Latin America - Bolivia - Country Information

The vastly differing Amazonian and Andean landscapes and the remnants of mysterious ancient civilisations, make Bolivia a rich and exciting destination. Discover the churches and palaces, bustling markets and stunning scenery of this beautiful country, relatively untouched by tourism. Lake Titicaca and La Paz are world-famous but there is a lot more of interest in this fascinating small country high in the Andes. For example the colourful Sunday Market at Tarabuco, near to Sucre, is one of the most authentic markets in Latin America, and the medieval mines at Potosi offer a fascinating insight into Bolivian way of life.

Key Facts
Full Country Name	Republic of Bolivia
Area	1.09 million sq km
Population	8.8 million
Capital	La Paz
Time Difference	4 Hours Behind GMT
Visa	A visa is not required
Currency	Boliviano
People	30% Quechua Indian, 25% mestizo, 30% Aymará Indian, approx 15% European (principally Spanish)
Language	Quechua, Spanish, Guarani, Aymara
Dialling Code	00 591
Electricity	220/230V 50 Hz

Visas:

A visa is not required

Health risks:

Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Polio, TB, Tetanus, Typhoid, Yellow Fever

When to Go:

The best time to visit Bolivia is in their winter (our summer) months when the climate is drier and more pleasant, with clear skies. In general the wet season is from November to March.The country has four climatic zones.  In the Puna and Altiplano, daily temperatures are above 20°C, with temperatures falling dramatically at night.  In the Yungas, north of La Paz and Cochabamba average temperatures are 24°C, with rainstorms possible at anytime of year.  In the high valleys, average temperatures are 19°C. In the tropical lowlands, rainfall is high but seasonal  (heaviest from November to March) and the climate is hot.