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Bolivia

Bolivia

Capital:La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (constitutional [legislative and judicial] capital)
Population:9.9M
Currency:Bolivianos (BOB)
Language:Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official)
Rock formation near La Paz

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Bolivia.

Bolivia Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

In Bolivia, scheduled events begin late since arriving on time is not expected. Bolivians maintain little personal space and tend to stand close during conversations. In restaurants, the tip is usually included but leaving a little extra is considered polite.

Cultural Attributes

In Bolivia, scheduled events begin late since arriving on time is not expected. Bolivians maintain little personal space and tend to stand close during conversations. In restaurants, the tip is usually included but leaving a little extra is considered polite.

Rock formation near La Paz

Land of the Liberator's Legacy

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

Eye contact is considered essential and avoiding eye contact shows a lack of trust, suspicion, or shyness. The title Senor ("Mr."), Senora ("Mrs."), or Senorita ("Miss") is used for first-time introductions or for a stranger such as a store owner. Patting someone on the shoulder is a sign of friendship.

Diet

A Bolivian breakfast usually consists of a cornmeal drink called “api” and an “empanada” (a pocket of pastry filled with cheese and other ingredients). Many people take a mid-morning break to eat a “salteña”. Salteñas are a national dish. They are pockets of pastry filled with beef or chicken, peas, potatoes, onions, olives, raisins and an egg.

Church of San Francisco in La Paz

Family

Bolivian families, especially those in rural areas, may include grandparents as well as parents and children. Grandparents often take care of their grandchildren if both parents work outside of the home. Children are taught to be respectful of their elders and often have a close relationship with their grandparents. If grandparents are not available, older children often watch over their brothers and sisters.

Recreation

Bolivians love soccer, which is called "futbol" in Spanish. Many Bolivians enjoy playing chess and card games. Women often play canasta or rummy. Men get together on Fridays, which are commonly called Bachelor Fridays, to play cacho, a game with dice, or sapo, in which they try to shoot small metal pieces into the mouth of a receptacle shaped like a frog.

Student Life

Bolivians in general eat three meals a day, breakfast being the lightest of the three. Breakfast usually consists of a breadlike pastry and a drink, often tea or coffee for teenagers and adults. Various pastries and local fruits are also common in a Bolivian breakfast.

Holidays

  • Independence Day

    8/6

    Independence Day

  • Christmas

    12/25

    Christmas

    Christmas in Bolivia is a more of a religious celebration and Christmas decorations and gifts are few, Christmas trees are absent, and Nativity scenes are usually handmade.

    In many villages, villagers congregate for communal meals which may feature pork, beef, fresh vegetables, and locotos (chili). More colorful festivities happen on New Year’s eve.

Dates of Interest

  • December 25th

    Christmas in Bolivia is more of a religious celebration and Christmas decorations and gifts are few. Christmas trees are absent and Nativity scenes are usually handmade. In many villages, villagers congregate for communal meals which may feature pork, beef, fresh vegetables, and locotos (chili). More colorful festivities happen on New Year's eve.

How do people greet and address each other in Bolivia?

For first-time introductions or when addressing a stranger such as a store owner, use the titles Señor (Mr.), Señora (Mrs.), or Señorita (Miss).

Do

  • Use Señor, Señora, or Señorita for first introductions
  • Maintain eye contact when speaking

Don’t

  • Avoid eye contact, as it signals distrust, suspicion, or shyness

What are meals and eating customs like in Bolivia?

Lunch is generally the most important meal, often eaten at home with family and starting with soup before a main course, while breakfast and supper are lighter.

Do

  • Try national dishes like salteñas (pastry pockets with meat, peas, potatoes, olives, raisins, and egg)
  • Expect a mid-morning salteña break and an afternoon tea break with pastry
  • Sample staples like potatoes, corn, beans, quinoa, cassava, and fried plantains

Good to know

  • Breakfast is typically api (a cornmeal drink) with a cheese empanada
  • Lunch breaks are long, so plan around them
  • Preserved potatoes called chuños are common in rural cooking
  • Enjoy treats like sweet popcorn (pasankalla), choclo, and fruits such as chirimoya

What social etiquette should travelers know in Bolivia?

