Bolivia is one of the coolest and cheapest destinations in South America. Tapashia and Ashvin visited Bolivia during a longterm backpacking trip in South America and noted down all their Bolivia expenses for Bunch of Backpackers (Thank you Tapas and Ash!). Take a look at their overview of costs of backpacking in Bolivia and our budget tips.
This article is part of the Money Matters series in which we ask travelers to keep their expenses for Bunch of Backpackers. Real travelers, real expenses.
COSTS 11-DAY BOLIVIA TRIP*: 400 EURO (537 USD)
DAILY TRAVEL EXPENSES*: 36 EURO (48 USD)
*These daily travel expenses are per one person per day. Including all tours, domestic flights, souvenirs, lodging, food, drinks, entrance fees, tips etc. Excluding international flights.
EXAMPLES OF PRICES IN BOLIVIA:
These prices are per person unless stated otherwise.
Standard Bolivia expenses
One night in a hostel dormitory: 6 euro (8 USD)
One night in a double room in a simple guesthouse: 10 euro (13,4 USD)
A short 10-minute taxi ride: 3 euro (4 USD)
A bottle of water (0,5L) at the store: 0,30 euro (0,3 USD)
A local beer at a bar/restaurants: 1 euro (1,3 USD)
A glass of coca cola in a restaurant: 0,7 euro (0,9 USD)
Lunch at a restaurant: 4 euro (5,4 USD)
Dinner at a restaurant: 7 euro (9 USD)
Notable Bolivia expenses
3-day Salar de Uyuni tour: 90 euro (120 USD)
Death Road: 50 euro (67 USD)
Souvenir and gifts for 20 people: 75 euro (100 USD)
SOME DETAILS ON THIS TRIP:
About the backpackers: Ashvin and Tapashia
Destination and travel period: Bolivia in October 2013 for 11 days.
Visited places: Copacabana, La Paz, Sucre, Potosi and Uyuni
Type of trip: Independently, as a couple
Accommodation: standard (guesthouses and hotels)
Transportation: budget (with the cheapest available modes of transportation)
Food: budget (local places and cheap western places)
Exchange rate at the time of travel: 1 euro = 8,60 BOB (Bolivian Boliviano)
Book your Bolivia hotel through Hostelworld.com or Booking.com
BOLIVIA BUDGET TIPS:
- Compare prices of tours and always check what is included
- Eat at local eateries and avoid touristy restaurants in La Paz
- Haggle and bargain at the Bolivia (souvenir) markets and for your accommodation (with exception of hostels of course)
“Bolivia is very cheap, it is almost impossible to save more money!” – Tapashia and Ashvin
Continue to the other articles of the Money Matters series!
Recommended further reading
Overview of costs of travel in Peru and Bolivia (written by another traveler)
Abseiling in La Paz, Bolivia
Those costs are about on par with what we spent. We took the opportunity to upgrade to some nicer one bedroom hotels during our stay as they were pretty cost effective and overall spent around $100/day for two for a month in Bolivia (excluding entry and exit fares).
I think Bolivia can be done much cheaper, but at the same time it is so easy to splurge on nice rooms that it is hard to say no!
Interesting to see how many of the costs are comparable to Thailand … can’t wait to see it in person!
Can you please tell me what company you used for your Uyuni tour? Thank you!
Hi Drena, we used Red Planet Expeditions (if I remember correctly)!
Hey there! Did you book ahead of time online or once you arrived in Uyuni? Thanks!
CUC in Bolivia?
I thought Bolivares…
You’re completely right Albert! I sometimes use other ‘Money Matter’ posts as example when I write a new one :S! I will change it :)! Thanks heaps for noticing!