Internet and PhonesÂ
Towering mountains, stunning salt flats, tropical rainforest, and tranquil colonial towns make Bolivia a great place to disconnect and relax. That said, for those who have to stay connected, here are our tips:
Most hotels in Bolivia provide internet access (sometimes at a cost) and international telephones – although for calling home, you will likely receive better rates using an internet-based phone service such as Skype or WhatsApp. Do not expect good WiFi access in all locations. In particular, Uyuni and the Amazon are remote areas and WiFi and the ability to make international calls cannot be relied on.
For heavy internet users, a service such as Skyroam, a wireless hotspot device, may be your best option for connecting to the internet in Bolivia. GlocalMe is another good hotspot option. If you plan on bringing your smartphone to Bolivia, make sure to remember to leave it on airplane mode to avoid any roaming charges. Just enable WiFi to access the Internet.
We don’t recommend buying a cell phone or sim card in Bolivia. There are often long waits, non-English speaking employees and local ID may be required. In addition, if you are traveling to multiple countries within South America, you will most likely need to buy a sim card for each. The easiest option for travel to Bolivia is to get a plan with your carrier in your home country that allows you to make emergency calls and/ or receive texts. If you do choose to buy a sim card in Bolivia, ask your guide where they recommend finding one and make sure your telephone is unlocked. Before traveling, consider checking about international call options and prices with your network provider.
Electrical Adaptors
When traveling to Bolivia, we recommend taking an electrical adapter on your trip. Some hotels in Bolivia provide adapters, but you should not rely on this. Before using adapters make sure to check the voltage of your electronic device to ensure that you have a charger equipped to handle a higher voltage. If not, you will need to use a voltage converter.
Often in Amazon lodges, electricity is not provided 24 hours a day. In more remote areas of the country, power cuts are possible so it is always a good idea to take a flashlight with you.
Bolivia uses plug types A and C. The standard voltage is either 115 V or 230 V and frequency 50 Hz.
This means:
When traveling from the USA or Canada to Bolivia, you may need an electrical adaptor and voltage convertor.
When traveling from Australia or New Zealand to Bolivia, you will need an electrical adaptor.
When traveling from the UK, Ireland, Malaysia or Singapore to Bolivia, you will need an electrical adaptor.
When traveling from South Africa to Bolivia, you will need an electrical adaptor.
