💰 Bolivia Is a Cash-Heavy Economy
Bolivia's official currency is the Boliviano (BOB / Bs), trading at roughly 6.9 BOB per 1 USD. Bolivia is one of South America's most affordable countries, but it is also one of the most cash-dependent. Card acceptance is limited to larger hotels and restaurants in La Paz, Sucre, and Santa Cruz. For everything else (markets, transport, tours, rural areas), you will need cash on hand.
🎧 Order Boliviano Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order BOB → CEI Currency ExchangeCash vs. Card: What to Expect in Bolivia
Bolivia is one of South America's most cash-dependent countries. Outside a handful of upscale venues in La Paz and Santa Cruz, expect to pay for everything with physical bolivianos.
Cards are limited to cities. Visa and Mastercard work at mid-range and upscale restaurants in La Paz's Zona Sur and Sopocachi, shopping centres in Santa Cruz like Ventura Mall, and nicer hotels in Sucre. Contactless payments are virtually nonexistent. Cash is essential for markets (Mercado Lanza, Mercado Rodriguez in La Paz), all street food vendors, minibus and trufi rides, hostels, and every business outside major cities.
Your primary method should be ATM withdrawals from Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz, BNB, or Banco BISA in major cities using a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card. Withdraw Bs 2,000–3,000 at a time to minimize per-transaction fees. As backup, bring crisp $50 and $100 USD bills to exchange at casas de cambio on Calle Camacho or near Plaza del Estudiante in La Paz.
Plan Your Cash Before Leaving the City
Bolivia's ATM network is concentrated in cities. Once you head to the Salar de Uyuni, Rurrenabaque, the Yungas, or smaller towns along Lake Titicaca, ATMs become scarce or nonexistent. The golden rule: withdraw all the cash you need before leaving La Paz, Sucre, Cochabamba, or Santa Cruz.
How Much Cash to Carry
Salar de Uyuni tours (3 days): Budget Bs 500–800 ($72–116 USD) for meals, tips, park fees, and extras beyond what the tour includes. There are no ATMs once you leave Uyuni town.
Lake Titicaca (Copacabana/Isla del Sol): Copacabana has one or two ATMs, but they frequently run out of cash. Bring enough bolivianos from La Paz for your entire stay.
Amazon tours from Rurrenabaque: Budget Bs 700–1,000+ for a multi-day jungle or pampas tour, including tips. Rurrenabaque has limited ATMs that often malfunction.
Death Road cycling: Tours are usually paid in advance in La Paz, but bring Bs 100–200 for tips and drinks.
⚠ USD Cash as Backup
Bring some crisp USD bills ($50 and $100 notes) as emergency backup. Many tour operators in Uyuni and La Paz accept USD. However, exchange rates for USD cash in Bolivia are not as favorable as in Peru or Argentina. Torn, marked, or older-series USD bills are often refused. Exchange USD at banks or casas de cambio (exchange houses) in La Paz or Sucre for the best rates.
How to Get Bolivianos for Your Bolivia Trip
Bolivia is one of the most cash-driven travel destinations in South America. Cards work in upscale La Paz and Santa Cruz hotels and a handful of higher-end Sopocachi restaurants, but step into a Witches' Market stall, an Uyuni tour-operator office, a salar lodge in the Salar de Uyuni, the Death Road bike rental shop, a Tiwanaku entrance booth, or anywhere outside the major cities, and you need bolivianos in hand. Bolivian ATMs cap foreign cards at Bs 2,000–3,000 per transaction and stack a small operator fee, so plan to maximize each pull. Many seasoned travelers also carry crisp USD $50s and $100s as a backup since several Uyuni tour operators take USD directly.
Bring USD or order bolivianos before you fly
Bolivia is one of the closed-currency countries where most US currency-exchange services and home banks (Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi) do not stock BOB. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange instead ships USD or EUR to a US address with insured 2–5 day delivery, which is what you'll actually need. Most travelers handle Bolivia by carrying clean, crisp, post-2009 USD $50s and $100s and exchanging them at La Paz or Santa Cruz casas de cambio on landing, plus pulling bolivianos from major Bolivian bank ATMs as needed. Bolivia does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner. Important USD note quality rule: Bolivian banks and casas de cambio routinely reject USD bills that are torn, marked, dated pre-2009, or even slightly dog-eared. Bring crisp, clean US dollars or you'll run into refusals. The cleanest setup for most Bolivia trips: pack USD $300–500 in clean $50s and $100s for tour deposits and as backup, swap a portion at a La Paz casa de cambio on landing, and pull bolivianos from BNB or Mercantil Santa Cruz ATMs for the rest.
