Genvisec advises that prior to any business or leisure travel to Benin professional security advice is sort.

 

Crime

 

Be vigilant at all times while travelling around. There have been a number of reported crimes against foreign nationals.

 

When choosing your transport, use established companies and seek local advice.

 

Petty crime is common in central La Paz and other popular tourist destinations, on buses and in crowded areas. Don’t leave your bag or belongings unattended. Always keep your passport, air ticket and other valuable items in a safe place.

 

There has been an increase in the number of kidnappings involving taxis in the city of Santa Cruz and La Paz. If you do use a taxi choose a ‘radio taxi’, which is identifiable by the telephone number and the name of the taxi company on the vehicle’s roof. If possible, request a taxi by phone, make a note of the taxi’s registration number and telephone number before you set off. This type of taxi should carry no other passengers Radio taxis that are registered with the Mayor’s office should have a yellow sticker in one of their windows. Criminals sometimes impersonate police officers and act in collusion with bogus taxis to target foreigners. False police ID cards, uniforms and even false police stations have been used to fool victims. The criminal pretends to be a friendly tourist. A bogus police officer then approaches and asks for passports and other information. The victim is then persuaded to get into a taxi where he/she is robbed or taken to cash points to withdraw money.

 

Be vigilant and call local authorities if you suspect that impostors are targeting you. You can’t be searched without a written order from a state prosecutor. The Tourist Police toll-free number is 800-14-0081.

 

Beware of individuals offering help at taxi points and at bus terminals where thieves work in teams to distract their victims.

 

There is a general risk of ‘express kidnappings’ - short-term, opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash. Victims are normally selected at random and held for up to several days while criminals use stolen bank or credit cards. Foreign visitors are particularly vulnerable when entering Bolivia at overland border points with Peru, Chile and Argentina. If you are travelling from Copacabana to La Paz, try to use direct buses. Take particular care on arrival, especially in the Cementerio General, area in La Paz where a number of incidents have been reported. There have also been reports of similar incidents in the Sopocachi area of La Paz.

 

Take care around transport in tourist sites such as Rurrenabaque. Attacks on lone travellers taking motorbike taxis have been reported.

 

Petty crime is common in central La Paz and other popular tourist destinations like Sagarnaga Street, on buses and in other crowded areas.

 

Always keep your passport, air ticket and other valuable items in a safe place.

 

Adventure Tourism

 

Bolivia offers a number of adventure activities, including mountain biking, salt flat tours and jungle expeditions. There are no official minimum standards for tour operators. Seek local advice and only use reputable companies. Check your travel insurance policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.

 

For mountain biking on the so-called ‘Death Road’, from La Paz to Coroico through the Yungas Valley, make sure bicycles are in good condition and guides are fully equipped with safety equipment and first-aid kits.

 

Prison tours

 

Avoid prison tours. They are illegal and unsafe. There are no guarantees for your safety inside prison premises.

 

Road travel

 

You will need an International Driving Permit to hire a car. You must carry this with you at all times when driving.

 

Road travel can be dangerous due to poor road conditions, local driving techniques and the condition of vehicles on the road. There have been a number of recent accidents involving public transport, especially long distance buses, in which foreign nationals have been affected. Bus drivers drive for well over the time permitted in comparison with European laws.

 

Weather conditions can seriously affect your ability to travel. During the rainy season (November to March) there is risk of roads being washed away or flooded. Check with the  Bolivian road authority website on the state of the roads and seek local advice before you set out.

 

There is little control of vehicle maintenance and serious accidents occur on the main tourist routes Some of Bolivia’s principal roads are paved, but of variable quality. Most roads are unpaved rough tracks. 4-wheel drive vehicles are often the best means of transport, especially during the rainy season. Broken-down vehicles with no warning lights are a frequent hazard on roads at night.

 

Many taxis and most of the bus companies don’t meet European standards and rarely have seat belts.

 

Road blockades

 

Groups often use road blockades as a form of protest, without warning. Don’t attempt to cross these blockades. Please contact Genvisec for up-to-date information on which roads are blocked.

 

Air Travel

 

A list of recent incidents and accidents can be found on the website of the Aviation Safety network.

 

A recent accident at Riberalta airport in the Beni department highlighted a lack of safety and rescue capability in many of Bolivia’s airports, although the 9 departmental capitals are understood to have fire engines and other equipment.  Genvisec currently advises staff not to travel to airports outside of the departmental capitals for this reason.

 

Genvisec can offer advice on individual airlines.

 

River travel

 

Boat trips on Lake Titicaca are available, but the craft are often very basic. The same is true of boats used for river excursions in jungle areas. The vessels do not meet SOLAS/marine safety requirements.

 

Political situation

 

The political situation in Bolivia is unpredictable. There is a risk that demonstrations will turn violent at short notice. You should avoid large crowds. Border areas and other remote regions can also be subject to demonstrations.

 

Health

Contact your doctor around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. 

 

The local Bolivian authorities have confirmed an outbreak of AH3N2 flu throughout the country. The most affected areas are La Paz, Oruro and Potosi due to low temperatures

 

Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. In addition yellow fever vaccine should be given to travellers 9 months of age and older travelling to areas below 2,300m east of the Andes Mountains. These areas include the entire departments of Beni, Pando, and Santa Cruz, and some areas in the Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz and Tarija departments. Yellow fever vaccine may not be suitable for some individuals so you should seek further advice from your GP, practice nurse or private travel clinic.

 

Medical facilities in major cities are good and acceptable in the main tourist areas. Elsewhere, facilities may not meet acceptable standards. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, carry a letter from a doctor describing the medical condition and any prescribed drugs. If you bring medicines with you, make sure they are in their original containers and clearly labelled.

 

Dengue Fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. Rain and flooding can lead to an increase in dengue carrying mosquitoes, leaving affected areas more vulnerable to dengue breakouts. Malaria is also common in lowland tropical areas (Beni and Pando) and the area known as Chaco in the south (Yacuiba, Paracari).

 

Some areas have been designated as ‘high risk’ for yellow fever. When outbreaks occur, the government sets up vaccination points at police checkpoints. At each of these, you may be vaccinated if you do not hold a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.

 

Parts of Bolivia, including La Paz are at high altitude. This factsheet includes advice on how to reduce the risk of altitude sickness and what to do if you develop symptoms.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 118/119/110 and ask for an ambulance or the service you require. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

 

Money

 

Banking facilities are good in all main Bolivian cities. ATMs accept Visa, Maestro, and Mastercard.

Local laws and customs

 

Illegal bars exist in Bolivia. You may be detained for questioning if you are caught at one of these, particularly if drugs are found within the premises.

 

Bolivia is the world’s third largest producer of cocaine. There are harsh penalties for those caught trafficking or in possession. The minimum sentence is 8 years and prison conditions are very basic. Be very careful with your luggage and belongings and avoid any contact with illegal drugs.

 

Be careful especially when carrying cameras or binoculars when travelling off the beaten track, particularly in coca-growing areas such as the Chapare and the Yungas.

 

Check before taking photographs of local people.

 

Homosexuality is not illegal, but is frowned upon by the majority of Bolivians, more so in the Altiplano than in Santa Cruz, where attitudes tend to be more liberal.

 

Police and immigration officials sometimes carry out ID checks. You can keep a photocopy of the pages from your passport containing your personal details and the Bolivian immigration stamps with you, and leave the original document in a safe place.