Bolivia

• October 2024
  • Species List
  • Trip Report

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

• Make sure your passport will be valid at least six months after the date of your scheduled return to the U.S. See the “Passport, Visa & Documents” section below for details.
• A visa is required to enter Bolivia. If you are from another country, please contact the Bolivia embassy website for guidelines. 
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Bolivia.  Please consult with your doctor and check current CDC recommendations and requirements for travel to Bolivia about additional travel vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section below.
• Travel insurance is strongly recommended in case of serious medical emergency. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
• Plan your flight reservations arriving into Santa Cruz at Viru Viru International Airport (VVI); departure airport is El Alto International Airport (LPB). Send a copy of your itinerary to the Naturalist Journeys office.
• Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Arrival into Viru Viru International Airport (VVI), Santa Cruz

We recommend arriving into Viru Viru International Airport (VVI), Santa Cruz, at an hour that allows you to rest if needed before the start of the trip. Many flights arrive in the early morning hours, so watch the times/dates carefully. We plan to offer some casual afternoon birding for those who are interested. The group officially assembles for a welcome dinner tonight.

If you know you will be delayed and can email, text, or phone your guide or local operator, they would appreciate it. Both numbers can be found in your contact list.

Please check the Travel Details tab of this tour for additional information and updates.

Departures from El Alto International Airport (LPB), El Alto

Please plan your departures out of El Alto International Airport (LPB), El Alto, at your leisure.

Please check the Travel Details tab of this tour for additional information and updates.

Passports, Visas & Documents

Guidelines and regulations can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s documentation requirements 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Information for U.S. citizens can be found at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Bolivia.html. If you are from another country, please contact the Bolivia embassy website for guidelines.

Passport: Make sure your passport will be valid at least six months beyond the date of your scheduled return to the U.S. Check that expiration date! Your passport should have at least one blank page per entry stamp. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted.

Visa: A visa is required to enter Bolivia. A Bolivian visitor visa costs $160 US and can be paid in U.S. or local currency upon arrival. If you purchase a visa at the airport, you will be required to provide a photocopy of your passport biographic page. Keep this document in a safe place as it is required for exit. Visitors must show proof of a round-trip ticket or confirmation of plans to depart Bolivia.

Visitors must provide proof of lodging in Bolivia including the address of the accommodation. Please carry a copy of our Emergency Contact List with your travel documents when passing through immigration where they will ask you where you are going and what the phone number is.

Immigration Card: All travelers to Bolivia are required to fill out an immigration card, which is usually handed out on the plane or available as a web-based form which generates a QR code prior to the trip -- check with your airline for details.

As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include, but are not limited to; your passport ID page, travel visa, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.

General Health & Inoculations Information – Be Prepared!

Health requirements for entry to any country can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s health requirements and recommendations 60-90 days ahead of traveling. A helpful website for planning is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for Bolivia or by phone (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636.

We will share your health information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important as we want to be best prepared in case of medical emergency. 

Vaccinations: Bring your up-to-date vaccination records with you. We recommend that all travelers' basic and travel vaccinations (such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid, etc.) be up to date before traveling to any destination.  Check with your doctor and the CDC recommendations for Bolivia at least 4-6 weeks prior to departure.

Mosquito born illnesses: Travelers can reduce their risk of mosquito born diseases by protecting themselves from mosquito bites using protective clothing, insect repellant (containing DEET, Picaridin, OLE, etc.) and prophylactics where applicable. For repellent permeated clothing, see Packing List for our recommendations. 

