Is Bolivia expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Bolivia is one of the cheapest countries in South America, cheaper than neighbouring Peru, Chile and Argentina for beds, food and buses. A budget traveller needs about Bs 220 a day, mid-range about Bs 610 and comfort about Bs 1,550 per person. The big costs are the Salar de Uyuni tours, domestic flights and the comfortable night buses.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | Bs70 | Bs220 | Bs600 |
| Food & drink | Bs70 | Bs150 | Bs300 |
| Sights & tickets | Bs50 | Bs150 | Bs350 |
| Local transport | Bs30 | Bs90 | Bs300 |
| Per person, per day | Bs220 | Bs610 | Bs1,550 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Bolivia day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Salteña (baked pastry) from a street stall | about Bs 5–8 |
| Set lunch (almuerzo) in a local restaurant | about Bs 20–35 |
| Mi Teleférico cable-car ride, La Paz | about Bs 3–5 |
| Radio taxi across central La Paz | Bs 15–30 |
| Tiwanaku entry for foreigners | about Bs 100 |
| Uyuni salt-flat day tour in a shared 4x4 | about Bs 250–400 |
| Overnight tourist bus La Paz–Uyuni | Bs 150–250 |
| Mid-range double in Sopocachi, La Paz | Bs 350–650 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Day-to-day living is cheap: a set lunch of soup, main and drink costs around Bs 20–35 and a guesthouse double in La Paz Bs 120–250. The money goes on tours and long distances. A shared 4x4 day on the Salar is Bs 250–400, the three-day trip to the coloured lagoons costs much more, and entry fees such as the Eduardo Avaroa reserve (about Bs 150) and Tiwanaku (about Bs 100) add up. Domestic flights on BoA (Bs 500–900 for La Paz to Uyuni or Sucre) replace a night bus but cost several times more.
When it is cheaper
Prices for tours and rooms are generally lower in the wet season, roughly December to March, outside Carnival weeks; the dry season from June to August, when Northern Hemisphere visitors come, is the most expensive. Differences are moderate rather than dramatic.
How to spend less
- Bring clean, undamaged US dollar notes to exchange; foreign cards and ATMs may give a poor rate, and the rate has been volatile.
- Eat the set lunch (almuerzo) at markets and local restaurants instead of tourist cafés.
- Book Uyuni tours in Uyuni itself after comparing several agencies, rather than in La Paz.
- Use Mi Teleférico in La Paz, which is cheaper and faster than taxis across the city.
- Take tourist-class buses (cama or semi-cama) instead of flights; they are safer and warmer than the cheapest buses but still far cheaper than BoA.
- Carry small notes and coins; change for large notes is often hard to find outside cities.
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Common questions
Is Bolivia expensive to travel?
No. It is one of the cheapest countries in South America: about Bs 220 a day on a budget and Bs 610 mid-range, with Uyuni tours and flights as the main extra costs.
How much does a Salar de Uyuni tour cost?
About Bs 250–400 for a day tour in a shared 4x4. Multi-day tours to the coloured lagoons cost more, plus the Eduardo Avaroa reserve entry of about Bs 150.
Should I bring US dollars to Bolivia?
Yes. Clean, undamaged US dollar notes are easy to exchange and foreign cards may get a poor rate, as the exchange rate has been volatile.