Withdraw from a Bolivian bank ATM
On the ground, the cheapest source of bolivianos is one of Bolivia's major bank ATMs. Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz, Banco Nacional de Bolivia (BNB), Banco Bisa, Banco de Crédito de Bolivia (BCP), and Banco Unión all give the actual interbank rate with no markup. Most do charge a per-transaction operator fee for foreign cards (typically Bs 10–25, posted on the screen before you confirm). Withdrawal caps for foreign cards are notably low at Bs 2,000–3,000 per transaction, so a multi-day cash run might mean two or three pulls. Maximize each one. Two procedural rules: stick to ATMs inside bank branches, in shopping malls (MegaCenter La Paz, Ventura Mall in Santa Cruz), and in major hotel lobbies, rather than street-facing standalones in El Alto, Plaza Murillo's edges, or smaller-town centres where skim risk is documented. And decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD". See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what a BNB withdrawal will actually cost on your card after fees? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters & casa de cambio touts
Three traps to walk past in Bolivia, and one important exception. The currency-exchange counters in arrivals at LPB (La Paz El Alto) and VVI (Santa Cruz Viru Viru) advertise rates that look reasonable but routinely run 5–12% off the interbank rate, plus per-transaction fees. Honest exception worth knowing: licensed casas de cambio along Calle Comercio and Calle Mercado in La Paz, and along Avenida Monseñor Rivero in Santa Cruz, often offer some of South America's tightest USD-to-BOB spreads. Sudamer and Cambio Universal in La Paz are widely used by locals and consistently beat the airport rate and the bank ATM after fees if you've brought clean USD. The unlicensed casas around Plaza San Francisco and the Witches' Market touts use the "sin comisión" framing while burying the markup in the rate. Third, the standalone independent ATMs at smaller hotel arcades and inside Uyuni tour-operator offices layer DCC pitches and operator fees on top. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at Mercantil Santa Cruz, BNB, BCP, or Banco Bisa; decline DCC; and licensed downtown La Paz casas de cambio are the one acceptable cash-to-cash route. Bolivia does not yet have a city-specific guide on this site, but the Best ATMs section below covers the bank lineup.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-BOB timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Bolivia
Bolivia's major banks all operate ATM networks in cities, but withdrawal limits for foreign cards are typically Bs 2,000–3,000 per transaction (roughly $290–435 USD). Most ATMs charge a small local fee of Bs 10–25 ($1.45–3.60 USD). Plan to make multiple withdrawals before heading to remote destinations.
Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz
Bolivia's largest private bank with the most extensive ATM network across the country. Found in all major cities and many medium-sized towns. Their ATMs reliably accept Visa and Mastercard. English-language option available on most machines.
Top Pick
Banco Nacional de Bolivia (BNB)
One of the oldest and most established banks in the country. Strong ATM presence in La Paz, El Alto, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, and Sucre. Foreign card acceptance is generally reliable, and their machines tend to have good uptime.
Recommended
Banco BISA
A major Bolivian bank with solid urban coverage. ATMs found in La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, and other cities. Known for relatively higher withdrawal limits for foreign cards. Look for their locations in shopping centers and commercial districts.
Recommended
Banco de Crédito de Bolivia (BCP)
Part of the Peruvian BCP group. Reliable ATMs in La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba. Their machines handle foreign Visa and Mastercard smoothly thanks to the international BCP banking network. A good fallback when other banks' ATMs are offline.
Recommended
Banco Económico
Based in Santa Cruz with growing coverage in other cities. Modern ATMs with multilingual interfaces. Particularly useful in eastern Bolivia and the Santa Cruz region, where it has a strong branch and ATM network.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
Some ATMs in Bolivia may offer to convert your withdrawal to your home currency (USD, EUR, GBP). Always decline and choose Bolivianos (BOB). DCC adds a 3–8% markup on top of the already unfavorable conversion rate. Look for prompts mentioning "conversion," "guaranteed rate," or your home currency. Select the local currency option to avoid the extra charge.