• Yellow Fever (YF): Bolivia REQUIRES an International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination to enter the country. Many international travelers will either have already had the YF vaccine (it is good for 10 years) or get one for this trip (be sure to receive it in the required amount of time prior to departure) and it will be good for other destinations in the future travels. 
  • Exceptions: If your physician says you should not get a required vaccination due to age, then bring a signed physician’s letter on their professional letterhead saying you are in good health, but they do not recommend that you get the vaccine due to age.
• Malaria: CDC recommends that travelers going to Bolivia take precautions to prevent malaria. As of this writing, there is a risk of transmission in any area below 7,550 ft., which this tour includes. Prevention is essential no matter what level of risk and we recommend you do not take any chances. While consulting with your doctor about travel vaccinations, ask about taking anti-malarial medication. If you do opt for preventative medication (choosing a drug to prevent malaria), you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Consult with your doctor what is best for you 4-6 week prior to departure.
• For more information on yellow fever and malaria in your destination, check https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/preparing/yellow-fever-vaccine-malaria-prevention-by-country.
• Dengue Fever: There are occasional reports of Dengue Fever in lower elevation areas, for which there is no vaccine. 

Prescriptions: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad. You’ll want to keep medications in their original, labeled containers. 

Allergies: To be prepared for environmental triggers to allergies or breathing difficulties, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication(s).  If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EPI pen and notify your guides. It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health.

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for prevention or treatment of common ailments (such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, cough, congestion, head or body aches, insect bites and sunburn); as well as ointments, moisturizer, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, band-aids, moleskin for blisters, cotton swabs, nail clippers, and tweezers, etc.

Altitude sickness: High altitude will be encountered on your trip and it can affect some. General symptoms include headache and occasional fatigue and dizziness. You’ll want to take it easy, particularly at first. The likelihood of these symptoms can be reduced by resting, drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and taking aspirin. If you have worries about the altitude, ask your physician about medications (such as Diamox) that may be right for you. For more information, see https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/environmental-hazards-risks/high-elevation-travel-and-altitude-illness.

Weather, Climate & Altitude

You may want to check your favorite weather source for forecasts and predictions closer to your date of travel. In November temps will be getting hotter as summer in Bolivia commences. November is generally a warm to hot month and the wet season is beginning, so you can expect some rain.

Santa Cruz

• Generally, Nov. temps can range from the low 60’s°F at night and as high as mid 90’s°F in the day. The avg. humidity 64%. The altitude is 1,365’.

Cochabamba

• Generally, Nov. temps range from the mid to low 50’s at night, as high as mid to upper 80’s in the day. The avg. humidity 47%. The altitude is 8,432’.

La Paz

• Generally, in the central part of the city, Nov. temps can range from the mid 40’s°F at night to upper 60’s°F in the day. The avg humidity is around 47%. The altitude of the area around La Paz is between 10,500’-13,800’ while Lake Titicaca is 12,465’.

For the Barba Azul Reserve pre-tour extention: Expect strong sun and higher temps. The altitude is between 7,054’-8,038’.

Annoyances & Hazards

It is best to come prepared for mosquitoes and other biting insects by wearing long sleeves and neutral colored clothing and to bring insect repellent. See General Health section for recommendations regarding precautions against mosquito born disease.

Bolivia is close to the Equator, plus we are at high elevations. It is very important to protect yourself from the sun with clothing, hat and sunscreen.

Food & Drinks

Meals at your hotels and in the restaurants we choose are delightfully prepared in a sanitary environment. As with any case when traveling we urge you to consider what your body is used to before you eat something. Trust your common sense when consuming food and beverages. This is the best way to avoid any unwanted problems. Ask for recommendations from your hotel or refer to a guidebook such as Frommers.

Bottled water will be available for field trips and drinking water is provided for you to refill a bottle. One of the many ways we strive to do our part for the environment is by refilling a water bottle to reduce our consumption of plastics.

In Bolivia, we recommend using bottled water for brushing teeth as well, just to be safe.  Check that the bottle seal is intact before opening. Avoid eating uncooked vegetables and fruit. Your guide will let you know when bottled water is preferable.

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Please, pack light! You move around a lot! Checked bag should weigh no more than 50 lbs. and carry-on no more than 13 lbs. Name and address should be on the inside of the bag as well as the tags.

