Practical info for Bolivia
Emergencies, embassy, entry requirements, money: the essentials before you go, with the official source and the date each piece of information was checked.
Embassy and entry requirements shown for travellers from: United Kingdom.
Emergency numbers
Official sources give different numbers for some services: each number is shown with its source.
- Policeaccording to GOV.UK, 22/09/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 01/04/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 20/09/2026110
- Medical emergenciesaccording to GOV.UK, 22/09/2026118
- Medical emergenciesaccording to Poland's foreign ministry, 20/09/2026160
- Medical emergenciesaccording to the French embassy, 01/04/2026167
- Fire brigadeaccording to GOV.UK, 22/09/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 01/04/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 20/09/2026119
Source: France Diplomatie, GOV.UK, French embassy, Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas, Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych RP · verified on 26/10/2026
Embassy and consulates
- British Embassy, La PazEmbassy
- Address
- Avenida Arce No. 2732, La Paz, La Paz, Bolivia
- Consular emergency line
- In an emergency send us an online enquiry use our contact form: https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/posts/bolivia/british-embassy-la-paz You can also call (591) 2-2010020. The British Embassy in Bolivia does not provide information on visas. You can find out how to apply for a UK visa
Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
Entry requirements
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included.
Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 22/09/2026 ›
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Safety and travel advice
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country.
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
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.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Currency and payments
Currency: Boliviano (BOB).
The ECB does not publish a reference rate for BOB.
Source: SIX Group (ISO 4217), European Central Bank, EU Publications Office · verified on 26/10/2026
Time difference
Local time: UTC-04:00, −4 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026).
The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
Source: IANA (time zones) · verified on 26/10/2026
Driving
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You’ll need to have both a 1949 international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car to drive in Bolivia. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.”
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Mobile networks
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Tigo (Sirocco, Airalo); Entel (Airalo); Nuevatel (Airalo); VIVA (Sirocco).
eSIM prices for Bolivia
7 days, 5 GB · prices checked on 26/10/2026
3 brands compared, not an exhaustive listWhy this ranking?
Ranked by price: for each brand, the cheapest plan that covers 7 days and 5 GB.
Not an exhaustive comparison: 3 brands out of the dozens that sell eSIMs. The list of brands compared is in our Methodology.
eSIMeter is published by Mocom SAS, which sells Sirocco: the site is funded by those sales. No other brand pays us.
Frequently asked questions
What are the emergency numbers in Bolivia?
Police: 110 (according to GOV.UK, 22/09/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 01/04/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 20/09/2026) ; Medical emergencies: 118 (according to GOV.UK, 22/09/2026) ; Medical emergencies: 160 (according to Poland's foreign ministry, 20/09/2026) ; Medical emergencies: 167 (according to the French embassy, 01/04/2026) ; Fire brigade: 119 (according to GOV.UK, 22/09/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 01/04/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 20/09/2026). Official sources give different numbers for some services: each number is shown with its source.
How do I contact the embassy or consulate in Bolivia?
British Embassy, La Paz, Avenida Arce No. 2732, La Paz, La Paz, Bolivia. Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
What are the entry requirements for Bolivia?
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included. Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 22/09/2026.
What is the travel advice for Bolivia?
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country. Areas where FCDO advises against travel 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. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
What currency is used in Bolivia?
Currency: Boliviano (BOB). The ECB does not publish a reference rate for BOB.
What is the time difference in Bolivia?
Local time: UTC-04:00, −4 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026). The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
What should I know about driving in Bolivia?
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You’ll need to have both a 1949 international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car to drive in Bolivia. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.”
Which mobile networks operate in Bolivia?
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Tigo (Sirocco, Airalo); Entel (Airalo); Nuevatel (Airalo); VIVA (Sirocco).