Punctuality is relaxed—scheduled events start late—and people stand close during conversations with little personal space.

Do

  • Expect events to begin late
  • Leave a little extra even though the tip is usually included in restaurants

Don’t

  • Don't expect strict punctuality
  • Don't be surprised by close personal space in conversation

How do people dress in Bolivia?

Dress varies by ethnic group, social class, and location; urban Bolivians tend to wear European-style clothing while Aymara and Quechua people have distinctive traditional dress.

Good to know

  • Aymara women wear bright skirts (polleras) and bowler hats
  • Aymara men wear striped ponchos and ear-flap hats called chullos
  • Quechua women wear long skirts and hats unique to their village
  • Some Quechua and Aymara people now wear Western clothes

What gestures are important in Bolivia?

Eye contact is considered essential, and a pat on the shoulder is a friendly gesture.

Do

  • Maintain eye contact
  • Pat someone on the shoulder to show friendship

Don’t

  • Don't avoid eye contact, as it shows distrust or shyness

What is family life like in Bolivia?

Families, especially in rural areas, often include grandparents, who help raise grandchildren when parents work, and children are taught to respect their elders.

Good to know

  • Older children often watch over younger siblings
  • Godparents (compadrazgo) play an important, lifelong role connecting families

What do Bolivians do for recreation?

Soccer (fútbol) is hugely popular, and Bolivians also enjoy chess, card games, and traditional games.

Good to know

  • Men gather on 'Bachelor Fridays' to play cacho (dice) or sapo
  • Women often play canasta or rummy
  • Children play with marbles, tops (trompos), and hopscotch (coscoja/tuncuna)
  • Lake Titicaca hosts an annual reed boat race and a swimming race

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Bolivia

Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Currency
6.91
Time Difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
Bolivia lies entirely within the Tropics, but extreme differences in elevation from 300 feet (90 meters) along the Brazilian border to 21,000 feet (6,400 meters) at the highest peaks produce a great variety of climatic conditions. Coupled with soil diversity, this produces highly varied vegetation, from the sparse scrub grasses in semiarid highlands to lush rain forests containing a variety of hardwoods (Mahogany, South American, Oak, and Cedar). There are two seasons in La Paz: a rainy season beginning in December and continuing through March (it rains almost daily during this period), and a dry season running from April to November. The climate is generally cool, but brilliant sunshine raises daytime temperatures. Midday outdoor parties and activities are pleasant. Rainfall averages 20 inches (51 centimeters) a year.
Airports
1,067
Recommended Vaccinations
How important is it to do your research about vaccinations? It might just save your life! Make yourself aware of the different types of vaccinations and which ones you may need to travel to your destination. Schedule an appointment with your doctor at least four to six weeks before you travel to ensure you receive all important shots. Be sure that you and your family are up to date on your routine vaccinations. Which vaccinations you need will depend on a number of factors including your destination, whether you will be spending time in rural areas, the season of the year you are traveling, your age, health status, and previous immunizations.
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Recipes

History

Historical Eras

  1. Pre-Columbian Era

    500 BCE – 1538

    The Tiwanaku civilization flourished near Lake Titicaca from roughly 500 BCE, establishing the first great Andean empire and leaving monumental ruins that endure today. The Aymara kingdoms later dominated the Altiplano before being absorbed into the expansive Inca Empire in the fifteenth century. These cultures established linguistic and agricultural traditions — including terrace farming and quinoa cultivation — that persisted long after European contact.

  2. Spanish Colonial Rule

    1538 – 1825

    Spanish conquistadors subjugated the region in 1538, establishing the Audiencia of Charcas and transforming it into one of the crown's most lucrative territories through the silver mines of Potosí, the largest deposits in the Western Hemisphere. The mita system of forced indigenous labor powered extraction on an immense scale, reshaping society along rigid racial and economic hierarchies. Spain's mercantilist grip endured nearly three centuries, leaving deep imprints on Bolivia's institutions, language, and economic dependence on mineral exports.