Soft-sided luggage or duffel bags are easier to manage in the minivans than hard sided suitcases. Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle. Refer to the Suggested Packing section.

Dress is very informal. You may wish to change for dinners, but casual dress is suitable at all locations. We will be traveling in areas with varying altitudes, temps and weather, so layering is your best strategy for comfort. Choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty, and that is comfortable and easy to wear and hand launder, as access to laundry service is uncertain in remote lodgings. Loose clothing discourages insects and is very cool. Muted colors are best for the field. Shoes with good tread and support are essential.

TRAVEL TIP: Imagine NOT getting your suitcase. Bring a change of clothes and a pair of shoes you can use for the tour in your carry-on, just in case. And please DO NOT pack any essential medications, or your vital optics, in your checked luggage!

Spending Money

CASH – Boliviano

• The official currency of Bolivia is the Boliviano and the symbol used is usually Bs. The international ISO currency code is BOB. 1 Boliviano is made up of 100 centavos (cents). Currently issued coins and notes are as follows:
  • Coins – centavos 10, 20, 50, and bolivianos 1, 2, 5
  • Notes – bolivianos 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200

CASH - USD

• The US Dollar is the only foreign currency that is widely accepted and easily changed in Bolivia, but the bills must be crisp, unripped and clean. Otherwise, they will often not be accepted by the banks, and therefore also not by Bolivian businesses. U.S. dollars in small denominations ($1, $5, $10, $20) are best for purchases and tipping. Large U.S. bills ($50 or $100) might give you the better rate when exchanging to local currency. Not every business (smaller shops and restaurants) will accept U.S. dollars. For that reason, we still recommend converting some money into local currency.

EXCHANGING

• The easiest way to exchange currency is to withdraw funds from a local ATM. The airport is a convenient place. 
• For the current exchange rate, please refer to online converter tools like www.xe.com or your bank. The exchange rate of the Boliviano to US dollar has remained quite stable for a number of years and at the time of writing 1 USD was worth around 6.9 bolivianos (mid-market rate).
• No need to get Bolivianos prior to arrival in Santa Cruz.  The airport is the best option with currency exchange facilities and ATMs, so you can simply exchange or withdraw some BOB from an ATM upon arrival. ATM withdrawals provide local money; your bank will convert that into U.S. Dollars. Many banks charge a fee of $1 - $5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Check with your bank before departure. You must become familiar with how to use your ATM card and PIN number ahead of the journey.
• Money Exchange Houses – Casa de Cambio – Bureau de Change
  • Casa de Cambios often can provide better rates than banks, so it is worth checking them out. You will find these money exchange services in every city and most towns. However, avoid unprofessional-looking offices and street exchangers that will try to hawk their services as you pass.  Some are untrustworthy. Ask your guide or hotel for recommendations.

ATMs

• The ATMs provide local money and your bank will convert that into U.S. Dollars. Many banks charge a fee of $1 - $5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Check with your bank before departure. You must become familiar with how to use your ATM card and PIN number ahead of the journey.
• ATM machines are readily available in the airport and in large cities, but become less available in rural areas. You can’t assume there will be one near you, whether it is working, that it hasn’t run out of cash, or worst case the ATM retains your card unexpectedly (this has been known to happen) – so avoid traveling without cash.

BANKS

• Bolivia is not as advanced as many other countries in the areas of banking. If you are in a crunch, the best banks recommended to try are BCP, BNB, and Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz.

TRAVELERS CHECKS

• It can be more trouble than its worth, meaning long queues in banks, copies of passports and changing requirements usually leaving tourists wishing they hadn’t bothered and just stuck with ATMs.

