|
|
|
|
|
|
Print Version
|
|
TRAVEL REPORT
|
|
Last Updated: December 7, 2006 13:46
EST
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 22:51
EST
|
| Bolivia |
|
|
|
1. INTRODUCTION
Section 2 of this Travel Report has been updated.
BACK TO TOP
2. ATTENTION
See our Current Issues page for information on security during the Summit of South American Nations that will be held in Cochabamba on December 8 and 9, 2006.
Large-scale demonstrations against the government, that may involve
acts of violence, are
occurring
mainly
in the Eastern part of Bolivia. Canadians travelling to Bolivia should avoid large crowds and demonstrations, monitor local news reports and be prepared to use alternative routes should roads become blocked due to protests. Canadians requiring consular assistance should contact the Consulate of Canada in Bolivia or the Emergency Operations Center in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 (call collect).
Travellers should be aware of an increased incidence of “express kidnappings,” often involving sophisticated scenarios and criminals posing as police officers. Canadians residing in Bolivia should also be aware of the reported increase in home invasion crimes. Canadians are advised to be alert to these possible situations and ask to contact the Consulate of Canada should they be affected. Please see important information about this crime in section 3, below.
There is currently a shortage of jet fuel in Bolivia that has affected several flights operated by local airlines (LAB and Aerosur). This shortage is expected to continue as there are no quick solutions to the supply problem.
While most demonstrations in Bolivia are peaceful, some do turn violent. It is possible that demonstrations, roadblocks and marches occur on main roads at any time and with little or no notice. For more information please see our Current Issue.
La Paz’s airport is located in El Alto and the roads leading from the airport to downtown are particularly vulnerable to blockades. Canadians should avoid demonstrations at all times and not attempt to pass through roadblocks. Blockades are common during times of protest, affecting transportation and limiting access to services and amenities.
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country if they are going to be there for longer than three months. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 7 below).
BACK TO TOP
3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
There has been a steady increase in robbery in public places. Travellers should be especially cautious on buses and at bus stations.
The local tourist police have reported an increase in reported organized robbery and “express kidnappings”, where tourists are held for ransom, especially between Copacabana and Desaguadero. As such, they have recommended that tourists avoid the route after 14:00 hours. Criminals, often posing as police officers, request to examine your belongings for drugs or false money, and some may even ask you to accompany them to a police station in a white taxi. These operations are often quite sophisticated, to the point where bogus police stations are set up to scam tourists.
One recent, high profile example of this type of crime involved two Austrians who went missing on a journey between Copacabana and La Paz on January 24, 2006. Their bank cards were used to withdraw large amounts of cash in various locations throughout Bolivia, and their bodies were later found in an unmarked grave in La Paz.
Please note that all police officers should wear green uniforms with a name badge that clearly identifies them and they can not oblige you to follow them unless they have a formal written request from a judge with your name on it. Ask to see identification and only agree to a luggage check in visible public locations and demand your right to inform your Consulate about it.
Beware of taking taxis in the street; it is always safer to call a radio taxi that can easily be identified by having a phone number on the roof.
Violent crime and armed robbery against foreigners, including the use of firearms, are also on the rise in La Paz. Although uncommon, victims have been choked until they are unconscious. Robberies and attacks are increasing in the city of Santa Cruz. Petty theft, including pickpocketing, purse snatching, vehicle thefts (mostly four-wheel-drive vehicles), and highjackings are common in La Paz and Santa Cruz. There has also been a rise in the number of cons involving teams, in which one thief diverts a victim's attention, while a second snatches a purse or luggage (or cuts open pockets or bags to remove valuables), and a third operates a getaway vehicle. Beware of con men pretending to clean soiled clothing.
There continues to be an increase in crime at tourist destinations. Travel only in large groups to Los Yungas and the Inca trails with tours organized by reputable and trusted tour operators. Canadians should especially be careful while hiking at "La muela del diablo" which is located in La Paz. In the Chapare area between Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba and the Yungas region, northeast of La Paz, violence and civil unrest, mainly associated with drug trafficking activities could periodically cause delay and risk to travelers who are in the region. Travellers planning to trek in the Bolivian Andes should join an organized group from a reputable firm. Hire an experienced guide and porter who can communicate in Spanish and English/French. Tourists travelling near Rurrenabaque are strongly encouraged to use the services of a registered travel agency.
Local police can be contacted at 110, ambulance services at 118 and the fire department at 119. The tourist police can be contacted at 222-1516.
