Is Bolivia safe for tourists and expats? Bolivia can be visited and lived in safely, but travelers should take sensible precautions and remain aware of their surroundings. The main concerns include theft, robbery, scams, transport-related crime, demonstrations and roadblocks. Safety conditions can also vary considerably between cities and regions.
Bolivia is a diverse country with major tourist destinations such as La Paz, Uyuni, Lake Titicaca, Sucre, Potosí and Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Millions of everyday activities take place normally, but visitors should not assume that every area or form of transportation carries the same level of risk.
Current travel advisories recommend increased caution in Bolivia because of crime and civil unrest. Conditions can change quickly during protests, strikes and roadblocks. Check current local information before traveling, especially if you are planning long-distance road travel.
Bolivia is a popular destination for international travelers, but tourists can be particularly vulnerable to petty theft and distraction scams in crowded areas, markets, bus terminals and tourist locations.
Official travel advice from several governments warns that theft and robbery can occur in major cities and tourist destinations. Pickpocketing is especially possible on buses, in bus stations and in crowded public places.
Crime is one of the main safety concerns for visitors and residents. Petty theft is common in busy urban and tourist areas, while robbery and other forms of violent crime can also occur.
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs specifically warns that theft, robbery and other violent crimes can affect travelers in Bolivia. It identifies areas including parts of La Paz, El Alto, Copacabana and Santa Cruz as places where visitors should take particular care.
This does not mean that visitors should avoid Bolivia altogether. It means that normal tourist precautions are particularly important.
Pickpocketing is one of the most common problems reported to travelers. Thieves may work in groups and use distractions to take wallets, phones or other valuables.
Places where you should be particularly alert include:
A good rule is simple: if you are in a crowded place, assume that your valuables need active protection.
Transportation deserves particular attention. Official travel advice warns about risks involving unregistered or unofficial taxis, including robbery and express kidnapping.
Whenever possible, use a reputable taxi company, radio taxi or established ride-hailing service rather than accepting a ride from an unknown driver on the street.
Public transportation is widely used throughout Bolivia, but travelers should remain alert. Theft can occur on buses, minibuses and at bus terminals.
Long-distance buses are an important part of transportation between Bolivian cities. Research the operator before booking, particularly for long overnight journeys.
For long-distance travel, allow extra time in your itinerary. Protests, strikes and roadblocks can disrupt roads and public transportation with little warning.
Safety varies between cities and neighborhoods. There is no single answer that applies equally to every part of Bolivia.
La Paz is one of Bolivia's most important tourist and business centers. It is also one of the places where visitors should take particular precautions against theft, robbery and transport-related crime.
Take extra care around busy transport areas, crowded markets and the area around major bus terminals. Avoid unfamiliar or isolated streets at night and keep valuables concealed.
Santa Cruz is Bolivia's largest metropolitan center and an important commercial city. Crime, including theft and robbery, can occur, so visitors should maintain normal urban safety precautions.
Be especially careful at night, around transport hubs and in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
Cochabamba is an important Bolivian city and a popular place for longer-term residents and visitors. Petty crime can occur in busy areas, markets and public transportation.
Visitors should also be aware that the wider Cochabamba Department contains the Chapare region, which currently carries significantly higher security concerns.
Sucre is Bolivia's constitutional capital and a major cultural and historical destination. Visitors should still protect their belongings and avoid isolated areas after dark.
As with other Bolivian cities, safety can vary between neighborhoods, so local advice from your accommodation or trusted contacts can be useful.
Uyuni is famous for the Salar de Uyuni and attracts travelers from around the world. Tourist areas can still experience theft, and road and weather conditions can make remote travel more challenging.
For excursions into remote areas, use established tour operators and experienced guides.
Some locations and situations require considerably more care than a normal tourist visit.
The Chapare region in Cochabamba Department currently has a particularly high level of concern. Current international travel advice recommends avoiding or reconsidering travel to the region because of violent crime and criminal activity associated with drug trafficking.
If your itinerary includes the Chapare area, check the latest official travel advice before traveling.
Some border regions can present additional security concerns. Travelers should check current local conditions before traveling near international borders, particularly when traveling independently or away from established tourist routes.
Bolivia offers spectacular hiking, mountain and wilderness experiences. However, remote areas can have limited emergency assistance.
For hiking and adventure activities, use experienced guides and established operators, particularly when traveling in remote areas.
One of the most important differences between safety in Bolivia and ordinary city-based travel is the possibility of demonstrations, strikes and roadblocks.
Protests can develop quickly and roadblocks can interrupt buses, roads, airport access and the movement of food, fuel and other supplies.
This is particularly important for travelers planning long-distance journeys between La Paz, Uyuni, Potosí, Sucre, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz.
Bolivia is not uniformly unsafe at night, but visitors should use more caution after dark.
Expats living in Bolivia can reduce many everyday risks by becoming familiar with their neighborhood and local transportation options.
Families can live and travel in Bolivia, but parents should take the same precautions they would in any country where petty crime and transportation risks exist.
Safety in Bolivia is not only about crime. Altitude is an important consideration for travelers visiting destinations in the Andes.
La Paz, El Alto, Oruro, Potosí and Uyuni are all located at high elevations. Visitors arriving from lower elevations can experience altitude sickness.
Common symptoms can include headache, dizziness, tiredness, nausea and shortness of breath.
If you are robbed, prioritize your personal safety rather than trying to fight or chase the offender.
If your phone was stolen, use another device to secure your important accounts and remotely lock or erase the device where possible.
Emergency numbers can change or have local limitations. Verify important numbers with your accommodation or local authorities when you arrive.
Bolivia has tourist police services that can assist visitors in certain locations. The U.S. State Department currently lists tourist police contacts for La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz.
Keep in mind that telephone services and local contact numbers can change, so verify the current information before relying on a number during an emergency.
Yes, Bolivia can be a safe destination for tourists and a viable place for expats to live, but visitors should take safety seriously.
The biggest everyday concerns for many travelers are theft, pickpocketing, robbery, scams and transportation-related risks. Political demonstrations and roadblocks are another important consideration, particularly when traveling between cities.
The safest approach is not to avoid Bolivia, but to travel intelligently: protect your belongings, use reputable transportation, avoid demonstrations, check road conditions, research your destination and follow current local and government travel advice.