Bolivia Travel Warnings & Safety Tips

"How to stay safe and the latest Bolivia Travel Warnings."

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Bolivia is a friendly place and although it is one of the poorest countries in South America, it is generally one of the safest countries in Latin America to travel. Violent crimes in Bolivia are rare compared to other neighboring countries. However, every country has its thieves.

Petty theft: the big risk

The big risk a tourist faces in Bolivia is petty theft, or, more precisely, small robbery. If you don't keep a close eye on your things, the chances of them being stolen is high. Watch out for pickpockets and take extra caution in crowded areas such as bus stations, festivals or markets.

Do not allow worries about robbery to interfere with your travel. Just be vigilant and street smart, particularly in big cities. Here are some basic precautions and safety tips.

Basic precautions and Bolivia safety tips

• Be aware of your surroundings. If you think you are being followed go to the nearest store.
• When using ATMs don't withdraw large sums and hide your card well.
• Make sure all your valuables are out of site (camera, IPod, ect.).
• Don't wear flashy gems, rings and expensive watches in Bolivia.
• Don’t leave your things unattended (at airports, at bus stations, etc.).
• Don't carry large amounts of cash, put your money and documents in your hotel safes. Carry a photocopy of your ID documents (and of your passport), instead of originals.
• Do not act like a tourist.
• Ask for current information about the local safety and local precautions to be followed at your hotel reception.
• Avoid remote places and unsafe streets, especially at night.
• Avoid unmarked taxis. Look for taxis with signs on their vehicles. At night take radio taxis.
• Try to arrive into a city during the day, not the night.

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Latest Crimes & Scams in Bolivia

The South American Tourist and The Fake Police
You are approached by a friendly "tourist" and he asks for directions or starts up a friendly conversation with you. He claims to be a "tourist" from another South American country. Moments later someone else approaches in plain clothes flashing an ID, claiming he's a police officer. He then asks to see your passport, and the South American tourists says that this is routine and shows his, encouraging you to do the same. The fake police officer then asks to inspect your bag and wallet for drugs and counterfeit money. During the search he will steal your money and anything worth of value in your bag.

There are also other variations to this scheme, including demanding you to get in a vehicle or a taxi with them to go to the police station. During the ride they may steal from you or bring you to another location to rob you. This scam is common in La Paz, Cochabamba and Oruro.

Best things to remember in this situation is policemen in Bolivia will rarely ever approach you for no apparent reason and they are dressed in green uniforms, never in street clothes. So, be wary of someone in street clothes asking for your passport. Simply walk away from them and go to the nearest store or hotel to call the police. Or tell them they can follow you on foot to the nearest uniformed police officer or police station if they won't leave you alone. Never get into a vehicle or a taxi with a stranger. Never let anyone go through your bag or wallet.

Lost or Dropped Money Scam
Someone is walking in front of you and loses a big bundle of money, a wallet or purse. You pick it up and try to return it to the person who dropped it. The person then accuses you of stealing it and a fake police will come out of nowhere and accuse you of stealing the money also. He will then demand to check your bag, wallet and other items, while this is happening you will get your items stolen. There are other variations to this scam, but the point is never pick-up anything lying around the street. Just ignore the item and keep walking.

Spilled Substance Scam
You are walking down the street and someone spills something on your bag or points out a substance on you (ketchup, mustard, spit, ect.). That person then offers to clean if off for you, while they are cleaning it off they will steal your stuff or run off with your bag. If someone offers to clean the substance off, ignore them or refuse any help and just keep walking.

Express Kidnapping
Tourists in recent years have been a target for express kidnapping. Most cases have occurred on the Copacabana to La Paz route. Tourists have been kidnapped and robbed of their ATM cards and other valuables. This crime reportedly involves travelers taking an evening bus from Copacabana. While the bus is scheduled to stop at the La Paz bus terminal, the driver will stop short of that location, typically near the General Cemetery late at night. Passengers then have little option but to hail a waiting taxi. Thieves and gangs in collusion with the taxi driver enter the taxi and take the tourist to an undisclosed location and the victim is forced to give up their ATM card PIN. They will hold the tourist for a few days or as long it takes to drain the account.

There are also other variations of these kidnappings, such as where fake police and armed men are involved. The best thing to remember if coming from Copacabana is try to arrive during daylight hours, verify the final destination, and buy tickets directly at the Copacabana bus terminal rather than from third parties.

Many victims to date report that once the thieves withdrew funds using the ATM cards they were then released without further harm. However, a few of those kidnappings have resulted in murder. Such as the instance in 2006 of a young Austrian couple who were kidnapped and murdered. For more detailed information on their story and warnings on crimes and scams in Bolivia visit www.katharinaandpeter.info or visit US Department of State for further resources on safe travel in Bolivia.

• Bolivia Safety & Travel Warnings Forum


• Bolivian Embassies & Consulate locations


• Bolivia Visa Requirements


• Bolivia Travel Information