Bolivia offers stunning natural wonders from the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni salt flats to the serene waters of Lake Titicaca. Experience rich indigenous culture, colorful markets, and the world's highest capital city in La Paz.
Local currency: Boliviano (BOB) - approximately Bs 7 = $1 USD (rate fluctuates).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Bolivia.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $10-15/dorm
- Budget
- $30-50/private room
- Midrange
- $70-120/night
- Luxury
- $180-400+/night
Food
- Street
- $2-4
- Local
- $5-10 (set lunch/almuerzo)
- Midrange
- $15-25
- Fine
- $50-80+
Transport
- Bus
- $0.30-0.50 (local micro/trufi)
- Taxi
- $3-8 (city ride)
- Airport
- $10-20 (La Paz)
- Daytrip
- $25-50 (organized tour)
Activities
- Museum
- $3-6
- Sites
- $5-15
- Tour
- $25-60
- Excursion
- $80-250 (multi-day)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Bolivia costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$180-245/week
Midrange traveller
$420-630/week
Luxury traveller
$1,260-2,100+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Eat the set lunch (almuerzo del día) at local restaurants - three courses including soup, main, and drink for $3-6, the best value in Bolivia
Take the Mi Teleférico cable car in La Paz instead of taxis - covers most tourist areas for $0.50 per ride
Travel between cities on night buses (cama or semi-cama class) to save on both transport and accommodation costs
Avoid booking Uyuni tours in Uyuni itself where prices are highest - book in La Paz or Tupiza for 20-30% savings
Cook your own food using market produce - Bolivia has excellent cheap fresh fruit and vegetables in all city markets
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Mi Teleférico Cable Car (La Paz)
Only $0.50 per ride, the cable car system provides spectacular aerial views over La Paz and connects to El Alto markets at essentially zero cost.
Plaza San Francisco and Colonial Center
La Paz's main plaza and surrounding colonial streets are free to explore, with street performers and the beautiful church facade as backdrop.
Witches' Market (Browsing)
The Mercado de las Brujas on Calle Jiménez is free to explore, offering fascinating glimpses into Aymara ritual and traditional medicine culture.
Mirador Killi Killi
Free hilltop viewpoint overlooking the entire La Paz bowl at 3,750m, accessible by the Red teleferico line or short uphill walk from El Tejar neighborhood.
Sucre Historic Center Walking
Bolivia's UNESCO World Heritage city is best explored on foot, with the whitewashed colonial architecture and plazas free to enjoy.
Train Cemetery, Uyuni
The famous graveyard of 19th-century British steam locomotives outside Uyuni is accessible on foot from the town center for free.
Copacabana Lake Titicaca Waterfront
Strolling the Copacabana waterfront, visiting the Basilica, and climbing Cerro Calvario for panoramic lake views cost nothing.
El Alto Thursday/Sunday Market
One of South America's largest markets covering dozens of city blocks is free to wander, offering an extraordinary window into Bolivian commerce and culture.
Plaza 25 de Mayo, Sucre
Sucre's elegant main square with its colonial buildings, Cathedral facade, and local life is a perfect free evening destination.
Oruro Silver Mining Heritage Walk
Walking Oruro's historic center past mining-era architecture and the ornate Santuario del Socavon (mine entrance shrine) is free and historically fascinating.