  3. Independence & Caudillo Era

    1825 – 1879

    Bolivia declared independence in 1825, named in honor of liberator Simón Bolívar, who briefly served as its first president with Antonio José de Sucre governing in practice. The early republic was defined by chronic instability, as rival caudillos orchestrated nearly constant coups and countercoups while the economy struggled to recover from the wars of independence. Indigenous tribute taxes remained the government's primary revenue source, and meaningful reform proved elusive amid factional military rivalries.

  4. Liberal & Tin Age

    1879 – 1932

    The War of the Pacific (1879–1884) stripped Bolivia of its coastal Atacama territory, rendering it permanently landlocked and profoundly reshaping national identity. Defeat paradoxically ushered in greater political stability as civilian governments supplanted caudillo rule, and the rise of tin mining — dominated by Bolivian magnates such as Simón Patiño — generated substantial export wealth. The Conservative, Liberal, and Republican parties alternated power while largely serving mining interests, and modest democratization benefited the urban middle class while leaving the indigenous majority excluded.

  5. Revolution & Military Rule

    1932 – 1982

    Catastrophic defeat in the Chaco War against Paraguay (1932–1935) discredited the traditional oligarchy and opened Bolivia to radical reform movements, culminating in the 1952 National Revolution led by the Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (MNR), which nationalized the tin mines, enacted universal suffrage, and redistributed land to peasants. The revolution's momentum stalled under economic mismanagement, inviting a 1964 coup by General René Barrientos and inaugurating decades of military intervention punctuated by brief civilian interludes. The period saw the US-assisted suppression of Che Guevara's guerrilla campaign in 1967 and a succession of generals — including Hugo Banzer Suárez — ruling by decree through the 1970s.

  6. Democratic Modern Era

    1982 – present

    Sustained civilian democratic governance was restored in 1982 when General Torrelio's resignation allowed the return of elected government under Hernán Siles Zuazo, ending a half-century of recurring military coups. Bolivia navigated severe economic crises, hyperinflation, and contentious coca eradication programs backed by the United States throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The 2006 election of Evo Morales — the country's first indigenous president — marked a transformative shift, bringing nationalizations of natural gas resources, a new plurinational constitution in 2009, and sustained tension between indigenous movements, regional elites, and international investors.

Overview

THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF Bolivia reflects both its pre-Columbian and its colonial heritage. The ruins of Tiahuanaco testify to the first great Andean empire. Bolivians still speak the languages of the Aymara kingdoms and of their Quechua conquerors; the society remains predominantly Indian and rural, and only a minority is monolingual in Spanish. Nevertheless, Spain also left its imprint in the political, economic, and social spheres.

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1538

    Spanish conquer Bolivia

    Spanish conquer Bolivia, which becomes part of the Vice-royalty of Peru.

  2. 1825

    Bolivia becomes independent with Simon Bolivar as its president.

    Bolivia becomes independent with Simon Bolivar as its president.

  3. 1879 – 1984

    Bolivia becomes landlocked.

    Bolivia becomes landlocked after losing mineral-rich, coastal territory in the Atacama to Chile.

  4. 1903

    Bolivia loses the rubber-rich province of Acre to Brazil.

    Bolivia loses the rubber-rich province of Acre to Brazi.

  5. 1920

    Rebellion by indigenous peoples.

    Rebellion by indigenous peoples.

  6. 1932 – 1935

    Bolivia loses territory to Paraguay after it is defeated in the Chaco War.

    Bolivia loses territory to Paraguay after it is defeated in the Chaco War.

  7. 1952

    Peasants and miners overthrow military regime

    Peasants and miners overthrow military regime; Victor Paz Estenssoro returns from exile to become president and introduces social and economic reforms, including universal suffrage, nationalization of tin mines and land redistribution, and improves education and the status of indigenous peoples.

