How much does it cost to travel to Bolivia?
You should plan to spend around $53 ($b362) per day on your vacation in Bolivia. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $17 ($b115) on meals
- $11 ($b79) on local transportation
- $33 ($b227) on hotels
A one week trip to Bolivia for two people costs, on average, $737 ($b5,066). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$54
$b2,533
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$737
$b5,066
-
One Month
Per person
$1,579
$b10,856
-
One Week
For a couple
$737
$b5,066
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$1,473
$b10,132
-
One Month
For a couple
$3,157
$b21,712
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Bolivia cost?
A one week trip to Bolivia usually costs around $368 ($b2,533) for one person and $737 ($b5,066) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Bolivia on average costs around $737 ($b5,066) for one person and $1,473 ($b10,132) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Bolivia will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Bolivia on average costs around $1,579 ($b10,856) for one person and $3,157 ($b21,712) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Bolivia expensive to visit?
Bolivia is a reasonably affordable destination to visit. It is in the top 25% of countries in the world for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within South America, Bolivia is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Colombia or Peru.
For more details, see Is Bolivia Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Bolivia?
The average Bolivia trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Bolivia travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$b227
($33)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$b79
($11)
|
|
Food 2
|
$b115
($17)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$b126
($18)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
$b17 -
51
($2 - 7)
|
|
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1
|
$b33 -
100
($5 - 15)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$b39 -
116
($6 - 17)
|
Accommodation Budget in Bolivia
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Bolivia is $16 ($b113). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Bolivia is $33 ($b227). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Bolivia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Local Transportation Budget in Bolivia
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Bolivia is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $11 ($b79) per person, per day, on local transportation in Bolivia.
-
Local Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$11
$b79
Typical prices for Local Transportation in Bolivia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Bolivia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Taxi Ride
$b10
-
Mini Bus
$b4.00
-
Taxi Ride
$b30
-
Taxi Ride
$b4.00
-
Taxi Ride
$b10
Food Budget in Bolivia
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Bolivia can vary, the average cost of food in Bolivia is $17 ($b115) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Bolivia should cost around $6.68 ($b46) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Bolivia is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$17
$b115
Typical prices for Food in Bolivia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Bolivia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Cappucino
$b17
-
Cappuccino
$b30
-
Empanada
$b1.50
-
Cookie
$b3.00
-
Popcorn
$b4.00
-
Pizza
$b53
-
Banana
$b1.00
-
Cookies
$b9.00
Entertainment Budget in Bolivia
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Bolivia typically cost an average of $18 ($b126) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$18
$b126
Typical prices for Entertainment in Bolivia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Bolivia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Hot Springs
$b12
-
Towel Hire
$b20
Tips and Handouts Budget in Bolivia
Calculated from travelers like you
Typical prices for Tips and Handouts in Bolivia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Tips and Handouts prices in Bolivia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Bolivia
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Bolivia is $9.70 ($b67), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$9.70
$b67
Alcohol Budget in Bolivia
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $11 ($b77) on alcoholic beverages in Bolivia per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$11
$b77
Typical prices for Alcohol in Bolivia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Alcohol prices in Bolivia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Beer
$b11
-
Wine
$b20
-
Beer
$b6.00
Water Budget in Bolivia
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $1.59 ($b11) on bottled water in Bolivia per day. The public water in Bolivia is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$1.59
$b11
Bolivia On a Budget
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Bolivia is one of the most remote countries in the western hemisphere. Located in the middle of South America, it is one of only two completely landlocked countries on the continent (the other being Paraguay). It is also incredible diverse, both in terms of geography and population. Sixty percent of the popular is of pure Native American ancestry. Along with Peru, it claims Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. A trip to Bolivia is unlike any other experience.
Because of the dramatic range of altitude, Bolivia's climate is quite diverse. You can experience almost any climate including humid and tropical or cold and semiarid. It can generally be said that winters are dry and summers are somewhat wet. Some major cities, such as La Paz, are located at high elevations, meaning they are cool year around. Because Bolivia is in South America, the summer runs from November through March and the Winter is between April and October.
Bolivia can generally be broken down into three regions. The Altiplano is the region of the Andes that falls above 3500m. It is also where you find La Paz. Sub-Andean Bolivia is the area that includes the highland valleys. It is located in the south central part of Bolivia. The Tropical Lowlands are in the eastern part of the country.
At A Glance
- Bus transportation is a cheap way to navigate the country. Transportation strikes are a concern though, so pay attention to the local news to see what is going on. Both local taxis and long distance buses are generally affected by strikes, but airlines are not. It is best not to try to pass a blockade as violence has been reported. Most strikes only last a day or two so it is often best to wait it out.
- There are 37 official languages in Bolivia. Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara are the most common ones, and in the rural areas it is not uncommon for people not to speak Spanish. Some people do choose to study Spanish in Bolivia. They have a very clean accent and there are plenty of programs available.
- The national currency of Bolivia is the Boliviano. You can usually exchange US dollars and other South American currences at Casa De Cambio agencies or with most street vendors. If you're exchanging with a street vendor, you'll likely have to negotiate a fair rate. In major hotels, tourist shopes, and for larger purchases, they'll likely take US dollars, but the rate may not be at its best. They will also only accept new dollars that are not worn or torn.
- Internet cafes are generally available throughout the country. Access is variable but prices are typically low. Many Internet cafes do not allow you to use Skype though, but instead require you to use their paid phone service.
Related:
Looking for a
party hostel in Rio,
Sao Paulo,
Lima, or
Buenos Aires?
Traveling alone through
Argentina?
Top Tourist Attractions
The Death Road: A 64 km mountainbike trip from La Cumbre to Coroico where you can truly experience Bolivia.
Salar de Uyuni: The largest salt flat in the world.
La Paz: The working capital of Bolivia.
Popular Foods
Bolivian cuisine is usually made of "meat and potatoes". Beef is the most common meat option, but you may also find chicken, pork, or even llama. Most meat is deep fried and it can be smelled throughout the cities. Fried chicken is also a common dish. Other interesting options available include guinea pig or rabbit. Vegetarians may struggle to find filling meals, particularly in more rural areas.
Pique a lo macho: This traditional Bolivian dish is made with grilled pieces of meat. There are prepared with a spicy sauce, tomatoes, and onions and then served on potatoes.
Silpancho: This dish is made with pieces of beef that have been pounded thin into a patty. They are served over rice and potatoes with an egg on top.
Anticucho: This unique Bolivian dish is made from skewered beef hearts that are grilled and served with a spicy corn sauce and potatoes.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.