ATMs to Avoid in Bolivia
Independent and poorly maintained ATMs can cause problems for foreign cardholders. Stick to bank-operated machines for the safest experience.
Standalone ATMs in Tourist Areas
Unbranded machines near bus terminals, markets, and tourist streets in La Paz and Uyuni. These often charge higher fees, have lower withdrawal limits, and carry a greater risk of card skimming. Always use ATMs inside or attached to a recognized bank branch.
AvoidAirport Exchange Counters
Exchange counters at El Alto International Airport (LPB) offer rates 5–10% worse than city banks or casas de cambio. Bank-branded ATMs in the airport terminal are fine, but avoid the exchange counter windows. If you need bolivianos immediately, withdraw a small amount from a bank ATM at the airport and exchange the rest in La Paz.
AvoidATMs in Uyuni & Small Towns
The few ATMs in Uyuni, Copacabana, Tupiza, and other small towns are unreliable for foreign cards. They frequently run out of cash, go offline, or reject international cards entirely. Never depend on these as your only cash source. Withdraw everything you need in La Paz, Sucre, or Santa Cruz before heading out.
AvoidPaying by Card in Bolivia
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at mid-range and upscale restaurants and hotels in La Paz's Zona Sur and Sopocachi neighborhoods, at Ventura Mall and shopping centres in Santa Cruz, and at tourist-facing restaurants in Sucre. American Express has almost no acceptance in Bolivia. Discover does not work here.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Contactless payments are virtually nonexistent in Bolivia. Even in La Paz and Santa Cruz, most card terminals require chip-and-PIN insertion. Apple Pay and Google Pay do not work at Bolivian terminals. Expect to insert your card and enter a PIN for every card transaction.
Where Cards May Not Work
Markets (Mercado Lanza, Mercado Rodriguez, Mercado Camacho in La Paz) are entirely cash-only. Street food vendors, minibus drivers, and trufi (shared taxi) operators accept only bolivianos in small bills. Hostels and budget hotels across the country are cash-only. Every business in Uyuni, Copacabana, Rurrenabaque, Tupiza, and other small towns requires cash. Santa Cruz has the best card acceptance in Bolivia, but even there, local eateries and neighbourhood shops are cash-only.
Tipping in Bolivia
Tipping Guide
At restaurants, tipping is not mandatory in Bolivia, but leaving 5–10% at sit-down places is appreciated. Most restaurants do not add a service charge. For multi-day tour guides (Salar de Uyuni, Amazon/pampas tours), Bs 50–100 ($7–15) per day for the guide and Bs 30–50 ($4–7) per day for the driver or cook is standard. For half-day city tours in La Paz or Sucre, Bs 20–50 is appropriate. Taxis do not expect tips. Agree on the fare before getting in since taxis in La Paz, Cochabamba, and most cities do not use meters. At upscale hotels, Bs 5–10 per bag for bellhops is customary. Tipping housekeeping is not common but Bs 5–10 per night is appreciated.
Salt Flats, the Amazon & Beyond: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
For city-specific tips, see our La Paz money guide covering Witch Market cash tips, teleférico payments, and ATM locations.
Bolivia is one of the cheapest countries in South America. A set lunch (almuerzo) at a local restaurant costs Bs 15–25 ($2–4). Budget hostels start at Bs 40–70 ($6–10) per night. A local bus ride costs Bs 2–5 ($0.30–0.70). The pegged exchange rate of roughly 6.9 BOB per USD makes budgeting straightforward since the rate does not fluctuate day to day.
Always negotiate in bolivianos at markets like Mercado de las Brujas (Witches' Market) in La Paz and with taxi drivers. Offering USD invites an unfavorable exchange rate. Small bills are essential: carry plenty of Bs 10 and Bs 20 notes. Shopkeepers on Calle Sagarnaga, minibus drivers, and market vendors in El Alto often cannot break Bs 100 or Bs 200 bills.
Tour payments: Most Salar de Uyuni operators accept both BOB and USD for the tour fee, but paying in bolivianos often gets you a slightly better deal. Book and pay in advance in La Paz or Uyuni town. Amazon and pampas tour agencies in Rurrenabaque usually quote in bolivianos. Pay in La Paz if possible, where you have reliable ATM access. Death Road cycling agencies in La Paz accept cards for bookings, but bring Bs 100–200 cash for tips and drinks along the way.
