Is Bolivia safe for americans anymore??

Subscribe to BoliviaBella!

TRAVEL BOLIVIA

ABOUT BOLIVIA

FIND OUT MORE

Is Bolivia safe for americans anymore??

by Garrett
(Utah, USA)

I lived in Bolivia a few years back, during a time when I was doing service for my church, at this time there was a lot of change taking place (new president). I have heard in past months that it was not safe to go back. I would really like to take my wife back to visit friends there, but i am worried she would stick out(very white skin tone, and red hair) and i wonder what you all think. Is it safe if you were in my shoes would you go to bolivia? Also to visit will we need to get a visa?? please email me back with advice/answers. I miss the santa cruz, Bolivian people very much!! my email is garrbigair@hotmail.com please feel free to hit me back, and thanks for your help!

Comments for
Is Bolivia safe for americans anymore??

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 26, 2012

Yay! Off to Santa Cruz in 3 weeks
by: TallCowboy0614

My family and I are off again to Santa Cruz (and for a week in Tarija) in a few weeks (we will be there for MY first Carnaval - though the rest of my family is from there).

I can't wait. There are some places (market districts, mostly, and Equipetrol) where she won't take me, but other than that I have never felt the slightest bit threatened nor vervous while there on vacations.

Dec 24, 2011

Bolivia is much safer then many other latin countries
by: Sergio

Bolivia is very diverse when it comes to color of skin. Im Bolivian live in California and I go back every year to La Paz and Santa Cruz. I my self I. Very let skin and even here in the US people think im an American. As much as o love the US. Bolivia is my heart. I have never had a problem with in Bolivia because im white. Bolivia has all kinds of people indigenous, mestizos, Asians, and afro Bolivians, and the white population. I have couple of friends that are Americans and have gone to Bolivia to retire. I would say just do not stick out that and try to impress that you are rich, I've seen that crime has increased on the past years. But as far that goes Bolivia is much safer the other neighboring countries like Peru, Brazil etc
if you have any questions my email is latinosur1979@hotmail.com

Apr 02, 2011

SAFE MY ASS!
by: Anonymous

MY WIFE GOT HER CHAIN SNATCHED FROM AROUND HER NECK IN BROAD DAY LIGHT AND SHE IS BOLIVIAN. THAT NEVER HAPPENED TO HER IN THE U.S.

Feb 16, 2011

you won't regret it
by: Anonymous

I am from Bolivia but I live in the States now. I try to go to my country as much as I can and I have to be honest with you, every time I go there I just see things getting better and better. I actually felt more safe there than what I feel here in the States every day.

I am not saying that you don't have to worry about anything, because just like any other part of the world you have to be careful with some things, but don't let the news or what people say here about South America stop you from visiting this country.

If you have friends there they will be able to tell you which are "good" and "bad" areas, but besides that I don't think there is a reason to not feel safe.

Go to Bolivia, and I'm pretty sure you'll have the time of your life! you'll see how much it changed and how much it's growing. You won't regret it!

Jan 18, 2011

Give me a break
by: Hendrik

Give me a break...

We are a Dutch couple working some three years in Bolivia now in the Santa Cruz area.

Me or my wife never had any problem as to safety. It's true that the Bolivians try to charge you more when your're a tourist. But at the same time they are very relaxed, helpfull, etc.

I did not feel uncomfortable for a single moment here. It's also about YOUR attitude towards the Bolivians. But as far as I have experienced, they are very relaxed people that treat you, the way you treat them.

I went any time all over the place and did not see anything of organized crime, gangs, etc. Like in anywhere in the world you should keep your eyes a little bit open, but I would not even hesitate to go there as a American tourist....

Jun 17, 2010

SAFETY IN NUMBERS
by: Susan

Hello Garrett,

First, be aware that every country in the world requires an entry visa. One word of caution at the Bolivian border crossing is to not just walk in without having your passport stamped, even though the border crossing guards may be having a break.

Second, there is safety in numbers when travelling anywhere in the world. Your wife sounds lovely and she can be protected if she is with a companion or with a group of people. Don't purposefully encourage vulnerability.

Lastly, learn some Spanish and enjoy the experience.

Jan 24, 2010

right about taxis so-so about safety
by: New Jersey

Susan (below) is right about negotiating taxi fares before you get into a taxi, especially if it's a taxi right off the street. The other (better) option is to call a radio taxi (taxis formally associated with a taxi company) and ask the "centralista" (the operator who answers) how much the taxi driver should charge you for the route you plan to take before he picks you up. When you get out, you hand him the correct amount, thank him and get out. If there's a discussion you just tell him "call the centralista". No big deal. Radio taxis only cost 1-2 bolivianos more than street taxis. As a whole, though, most of us can't even afford a taxi in the US, if you want to see it that way.

