The below information is provided to inform people of what to expect if they participate in this tour and to advise participants on how to prepare for the tour. We try to provide accurate information but conditions and travel requirements can change over time.

Entering Bolivia

Persons entering Bolivia require a valid passport with an expiration date more than 6 months after their planned departure from the country. US citizens require a visa to enter Bolivia. No visa is required for Canadians or citizens of the European Union. The US visa is good for 30 days each visit, obtainable from a Bolivian embassy in the US or upon arrival in Bolivia. Immigration officials may deny a person entry if their passport is not in good condition. In response to the Covid pandemic, Bolivia requires proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid at least 14 days prior to arrival or a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to embarkation.

Leaving Bolivia

A departure tax of $25 is assessed when leaving Bolivia. The tax is usually included with the international airline tickets.

Time Zone

Bolivia is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Immunizations & Health

Please contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding health issues and immunization requirements when traveling in Bolivia. See your travel doctor for specific recommendations at least 4-6 weeks prior to departure. Malaria risk exists in the Beni area of Bolivia and all other areas below 2500m elevation. The CDC also recommends vaccinations/boosters for hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, influenza, typhoid, tetanus-diptheria, and measles. Some birding sites in the Andes are at high altitude so altitude sickness pills are advisable.

Medical Facilities

Bolivia is a very poor country and medical facilities are limited to major cities. The quality of care in cities is inconsistent and not always good. Pharmacies are present in most towns.

Insurance

We recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance, which will reimburse you for any non-refundable payments you would otherwise lose if you must cancel your participation in the tour for some unforeseen reason. Trip cancellation insurance must normally be purchased within a short time after you register for the tour. Travel medical insurance is advisable, especially for those with chronic or known medical conditions.

Altitude

The altitude at La Paz is 11,900ft and Cochabamba is 8392ft. Some birding sites reach an altitude of 14,800ft. Little walking is required at those sites.

Climate

The best time for birding Bolivia is dry season from May-November. The rainy season from January-April is a good time for birding the Altiplano, which is always very dry, but is not good for birding the Beni region in the north. Nearly the entire country is covered by a pall of smoke from burning grasslands during August and September. Prime birding months in forest regions are August through early November when breeding activity is high.

Pace

The pace of birding tours in Bolivia varies from easy to moderate. Tours are rated as moderate in difficulty due to the effects of altitude. Some sites require long drives or flights on fairly small planes, mainly in the north to Apolo and in the Beni region.

Birding is best in early morning and late afternoon, so some days begin shortly after first light around 6:00-6:30 am. Breakfasts may be earlier, around 5:00-6:00 am. We may stay out after dark looking for nightjars and owls on some nights before dinner. Because we awake early, participants typically retire to their rooms immediately after we complete dinner and checklists for the day.

Accommodations

We generally stay in moderately priced hotels with comfortable accommodations. Some lodges are more rustic when located in remote areas.

WiFi

Access to WiFi and the internet is typically slow where it is available in larger cities. It is generally unavailable in smaller towns and more rural areas.

Food

Meals vary from basic to quite good. All lodges and restaurants can accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice. Bottled water is available throughout all tours, but due to the varied preferences of participants, bottled water is not always provided except during meals unless provided by the lodges for no charge.

Transportation

Land transport is by comfortable mini-van or suitable vehicle depending on group size. Tours normally include internal flights. Some flights are on smaller regional jets. Flights to Barba Azul may be on yet smaller planes.

Registration & Payment

Please refer to the REGISTRATION menu for registration procedure. Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended as payments may be partially or wholly non-refundable. See the POLICIES menu for our refund policy.

Additional Information

General information about the tour, including where to meet the group and contact information, will be sent by email or US mail prior to departure. Checklists will be provided at the beginning of the tour. Additional information about our policies can be found on the REGISTRATION menu above. Please feel free to call us at 206-650-3425 or email us with any questions you may have.

Information last updated December, 2022.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFO
(Not on Menu Above)

• Country Map
• Accommodations
• Photos from Past Tours
• Travel Information

BIRDING LOCALES

• Apolo Area & Machariapo Valley
• Cerro Tunari
• Chapare Road
• Laguna Alalay
• Lomas de Arena
• Old Coroico Road
• Quirusillas
• Red-fronted Macaw Reserve
• Refugio Los Volcanes
• SE Lake Titicaca
• Santa Cruz Botanical Gardens
• Siberia Yungas Forest
• Sorata