Money Safety in Bolivia
Staying Safe
Use ATMs inside Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz, BNB, or Banco BISA branches during business hours. In La Paz, stick to branches in Zona Sur, Sopocachi, or along Calle Camacho rather than standalone machines near bus terminals. Withdrawal limits are typically Bs 2,000–3,000 per transaction, with fees of Bs 10–25 per withdrawal.
La Paz sits at 3,640m (11,942 ft). Take it easy on arrival. ATM runs can wait until you have adjusted to the altitude. If an ATM swallows your card, visit the branch during business hours with your passport. Keep your bank's international phone number saved on your phone.
Be cautious with cash in crowded areas. Pickpocketing occurs on Calle Sagarnaga, around the Witches' Market, and on crowded minibuses in El Alto. Use a money belt for larger amounts. When exchanging USD at casas de cambio on Calle Camacho, count your bolivianos carefully before leaving the counter. Torn, marked, or pre-2006 USD bills are often refused, so bring crisp newer notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cash do I need for a Salar de Uyuni tour?
Budget Bs 500–800 ($72–116) beyond the tour fee for meals, tips, park entrance fees, and extras. There are no ATMs once you leave Uyuni town. Most operators accept both BOB and USD for the tour fee, but paying in bolivianos often gets a slightly better deal.
Do ATMs in Copacabana and Uyuni work for foreign cards?
The few ATMs in Uyuni, Copacabana, Tupiza, and other small towns are unreliable for foreign cards. They frequently run out of cash, go offline, or reject international cards. Never depend on these as your only cash source. Withdraw everything you need in La Paz, Sucre, or Santa Cruz.
What are Bolivia's ATM withdrawal limits?
Most banks allow Bs 2,000–3,000 per transaction for foreign cards (roughly $290–435). You can usually make 2–3 withdrawals per day. Banks charge Bs 10–25 per withdrawal on top of your home bank's fees.
Should I bring USD cash to Bolivia?
Yes, as emergency backup. Bring crisp $50 and $100 bills (post-2006 series). Tour operators in Uyuni and La Paz accept USD, and casas de cambio on Calle Camacho in La Paz exchange at decent rates. Torn, marked, or older-series bills are often refused.
Is Bolivia affordable for budget travelers?
Very. A set lunch (almuerzo) costs Bs 15–25 ($2–4). Budget hostels start at Bs 40–70 ($6–10) per night. Local bus rides cost Bs 2–5. Bolivia maintains a pegged rate of roughly 6.9 BOB per USD, making budgeting straightforward.
Can I use credit cards in La Paz?
Visa and Mastercard work at mid-range and upscale restaurants and hotels in La Paz's Zona Sur and Sopocachi neighborhoods. Santa Cruz has the best card acceptance in Bolivia. Markets, street food, local transport, and hostels everywhere are cash-only.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend bolivianos like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-FX-fee card at bank ATM | Good (small local fee only) | ★★★★☆ | Primary method in cities |
| Casa de cambio (USD cash) | Good (near mid-market) | ★★★☆☆ | Supplementing ATMs |
| No-FX-fee credit card | Best (zero fees) | ★★☆☆☆ | Upscale hotels and restaurants |
| Airport exchange counters | Poor (5–10% worse) | ★★☆☆☆ | Absolute emergency only |
Bolivia Quick Facts
| Currency | Boliviano (BOB / Bs) |
| Exchange Rate | ~6.9 BOB per 1 USD (pegged rate, very stable) |
| USD Acceptance | Tour operators accept USD. Everyday purchases require bolivianos |
| ATM Limits | Bs 2,000–3,000 per transaction (roughly $290–435 USD) |
| Card Acceptance | Limited to upscale venues in La Paz and Santa Cruz. Cash-dependent elsewhere |
| Best Strategy | No-FX-fee debit card at bank ATMs in cities, plus backup USD cash |
| Rural Travel Tip | Withdraw all cash before leaving cities. No reliable ATMs in Uyuni, Copacabana, or the Amazon |
| Tipping | 5–10% at restaurants. Bs 50–100/day for tour guides |
Bolivia City Guides
Neighborhood-level money guides for Bolivia's top destinations. Where to find ATMs, which areas need cash, how to pay for transport, and more.