I've had 3 women taxi drivers in the time I've lived here. They were pretty brave I think to drive a taxi. But the point is, there are some women drivers. But Susan's right, in general there aren't many. Taxi drivers themselves are frequent victims of crime because they carry money. They don't have glass divisions between the front and back seats like some taxis do in the US.

As to safety, I'd say the world as a whole isn't that safe any more and we all need to take the necessary precautions. We stick out as Americans here, that is true. But as to crime, there is still 10 times more crime in the US than here (actually the US has the highest crime rates in the world). Susan is Canadian so I can't speak to that.

In Bolivia, you know you stick out and you know what kind of crimes you can maybe expect to be a victim of so you can at least try to take some reasonable precautions. In the US you could be shot or raped or mugged in any place at any time with no warning and no idea what to look out for (or why you were chosen). In Jersey I couldn't walk from my front door to my car on the curb without a can of mace in my hand, and I lived in a "good" area. So I think that's relative. But that's just my opinion.

Jan 24, 2010

Is Bolivia Safe for Anyone?
by: Susan

Not just Americans are affected by Bolivian bullies.

I am Canadian and felt the static electricity of male testostorone in the air as soon as my husband and I arrived in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

I worked at a false-faced school called Cambridge College in Santa Cruz, and learned that two teachers had been beaten by hoolagans very soon before I had arrived. One young teacher was accosted just outside her residence, and another in her car as she drove away from the school.

I didn't feel safe in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. There is a male dominance in the city starting with the high walls covered in barbed wire that surround all of the properties, the male-only driven busses and the male-only driven taxis.

Bolivia is a place where women live, but they are not treated as equals. Ladies, don't wonder the streets on your own, day or night. Plan your excursions with a male escort. Keep your personal possessions tucked away safely on your person.

If you must carry a bag, I would suggest that you carry a non-discript tote across one shoulder and have it drape on the opposite hip.

Eyes wide open!

Jan 23, 2010

its safe
by: Anonymous

bolivia is safe and its NOT true that bolivians hate americans but it is true that people try to charge you more money but thats normal for ANY tourist bolivia is safe friendly and you have alot more freedom people are way more friendlyer den in the us but ofcourse you have to becarfull at night like anywhere else .
and dont believe the news they allways make everything look worse.
i RECOMMEND you to go to bolivia
its calm and it has beutiful weather

Jan 22, 2010

Learn to speak Bolivian!
by: Anonymous

My wife and I traveled through out Bolivia in Feb-March 2009 during carnival.My wife is Bolivian and Speaks spanish very well so that really helps. Iam American.I thought it was safe. But the bus terminal in La Paz I thought was a little risky.Have to be careful just like any other bus terminal in any big city in the U .S.I guess.But there wasn`t a time where I did not feel safe.And we went to copacabana, Oruro, for the parade.Cochabamba,Samipata,and Santa Cruz.We also went To Bolivia (La paz & Santa Cruz)back in 1996 and I thought the people were a little more friendly then then now.But hey, people are people anywhere you go.But it really helps big time if you know spanish or are with someone who does. They seem to try to charge you more if you speak English for some unknown reason. But I would like to go back.

Jan 08, 2010

Don't let the news scare you so much.
by: Anonymous

When you're overseas the news about Bolivia sounds awful. Keep in mind that the news feeds off sensationalism. It wouldn't BE news if there was nothing negative to report.

When you're far away things it's very hard to get a feel for what's really going on. For example, I see news about a demonstration with a picture of hundreds of people marching on a street. Then I call my uncle in Bolivia and he's like "oh yeah, another demonstration" ... stretch...yawn...

The thing is, bad things happen everywhere! Take a look at your local paper or TV news any day in the United States. All you see is murders, rapes, fires, catastrophes. If foreigners were to base their travel decisions on the US news, no one would ever come to the US - we have more crime here than anywhere else in the world - but we're not leaving the US in droves! Are we?

Chances are, your local newspaper contains more scary news than a Bolivian newspaper any day. But you're still living where you live. There is just as much chance of something happening to you in the US than anywhere else.

Bad news is something we all live with. It's true that there is a lot of anti-American government rhetoric coming out of Bolivia and it's true people try to cheat Americans and charge them more for stuff - but that's not news! That's been the same for a hundred years. Besides, you're going to Santa Cruz not La Paz.