COUNTERFEIT MONEY

• While issues with fake money in Bolivia have been decreasing over the years, it is still something to be vigilant about. Thigs to look out for are:
• Watermarks – on the front side, check to see if the watermark on the left is a good likeness to the picture on the right.
• Type of paper – the paper on the fake notes often feels different, maybe rougher and cheaper than the real notes. Compare suspect notes with others.
• Silver strip – on fake notes the silver strips that is woven through the paper can often be scraped away with a finger nail as it is just painted on.

SAFETY & Common Sense

• We advise you carry a mix of different types of payments, such as both U.S. dollars and local currency, an ATM card, and a credit card. Credit cards are accepted, but not as widely as in the USA. We suggest you have more than one brand of card available (i.e., one Visa, and one MasterCard, if possible (American Express is less accepted). Not every shop will accept every card. Some machines are set up for both, while some will only service one or the other. Also, we recommend that you advise your bank or credit card company where you will be traveling to avoid questions, card freezes, or charges.
• Don’t walk around with all your money, cards, etc., on you - only bring what you need when exploring, i.e. if you have two cards, only bring one out so if you do lose it, you still have your backup.
• Try to use ATM machines during the day and in busier places. Be aware of your surroundings and make sure you stash you cash in hard-to-get places for pickpockets (such as an under-clothing money belt).
• Keep your eye on notes when paying. Some, such as taxi drivers, have been known to take a real note, swap it with a fake and pass it back telling you it’s a fake note. Further caution, for bigger notes, visibly take a quick photo of the serial number before passing it over.
• Before leaving home, you may consider keeping the bulk of your money in a 2nd bank account that doesn’t have a card attached to it and use internet banking to transfer money across to the other that has a card to withdraw as you need it. Should your card get stolen or compromised, the bulk of your funds are protected.

Gratuities

Hotel staff may receive $1-2 USD per day for housekeeping and luggage service. If at the end of the tour, you would like to show your appreciation to your guides, tipping is entirely appropriate but at your discretion. We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services. Gratuities for group meals are included. For your birding tour guide, we suggest $10-$15 per day per guest. Note that if there is more than one guide, this can be split among them. Be sure to ask your guides if it is customary to tip tour drivers (if the guides are not driving) or other tour service providers on outings so you can be prepared.

If you are dining away from the tour group, note there is no sales tax, although restaurants will add a 10% service charge to the bill. If service was exceptional, an additional 5-10% for good service is appreciated. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but if you had a pleasant experience and wish to round up the fare, it would be greatly appreciated!

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Your guide is well connected and can help if any urgent communication need arises. However, it is highly recommended that you travel with a CELL PHONE, if only as a precaution for the unfortunate occurrence of a medical emergency during an outing and needing swift accessibility to critical personal or medical contacts. 

Most hotels in Bolivia provide internet access (sometimes at a cost) and international telephones – although for calling home, you will likely receive better rates using an internet-based phone service such as Skype or WhatsApp. The easiest option for travel to Bolivia is to get a plan with your carrier in your home country that allows you to make emergency calls and/ or receive texts. Before traveling, consider checking about international call options and prices with your network provider. Be sure to set your smartphone to airplane mode to avoid any roaming charges. Just enable WiFi to access the internet.

Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers, unless it appears to be an emergency. This disrupts other guests, plan on cell phone call use on your own time

Language

The common language spoken in Bolivia is Bolivian Spanish. A pocket dictionary is a great idea, and you can gift it to someone if you don’t want to haul it back! There are also dictionary apps for your phone, and quick learning programs such as Duo Lingo if you want to practice a bit.

Electricity

In Bolivia, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type A and type C are used. The standard voltage is 115 / 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz. You will need to bring an adaptor. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/bolivia/

Time

You can check time differences conveniently at https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/bolivia

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone at our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

Please Pack Light!

To pare down, we recommend laying out the items you hope to take and then do a serious paring down!

Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage. Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle. 

Checked Luggage: It is important to pack in one checked suitcase that does NOT exceed 50 pounds.