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Interesting Facts

  • Bolivia is named after Simón Bolivar, the great South American liberator. Bolivar led the struggle to free Bolivia and the rest of South America from Spanish colonial rule. He was also the author of Bolivia's first constitution.

  • Palaeontologists come to Bolivia to study its preserved dinosaur footprints. The footprints of titanosauruses, ankylosauruses and theropods have been found near Sucre.

  • Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. There are ancient ruins near the lake and on the island called Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun).

  • There are still Incan roads in Bolivia. These roads were built over some of the roughest terrain in the world. During Incan times, messengers called chasquis ran along these roads delivering messages across the Incan empire.

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Geography and Environment

Landlocked Bolivia shares borders with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru. With an area of 424,000 square miles (1,099,050 square kilometers). Bolivia has three well-defined geographic zones — high plateau (altiplano), temperate and semitropical valleys of the eastern mountain slopes (yungas), and tropical lowlands (llanos) of the Amazon River Basin. Lying between the main eastern and western ridges of the Andean Mountains, the altiplano is 500 miles (805 kilometers) long and 80 miles (130 kilometers) wide.
Terrain
rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin
Climate
Bolivia lies entirely within the Tropics, but extreme differences in elevation from 300 feet (90 meters) along the Brazilian border to 21,000 feet (6,400 meters) at the highest peaks produce a great variety of climatic conditions. Coupled with soil diversity, this produces highly varied vegetation, from the sparse scrub grasses in semiarid highlands to lush rain forests containing a variety of hardwoods (Mahogany, South American, Oak, and Cedar). There are two seasons in La Paz — a rainy season beginning in December and continuing through March (it rains almost daily during this period), and a dry season running from April to November. The climate is generally cool, but brilliant sunshine raises daytime temperatures. Midday outdoor parties and activities are pleasant. Rainfall averages 20 inches (51 centimeters) a year.
Natural Hazards
flooding in the northeast (March-April)
Current Environmental Issues
the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official)

  • Aymara
  • Quechua
  • Spanish

Population

Population
9,947,418
Population in Major Urban Areas
Santa Cruz 1.719 million; LA PAZ (capital) 1.715 million; Sucre (constitutional capital) 307,000
Nationality Noun
Bolivian(s)
Ethnic Groups
Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15%

Education

Literacy Definition
Age 15 and over can read and write

Classes usually begin at 8:00 a.m. and finish at 1:00 in the afternoon, Monday through Friday, although some schools will stop at noon for a lunch break, and then open back up from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m.

Many but not all schools require a school uniform of white shirts and pants or skirts. In secondary school, students in some schools might also need to have a separate sports uniform.

There is a wide variety of school resources in the Bolivian schools. In the poorer parts of the country, the schools lack benches, desks, and blackboards. The benches are old, and the schools are poorly maintained. In the cities, schools may have modern resources, complete with well-maintained facilities and sufficient computers for students to study technology, including Internet connectivity. A normal class size is 30 children.

Health Information

Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
Very high
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Bolivia
Full Country Name
Republic of Bolivia
Local - Long
Republica de Bolivia
Local - Short
Bolivia

Government Structure

Government Type
republic
Legal System
based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 18 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: Juan Evo MORALES Ayma elected president; percent of vote - Juan Evo MORALES Ayma 53.7%; Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez 28.6%; Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana 7.8%; Michiaki NAGATANI Morishit 6.5%; Felipe QUISPE Huanca 2.2%; Guildo ANGULA Cabrera 0.7%
Legislative Branch
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; 69 are directly elected from their districts and 61 are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PODEMOS 13, MAS 12, UN 1, MNR 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MAS 73, PODEMOS 43, UN 8, MNR 6
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases)
Suffrage
18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age, universal and compulsory (single)
Constitution
2 February 1967; revised in August 1994
Independence
6 August 1825 (from Spain)
National Holiday
Independence Day, 6 August (1825)

