Few countries take travellers as high as Bolivia. Most routes link La Paz with Lake Titicaca and the multi-day 4x4 tour across the Uyuni salt flat, then add Sucre and Potosí, a ride down the Death Road or a few days in the Amazon from Rurrenabaque. Bolivia is not part of the EU's Roam Like at Home area, and European operators charge their own roaming rates there, usually by the day.
Key facts for Bolivia
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Tigo, VIVA (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: police 110; ambulance 118; fire 119
- Embassies: in La Paz
Blockades and the state of emergency
Road blockades and protests are frequent and can start without warning, cutting off towns for days and causing fuel and food shortages. A nationwide state of emergency, declared in June 2026 after weeks of blockades, gives the police and armed forces powers to clear blockades and to hold people for up to eight hours without charge. Never try to drive through a blockade, build spare days into your route, and be aware that a bus ticket marked "condicionado" may not get you to your destination. The UK advises against all but essential travel to the Chapare region of Cochabamba, including Villa Tunari.
La Paz and the altitude
La Paz lies at about 3,600 metres and its airport, in El Alto, at about 4,000, so give yourself a few slow days, drink plenty of water and keep alcohol to a minimum; if headaches or breathlessness worsen, get medical help and head lower. Coverage is strong across the city and on Mi Teleférico, the cable-car network that links La Paz with El Alto. Petty crime is common in the centre: book taxis by phone or app from established companies, never get into one that already has passengers, and be wary of anyone claiming to be a police officer.
The Uyuni salt flat
Tours of the salt flat and the coloured lagoons of the southern Altiplano usually take three days by 4x4, and many end at the Chilean border for San Pedro de Atacama. Beyond Uyuni and a few villages there is little or no signal, there are no official minimum standards for tour operators, and the nights are bitterly cold. Pick a reputable company, check the vehicle and the safety kit, and download offline maps and your onward tickets before leaving Uyuni.
Lake Titicaca, the Death Road and the Amazon
Copacabana, the lakeside town where boats leave for the Isla del Sol, has coverage, but the boats are basic, so check that there are life jackets on board. On the Death Road, the old Yungas road that drops from the mountains above La Paz, the signal disappears in the deep valleys; check the bikes, and make sure your guide carries safety gear and a first-aid kit. Around Rurrenabaque, the gateway to Madidi National Park and the pampas, most lodges are out of range.
Sucre, Potosí and Santa Cruz
Sucre, the constitutional capital, and the mining city of Potosí, at about 4,000 metres, have good coverage in town, as does Santa Cruz in the tropical lowlands, home to Viru Viru, the country's main international airport. Taxi robberies have been reported in Santa Cruz, La Paz and Rurrenabaque, so stick to registered companies.
Paying
Bolivia is going through an economic crisis and a shortage of US dollars. Carry bolivianos in cash for markets, taxis and tours, and take out what you need in the cities, as cash machines are scarcer in small towns such as Uyuni and can run out of notes.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM, installed before you fly, connects when you land in El Alto or Santa Cruz, and your own number stays reachable for texts and bank codes. If your route continues into Peru, Chile or Argentina, an Americas plan covers all four countries.
Bolivian prepaid SIMs from Entel, Tigo or Viva are sold in phone shops in the cities, and registration requires your passport.
Consular protection: who to call in Bolivia
- 110 for the police, 118 for an ambulance and 119 for the fire service.
- Embassies are in La Paz, and some countries also keep consulates in Santa Cruz. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country has no embassy or consulate in Bolivia, the embassy of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- The app's emergency phrases in Spanish help when you need to explain a problem quickly.
Questions travellers ask about Bolivia
Does my EU plan work in Bolivia?
No. Bolivia is outside Roam Like at Home, so check your operator's roaming rates before you go.
Is there signal on the Uyuni tour?
Only in Uyuni and a few villages on the way. Download maps and tickets before you leave.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Bolivia?
Tigo on most plans and VIVA on some, with 4G where available.
What should I do if I reach a blockade?
Wait or turn back; never try to cross it, and follow local news to see when the road reopens.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you fly, leave spare days for blockades, take the altitude slowly, book Uyuni with a reputable operator, carry bolivianos, and save 110 and 118.
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