When supply is limited you will almost certainly be charged the "tourist" rate (double the normal price) and will not be allowed to fill containers. Plan accordingly.
Enter the salt flats in Colchani.
When entering or exiting the salt flats it's important to drive on the most worn tracks to avoid sinking into the very soft salt/mud/muck.
Following the black tire tracks on the actual salt is the easiest way to navigate. Many people have also put their GPS tracks online so you can be sure to go the right way. [4]
After leaving the salt flats, be sure to thoroughly wash the underside of your vehicle to remove the salt.
- South to Chile through the Altiplano - Overlanders looking for further adventure can continue South from the Salar, cross the Atcama desert and finally arrive in Chile. The total distance between gas stations is around 615km[5], and takes around 1 week. There a no official gas stations along they way, only occasionally people selling on the side of the road from a container. Food and water are equally as scarce, so you must be prepared. Temperatures swing wildly from hot, dry days to extremely cold nights, well below freezing.
This discussion on the Horizons Unlimited Bulletin Board has a list of very useful GPS way-points for the major places and turns, as signs are extremely rare and it's very easy to get lost.
- The Road Of Death -
List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders
Guide Books
Vehicle Maintenance
List Garages &/or dealerships for major vehicle manufacturers (including motorbikes).
Trusted mechanics can also be listed here.
Buying and selling vehicles
Buying a vehicle as a foreigner
A foreigner can buy a Bolivian vehicle. If you plan on leaving Bolivia with the vehicle, make certain all the papers, including any insurance are in your name. This process is often so difficult most Bolivians simply leave the name of the previous owner on the paperwork - you will not be allowed leave the country without changing the name.
Selling a foreign-plated vehicle
Unknown. Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
References
Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.
- ↑ OpenStreetMap Bolivia
- ↑ Garmin coverage map
- ↑ TomTom Map availability
- ↑ Garmin track log
- ↑ The Uyuni Salt Flats to Chile Pt. 2
Helpful External links
Add any helpful external links here.
