Bolivia
Travel Destination – Bolivia
From the otherworldly salt flats of Uyuni to the towering peaks of the Andes, Bolivia captivates with its dramatic landscapes. Rich indigenous cultures, colourful festivals, and historic cities like La Paz and Sucre offer unforgettable experiences that immerse visitors in Bolivia’s heritage and traditions. When planning ahead, consider altitude, weather, and travel health advice to ensure a safer and more enjoyable journey.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Bolivia, it’s wise to book a consultation with a travel doctor to help ensure a safe and well-prepared trip. Ideally, schedule your appointment six to eight weeks before departure to allow time for multi-dose vaccines, though even a last-minute consultation can provide accelerated vaccination schedules and vital travel health advice. Your travel doctor can develop a personalised health plan based on your itinerary, whether you’ll be exploring the Uyuni salt flats, trekking in the Andes, or visiting remote highland villages. They will review your vaccination history, recommend additional immunisations specific to Bolivia, and provide prescriptions for any required medications.
Insect avoidance
In many parts of Bolivia, especially tropical and lowland regions, mosquitoes can transmit illnesses such as Dengue, malaria and Zika. Reducing insect bites is the most effective way to lower your risk. Choose accommodation with air-conditioning or well-fitted screens, and use a permethrin-treated mosquito net when this isn’t available. When spending time outdoors, wear long sleeves and trousers, and apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Treating clothing and gear with permethrin and removing standing water around your lodging can provide additional protection.
Food and water hygiene
Bolivia’s diverse cuisine, from hearty Andean dishes to fresh market produce, is best enjoyed safely with good food hygiene. Clean your hands before eating by washing them in soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitiser to lower the risk of gastroenteritis and other gastrointestinal infections. Choose food that is thoroughly cooked and served hot, and be cautious with items that are raw, undercooked, or reheated. Street food is safest when cooked fresh in front of you. Fruits and vegetables that can be peeled, like bananas or mangos, are generally lower risk. Drink only boiled, filtered, or sealed bottled water, and avoid untreated tap water and ice made from it.
Rabies prevention
Australia is one of the few regions without rabies, but in Bolivia the virus is present in dogs, bats, and other mammals. The most effective way to reduce your risk is to avoid contact with animals, especially in rural or remote areas. A travel doctor can advise whether pre-exposure rabies vaccination is appropriate for your itinerary, particularly if you plan to work with animals or visit areas with limited medical access. Any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure from a potentially infected animal requires urgent medical treatment, as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Bolivia?
Yellow Fever
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Yellow Fever, a mosquito borne virus, can cause symptoms such as fever, headaches and muscle pain. The skin can turn yellow, hence the name Yellow Fever, and rarer complications can arise. For severe cases, the fatality rate can be 30–60%. Vaccination for Yellow Fever is medically recommended for most travellers to Bolivia, especially those travelling to high altitudes. At the time of writing, a certificate of immunisation is required for entry into the country.
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection that spreads through food or water contaminated with the virus. Illness can begin with fatigue, nausea, fever, or stomach discomfort and can cause darker urine, pale stools, or yellow skin referred to as jaundice. The risk of Hepatitis A exposure is higher in Bolivia than in Australia, and many Australians have not received routine vaccination. Travellers who have not received two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine should strongly consider vaccination before their trip, especially if staying with local families, exploring rural areas, or eating street food.
Typhoid
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Typhoid is caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi and is spread through contaminated food and water. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, or constipation, and illness can be severe without treatment. Typhoid is more common in Bolivia than in Australia, so travellers who have not been vaccinated should strongly consider immunisation before departure, especially if visiting rural regions, eating street food, or staying with local families. Vaccination reduces the risk, but good food and water hygiene remain essential.
Hepatitis B
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The Hepatitis B virus affects the liver and is transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. This can occur through unsterile tattooing or piercing, unprotected sex, or sharing items such as razors. While most younger Australians were vaccinated in childhood, numerous adults have not been immunised. Travellers heading to Bolivia, particularly those staying for extended periods or engaging in activities with potential exposure, are advised to consider Hepatitis B vaccination. A travel doctor can review your vaccination history and provide tailored recommendations before you depart.
Routine vaccinations
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Australia’s national immunisation program has significantly reduced common infectious diseases, but Bolivia continues to report higher circulation of illnesses like measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus. To stay protected while travelling, review your vaccination history with a travel doctor. They can advise whether you require routine boosters before your trip, such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus, influenza, or COVID-19.
