It is quite safe to travel in Bolivia as well as very comfortable. It is unthinkable not to travel, while you are here in Bolivia, to see the many different aspects of this beautiful country!

Transportation

You can reach the bigger cities easily on tarmac roads. Smaller places and areas that are further away are more difficult to reach, especially during the rainy season. It is very important to be aware of the situation of the roads in the different regions.

The most used transport in Bolivia is the bus. Here they call the bus ´flota´. You can find bus stations in all cities, where different bus companies offer all kinds of trips. A lot of buses will travel daily between the big cities. Smaller places and provinces which are further away (Beni, Pando, Tarija) are more difficult to reach, and may only have buses once a day or a few times per week. The trips often take a whole day or a whole night. We advise you to travel during the day. You will not be bored, as you can enjoy the ever changing landscape. The prices of the bus tickets are not always the same, but you will not find much difference between the rates of the different bus companies. During the holidays it is possible that they will double the prices or even more!

Here is an indication (one-way trip) in Bolivianos

La Paz - Oruro (4 hours)	20	Cochabamba - Santa Cruz (10 hours)	50
La Paz - Cochabamba (8 hours)	35	Cochabamba - Sucre (12 hours)	45
La Paz - Santa Cruz (18 hours)	75	Cochabamba - Oruro (5 hours)	20
La Paz - Potosi (10 hours)	40	Santa Cruz - Sucre (20 hours)	60
La Paz - Sucre (12 hours)	80	Oruro - Potosi (8 hours)	40
La Paz - Copacabana (3.5 hours)	15	Potosi - Tarija (15 hours)	60

A lot of buses also travel to the neighboring countries: Argentina (Salta, Buenos Aires), Chile (Arica and Iquique), Peru (Lima, Arequipa, Cuzco via Puno, Juliaca) and Brasil. These buses are often comfortable and reliable, but be prepared for a long trip!

To fly is of course another option. Domestic flights go daily to all parts of the country. It is a fast option, but not very cheap. A one-way trip La Paz – Santa Cruz is around 100 US Dollar.

There are a lot of local travel agencies who can give you much more detailed information concerning traveling in Bolivia. Furthermore you can buy different kinds of travel guides. We advise you to buy The Lonely Planet Bolivia. For more information about traveling in Bolivia, look at our website at ´links´.

Safety

It is quite safe to travel in Bolivia. It’s better to avoid some destinations during the rainy season (Yungas) and furthermore it is always important to be informed concerning the situation of the roads, blockades, etc, that can always happen during the year.
Women who travel alone, hardly have any trouble along the way. Speaking the language is very important though, as you will feel more secure when you can communicate easily.

Most travelers feel safe in Bolivia, safer than in most other countries in South-America. Of course it is advisable to take certain precautions before traveling. Tourists are very interesting for thieves. Try to blend in as much as possible, do not take too many valuable things with you, while traveling, hide important documents and money under your clothing, etc. Furthermore trust your instinct and do not look for danger. All volunteers and interns will get a brochure with information and tips concerning safety, during the introduction course from Bureau Connectie Bolivia And of course we can always advise you during your stay here. It is of course a lot safer to travel in a group, with a guide or with someone who knows the country and its ways, than to travel alone.

Highlights

The places that you really need to see while you are in Bolivia:

- Copacabana (Lake Titicaca, the highest sailable lake of the world)
- Uyuni (Saltlakes)
- Sucre (A colonial city in a very nice climate and beautiful surrounding)
- Coroico (Yungas, a subtropical area, 3 hours away from La Paz)
- Rurrenabaque