Bolivia Travel Requirements 2026: Visa, Vaccines, Money and Safety

Last updated: November 2026 · Written by the Andes 2 Amazon team in La Paz

Bolivia changed several important travel rules in the last year: Americans no longer need a visa, and the boliviano is no longer fixed to the US dollar. Here is what you need to know before you travel, from our team in La Paz. Rules can change quickly, so always confirm with official sources before you fly.

Quick answer

• Visa: since December 1, 2025, US citizens can visit Bolivia without a visa for tourism, for up to 90 days. Most EU, UK, Canadian and Australian travelers also enter visa-free.
• Passport: valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
• Yellow fever: a certificate is required only if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk, and the vaccine is recommended if you visit the Amazon lowlands. It is not needed for La Paz, Lake Titicaca, Sucre or Uyuni.
• Money: the exchange rate now moves every day. Bring clean US dollar bills and carry bolivianos in cash for entrance fees.
• Safety: the main risks are road blockades, petty crime and altitude. Keep a buffer day in your plans.

Do I need a visa for Bolivia?

In late 2025 Bolivia removed the visa requirement for citizens of the United States and several other countries, including Israel, South Korea and South Africa. US travelers can now enter for tourism or business for up to 90 days with just their passport. Study, work, volunteering or residence still require a visa.

Travelers from most European countries, the UK, Canada and Australia have entered Bolivia visa-free for years. Some nationalities still need a visa in advance, so check with the nearest Bolivian consulate if you are not sure.

Passport and entry tips

• Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
• Keep the entry stamp or paper you receive at immigration until you leave.
• If you cross by land from Peru, Chile or Argentina, make sure you get an entry stamp at the border.

Vaccines and health

Yellow fever

Bolivia asks for a yellow fever certificate from travelers aged one year and over who arrive from a country with yellow fever risk — for example, overland from Brazil. Travelers flying in from North America, Europe or Australia usually do not need one.

The vaccine is recommended if you visit the lowlands east of the Andes: the Bolivian Amazon (Rurrenabaque, Madidi and the pampas), Beni, Pando and Santa Cruz. If you are joining one of our pampas or Madidi jungle tours, talk to a travel health clinic at least 10 days before you leave, because the certificate becomes valid 10 days after the shot.

Other vaccines

Make sure your routine vaccines are up to date. Hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly recommended for Bolivia. Ask a travel doctor about rabies or malaria prevention if you will spend time in rural lowland areas.

Altitude

No vaccine prevents altitude sickness, and it is the health issue our guests notice most. La Paz sits at about 3,640 m, El Alto airport at about 4,060 m and the Uyuni salt flat at about 3,650 m. Take it easy for the first two days, drink water and avoid alcohol on arrival. Read our full guide to altitude sickness in Bolivia.

Money: bolivianos, dollars and cards

For many years the boliviano was fixed at about 6.96 per US dollar. In 2026 the Central Bank of Bolivia moved to a flexible exchange rate, so the official rate now changes every day. Check the current rate on the Central Bank of Bolivia website before you travel and when you exchange money.

• Bring US dollars in cash, in clean bills without tears or marks — damaged notes are often refused.
• Carry bolivianos in small notes for taxis, markets, toilets and entrance fees. On Uyuni tours, park fees such as Isla Incahuasi and the Eduardo Avaroa reserve are paid in cash in bolivianos.
• Cards work in most hotels, good restaurants and larger shops in La Paz, Sucre and Santa Cruz, but much less in small towns and on tours.
• Exchange money at banks or authorized exchange offices, not on the street.

Is Bolivia safe to visit?

Most visits to Bolivia go smoothly, and the main tourist routes — La Paz, Lake Titicaca, Sucre, Potosí and Uyuni — are visited by thousands of travelers every year. As of October 2026, Canada's travel advice for Bolivia is "exercise a high degree of caution" and recommends avoiding all travel to the Chapare region.

Road blockades

Protests and road blockades (bloqueos) are the issue most likely to affect your trip. They can start with little warning and close the roads between cities for hours or days. Our advice:

• Keep at least one buffer day before your international flight.
• Book with an operator that follows the roads every day and can change routes or switch to a flight.
• Never try to cross a blockade on foot or by car, and stay away from demonstrations, especially around Plaza Murillo in La Paz.

Everyday safety

• Watch your bag and phone in markets, buses and busy streets.
• Use radio taxis or ride-hailing apps rather than hailing taxis on the street, especially at night.
• Choose established tour companies, particularly for Uyuni and adventure activities. In the rainy season (roughly November to March), parts of the salt flat can flood and routes change for safety.

Frequently asked questions

Do Americans need a visa for Bolivia in 2026?

No. Since December 1, 2025, US citizens can enter Bolivia visa-free for tourism or business for up to 90 days with a passport valid for six months.

Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for Bolivia?

Only if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk (certificate required) or plan to visit the Amazon lowlands (vaccine recommended). It is not needed for a highlands trip to La Paz, Titicaca and Uyuni.

Should I bring dollars or bolivianos?

Bring clean US dollars and change some into bolivianos on arrival. Use bolivianos in cash for daily expenses and park fees.

What happens to my tour if there is a blockade?

On our tours we follow road conditions every day and, when a blockade affects your route, we suggest an alternative — a different route, a flight or a change of dates. That is one reason we recommend a buffer day.

Sources and further reading: Central Bank of Bolivia (exchange rate), Government of Canada, Bolivia travel advice, U.S. Department of State, travel information, Explore: US citizens can now visit Bolivia without a visa.

Plan your trip with a local team

We are based in La Paz and follow these changes every day. Tell us your dates and nationality and we will help you plan a safe, realistic itinerary — see our Bolivia itinerary ideas, our tours, or contact us.