Bolivia Travel Guide

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Bolivia, fully known as Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia. It is located in central South America, bordering Brazil in the northeast, Paraguay in the southeast, Argentina in the south, Chile in the southwest, and Peru in the west. The land area is 1.0985 million square kilometers and the population is 10.39 million. The official language is Spanish, the main ethnic languages are Aymara and Quechua, and most residents are Catholic. What makes Bolivia special is that it has two capitals: La Paz and Sucre. La Paz is the seat of Bolivia's government and parliament, and Sucre, as the legal capital, is the seat of the Supreme Court.

Bolivia also has countless "best". It is the highest, most isolated and most rugged country in the world, and also the coldest, warmest, and most windy and foggy place on earth. The country also boasts the driest, saliniest and moggy natural landscape in the world. It is the poorest country in South America, but it is also one of the countries with the richest natural resources in the world. It also has the largest indigenous population in South America, with more than 60% of its 8.8 million people claiming to be of indigenous origin. Among them, the Indian population accounts for more than half of Bolivia's total population, and they still continue their ancient living habits and believe in Pachamama, the mother of the earth. They don't speak Spanish very well, only speak the ancient Quechua or Aymara, do not like to have contact with the outside world, and are very defensive.

Bolivia is not only one of the countries with the best preserved Indian culture and traditions in South America, but its diverse and unique natural scenery attracts travelers from all over the world. The Andes Mountains run through the central and western regions, and the vast plateau scenery is charming. The average altitude here is about 4000 meters, and the highest peak, Illimani, is 6462 meters above sea level, ranking 20th highest in South America.

It is also known as the Xizang of South America. It is not only because of its lakes and mountains, but also because of the pure sky reflected by Lake Uyuni, but what is even more charming is that this seems to be the most traditional country in South America, retaining the purest American Indian ancestry. Walking on the streets of La Paz, you see a woman wearing a felt hat, a red shawl, and a poop smiling at you, and driving happily in the Andes Mountains straight to the rainforest near Rio Beni. Volcanoes, deserts, jungles and the world's largest salt lake... these make up Bolivia. No matter which time, just stepping into Bolivia means entering an exciting country of adventure. Bolivia has everything... except beaches.

Protests

the street In recent years, Bolivia has attracted the attention of tourists; opportunities for various activities and unique adventure tours have soared. Bolivia's social and political situation is very volatile due to a weak economy, people trapped by poverty and unemployment, and lack of voting rights. Protests, marches and demonstrations, mostly non-violent, have long been an incredible sight in the country. In large cities such as La Paz, affected by the development of tourism, the degree of openness is relatively high. Most residents are also enthusiastic and happy to help travelers answer some simple practical questions.

Mirror of the Sky Best time to visit Uyuni Salt Lake Bolivia is suitable for travel all year round. The peak tourist season is from December to March every year, especially the best period to watch Uyuni's "Mirror of the Sky" in January every year. June to August is the off-season for tourism, with low temperatures and strong winds and difficult outdoor conditions. There are fewer tourists in April and May and September and October. Because they are at the junction of the dry season and the rainy season, the scenery is more special and the probability of sunny days is relatively high. At the same time, precipitation has begun to appear, so you can see the scenery of both seasons at the same time.

It should be noted that during the rainy season (especially from November to March of the following year), heavy rainfall occurs frequently in places such as Beni and Santa Cruz provinces in northeastern Bolivia, resulting in floods and mudslides and other natural disasters in plain areas and mountainous areas. Volcanoes in southwestern provinces such as Potosi and Oruro are relatively concentrated, and earthquakes occur occasionally due to their proximity to the Pacific Rim Volcanic Seismic Belt. Short-term strong convective weather often occurs in plateau areas, with hail disasters in the rainy season and snow disasters in the dry season. But overall, the above situation does not affect travel. It is recommended that before planning a trip, pay attention to the official website of the Bolivian Embassy and the China Consular Service Network to check whether there are special natural factors, epidemics or political conditions that are inconvenient to visit.