Carry-ons: Each passenger is allowed one personal item, such as a purse or a laptop, and one carry-on bag.  The max weight of your carry-on bag is 13 lbs. Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, travel documents, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag. You will want a day pack for field trips, so this is an ideal carry-on. 

Please reconfirm your international airline’s baggage weight and size before packing. If taking the pre-tour extension, we will let you know if the internal flight baggage requirements differ.

TRAVEL TIPS:

• Imagine NOT getting your suitcase. Bring a change of clothes and a pair of shoes you can use for the tour in your carry-on, just in case. And please DO NOT pack any essential medications, or your vital optics, in your checked luggage!
• Please bring your CELL PHONE, if only as a precaution for the unfortunate occurrence of a medical emergency and needing swift accessibility to critical contacts.

Weather & General Guidelines

We will be traveling in areas with varying altitudes, temps and weather, so layering is your best strategy for comfort. November in Bolivia means summer is approaching and bringing with it some rainy days, so do have a good wind-breaking layer that can double as raingear. There will be warm to cool temps during the day and cool to cold temps in the evenings depending on the day’s location and altitude. Loose clothing discourages insects and is very cool. Consider clothing that will provide protection from sun as well as cold in the higher elevations. Check your favorite weather website closer to your departure to better predict what the weather will be on your adventure. For more information, see "Weather" section in Essential Information under the Know Before You Go tab.

Clothing & Gear

Dress is very informal. You may wish to change for dinners, but casual dress is suitable at all locations.

Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing; they protect you from sun, insects, and vegetation. Loose clothing discourages insects and is very cool. Shorts are worn most commonly by tourists, however, for the field, they are not practical and we do not recommend them. Lightweight pants are best while exploring. Shoes with good tread and support are essential. Choose clothes you can get dirty and things that are comfortable and easy to launder.

We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green, as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors; camouflage clothing is not recommended. It is possible to purchase field clothing permeated with insect repellent such as the Craghoppers Insect Shield Clothing collection. Another approach is to purchase Permethrin spray (online or from REI) to treat your field clothing and socks before your departure.

Packing List:

• Lightweight long pants, 2-3 pair
• Lightweight long sleeve shirts, 2-3 (if open buttons, may be layered with short- sleeved or sleeveless t-shirt to keep cool in the lowlands). Loose fitting keeps you cool.
• T-shirts, short-sleeved or equivalent (1-2)
• Personal underclothing (consider what dries quickly if you plan to wash) and nightclothes
• Socks – lightweight and easy to wash and dry, and long enough to tuck your pants to help protect from chiggers in the lowlands
• Comfortable walking shoes (such as tennis shoes) and lightweight hiking boots – 2 pair. Please note that forest trails will be on uneven terrain and may be muddy – bring shoes with good support and firm grip tread.
• Field vest (optional) a great source is Big Pockets
• Good quality raincoat and pants (recommended) or poncho
• Fleece jacket or sweater for highlands and evenings
• Comfortable clothes for evening (a cleaner version of your field clothes)
• Comfortable sandals or light shoes for evenings, travel days
• Hat with broad brim
• Scarf, light gloves, hat for cold evenings and higher elevations
• Bandana (optional, great for cooling off when hot and sweaty)
• Bathing suit for swimming