Capital City

Capital Name
La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (constitutional [legislative and judicial] capital)
Capital - geographic coordinate
16 30 S, 68 09 W
Capital Time Difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

La Paz is a shortening of the original name of the city, Nuestra Senora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace); Sucre is named after Antonio Jose de SUCRE (1795-1830), military hero in the independence struggle from Spain and the second president of Bolivia

note: at approximately 3,630 m above sea level, La Paz's elevation makes it the highest capital city in the world

Military

Branches: Bolivian Armed Forces: Bolivian Army (Ejercito Boliviano, EB), Bolivian Naval Force (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, FNB; includes Marines), Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana, FAB)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

U.S. Embassy La Paz

Avenida Arce 2780, La Paz, Bolivia

Telephone: 591-2-216-8246

After Hours Emergency Number:591-216-8000

Facsimile: 591-2-216-8808

ConsularLaPazACS@state.gov

There are two Consular Agencies in Bolivia that provide limited services to U.S. citizens, including accepting passport applications which are then processed in La Paz. To request routine services at one of the Consular Agencies, please schedule an appointment through the Embassy's web page.

U.S. Consular Agency Santa Cruz

Avenida Roque Aguilera #146 (3er Anillo), Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Telephone: 591-3-351-3477 / 351-3479

Facsimile: 591-3-351-3478

U.S. Consular Agency Cochabamba

Edificio "SAAL", Avenida Pando No. 1122, Piso 1, Suites B and C, Cochabamba, Bolivia

Telephone: 591-4-411-6313

Facsimile: 591-4- 448-9119

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Economy

Bolivia, long one of the poorest and least developed countries in Latin America, has undergone significant economic transformation over recent decades. Following market-oriented reforms in the 1990s under President Sánchez de Lozada — including the privatization of state enterprises and trade agreements with regional partners — the country shifted course dramatically in the mid-2000s under President Evo Morales, who nationalized key industries including hydrocarbons, telecommunications, and electricity. This state-led model, backed by a commodity boom, drove strong GDP growth and helped cut poverty rates substantially through the 2000s and early 2010s. However, the economy has since entered a period of pronounced strain. Bolivia remains heavily dependent on natural gas exports, but declining production and dwindling proven reserves have eroded what was once the country's main source of foreign revenue, transforming Bolivia from a net energy exporter into a growing importer of fuels. The resulting pressure on public finances has led to persistent fiscal deficits, a sharp drawdown of foreign currency reserves, and chronic shortages of US dollars that have spilled over into parallel exchange rate markets and rising inflation. Costly fuel subsidies, sporadic shortages of gasoline and diesel, and pressure on the long-standing peg of the boliviano have compounded the difficulties, prompting social unrest and political tension ahead of the 2025 general elections, in which voters ended nearly two decades of Movimiento al Socialismo rule. Agriculture, mining — particularly of zinc, silver, tin, and gold — and a large informal sector remain important pillars of the economy. Bolivia holds some of the world's largest identified lithium resources in the Salar de Uyuni, and partnerships with Chinese and Russian firms to develop direct lithium extraction technology represent a key, though still largely unrealized, opportunity for long-term diversification. Reducing dependence on commodity exports, restoring macroeconomic stability, and attracting sustainable investment remain the central challenges for Bolivia's economic future.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Bolivianos (BOB)
GDP — official exchange rate
$9,657,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
4%
Gini Index
60.6

Banknotes

Bolivia Money - Front
Bolivia Money - Front
Bolivia Money - Back
Bolivia Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
Annual Budget
$3,189,000,000 (USD)
External Debt
$6,430,000,000 (USD)
Investment (% of GDP)
9%
Economic Aid
$588,000,000 (USD)
Current Account Balance
$376,000,000 (USD)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange
$1,688,000,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
agriculture NA%; industry NA%; services NA%
Household Income — highest 10%
32%
Industries
mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing
Agriculture Products
soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber
Export Commodities
soybeans, natural gas, zinc, gold, wood
Export Partners
Brazil 24.3%, Switzerland 15.7%, US 14.1%, Venezuela 12.8%, Colombia 10.2%, Peru 5.4%
Import Commodities
capital goods, raw materials and semi-manufactures, chemicals, petroleum, food
Import Partners
Brazil 22%, Argentina 17.4%, US 15.6%, Chile 6.9%, Japan 5.5%, Peru 5.4%, China 4.8%

