Bolivia Travel Guide

Watch a traditional Tinku dance group in Bolivia

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Bolivia Health Care and Vaccinations

Title	Special precautions
Diphtheria	Sometimes
Hepatitis A	Yes
Malaria	Sometimes**
Rabies	Sometimes
Tetanus	Yes
Typhoid	Yes
Yellow Fever	Yes*


* Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travellers aged nine months and over visiting areas below 2,300m (7,545ft) east of the Andes, including the departments of Beni, Pando and Santa Cruz and parts of Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz and Tarija. It is not recommended for travellers whose itineraries are limited to higher-altitude areas, including the cities of La Paz and Sucre. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged one year or over arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Travellers visiting yellow fever risk areas within Bolivia should carry their vaccination certificate. ** Malaria occurs at low levels in the Amazon basin and some other rural areas below 2,500m (8,200ft). There is no malaria risk above 2,500m. Travellers visiting risk areas should take precautions against mosquito bites and seek medical advice about whether antimalarial medication is appropriate.

* Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travellers aged nine months and over visiting areas below 2,300m (7,545ft) east of the Andes, including the departments of Beni, Pando and Santa Cruz and parts of Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz and Tarija. It is not recommended for travellers whose itineraries are limited to higher-altitude areas, including the cities of La Paz and Sucre. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged one year or over arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Travellers visiting yellow fever risk areas within Bolivia should carry their vaccination certificate.

** Malaria occurs at low levels in the Amazon basin and some other rural areas below 2,500m (8,200ft). There is no malaria risk above 2,500m. Travellers visiting risk areas should take precautions against mosquito bites and seek medical advice about whether antimalarial medication is appropriate.

Healthcare standards vary considerably. Private clinics in La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and other major cities generally provide better facilities than the public system, while medical care can be very limited in rural and remote areas. Serious illness or injury may require evacuation to a major city or another country.

Private medical facilities may require payment before providing treatment. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment and emergency evacuation is strongly recommended, particularly for travellers visiting remote areas. Bolivia can experience shortages of medicines and medical supplies, so travellers taking regular medication should bring an adequate supply in its original packaging together with a copy of the prescription.

For an ambulance, call 118.

Food and drink:

Tap water is not recommended for visitors. Drink bottled, boiled or properly treated water and avoid ice unless it is known to have been made from safe water. In remote areas, travellers should take particular care with untreated water from streams, lakes and other natural sources.

Choose food that is freshly prepared and thoroughly cooked, particularly meat and fish. Avoid food that has been left standing at room temperature, and wash or peel fruit and vegetables where hygiene is uncertain. Extra care is advisable with food from street stalls and markets.

Other risks:

Altitude sickness is an important risk in Bolivia. La Paz lies at about 3,630m (11,910ft), El Alto at about 4,150m (13,615ft) and Potosí at more than 4,000m (13,120ft). Travellers arriving directly at high altitude should allow time to acclimatise, avoid strenuous activity initially and descend to a lower altitude if symptoms become severe or worsen.

Mosquito-borne diseases including dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever occur in parts of Bolivia, particularly at lower elevations. Travellers should use insect repellent, wear clothing that covers the skin and take other precautions against mosquito bites. Rabies is also present, and travellers should avoid contact with dogs, bats and other animals and seek urgent medical attention following a bite or scratch.

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