Equipment & Miscellaneous

• Airline tickets or e-ticket verification
• Passport, visa (if required), health and travel insurance info, current vaccinations, money & credit cards.
• A secure pouch to carry the items above on your person (such as a secure, under-clothing money pouch)
• As a backup: copies of all the above (phone and/or paper) packed in a separate location than on your person, plus a set given to your emergency contact at home as a backup. For passport, copy of the  ID and entry stamp pages.
• Small daypack to carry gear while hiking and in vehicles
• Cell phone and charger
• Binoculars (a hotel shower cap is great to cover these when it is raining…)
• Spotting scope and tripod (optional – guide will have them)
• Camera and charger/extra batteries, digital storage/film, lens cleaning supplies and your instruction manual. Do a good check for all this before leaving, battery chargers may be hard to find! (optional)
• Electrical plug adapter for Bolivia's plug types A & C and one for conversion from two to three prong electronic equipment
• Walking stick (optional but recommended if you have one)
• Umbrella – compact and not brightly colored
• Flashlight with fresh batteries
• Alarm clock (yes, you’ll hopefully be inspired to get up early!) If you use your phone for this learn how to turn off data roaming.
• Sunscreen/lip balm
• Sunglasses with neck strap
• Insect repellent (something containing DEET, and sulphur powder or equivalent for chiggers)
• Toiletry articles: shampoo and conditioner, dental supplies, razor, emery boards, hairbrush/comb, tweezers, hand lotion, feminine hygiene, deodorant, pain reliever
• Sink stopper, soap for hand laundry (the new detergent sheets are super handy!)
• Water bottle (can easily be bought in the airport and refilled daily). We love the Life Steam bottles that have an internal filter, making it possible to fill from the tap and be safe – VERY handy!
• Notebook or journal and pen (optional)
• Field guides (optional)
• Small bottle of antibacterial hand soap/hand sanitizer
• Small bottle or bag of laundry soap (or the new detergent sheets, super handy!) sink stopper
• Washcloth (optional)
• Earplugs (optional)
• Rechargeable power bank (optional)
• Steri-Pen or other UV water treatment device to help cut down on the use of plastic bottles (optional)

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing - your mind will be at ease!

Medical & First Aid Items

• Heath insurance and vaccination records (kept in personal pouch with other travel documents)
• Personal medication (and copy of vital prescriptions, including glasses)
• Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on bus, van, drives, etc.
• Personal first aid kit including medications for general and stomach ailments (Imodium or Lomotil, antihistamine cream or tablets, eye drops, Band-aids etc.)
• Foot powder, lotions, general “comfort” items
• Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts
• Altitude sickness medication (optional)

Donations & Gifts

We enjoy interacting with local people. Why not bring a small photo album or load your tablet with some photos of your life to share? Or some small lightweight gifts – hair ties, costume jewelry, memory sticks or flash drives, etc.  Be creative here.  Also for kids, school supplies – marking pens, activity cards such as number cards, small notebooks, and pencils are a bit hit, we can surely find a home for these in the smaller rural villages. Children’s books are a treat, especially if they are in Spanish.

Guides at the lodges are often isolated. They always enjoy a current newspaper, nature magazine, and books. If you have an old USA field guide you are not using, these are great for them to see some of the migrants and birds from another area.

There are many titles of interest for Bolivia; the following are a few that we have enjoyed that can get you started.

Top Picks

Merlin App – Bolivia Pack. A phone-based birding app from Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Before departing the U.S., download the app for free, then from within the app, download the “pack” for Bolivia.

Field Guides

Birds of Tropical America. A Watcher’s Introduction to Behavior, Breeding, and Diversity

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Tropics

Birds of Southern South America and Antarctica

Birds of Bolivia - Field Guide by S. K. Herzog

Natural History

Cloud Forest: A Chronicle of the South American Wilderness

Tropical Nature: Life and Death in the Rain Forests of Central and South America

New Neotropical Companion

History & Culture

Culture Smart! Bolivia

Chilies to Chocolate: Foods the Americas Gave the World

The Bolivia Reader: History, Culture, Politics (The Latin America Readers)

Memoir/Non-Fiction

Defeat of the Bird God: The Story of Missionary Bill Pencille, Who Risked His Life to Reach the Ayorés of Bolivia

From Mountains to Morales, Stories of Bolivia: Windows Into Andean Culture, History, and Ecosystems

Your guide will also have a selection of reference books and materials for participants to share. As an Amazon Associate, Naturalist Journeys earns from qualifying purchases, and may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page at no added cost to you.

