Bolivia
High‑altitude cities, sprawling salt flats and a mosaic of indigenous languages define Bolivia’s Andean heart.
Overview
Bolivia’s multilingual fabric weaves Spanish, Quechua and Aymara across contrasting regions—from the altitude‑kissed streets of La Paz to the tropical lowlands of Santa Cruz. Its geography spans the towering Andes, the world‑famous Salar de Uyuni and dense Amazonian rainforests, each shaping a distinct way of life.
At a glance
Languages
- Araona(Official)
- Aymara(Official)
- Ayoreo(Official)
- Baure(Official)
- Canichana(Official)
- Cavineña(Official)
- Cayubaba(Official)
- Chácobo(Official)
- Ese Ejja(Official)
- Guaraní(Official)
- Guarayu(Official)
- Itene(Official)
- Itonama(Official)
- Leco(Official)
- Movima(Official)
- Puquina(Official)
- Quechua(Official)
- Sirionó(Official)
- Spanish(Official)
- Tacana(Official)
- Tapieté(Official)
- Toromono(Official)
- Yuki(Official)
- Yuracare(Official)
Population12,244,159
CurrencyBolivian Boliviano (BOB)
1 BOB = 0.0866 USD
1 USD = 11.5433 BOB
Popular places
Bolivia
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerMuch weaker local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of Life IndexStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
Healthcare IndexMixedSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
Crime IndexElevatedSource category: Crime | 2026 | Crime index (100 = highest crime)
Safety IndexLimitedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
Pollution IndexElevatedSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
Traffic IndexHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Business Residence, Permanent Residency, Student, and 3 more.
Business Residence
- Multiple Visa for Investment and Business
Multiple-entry consular visa for foreign nationals entering and leaving Bolivia regularly for investment and business activity.
- 1 year, renewable
- Limited work rights
Permanent Residency
- Permanencia Definitiva
Definitive permanence route for foreign nationals who meet the Bolivian migration-regulation requirements after three years in Bolivia.
- Full work rights
Student
- Student Visa
Entry visa for foreign nationals entering Bolivia to study at primary, secondary, or higher-education institutions.
- 60 days
- No work rights
Languages
- Araona(Official)
- Aymara(Official)
- Ayoreo(Official)
- Baure(Official)
- Canichana(Official)
- Cavineña(Official)
- Cayubaba(Official)
- Chácobo(Official)
- Ese Ejja(Official)
- Guaraní(Official)
- Guarayu(Official)
- Itene(Official)
- Itonama(Official)
- Leco(Official)
- Movima(Official)
- Puquina(Official)
- Quechua
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Bolivia.
Canada
Exercise a high degree of caution
Advisory effective · Verified
Exercise a high degree of caution in Bolivia due to the possibility of demonstrations, localized roadblocks, crime, and travel disruptions related to ongoing political and social tensions.
United Kingdom
FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Advisory effective · Verified
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Chapare region of Cochabamba Department including Villa Tunari and highway routes 4 and 24 that pass through Chapare.
United States
Level 2Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory effective · Verified
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