Bolivia runs on cash. Cards work only in good hotels and upmarket restaurants in La Paz and Santa Cruz. Banco Union ATMs are the cheapest, and withdrawal limits are low at 1,000 to 2,000 BOB.
- This is a cash country. Street food, taxis, buses, markets and budget hotels take nothing else, and foreign cards are frequently rejected by Bolivian online payment portals.
- Banco Union is the ATM to look for - state-owned, the widest urban and rural network, and fee-free or close to it on a foreign card. BNB charges 30 to 50 BOB per withdrawal.
- Limits are low: 1,000 to 2,000 BOB per transaction. Plan fewer, larger withdrawals and carry more cash than you would elsewhere; avoid unbranded street machines entirely.
- Change money downtown, not at the airport. The airport counters are 5% to 15% worse than the casas de cambio on Avenida Camacho in La Paz.
- Calibrate on these: a set market lunch 10 to 25 BOB, a mid-range main 40 to 90 BOB, a trufi ride 1.50 to 2.50 BOB, a cable car line 3 BOB.
Money and paying for things
Bolivia uses the boliviano (BOB, Bs.).
- This is a cash country. Street food, taxis, buses, markets, budget hotels and most of everything outside the two big cities are cash only. Cards work in mid-range and upmarket hotels, better restaurants and major supermarkets in La Paz and Santa Cruz - and foreign cards are frequently rejected by Bolivian online payment portals, which is why intercity buses need an aggregator.
- Banco Union is the ATM to look for: state-owned, the widest urban and rural network, and fee-free or close to it on a foreign card.
- Banco Nacional de Bolivia (BNB) charges 30 to 50 BOB per withdrawal. Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz charges a standard fee.
- Limits are low everywhere: 1,000 to 2,000 BOB per transaction. Combined with fees, plan fewer larger withdrawals and carry more cash than you would elsewhere.
- Avoid unbranded street machines - skimming and tampering are the reason.
- Decline dynamic currency conversion and pick BOB; the markup runs 5% to 10%.
- Change money downtown, not at the airport. The counters at El Alto (LPB) and Viru Viru (VVI) are 5% to 15% worse than the casas de cambio on Avenida Camacho in La Paz or around Plaza 24 de Septiembre in Santa Cruz.
Tipping
Not customary in informal places. 5% to 10% in a sit-down restaurant is appreciated. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip; rounding up to the nearest note is normal.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Espresso or cappuccino | 10 to 18 BOB |
| Almuerzo set lunch in a market | 10 to 25 BOB |
| Mid-range restaurant main | 40 to 90 BOB |
| Bottled water, 1 litre | 4 to 8 BOB |
| Micro or trufi ride | 1.50 to 2.50 BOB |
| Mi Teleferico, per line | 3 BOB |
| Taxi, per kilometre | 5 to 10 BOB, minimum 10 to 15 BOB |
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