Bolivia
Other health risks in Bolivia
Malaria
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Malaria is a parasitic infection spread by mosquitoes and can cause high fever, tiredness, chills, muscle pain, and sometimes serious complications involving the blood or brain. In Bolivia, malaria risk is higher in tropical and low-lying regions, particularly in the Amazon basin. Depending on where you plan to travel, your doctor may recommend antimalarial medication. Some tablets need to be started before travel and continued after returning home. Avoiding mosquito bites remains essential to lowering your risk.
Dengue
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Dengue fever is spread in Bolivia by the Aedes mosquito. These mosquitoes are most active during daylight hours and are commonly found in tropical and urban regions of Bolivia. Prevention involves avoiding mosquito bites and removing standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Dengue can cause high fever, fatigue, muscle and joint discomfort, and a distinctive rash. Most people recover within one to two weeks after a first infection, but subsequent infections increase the risk of severe dengue, which may cause internal bleeding or dangerously low blood pressure.
Rabies
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The rabies virus is not present is Australia, but is carried by dogs, bats and other mammals in Bolivia. The most effective way to reduce your risk is to avoid contact with animals, especially in rural or remote areas. A travel doctor can advise whether pre-exposure rabies vaccination is appropriate for your itinerary, particularly if you plan to work with animals or visit areas with limited medical access. Any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure from a potentially infected animal requires urgent medical treatment, as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis is a common issue for travellers in Bolivia, often linked to improperly handled food or contaminated drinking water infected with Campylobacter, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli or Salmonella. Symptoms may begin within 24–72 hours and can include abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea, or nausea.
Replacing lost fluids with oral rehydration solutions is essential, as dehydration poses the greatest risk. Most people recover naturally after a couple of days; however, if illness becomes prolonged, unusually severe, or if staying hydrated becomes difficult, seeking medical care is important. Antibiotics may be recommended for certain travellers or persistent infections. Preventive measures include good hand hygiene and avoiding food and drinks that may be unsafe.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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Bolivia has ongoing political and civil tensions and higher rates of crime than Australia. Beware of theft, violent crime, drink spiking, methanol poisoning, drug trafficking and kidnapping, which has been reported in Bolivia. The Smartraveller website has up to date information and travel advice from the Australian government, which can be referred to prior to travelling to Bolivia.
Altitude sickness
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Altitude sickness commonly manifests as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), but can have more severe forms affecting the brain and lungs. AMS, the less severe form, affects about 25% of people not acclimatised to altitudes above 2,450 metres, which includes many mountains and cities in Bolivia, including the capital city La Paz. Common symptoms are mild and often resolve within 12 to 48 hours without further descent, including headache, dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
More serious forms of altitude sickness include High-Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE), causing confusion or unusual behaviour, and High-Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE), leading to shortness of breath and other respiratory problems. These conditions are more likely above 4,300 metres and can become life-threatening without immediate descent and treatment.
To reduce the risk, ascend gradually, allow time for acclimatisation, and for journeys above 4,300 metres, consider prescription medications for prevention or treatment as advised by a travel doctor. If you are unfamiliar with AMS, HACE, or HAPE, it is safest to travel with an experienced guide that is familiar with these risks and their management.
The Centres for Disease Control in the US recommends the following advice:
1) Be aware of early symptoms of AMS and take them seriously.
2) Never ascend to sleep at a higher altitude if symptoms develop, no matter how minor they seem.
3) If symptoms worsen while resting at the same elevation, descend immediately.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Lengthy flights or overland travel to and within Bolivia can slow blood flow in the legs, increasing the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This condition occurs when blood becomes stagnant and forms clots in the deep veins, usually in the lower limbs. To lower your risk, ensure you stand, stretch, and walk periodically during long journeys, and maintain good hydration. Travellers with additional risk factors may be advised to wear below-knee compression stockings. If DVT occurs, treatment generally involves blood-thinning medication.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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Bolivia’s dramatic landscapes and high-altitude cities offer unforgettable travel experiences, but safety planning is essential. Road conditions can vary greatly, so choose transport companies known for reliability and insist on vehicles with working seatbelts. If you intend to ride a motorbike, be sure you are comfortable handling it at altitude, follow local traffic laws, and always wear a proper helmet.
For treks in areas such as the Andes or the Yungas, wear sturdy, well-fitted boots, apply sunscreen and insect repellent, and select routes that match your experience and fitness. Comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical care and evacuation, is strongly recommended given Bolivia’s remote terrain.