BACK TO TOP
4. LOCAL TRAVEL
Road conditions in Bolivia are very poor. Although the major population centres of La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba are connected by improved highways, less than five percent of all roads in Bolivia are paved.
Public transportation is unsafe. Use only well-known radio taxi companies (especially after nightfall) or tour buses from reputable companies for trips. Avoid extensive travel on foot. Avoid small restaurants away from downtown and tourist areas.
For trips outside major cities, especially in mountainous areas, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. Risks include most drivers' lack of formal training, unlit vehicles speeding at night, and drunk drivers, including those driving commercial buses.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.
BACK TO TOP
5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
Travel during the rainy season (November through March) is extremely difficult, as many roads become impassable. Heavy rains may contribute to dangerous landslides. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.
BACK TO TOP
6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
Imprisoned individuals may have to wait up to two years for their trial. Jail conditions are primitive, and prisoners have to pay for their cells.
Possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs is severely punished. Travellers should not under any circumstance carry a stranger's baggage. Travellers visiting non-tourist locations, especially coca-growing areas, must exercise great vigilance and not carry a camera or binoculars.
It is illegal to remove any item that the Bolivian government considers to be a national treasure (e.g., pre-Columbian artifacts, certain historical paintings, items of Spanish colonial architecture and history, some native textiles, and certain flora, fauna, and fossils). Any type of excavation for fossils or collecting fossils without prior written authorization is illegal.
BACK TO TOP
7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:
Bolivia - LA PAZ, Consulate of Canada
Address: 2678 Calle Victor Sanjinez, Edificio Barcelona, 2nd Floor, Plaza España (Sopocachi), La Paz, Bolivia
Tel.: 591 (2) 241-5141, 241-4517, or 241-5021
Fax: 591 (2) 241-4453
E-mail: lapaz@international.gc.ca
The Embassy of Canada in Lima, Peru, has consular responsibility for Bolivia.
Peru - LIMA, Embassy of Canada
Address: Calle Libertad 130, Miraflores, Lima 18, Peru
Postal Address: P.O. Box 18-1126, Lima, Peru
Tel.: 51 (1) 444-4015
Fax: 51 (1) 242-4050
E-mail: lima@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.lima.gc.ca
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Consulate of Canada in La Paz and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.
Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Bolivia is 800-10-0101, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site.
BACK TO TOP
8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Conditions are subject to change.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Bolivia. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country.
Travellers staying for more than 30 days may obtain a tourist visa for approximately US$30. This type of visa can only be obtained twice.
Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 30 days)
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
A departure tax of 15 bolivianos is charged for internal travel. For international destinations a travellers tax of US$25 is charged. The departure tax for international destinations must be paid in U.S. currency. Travellers who have Bolivian citizenship or residency must pay an additional fee upon departure.
Tourists entering Bolivia do not require a yellow fever certificate to enter the country. However, local authorities recommend that tourists get a yellow fever vaccination if they are travelling to tropical regions, such as Los Yungas, El Chapare, Beni and Pando, as well as the rural areas of Santa Cruz.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Bolivia and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
BACK TO TOP
9. MONEY
The currency is the boliviano. It is almost impossible to exchange Canadian dollars (cash or traveller's cheques) in Bolivia. Travellers should use credit cards, U.S. dollars, or bolivianos for purchases. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
BACK TO TOP
10. GENERAL INFORMATION
Bolivia (capital: Sucre; seat of government: La Paz) is located in central South America, bordered by Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile. The official languages are Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Tourist facilities are adequate but vary in quality.
BACK TO TOP
11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
BACK TO TOP
12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Prior to departing Canada for high-altitude locations over 3,000 metres/10,000 feet above sea level, such as La Paz (which is over 4,000 metres/13,000 feet), travellers should discuss the trip with their personal physician and request specific recommendations concerning medication and high-altitude issues. Alcohol should be avoided before and shortly after arrival. Drink plenty of water.
Even healthy and fit persons will feel symptoms of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) upon arrival at high altitudes. Most people will experience increased respiration and increased heart rate. Many will have headaches, difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, minor gastric and intestinal upsets, and mood changes.
BACK TO TOP
13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
BACK TO TOP
14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
BACK TO TOP
15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
BACK TO TOP
16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
BACK TO TOP
17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
N/A
BACK TO TOP
18. ANNEX
N/A
BACK TO TOP
|
|
