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.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Bolivia has 36 recognized indigenous nations - show respect for traditional ceremonies, sacred sites, and ceremonial dress
Always ask permission before photographing indigenous people, especially cholitas in traditional dress - many request a small payment
Coca leaf chewing is a sacred Andean tradition with 4,000 years of history - do not confuse it with cocaine use or express disgust
Time is flexible in Bolivia - social events and meetings typically start 30-60 minutes late; patience is essential
Bolivians are warm and welcoming but value personal space and modesty - avoid overly casual physical contact with strangers
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Greet people with a handshake or cheek kiss (among friends) - always greet shopkeepers and hosts before making requests
- Dress modestly when visiting churches, indigenous markets, and highland communities
- Accept food and drink offered by hosts, even if you're not hungry - refusing is considered impolite
- Learn a few words of Spanish and show genuine interest in Bolivian culture - locals deeply appreciate the effort
- Carry small bills (Bolivianos) as change is very difficult to obtain for large notes in markets and small restaurants
- Remove hats when entering churches and lower your voice inside religious spaces
Don't
- Don't photograph the Witches' Market vendors, indigenous ceremonies, or people in traditional dress without explicit permission
- Don't make disparaging remarks about Bolivia's poverty, altitude, or infrastructure - Bolivians are proud of their country
- Don't raise your voice or show anger in public - calm and patient communication is highly valued in Andean culture
- Don't cross protest roadblocks (bloqueos) even if the road appears temporarily open - situations can change quickly
- Don't assume coca leaf products are drugs - coca tea and candy are completely legal in Bolivia and culturally sacred
- Don't disrespect Pachamama (Mother Earth) by littering or treating nature carelessly - environmental respect is deeply valued
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Pachamama Offerings
Before important events, construction projects, or trips, Bolivians make offerings (ofrendas) to Pachamama (Mother Earth) through a ritual called a ch'alla. This involves sprinkling alcohol, food, and dried flowers on the ground while giving thanks to the earth. The tradition blends Andean spirituality with Catholic customs.
Alasitas Miniature Wishes
On January 24th (and throughout the year), Bolivians purchase miniature versions of things they desire - houses, cars, diplomas, money - and have them blessed by an Aymara yatiri (shaman) at the Ekeko festival. The blessed miniatures are believed to manifest into real items within the year.
Cholita Wrestling
On Sunday evenings in El Alto, indigenous Aymara women called cholitas perform theatrical wrestling matches in full traditional dress including layered pollera skirts and bowler hats. This event has evolved from local entertainment to a celebrated cultural spectacle blending sport with Bolivian indigenous identity.
Day of the Dead Celebration
On November 1-2, Bolivians celebrate Día de los Muertos by visiting cemeteries with elaborate flower arrangements, photographs, and the deceased's favorite food and drink. Families spend the day at gravesites sharing meals with their loved ones in a colorful celebration of life and death rooted in both Andean and Catholic traditions.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- Handshake standard between men; women and mixed-gender friends greet with a single kiss on the right cheek. Always greet the eldest person first in a group setting.
- Dining
- Wait for the host to begin eating before starting your meal. It's polite to try everything offered. Leaving a small amount on your plate indicates you are satisfied.
- Dress
- Smart casual appropriate in most settings. Avoid very revealing clothing in highland communities and churches. Traditional dress (cholita clothing) worn by indigenous women should not be worn by tourists as a costume.
- Gifts
- Bringing sweets, fruit, or flowers when visiting a Bolivian home is appreciated. Avoid giving obviously expensive gifts which may create uncomfortable obligation.
- Business
- Business meetings follow formal protocols - use titles (Licenciado, Doctor, Ingeniero) until invited to use first names. Card exchange is standard in professional settings.
- Tipping
- 10-15% at restaurants in cities; round up for taxis. Not expected at markets but always appreciated. Hotel housekeeping $1-2/day.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Hola / Buenos días
Hello / Good morning
OH-lah / BWEH-nos DEE-as
Muchas gracias
Thank you very much
MOO-chas GRA-see-as
Por favor
Please
por fah-VOR
¿Cuánto cuesta?
How much does it cost?
KWAHN-toh KWES-tah
¿Dónde está...?
Where is...?
DON-deh es-TAH
No entiendo
I don't understand
no en-tee-EN-doh
¿Habla inglés?
Do you speak English?
AH-blah een-GLES
¡Qué rico!
Delicious!
keh REE-koh
Kamisaraki
Hello (Aymara)
kah-mee-sah-RAH-kee
Yuspagara
Thank you (Aymara)
yoos-pah-GAH-rah
La cuenta, por favor
The bill please
lah KWEHN-tah por fah-VOR
¡Salud!
Cheers!
sah-LOOD
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Bolivia.
Main: Roman Catholicism (77% of population) deeply blended with indigenous Andean spiritual beliefs creating a unique syncretic faith called 'folk Catholicism' or 'Andean Catholicism'
Sites: Copacabana Basilica (major pilgrimage site on Lake Titicaca), San Francisco Cathedral La Paz, Potosí Cathedral, Sucre Cathedral, Jesús de Machaca churches in Tiwanaku region
Holy Days: Semana Santa (Easter Week), Virgen de Urkupiña (August 14-16 in Quillacollo), Día de los Difuntos/Day of Dead (November 1-2), Christmas. Aymara New Year (Willka Kuti) celebrated June 21 at Tiwanaku with growing national recognition.
Conversations: Religion and politics are sensitive topics. Avoid criticism of Bolivia's Catholic traditions or its complex relationship with indigenous spirituality. Do not dismiss coca ceremonies as primitive.