Bolivia

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May 21, 2013 12:20 PM
London_Khh

last reply
May 21, 2013 12:20 PM
London_Khh

0 replies
7 views
location: Bolivia

The strikes - La Paz

Hi all

Currently in Salta, Argentina. After a frustrating time being completely stuck in Buenos Aires during the bus strikes earlier this month (yes I know there are worse places to be stuck!), I'm now monitoring the situation in other countries along our trip.

Bolivia is next. We are going to work our way towards La Paz shortly.

Conflicting news reports have used terms from "some big disruptions" to the city being "paralysed".

For anyone there (or who knows anyone there) - which is more accurate as to the current situation.

Is it impossible to get in and out at the moment? If so are many restaurants, shops and the like closed? Is if reasonable safe?

I'm monitoring the news daily, but anyone with direct experience and knowledge please let me know what it is actually like for a traveler on the ground there at the moment?

Also if it applies to anywhere else we are ... more »

May 18, 2013 11:57 AM
stankwad

last reply
May 18, 2013 10:31 PM
polyglot25

5 replies
179 views
location: Bolivia

Northern Chile to La Paz - San Pedro or Arica? Altitude sickness

Could you help me with your Bolivian expertize? I saw some threads on similar questions posted in the past few years but I'm still not very clear.
I'll be finishing my Chile/Argentina trip after Christmas 2013 and fly back to Canada early January 2014 from La Paz.
I have a dillemma: going there through Arica or San Pedro de Atacama? I won't have time to do both Atacama and Putre/Lauca NP. I'd love to do San Pedro to Uyuni 3 day tour but I'm concerned about altitude sickness, I have terrible memories from staying in Cuzco 10 years ago. San Pedro is at about 2400 m. Would a couple days there acclimatize me to continue on the tour? I've read horror stories about people doing tour that way, but maybe they didn't stay long enough in San Pedro? On the other hand Putre is already at 3500 m and going there from Arica's sea level will give me altitude sickness for sure. So what is the lesser... more »

May 17, 2013 6:10 AM
xinloi

last reply
May 17, 2013 9:31 AM
tunabagel

1 replies
125 views
location: Bolivia

passport pictures for visa

American Airlines would not issue a boarding pass for flight to La Paz unless I had $135 in cash, hotel reservation, yellow fever shot, and two passport pictures. I had everything except pictures. Had to go out of terminal to catch a cab who took me to nearest Walgreen where I got pictures taken. On arrival at LA Paz airport no one asked for the pictures.

May 16, 2013 1:17 AM
JohnnyLawlor

last reply
May 17, 2013 12:57 PM
hazzdawg

5 replies
182 views
location: Bolivia

Uyuni extended trip

Anyone have experience tailor making an extended small group tour of the salt flats and surrounding areas? I did the standard 3 day trip 14yrs ago and it has been with me ever since. I want to charter a private tour for up to a week and would love to hear suggestions of routes, prices etc or experiences form anyone who may have done something along this line. Tnx.

May 15, 2013 4:10 PM
angryange

last reply
May 15, 2013 11:02 PM
hazzdawg

2 replies
123 views
location: Bolivia

Travel from Uyuni to Tupiza, how ??

Hello

I'm hoping someone will clarify the best way to get from Uyuni to Tupiza. I am currently in San Pedro De Atacama (chile) and have booked a salt flat tour, I will be left in Uyuni. I have booked accommodation for one night and would like to make my way to Tupiza the following day (Monday). I am having trouble finding buses and times etc. Can anyone out there help me with a more information please.
Also, what is the best bus company to use whilst travelling around Bolivia.

Thanks guys

May 14, 2013 11:29 AM
Musafir01

last reply
May 14, 2013 6:11 PM
scottyheather

2 replies
146 views
location: Bolivia

Two Days One Night Salt Flat Tour

Due to limited time, I have only two days one night for Salt Flat tour...Is there any agency in Uyuni which offers tour of this duration? Please help me.

May 14, 2013 9:23 AM
travelwiz13

last reply
May 19, 2013 8:06 AM
xinloi

10 replies
246 views
location: Bolivia

USA visa in Uyuni -- passport photo in Uyuni?

Sorry for another thread, but I suspect this is a common issue for American visitors to Uyuni from Chile so thought it warranted a separate thread.

Thus far for my visa, I have $150 in nice USA money (some extra just in case; above the $135), a yellow fever certificate, as well as copies of my passport and yellow fever certificate.

I'm lacking the passport photo.

Should I be able to get a passport photo in Uyuni quite easily? The operators in Chile tell me that I can, but of course I just want to be certain as I'm hoping to bus to La Paz the same day.