Energy

Oil Production
42,000 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
48,000 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
458,800,000 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
6,720,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
1,740,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
2,900,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
679,600,000,000 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
General Assessment: Bolivian National Telecommunications Company was privatized in 1995 but re-nationalized in 2007; the primary trunk system is being expanded and employs a digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic cable; system operations, reliability, and coverage have steadily improved. Domestic: most telephones are concentrated in La Paz, Santa Cruz, and other capital cities; mobile-cellular telephone use expanding rapidly, and, in 2011, teledensity reached about 80 per 100 persons International: country code - 591; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Internet Country Code
.bo

News & Weather

Current Weather

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Climate Overview

Bolivia lies entirely within the Tropics, but extreme differences in elevation from 300 feet (90 meters) along the Brazilian border to 21,000 feet (6,400 meters) at the highest peaks produce a great variety of climatic conditions. Coupled with soil diversity, this produces highly varied vegetation, from the sparse scrub grasses in semiarid highlands to lush rain forests containing a variety of hardwoods (Mahogany, South American, Oak, and Cedar). There are two seasons in La Paz: a rainy season beginning in December and continuing through March (it rains almost daily during this period), and a dry season running from April to November. The climate is generally cool, but brilliant sunshine raises daytime temperatures. Midday outdoor parties and activities are pleasant. Rainfall averages 20 inches (51 centimeters) a year.

Videos

1 curated YouTube videos.

