Bolivia

My experience in regards to accommodation within Bolivia is one of real delight and was a highlight of backpacking Bolivia.

Sadly, since COVID has gripped the continent in 2020 a number of hostels, hotels and homestays in the country have closed, some permanently. Whilst I write this based on my experience, things may have changed during the outbreak.

Sadly, this has happened to the place I stayed, Hotel Osira. It was fantastic, the staff were helpful and friendly and the rooms large and extremely comfortable. Amenities were on point and the location was perfect.

I was astounded with the level of comfort for the price. Whilst you can spend big, you really don't need to. You can have it all for very little. I am sure accommodation changes as you move around the country, but I cannot tell you about that at this time. To check out the rest of the accommodation check out Airbnb.

Hopefully, we will be back in South America very shortly, COVID dependant, and be able to update you further on this subject.

Check our detailed accommodation guides for:

La Paz

Again, sadly I'm unable to provide you with a full rundown of true classic Bolivian foods. However, along with the accommodation, this was a shining light in the dark and dismal world of backpacking Bolivia.

The fresh fruit markets are awash with excitement (unlike, the sleeping saleswoman in the photo), noise, colour and smell. It really is a grand unveiling, to not only the foods and shopping but a way of life for those living within Bolivia.

The foods on offer at the fresh fruit markets are unbelievably cheap. Luckily, if you were hoping for a little more than fruit, there are vast numbers of food markets and food halls too. As with the fruit markets, these halls are phenomenally cheap, and you can pick up mouthwatering meals for next to nothing. I highly recommend giving them a go. You'll find local recipes and fantastically tasting Bolivian delicacies that you won't find elsewhere.

With cheap ingredients and fruits on offer throughout the markets and halls, it will come as no surprise that meals out are also well-priced.

Whilst, like Peru, the food has been heavily based on meat and vegetables, namely, pork, potato, corn, beef and chicken, there is also a heavy Spanish influence. Meals change as you meander around the country with differing styles, tastes and ingredients.

Alongside the Bolivian and Spanish classics, Asian restaurants and meals are prevalent throughout. I must say they are stunning too.

Bolivia may not be known for its culture, dance, food or traditions. Nevertheless, once you scratch the surface, you will discover a world of creativity, music, history and diversity.

Whilst backpacking Bolivia you will discover that culture and heritage are an important way of life to the Bolivian people.

One of the first things you will notice, in certain parts of the country, is the clothing. Much like Peru, clothing tells a story of where the person's family originates. Therefore you will encounter many styles throughout your experience backpacking Bolivia. The traditional Andean women will often be found wearing a bowler hat, and a frilly dress known as a pollera accompanied by a colourful shawl. The men would wear a woollen cap called a chulla, cotton trousers, and a bright colourful poncho.

Other regions such as Potosi and Chuquisaca tend to have a more Incan design whilst other regions don the more Spanish styles to name a couple. 

Other parts of Bolivian culture is as interchangeable as the clothing. Therefore, if anyone describes Bolivian culture in one word, they really do not know what they are talking about. Festivals, music and dance play a big part in the Bolivian way of life and depending on what part of the country you visit, you will discover numerous styles, sounds, and atmospheres. However, there does appear to one common theme throughout Bolivian music, and that is the use of wind instruments, be it panpipes, or one of my styles of flutes.

Luckily for me, but not so great for the Backpacking Bolivia blog, I didn't use public transportation at all, bar the journey from Peru to the capital.

From what I saw, there were a vast number of small buses called Micros and Trufis, as pictured below. They seemed small, beat-up yet plentiful, and never overcrowded. This was my only real experience with public transport in Bolivia.

Taxis are also two to the penny. Still, you must be careful, and always use official taxis which you have booked over the phone. Unofficial taxis are the source of a lot of robberies and kidnap in Bolivia. Many people in Bolivia use their cars as taxis to enhance their income without a licence.

For the more prolonged journies throughout Bolivia, the smaller Trufis will not suffice. Thus, you'll need to jump aboard the larger public buses. Once out of the main cities, the roads go from bad to worse. Which, unfortunately, means a bumpy and longsome drive. These drives can be halted at any moment by conditions, road surfaces or protests, which is not ideal, especially when you need to get somewhere quickly, say a connecting flight.

Your other options are trains or flights, which again, are a mixed bag in themselves.

There main international airports in Bolivia centre around the main tourist hotspots of Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and the largest Airport in Bolivia in El Alto. El Alto International airport services the capital La Paz, and the surrounding area. Fun Fact; It is also the reason that there are no tall buildings in El Alto.

Trains, whilst more comfortable, are not without their problems. The lines are limited and can often be a pricey way of travelling across Bolivia.

As you will discover, backpacking Bolivia can be an extraordinarily cheap experience. You will, at times, have to consider safety within your budget. There is no point being able to afford a safer location, but not spend it and fear being mugged in an unsafe location.

Similarly, there is no point in flashing the cash and living excessively as you'll make yourself a target.

So without further ado, our three Far Out budgets are;

The 'Backpacker' Budget

Your only objective is to keep travelling. The secret? Keeping costs at an all-time low. This is the budget for you.

Accommodation - Accommodation varies massively across the country, with differing styles, standards and ultimately, pricing. The cheapest you will find comes in at around 27BS (£3). Even then, they are very sparse. In reality, you will need to be budgeting around 45BS (£5) a night. You will find these rooms extremely basic and cramped, but that's what you expect for a few quid a night.