Visa requirements for Nevado Sahama Volcano, Bolivia 1. Complete the visa application form (complete in English or Spanish, handwritten writing is not accepted, please print it with computer).

Include all personal information, and the personal signature must be clear and easy to read. Personal recent color photo (without glasses), with a size of 4x4cm, with a red background. Please scan the color photo directly to the corresponding position on the visa application form, and the paper pasted version will be changed to a scanned version. Please prepare 3 photos.

Tips: Please do not change the format of the application form without authorization when filling out, otherwise it will not be accepted.

2. A copy of the passport (one copy). The valid period of the passport is at least six months.

3. A notarized certificate of no criminal record (notarized in Spain). The notarization and double certificate of no criminal record in the country in the near future (within 90 days) must be translated into Spanish. (Certified address: Maofa Travel Agency, 6th Floor, Youtang Youth Apartment, Chaoyangmen, 65889916/18; China Travel Agency, No. 8 Dongjiaomin Lane, 65124896/65593748; Changhong Bridge Sales Department, No. 13 Dongjiaomin Lane, 65265271/78).

4. A basis for booking the hotel or an invitation letter notarized by the Bolivian government.

The hotel reservation basis that complies with the regulations, which must state all reservation information, and the check-in and departure time of the hotel should be consistent with the stay time in Bolivia. Or present an official invitation letter notarized by the Bolivian government, which should state the accommodation address provided for the invitee and promise to bear the various expenses incurred by the invitee during his stay in Bolivia. The inviter must visit the Foreign Affairs Section (or Visa Section) of the Bolivian Immigration Bureau to explain the invitation.

5. Round-trip air ticket booking form (business visa) or travel route sheet (tourist visa).

6. Asset certificate in his country (personal bank deposit certificate). If a separate enterprise asset certificate is provided, the enterprise asset certificate must be notarized and double certified.

7. Yellow fever vaccination certificate. Yellow fever vaccination certificate within the validity period.

Notes on preparing visa materials for Copacabana (Lake Titicaca) 1. Please prepare two application forms, one with the photo directly on the form, and the other without change (paste the electronic photo on the electronic application form and print it in color). I personally sign the application form at the signature area.

2. Photo specifications: The background color is red, 4cm*4cm. Please do not wear glasses.

3. The original certificate of no criminal record, original invitation letter, and original bank deposit certificate will not be returned. Please back up your own.

4. If the materials submitted in January have not been sent, please contact our office to replace the necessary materials!

Remarks: When submitting visa materials, please present the originals of all certificates, certificates and relevant materials.

In order to ensure the safety of the applicant's materials and avoid the leakage and loss of important materials, the delivery of visa materials must be handled by yourself or entrusted by others to submit them (self-contained power of attorney). Fax, express delivery and other forms are not accepted.

A local notarized invitation letter must be issued to apply for a business visa. In addition, business visas must present the legal certificates of both companies in their home countries (Bolivia must provide them). A clear copy of the Bolivian company's legal certificate must be provided. If a legal certificate from a Chinese company is provided, the certificate requires dual certification in Spanish. Tourist visas must be provided with hotel orders. The reverse is true for business visas.

Visa information processing time: Monday to Friday from 14:30 to 18:00 (except holidays), no acceptance will be accepted at other times!

Fees: Tourist visa: US$30; Business visa: US$85 (The visa fee will be paid after the visa approval is approved by the embassy. Please do not pay any fees to the consulate's account before then. The consulate will not be responsible for any financial losses arising therefrom.)

Medical conditions and medical insurance notice in La Paz Murillo Square Bolivia's medical conditions are fair, hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies are reasonably distributed, hospitalization conditions are good, and general diseases are relatively convenient. People coming to Bolivia for private reasons can purchase travel insurance based on international practices when traveling to other countries.

Public security situation The security situation in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, is good. La Paz enjoys the reputation of being the safest city in South America, but there are also theft and robbery in the downtown area of the city. It is recommended that tourists coming to Bolivia should travel together when going out and take good care of their own documents and valuables.

