Bolivia Land Extension: (1.098.581 square kilometers)
Inhabitants: 10.390.000 inhabitants according to 2012 census.
President: Mr. Evo Morales Ayma
Capital: SUCRE Constitutional Capital City. La Paz Government seat.
Climate: Cold in the mountains, warm in the valleys and hot in the plains.
Religion: Catholic, liberty of cult.
Time zone and voltage: Four hours behind Greenwich Main Time (GMT -4).Principally 220v. In some situations 110v.
Currency: Boliviano (Bs.)
Exchange rate relative to the dollar is variable, one US Dollar = Bs. 6,97. Bills of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Bs. (More Information » Banco Central de Bolivia
Automatic Machine Bank
The networks ENLACE and REDBANK operate in Bolivia.
PLUS and CIRRUS debit cards are accepted.
VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards are accepted.
Foreign Currency
American Dollar are in free circulation. Bills should not be torn, not even in a small corner or they will not be accepted. Currency can be exchanged in banks and currency exchanges.
To exchange Euros, go to Banco BISA in the city of La Paz
Though there are epidemics or risk diseases in Boliviaa, it is recomemended that travellers get vaccinated against yellow fever and take precaution against malaria when visiting the tropical regions such as the north of La Paz and the Beni (the Amazon) or the Yungas.
Bolivia has an excellent supply of medicines, including foreing medicines and medicines manufactured in local laboratories.
It is advisible to consult your insurance company about its coverage in Bolivia.
Sorojchi is altitude sickness that effects between 30 and 50 % of the newly arrived in Bolivia, this due to the altitud (3.000 m above sea level).
As you ascend in altitude the barometric pressure also ascends making less oxygen in the environment , and so making it harder to breath and less oxygen gets into the blood stream .
Difficulty breathing raced pulse, headache, fatigue and sleeplessness. Often tiredness is common due to the lack of oxygen. It is advised to rest at least 24 hours, skip dinner (Digestion is slow at high altitude) and take a Sorojchi pill – available in all pharmacies (Doctors prescription is not necessary) or drink lots of Coca Tea.
It is available throughout the country with excellent facilities in the capital cities. The cost of sending international packages are considerably lower than in other countries.
Various companies provide telephone service in Bolivia. The principal company is ENTEL, which has a presence in the whole country, including the most remote locations. Other providers include COTEL, UNETE, AXS, COTAS and VIVA. There are a number of available where travelers can make international calls, send and receive faxes or make calls to cellphones.
Cellphones in Bolivia use the North American system TDMA and GSM. Cellphones acquired in Europe may not function. Cell phones that use American system should fuction prefectly.
Internet Services are available throughout the country in any mayor city. There are a large number of so-called internet cafes. Generally these are found in the same places as telephone services. In rural area, internet connections are often via satellite, which makes them significantly faster.