Foods -As mentioned, you will find a lot of markets and food halls across the main towns and cities. They are often amongst the cheapest places to eat. Other options include the local cafes and restaurants away from the main tourist hotspots. If you have what is known as the almuerzo (set menu), you can often eat for as little as 13BS (£1.50). Breakfasts come in cheaper, whilst an evening meal could easily be double that price. Therefore, a daily budget, including three meals would come in at around 45BS (£5). 

Transportation - Backpacking Bolivia can be done on a very reasonable budget, however, you get what you pay for. The ride will be spine-breakingly uncomfortable from start to finish. Although I would still suggest, where possible, you walk. This, obviously isn't an option for crossing the country, you will, at some point, have to catch a public bus. For reference, a bus from La Paz to Tarija, in the south-east 553miles (890km) will cost you 259BS (£28.50). This sort of journey will be a one-off, as it crosses the entire country. Therefore if we go for a daily budget for transportation of 45BS (£5) a day, that should see you comfortably through. 

Drinks - As a backpacker looking to save as much as possible, you will be confined to drinking local beers. The best place to find them is in the markets, where you can pick up a pint for around 15BS (£1.60). Restaurants and cafes will charge considerably more. A couple of beers from the market sounds like a winning combo on your budget so, 30BS (£3.50) a day on drink will suffice.

Overall - Your backpacker daily budget for Bolivia, including three meals, will come to a total of 165BS (£18.50).

The 'Travellers' Budget

You've saved for this trip, and you want the ultimate bang for your buck. Money is tight, but you want the best experience. We've got you covered.

Accommodation - It is countries like Bolivia where you extra buck goes a long way.  With the extra cash, you can expect a few more basic amenities and a lot more space, be it personal or generally within the dorms. Not only that, but you'll have a much wider range of properties to choose from. These options start to present themselves in better locations too, all for a fantastic 89BS (£10) a night. 

Restaurants - Much like the backpackers budget, I suggest you save your money at mealtimes and spend it better elsewhere. The local markets, food halls and 'locals' restaurants cook up a storm and therefore are still the best for your budget.  You have the disposable cash to allow yourself a decent meal in a better quality restaurant, a couple of evenings a week. Just don't make a habit of it. Overall, I will say a decent daily budget on food would come in around 90BS (£10).

Transportation - As mentioned numerous times within the blog, transportation throughout Bolivia will never win any awards. No matter how much you polish a turd, it will not turn to gold. Ideally, I would say spend your extra cash here and save your spine. However, sadly, I cannot. For the same journey (La Paz to Tarija) that costs the backpackers £28 on a bus, would cost nearly 720BS (£80) to fly. Yes, you save 12 hours, and yes your bones will still be where they should be, but at over £50's extra per journey, is it worth it?

Thus, the only change to the daily budget will be the odd short scoot around town in a Micro to save your legs. Therefore, your daily budget for transport in Bolivia is 65BS (£7).

Drinks - As with most of the blogs I write, the alcohol section seems to be where you, the travellers, gain over the backpackers. You can afford the odd night club or a couple of beers at a restaurant, whilst also enjoy the cheaper local beers from the markets. As you'd expect, alcohol within the nightclubs will cost you more than at a bar, which, in turn, is more expensive than the markets. You have saved for this experience, knock yourself out and go crazy from time to time.

If anywhere, this is where you'll want to flex that muscle, let's budget a healthy 135BS (£15) a day.

Overall - Your travellers daily budget for Bolivia, including three meals, will come to a grand total of 379BS (£42).

The 'Daddies Credit Card' Budget

Your trust fund is finally available, and your Instagram followers need to see where you are in the world this week. You farted the other day, and a private jet came out. We haven't forgotten you.

Hotels - Ok you gods and goddesses, I'm not sure if you have ever considered places like Bolivia, but let's see what we can do for you. I doubt we will be able to blow your budget here, but we can try and give that rowdy trust fund a hard shoeing. Hotels may never, in fact, meet your impossible standards, you will not find that same level of perfection Jeeves offers at home. It's Bolivia.

The best I can offer is 1170BS £130 a night, which I know, is nothing for you, but I think you'll do well to spend more than that per night.

Restaurants - Bolivia does fine dining and on a budget suitable for more than the celebs. Due to this, you will notice a few of us common folk spoiling your views. Sorry, not sorry. That said, you will do well to waste, sorry throw more than 300BS (£33) on a meal in Bolivia. Not that you may have heard of a budget before, but if we give you a daily budget for the three meals of 600BS (£67), you shouldn't starve.

Transportation - I have just googled private jets, and you're in luck. There are numerous companies out there who will fly you around Bolivia, but this can come at a cost. Not that you care. We are talking up to 134,765BS (£15,000) an hour. So it's out there if you need it. However, if you are just super-rich, and aren't Jeff Bezos or Bill Gates then maybe you'll have to settle for a standard charter flight.

As mentioned in the travellers budget, La Paz to Tarija on a bus costs 250BS (£28), which you have to avoid. For you, it's totally worth spending 720BS (£80) to fly. It's quicker, more comfortable, and honestly, it's just better.

Therefore along with private drivers to get you around the city, costing about 10BS a kilometre, our daily budget will be a grand 224BS (£25)

Drinks - Whatever you want is on offer. You've saved money on accommodation, food and if truth be told, you've not spent an awful lot on transportation either. Let your hair down and have a night out. You should be looking at the fine wines, such as the 2016 Icono Tempranillo. Whilst it may cost you more than your meal, it sounds like what you've been missing out on. A drop in the ocean at 800BS (£89). A couple of cheeky nightcaps on top should see you over the 1,000BS (£111) barrier.

Overall - Your daddies credit card daily budget for Bolivia, including three meals, will come to a grand total of 2,994BS (£333) a day.