Transportation Bolivia has three international airports: La Paz El Ato, Santa Cruz Veruviru and Cochabamba. Traveling from China to Bolivia can be reached via New York, Miami, Madrid, Sao Paulo and other cities, of which La Paz is the most important entry city.

When arriving in Bolivia, you need to fill in the personal information entry form) and the personal belongings declaration form. The above are all in duplicate. The first and second copies are submitted to the airport border inspection department at the time of entry and exit respectively. Don't lose the second line of the entry form. You need it when you leave the country. Because you hold different visas, you may also have to present an invitation letter from Bolivia when entering the country.

Special note: When border inspection suspects a passenger's intention to enter, stay time, number of entries, etc., even if the passenger has obtained a visa, he still has the right to refuse entry and refuse to explain the reasons.

200 Boliviano banknote currency and consumption Bolivian currency name is Boliviano Boliviano, abbreviated as BOB), the main face values of banknotes are 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200, the main face values of coins are 1, 2, and 5, and coins with face values of cents are 10, 20, and 50. Bolivia's consumption is mainly based on cash payments, and in recent years, it has gradually begun to promote credit card payments (bank cards with only the UnionPay logo cannot be used in Bolivia.). Large supermarkets and larger restaurants can generally pay in U.S. dollars, but only small denominations (less than $20) are charged.

Bolivia has no foreign exchange controls, and local airports and banks provide foreign exchange services, but the exchange rate is low. In contrast, the city center's foreign exchange exchange office (Casa de Cambio) can provide a more suitable exchange rate. RMB is not accepted during exchange, so it is recommended to exchange new U.S. dollars in China (broken, wrinkled or scribbled banknotes will not be accepted), exchange the appropriate Bolivianos locally as needed after arrival, and exchange them back into the U.S. dollar will cause losses. 1 US dollar ≈6.88 Bolivianos, 1 RMB ≈1.11 Bolivianos (July 2015).

Bolivia can be said to have the lowest consumption level in South America. It is much lower than that in the country, and its prices are quite cheap. A person dining at a five-star hotel in La Paz is about 100 Bolivianos per person, and the local fried chicken fast food (equivalent to KFC) costs only 20 Bolivianos. Mineral water is about 3 bolivianos/bottle, and coffee is about 15 bolivianos/cup. In terms of accommodation, youth hostels are about 50 bolivianos per night, three-star hotels are about 60 US dollars per night, and four-star or five-star hotels are about 200 US dollars per night.

Note: Better restaurants will add a tip of 10%-13% directly to the bill. Generally, restaurants do not need to pay tips; you can prepare some banknotes in advance as tips to baggage handlers, drivers, guides, etc.

Communication and Network Bolivia's mobile communication operators mainly include Entel, Tigo and Viva. Telephone charges are generally 0.8-1.2 Bolivianos/minute, and there are no roaming charges. Mobile phone services include different charging packages. To purchase a mobile phone SIM card locally, you can go to the operator's business hall or the operator's service counter in the shopping center. The fee is about 30 bolivianos. A copy of your passport is required when purchasing.

Entel is Bolivia's largest communications operator with the widest signal coverage. There are many specialized outlets in major cities in Bolivia that provide public telephone services and allow international long distance calls. The charge for making fixed and mobile phones in China is generally about 0.8 bolivianos/minute, and some Entel franchise stores charge more. Domestic calls using mobile phones cost more than 4 bolivianos per minute.

Domestic mobile phones can be used in Bolivia after opening international roaming. It should be noted that when using it, you have to manually find the operator and choose to connect to Viva's signal (this is currently the only local operator that supports domestic mobile roaming). The tariff is: 1.99 RMB/piece for sending text messages to China, 2.89 RMB/piece for sending text messages to other regions, and receiving text messages is free; 2.99 RMB/minute for making or receiving domestic or local calls, and 3 RMB/minute for making calls to other regions.

Currently, Bolivia's Internet users account for only 8% of the total population, the lowest in South America. Internet service providers mainly include Entel, AXS, Tigo and Viva, which are expensive and have slow Internet speeds. Finding free Wi-Fi on the streets of Bolivia is very difficult, but hotels with Samsung and above usually offer free Wi-Fi, some budget hotels offer Internet services for a fee, and most cafes and restaurants also offer Wi-Fi. Terminal de Buses, La Paz bus terminal, has public telephone booths and Internet cafes. In addition, there are a few Internet cafes scattered in Calacoto.