General

Encyclopedic Overviews:

Santa Cruz, Bolivia

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz_de_la_Sierra

Cochabamba, Bolivia

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochabamba

La Paz, Bolivia

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Paz

Copacabana, Bolivia

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copacabana,_Bolivia

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

Birding Bolivia – Fatbirder

• https://fatbirder.com/world-birding/south-america/plurinational-state-of-bolivia/

Species of Bolivia – iNaturalist.org

• https://www.inaturalist.org/places/bolivia

Endemic Animals of Bolivia

• https://animalia.bio/endemic-lists/country/endemic-animals-of-bolivia
• https://lntreasures.com/boliviab.html

Birding Santa Cruz, Bolivia

• https://www.neotropicalbirdclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/NB7-100715-07BS2-Bolivia.pdf

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

Amboró National Park

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambor%C3%B3_National_Park

Asociación Armonía

• https://armoniabolivia.org/es/

Polylepis Forest Program – Armonía Conservation of Birds in Bolivia

• https://armoniabolivia.org/programs/polylepis-forest-program/

Geology & Geography

Lake Titicaca

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Titicaca

Isla del Sol

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isla_del_Sol

Geology

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_Bolivia

Geography

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Bolivia
• https://infcis.iaea.org/udepo/Resources/Countries/Bolivia,%20Plurinational%20State%20of.pdf

History & Culture

History

• https://www.donquijote.org/bolivian-culture/history/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Bolivia

Culture

• https://www.donquijote.org/bolivian-culture/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Bolivia

El Fuerte de Samaipata

• https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/883/
• https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuerte_de_Samaipata

La Cancha Marketplace (Blog article)

• https://amizade.org/la-cancha-an-exuberant-marketplace-experience-in-bolivia/

Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Our_Lady_of_Copacabana
• https://catholicshrinebasilica.com/basilica-of-our-lady-of-copacabana-bolivia/

Tiwanaku (UNESCO site)

• https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/567/

Cochabamba – Gastronomic Capital of Bolivia (UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network)

• https://en.unesco.org/creative-cities/cochabamba

Best Bolivian Cuisine

• https://www.chefspencil.com/top-25-bolivian-foods-best-bolivian-dishes/
• https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-food-in-bolivia

“Living the Language – Bolivia: The Aymara” – 20-min video

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrAFT4NbG7k

Languages Spoken in Bolivia – with basic lessons

• https://info.handicraft-bolivia.com/Languages-spoken-in-Bolivia-a193

“The Curious Customs of Copacabana” – Article, BBC.com

• https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20180228-the-curious-customs-of-copacabana

Blue-Throated Macaw Reserve Pre-Tour Extension

About Beni Savanna

• https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/beni-savanna/

Barba Azul Nature Reserve (+ YouTube video)

• https://abcbirds.org/program/reserves/barba-azul-nature-reserve/
• https://armoniabolivia.org/wildlife-and-bird-watching-holiday-in-boliva/
• https://youtu.be/85LCTzAsHYc

Helpful Travel Websites

Bolivia’s Airports (select the airport from pulldown list)

• https://www.naabol.gob.bo/
  • Arrival: Viru Viru International (VVI)
  • Departure: El Alto International Airport (LPB)

National Passport Information Center

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport.html

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• https://www.cbp.gov/travel

U.S. Department of State International Travel Information - Bolivia

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Bolivia.html

Homeland Security Real ID Act

• https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• https://www.tsa.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Bolivia

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/bolivia?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001

Canada Travel Advice & Advisories – Bolivia

• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/bolivia

Travel Health Pro (UK) – Bolivia

• https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/30/bolivia

Foreign Exchange Rates

• https://www.xe.com/

ATM Locator

• https://www.visa.com/atmlocator/
• https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/find-nearest-atm.html

Electricity and Plugs – Bolivia

• https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/bolivia/

Date, Time, and Holidays – Bolivia

• https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/bolivia/santa-cruz
• https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/bolivia/