  • Source: YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Bolivia?
The population of Bolivia is approximately 9.9M.
How do people greet and address each other in Bolivia?
For first-time introductions or when addressing a stranger such as a store owner, use the titles Señor (Mr.), Señora (Mrs.), or Señorita (Miss). Do: Use Señor, Señora, or Señorita for first introductions Maintain eye contact when speaking Don't: Avoid eye contact, as it signals distrust, suspicion, or shyness
What are meals and eating customs like in Bolivia?
Lunch is generally the most important meal, often eaten at home with family and starting with soup before a main course, while breakfast and supper are lighter. Do: Try national dishes like salteñas (pastry pockets with meat, peas, potatoes, olives, raisins, and egg) Expect a mid-morning salteña break and an afternoon tea break with pastry Sample staples like potatoes, corn, beans, quinoa, cassava, and fried plantains Breakfast is typically api (a cornmeal drink) with a cheese empanada Lunch breaks are long, so plan around them Preserved potatoes called chuños are common in rural cooking Enjoy treats like sweet popcorn (pasankalla), choclo, and fruits such as chirimoya
What social etiquette should travelers know in Bolivia?
Punctuality is relaxed—scheduled events start late—and people stand close during conversations with little personal space. Do: Expect events to begin late Leave a little extra even though the tip is usually included in restaurants Don't: Don't expect strict punctuality Don't be surprised by close personal space in conversation
How do people dress in Bolivia?
Dress varies by ethnic group, social class, and location; urban Bolivians tend to wear European-style clothing while Aymara and Quechua people have distinctive traditional dress. Aymara women wear bright skirts (polleras) and bowler hats Aymara men wear striped ponchos and ear-flap hats called chullos Quechua women wear long skirts and hats unique to their village Some Quechua and Aymara people now wear Western clothes
What gestures are important in Bolivia?
Eye contact is considered essential, and a pat on the shoulder is a friendly gesture. Do: Maintain eye contact Pat someone on the shoulder to show friendship Don't: Don't avoid eye contact, as it shows distrust or shyness
What is family life like in Bolivia?
Families, especially in rural areas, often include grandparents, who help raise grandchildren when parents work, and children are taught to respect their elders. Older children often watch over younger siblings Godparents (compadrazgo) play an important, lifelong role connecting families
What do Bolivians do for recreation?
Soccer (fútbol) is hugely popular, and Bolivians also enjoy chess, card games, and traditional games. Men gather on 'Bachelor Fridays' to play cacho (dice) or sapo Women often play canasta or rummy Children play with marbles, tops (trompos), and hopscotch (coscoja/tuncuna) Lake Titicaca hosts an annual reed boat race and a swimming race
What is the capital of Bolivia?
Bolivia has two capitals: Sucre serves as the constitutional capital, housing the legislative and judicial branches of government, while La Paz functions as the seat of the executive branch and is the country's largest administrative center. This unusual arrangement dates to the 19th century, reflecting regional political compromises after independence. La Paz, situated at over 3,600 meters above sea level, is one of the highest capital cities in the world and serves as the primary hub for commerce, government, and international affairs.
Where is Bolivia located?
Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America, positioned in the heart of the continent. It sits on the Andean plateau and eastern lowlands, sharing a strategic position between the Andes mountain range to the west and the vast Amazon Basin to the north and east. Bolivia lost its Pacific coastline to Chile following the War of the Pacific (1879–1884), a territorial loss that continues to shape its national identity and foreign policy to this day.
What countries border Bolivia?
Bolivia shares borders with five countries: Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the northwest. This central Andean position makes Bolivia a crossroads of South American cultures and trade routes. Despite being landlocked, Bolivia maintains an active river network connecting it to the Atlantic Ocean via the Paraguay and Amazon river systems.
What is the predominant religion in Bolivia?
Roman Catholicism is by far the dominant faith in Bolivia, practiced by approximately 95 percent of the population, with Protestant denominations accounting for the remaining 5 percent. Catholicism was introduced during Spanish colonial rule and became deeply woven into Bolivian cultural life, blending over centuries with indigenous Andean spiritual traditions. Religious festivals, many tied to the Catholic calendar, remain central to community identity throughout the country, particularly in rural and highland regions.
What currency does Bolivia use?
Bolivia's official currency is the boliviano, with the ISO code BOB. The currency is named in honor of Simón Bolívar, the independence hero after whom the country itself is also named. The boliviano replaced an earlier currency following a period of hyperinflation in the 1980s and has remained relatively stable since economic reforms were enacted. U.S. dollars are widely accepted in larger cities and tourist areas, though local transactions are predominantly conducted in bolivianos.
What languages are spoken in Bolivia?
Bolivia recognizes Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara as official languages, reflecting the country's deep indigenous heritage alongside its Spanish colonial legacy. In total, Bolivian law officially recognizes 36 languages, including numerous other indigenous tongues spoken by smaller communities. Spanish is the primary language of government, commerce, and urban life, while Quechua and Aymara remain widely spoken in highland and rural communities. This multilingualism is a point of national pride and was formally enshrined in Bolivia's 2009 constitution.
What is Bolivia known for?
Bolivia is known for several distinctive features: the vast salt flat of Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest, which draws photographers and travelers from around the globe; Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, shared with Peru and dotted with ancient ruins including those on the sacred Isla del Sol; and remarkable dinosaur trackways near Sucre, where fossilized footprints of titanosaurs, ankylosaurs, and theropods have been preserved. Bolivia is also one of the world's leading producers of lithium, silver, and natural gas, and its highland markets are renowned for traditional textiles and coca-leaf culture.
Who was Bolivia named after?
Bolivia is named after Simón Bolívar, the Venezuelan-born military and political leader who played a decisive role in liberating much of South America from Spanish colonial rule in the early 19th century. When the country declared independence in 1825, it adopted his name in his honor; Bolívar also authored Bolivia's first constitution. He remains one of the most revered figures in Latin American history, and his legacy is commemorated throughout Bolivia in monuments, institutions, and the national currency itself.

Last reviewed 2026