Food Due to Bolivia's regional diversity, this leads to differences in their climate, culture and eating habits. Therefore, Bolivian cooking styles are diverse, but the main food is chicken, duck, fish, and meat dishes with vanilla and seasonings. There are also fresh fruits and vegetables.

Bolivian people's eating customs are similar to those of Latin American countries such as Peru and Brazil. They are used to eating Western food, using knives and forks, and usually like to eat rice and pasta food. My favorite meats are mainly beef, pork, mutton, chicken, fish, etc.; vegetables include tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, cabbage, etc. During business activities, when entertaining guests, Western food should be used to entertain guests, and the time can be arranged in the evening. Dinner time is generally late and the location should be in a grand hotel. Dishes, fruits and drinks should choose their favorite. When eating, you should follow the custom of eating Western food, and pay attention to the table demeanor during eating.

Bolivian Bolivian food is very distinctive and generally very good, with meat in almost every dish. International and regional cuisine can be eaten in restaurants in the capital La Paz and other major towns. In addition, bottled water and other drinks are also available.

There are also some traditional dishes in their daily diet, including Majao made with eggs, beef, fried bananas, and rice;"Silpancho" made with rice and potatoes;"Chicharron de Pacu" made with roast beef, fried yucca, cheese, and rice;"Saltenas" and "Empanadas" are meat dumplings or vegetable pies, and of course there are soups, and their soups are made with rice, chicken, and bananas; there are some excellent restaurants that serve a variety of international delicacies. Recently, the number of local bars is increasing and are not limited by permitted operating hours.

Potatoes are Bolivia's main product and can be found in many meals, sometimes in rice or noodles, etc. Bolivian food is generally not spicy, but tomatoes and red peppers are often added to make " la lajwa".

Shopping at a roadside handicraft store can be said that handicrafts are truly important things in Bolivia. Local residents have been making beautiful handicrafts for thousands of years. Calle Sagárnaga is La Paz's shopping center, where you will have the opportunity to browse through thousands of shop-bought handicrafts, including tin works, wood carvings, jewelry, camel blankets, alpaca sweaters, hats, gloves, leather bags and textiles, as well as Indian handicrafts, gold jewelry, silver jewelry and artificial jewelry. In addition to handicrafts, you can also buy mascots with folk flavors and good luck. From camel fetuses to mini houses (it is said that if you buy abbreviations for something, then you will get something real).

To a large extent, bargaining is not part of Bolivian shopping customs. The prices of their goods are fixed. If you counter-offer correctly, you may cut a little off the price, but in general, most salespeople will not give up their price.

Note: The store is open from 9:30--12:30 a.m. and 3:00--7:30 p.m. Monday to Friday; from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Indian Devil Dance Entertainment has many nightclubs in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, and usually open around midnight. There are also many whiskerias and local bars. There are also folk music and dance performances on Fridays and Saturdays, starting later in the evening. In addition, there are some discotheques in Cochabamba and Santa Cruz.

Moreover, there is a folk dance called Devil Dance in the city of Oruro, Bolivia. Every year when the Carnival comes, the Indians of this place will form a dance team of dozens or hundreds of people to perform this dance. Most of those participating in the performance were local miners, as amateur actors. Wearing ferocious masks and costumes similar to martial artists in China Peking Opera, they danced on the street with a fake snake in their left hand and a silk handkerchief in their right hand. The performance movements are also very strange. Every time you jump forward, make a big turn back, and run forward, dancing and shouting, the momentum is quite majestic. The production of ore ore has a long history in Bolivia and occupies an important economic position. There are many people engaged in miners 'labor. Therefore, there is a local legend that this dance was originally danced to drive out the devils in underground mines and protect the miners from safety for a year.