Jan 07, 2010

information on the yellow fever vaccination for bolivia
by: BoliviaBella

I did some research for you. We get a LOT of people asking about the yellow fever vaccination requirement for American travelers to Bolivia. Although customs and immigration officials APPEAR to enforce this requirement fairly randomly, it's best to be informed on what yellow fever is, how you get it, the vaccine, how it works, who should and should NOT get the vaccine, and how to get the required certificate showing you've had the shot.

So here's a new page I put up on yellow fever and the vaccine.

Jan 06, 2010

Visa needed if American & $135 !!!
by: M Mederos

My sons just got back from Bolivia and for the first time EVER, they needed visas. However, you can get these at the airport in Bolivia upon arrival, just have the Form [formulario], PASSPORT PHOTOS, and $135 IN CASH PER PERSON!
One of my sons, who was born in Bolivia but has only been an American citizen since a baby, did not have to pay. [They noticed the city of birth on his American passport].
I have heard rumors that ONLY Americans pay for this visa, but have not been able to confirm the rumor...does anyone know?

I would LOVE to go back to Bolivia. It seems to have 'grown' a lot in the past decade.
Saludos!

Jan 06, 2010

No Problem
by: Geddy

In July/August I traveled to Sucre, Tarija, Santa Cruz, Trinidad, and Magdalena. I am an obvious American and my wife is Bolivian. I had no problems whatsoever in any location. I did not feel uncomfortable anywhere. Quite the contrary, I felt more comfortable there than in many other countries I have visited. In Santa Cruz, I felt Americans were very welcome.

Also, I got the Yellow Fever vaccine 2 weeks prior to traveling like the warnings say, but nobody in Santa Cruz airport even checked it.

Geddy

Jan 06, 2010

Things are chaning for Americans in Bolivia
by: Anonymous

There's no denying it. The Bolivian government is teaching its followers to hate Americans. You won't have any problem in Santa Cruz unless you run into any Masistas. But Americans in La Paz are having a difficult time from what I hear. Lots of "express kidnappings" and like the lady below said, people try to cheat them all the time. Europeans are saying that they get treated bad when people think they are American and then when they find out they are not, they treat them well.

Jan 06, 2010

bolivia tourist visa
by: BoliviaBella

If you're just coming to Bolivia as a tourist, you can get your visa when you arrive at customs, either at the border overland or at the airport if you fly in. It costs $135 per person.

But you can't forget to bring all the requirements with you like the person below said your yellow fever certificate (in most U.S. states you have to contact the Department of Health to get one because it's not commonly used so it's not something they just have on hand and it could take them some time to get one for you).

You can see a full list of the visa requirements on the Bolivian Consulate in Washington D.C. website here. It's in English. I suggest calling them in person. Their secretary speaks English and is pretty helpful.

You can also get your travel visa before you arrive. Why chance getting here and finding you're missing something and be denied a visa when you can get it stamped into your passport by the Bolivian Consulate prior to your trip? Peace of mind.

You can find information on getting visas on our visa page here. Also be sure to take a look at our page just for Americans (the US Embassy regularly posts travel advisories and other information on it).

I also have a page on travel and security info for U.S. citizens here. We also have a page on crime and safety tips here.

Also read our general preparing for your trip and precautions pages. They contain information on how to stay safe while traveling or living in Bolivia, most of it from various government sources.

All of the above pages are found through our Plan Your Trip. Check out what people are saying in our Santa Cruz Forum. Check out our Bolivia Travel Tips page. It's in our Bolivia Forums so all the tips are from other travelers. Here's a page with information on customs and here's another on Bolivian immigration which won't apply to you if you're touring, but will if you ever plan to live here.

Hope this helps.
B.

Jan 06, 2010

Visiting
by: Anonymous

I am American and my husband is Bolivian. We used to travel to and from Bolivia all the time (about 3 times a year). I have noticed that the tension is getting kinda bad. Each time I go it is a little worse. I have noticed that a lot of people will now try to double charge me for something or will say something kinda mean to me hoping I dont understand Spanish.

I also think it depends on the area you go to though. The only times I have had these bad experiences has been when I was in areas that were more MAS than Autonomist. But we normally are in Santa Cruz.

We have only gone once last year and that was in April. We were there for 3 weeks and overall had a good time. But there was a lot of tensions building. I dont know if we will be going next year because we are starting to get scared. Our son although choco can pass for Bolivian, but I cant.

If you do decide to go you will need a visa, but they will give it to you when you get to Bolivia. You just have to bring everything with you (proof of income, yellow fever vaccine, $$) I dont know what else you will need.

Hope you have a safe trip.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Bolivia Travel Tips

Is Bolivia safe for americans anymore??

Comments for Is Bolivia safe for americans anymore??

Comments for
Is Bolivia safe for americans anymore??