Bolivia Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Most European Union countries, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea walk straight through, no visa, no fee.
Those 90 days can be chopped into several entries inside the same calendar year. The clock starts the first time you cross the border.
United States passport holders must obtain an online authorization before arrival.
Cost: Moderate processing fee payable online by card
Print the PDF authorization. Airlines will ask for it at check-in.
If your country is absent from both the visa-free and ETA lists, you need a tourist visa stamped by a Bolivian consulate before departure.
Some consulates require an in-person interview. Call ahead to confirm.
Arrival Process
After you land you'll follow a yellow-painted corridor where Andean panpipe music drifts from ceiling speakers toward the immigration counters.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Bolivia allows duty-free imports within generous limits. But fresh food, coca leaves beyond personal use and cultural artifacts are tightly controlled.
Prohibited Items
- Fresh meat or cheese, risk of foot-and-mouth disease
- Coca leaves over 500 g, triggers narcotics protocol
- Used car parts, considered environmental waste
Restricted Items
- Pre-Columbian artefacts, requires Ministry of Culture export permit
- Firearms, special police authorization only for hunting rifles
- Drones, register with DGAC before flying in Bolivia
Health Requirements
Bolivia's entry health rules aim to stop yellow fever and cholera crossing borders, at low-altitude Amazon airports like Santa Cruz.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow-fever vaccine for passengers arriving from Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela or any country with active transmission
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A & B
- Typhoid for rural travel
- Routine MMR and DPT boosters
Health Insurance
No compulsory insurance. But medical evacuation from La Paz can cost mid-range international hospital prices. Buy a policy that covers altitude sickness.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Quote from World NomadsRead our complete Bolivia Travel Insurance Guide →
Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Carry the child's birth certificate. If only one parent travels, bring a notarized authorization from the other parent translated into Spanish.
Dogs and cats need an international health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and rabies shot at least 30 days prior. Upon arrival, SENASAG vets inspect the animal and issue a local permit for about the cost of a mid-range hotel night.
Visit the immigration office in La Paz before your 90 days expire. Pay a moderate fee and present bank statements to receive a 30-day 'prórroga', repeat once for a maximum 180-day tourist stay per calendar year.
Know What to Pack
Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.
View Bolivia Packing List →Ready to plan your trip to Bolivia?
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