Banks: 08.00 to 12.00 and 14.30 to 18.00, Monday to Friday; some banks open on Saturday from 09.00 to 13.00
Post Offices: 08.30 to 20.30, Monday to Friday; 08.30 to 18.00, Saturday; 09.00 to 12.00, Sunday
Government Offices: 08.00 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 19.00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08.00 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 19.00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09.00 to 20.00, Monday to Friday; 09.00 to 14.00, Saturday; bigger stores open from 10.00 to 22.00

Public protests and strikes throughout Bolivia are common so you should heed travel warnings before coming to La Paz, and stay away from any such gatherings while here. Crime levels are relatively high, but you should be okay if you stick to well-touristed parts of La Paz and don’t head out into the countryside alone. Be especially careful if you plan on cycling the road from La Paz to Coroico.

220V, 50Hz – twin round/flat-pin sockets

Yellow fever is present in the La Paz region and you should have a yellow fever vaccination if you plan on travelling within the country. Cholera and typhoid are also present outside of major Bolivian cities and having a tetanus booster is recommended. Altitude sickness is also a problem for many people to La Paz, especially when taking part in physical activity. Spending time acclimatising is a must. Don’t drinking the tap water.

Emergency services: 110 (police)
Clinica Cemes Hospital: +591 2 243 0360

Spanish is the official language of Bolivia although Bolivian Spanish differs in pronunciation and vocabulary from regular Spanish. People speak rudimentary English in touristy areas of La Paz, in hotels and restaurants.

Bolivia uses the boliviano (Bs); one boliviano equals 100 centavos. The boliviano is tied to the US dollar.

Visitors can bring the following amounts of duty-free goods into Bolivia: 400 cigarettes and 50 cigars, or 500g of tobacco; three litres of alcohol; and personal items or gifts to the value of US$1,000.

Bolivians are reasonably laid back and La Paz residents are used to tourists. You should therefore have no worries regards upsetting anyone as long as you observe common sense, dress well and keep your voice down. If you plan on visiting any local tribal areas, refrain from referring to the locals as Indians, instead calling them campesinos. Smoking is okay in public areas unless otherwise indicated.

Citizens of the EU, US, Canada, and Australia don’t need a visa to enter Bolivia for 30 to 90 days, although all visitors must have a valid passport for at least one year from date of arrival. If you need a tourist visa, pick one up at a Bolivia embassy or consulate in your country. They are valid for 30 days and can be extended to 90 days in Bolivia.

There are two government-run tourist information offices in La Paz, including the one at the main bus terminal and the Viceministerio de Turismo on Avenida Mariscal Santa Cruz, Edificio Camara de Comercio, Piso 11, La Paz. 
Phone: +591 2 233 4849; www.turismobolivia.bo/eng