May 14, 2013 7:07 AM
rjt251

last reply
May 14, 2013 10:09 PM
joolz2

3 replies
173 views
location: Bolivia

Uyuni Salt Flats Tours

Hi all,

Can anyone recommend good, reliable and cheap tour operators who do 3 day, 2 night Salt Flat tours that start in Uyuni and end in San Pedro de Atacama please. There's lots around but just want to hear everyones opinions/experiences as there are a few horror stories about!

Also, are there any that can provide a sleeping bag as I'm not planning on taking one with me!

Thanks

Edited by: rjt251

May 13, 2013 5:11 PM
travelwiz13

last reply
May 15, 2013 11:04 AM
breeezybear

10 replies
247 views
location: Bolivia

Uyuni one-day salt flat tours? Possible?

Hey All,

I'm not entirely keen on doing the entire, expensive, adventure from San Pedro de A, Chile to Uyuni for two nights and three days.

So, I'm considering taking a direct transport connection from San Pedro to Uyuni (25K Chilean) and then doing a one-day tour of the salt flats from Uyuni.

The thing is that all of the tour operators in San Pedro keep telling me that there is NO one-day tour of the salt flats from Uyuni. Is this true? Or are they lying and just trying to get me to sign up for the more expensive, longer tour?

Thanks very much!

May 12, 2013 5:06 PM
travelwiz13

last reply
May 13, 2013 12:01 PM
Threeshire

2 replies
159 views
location: Bolivia

American going visa-less from San Pedro to Salt Flat tour? HELP :)

Hi there,

I'm in San Pedro de Atacama now and getting seriously interested in the jeep tour to the salt flats.

I have a US passport that expires in February 2014. Two tour guides told me it wouldn't be a problem and I will just have to get the visa at the end of the tour.

Can any US travelers confirm that this is the case?

One tour operator also told me that the driver would have to hold my passport during the tour until I got a visa, true?

Also, true that you can pay for the visa in dollars, pesos chilenos OR pesos bolivianos? Again, this is what a couple tour operators told me, but I would like to verify based on experience.

Lastly, I don't really have a proper NorthFace for this tour (as I wasn't planning on doing it until a couple days ago). I have a jumper (hoodie) and a light spring/fall jacket (water-proofish) -- will these be enough to not die on the tour/be... more »

May 12, 2013 2:54 PM
paigeemma25

last reply
May 13, 2013 5:54 PM
tunabagel

3 replies
157 views
location: Bolivia

Luggage Storage La Paz 15 days

Hello all,

I am going to be traveling in Bolivia for around three weeks and would like to store luggage in La Paz for around 15 days. I need to be able to store a computer and a suitcase because I will be continuing on to Buenos Aires for Spanish studies. Does anyone know a secure place? Do places normally accept luggage being left for that long a period of time?

Thank you!

May 10, 2013 11:26 PM
rajaramasamy

last reply
May 14, 2013 12:50 AM
Aran_

4 replies
231 views
location: Bolivia

Uyuni salt flat tour with a 4 year old kid

Hello everyone,

Me and my wife are planning to travel to Bolivia towards end of May to do the Salt Flats tours of Uyuni. We would like to know if it's advisable to do this tour with a 4 year old. Planning for a 3 day tour of Uyuni. How will the weather be and any precautions to follow and manage (atleast to a decent level) with a kid.

Please advise.

Thanks
Raja

May 10, 2013 10:22 AM
xinloi

last reply
May 17, 2013 11:12 AM
mauz1

3 replies
242 views
location: Bolivia

Money

Heading to Bolivia next week and was stuffing my daypack with US 50's and 100's. Took a break and picked up LP guidebook (page 335) and read that US $100 bills of the series CB-B2 and $50 bills of the series AB-B2 are NOT accepted anywhere in Bolivia.

What? Why? Luckily I only have a couple handful of bills of those series so I'll go to the local bank to trade them for bills of other series. Have been to many countries in South and Central America and this is the first I ever heard of certain bills not being accepted

May 9, 2013 7:50 AM
rjt251

last reply
May 17, 2013 1:24 PM
blackers

9 replies
343 views
location: Bolivia

Uyuni to Iguazu Falls

I will be in Uyuni in a few weeks time and intend to travel on to Iguaza Falls but have no idea how to get over there. If anybody could suggest routes (bus/train/air) with approximate costs and timings I would be much appreciative!

Is it possible to do a Salt Flats tour starting in Uyuni and then finishing in Argentina, with a view to onward travel to Iguazu falls? And can anyone suggest any good tour operators that will do this?

Many thanks

May 8, 2013 10:52 AM
sandoval

last reply
May 8, 2013 8:41 PM
joolz2

3 replies
193 views
location: Bolivia

La Paz hostal 30-60 Bs?

Any suggestions for a hostal in La Paz in the 30-60 Bs range for a private room/shared bath? Not looking for backpacker/party hostal. My regular place closed.

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