站图片位置Bolivia's indigenous people's fighting festival local festivals Bolivia has many regional festivals, both Holy Week, Halloween and Christmas and other Catholic festivals, but also local special festivals. If you encounter the local festivals described below, you may wish to experience the local excitement for yourself if you encounter them during your trip.

Wizard Market Wishing Day Alasitas January 24 Wishing Day is an ancient Bolivian tradition. On this day, people buy miniature mascots related to their wishes, hand them over to a wizard called "Yatiris" and sacrifice to the god "Ekeko". After the ceremony is completed, the wish can be realized next year. "Ekeko" is a god representing good luck and smooth sailing in Bolivian native culture, and locals often place counterfeit banknotes or a cigarette on his figurines as sacrifices.

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Oruro Carnival Live Carnival end of February and early March Carnival is a national legal festival in Bolivia, of which the Oruro Carnival is the most famous. During the week-long carnival, people dressed in colorful costumes and danced ghost and ghost dances on the streets. This is not only a manifestation of the victory of justice over evil, but also a reflection of the integration of local culture and Catholic culture. This grand festival attracts nearly 400,000 people every year. In 2001, UNESCO listed it as an intangible cultural heritage of mankind.

Date: Around February 7, 2016, around February 26, 2017, and around February 11, 2018

Tiahuaco site on the outskirts of La Paz Andean New Year Año Nuevo Aymara June 21 Andean New Year is the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere and the beginning of the Aymara calendar New Year. Locals believe that the winter solstice is the day when the sun returns and the days will become longer and longer, so they designate this day as the first day of the New Year. The Tiawanaco site on the outskirts of La Paz was the place where the celebration ceremony was held that day. Tens of thousands of Aymara people gathered here. The patriarch entered the venue, lit a bonfire, and led the people to raise their hands and pray to the sky. When the first ray of sunlight hits people's eyes through the distant mountains, the Aymara priest will announce to people that another Aymara New Year has arrived.

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Halloween Día de Todos los Santos November 1 - 2 Since ancient times, the Aymara nation has regarded birth, old age, illness and death as a stage of the life cycle, so local residents have always had special feelings for the deceased. Every year during Halloween, Bolivians set up altars in their homes, placing food, drinks, flowers, candles, etc. to worship the dead. Some mountainous towns also place skulls of the dead on the altars and open their homes all day long for night guard. Halloween here is different from the "Halloween" in Western countries, and in contrast, it is a continuation of local culture today.

网站图片位Travel Tips ※ Most areas of Bolivia are plateau, so you need to take good care of your body before traveling. Avoid overeating and strenuous exercise during travel. In order to prevent and alleviate altitude sickness, it is recommended to purchase Sorojchi Pills Capsules locally. The effect is better than the domestic anti-drug. It takes one capsule every 8 hours. Stop taking it if there is no obvious reaction. Avoid excessive medication.

※ Bolivia has a temperate climate, with cold winter and hot summer, small precipitation, and large daily temperature differences. There are also considerable temperature differences between the western mountains and the eastern lowlands. Compared with daytime, the temperature at night is greatly reduced, and even in summer, it is still necessary to prepare thicker clothes such as jackets.※ Asian travelers are a key target for pickpockets on the street in South America, so documents and valuables must be kept carefully. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash when going out. It is recommended to keep the original ID in the safe or locked cabinet in the hotel room. You can carry a copy of your passport with you for emergency needs.※ Like other South American countries, Bolivia's first meeting gift is a handshake between boys, a face-to-face gift between men and women or between girls, just touching it lightly on the left cheek.※ Although Bolivia holds gay parades and there are gay bars in large cities, local people are relatively conservative towards homosexuals, and it is recommended to keep a low profile in public.※ Don't force yourself to take photos of local people during your trip, especially Indian residents in the Andes Mountains. Everything comes first. You can smile first and then take pictures after getting the other party's consent. Of course, you can also give the other party a tip (such as 5 bolivianos).※ Wuyuni Salt Lake and surrounding plateau nature reserves have been affected by tourism development and have experienced varying degrees of environmental pollution. Travelers should have the awareness of green tourism and civilized tourism and protect the natural environment.