The U.S. Department of State recently updated its travel advisory for the Plurinational State of Bolivia in western-central South America.
On January 26, 2023, the State Department's Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution notice highlighted areas of concern.
For the Chapare region, do not travel due to civil unrest. Also called The Chapare, this rural province is in the northern part of the Cochabamba Department in central Bolivia.
Chapare is adjacent to Peru, which also reported civil unrest in 2023.
The State Department also suggested reconsidering traveling to the Yungas region, which is located further north in Bolivia.
If you visit Bolivia or are in-country, the State Department says to avoid demonstrations and crowds and enroll in STEP to receive embassy alerts and to be located in an emergency.
And, due to ongoing public demonstrations in the southern city of Santa Cruz, the U.S. Consular Agency announced on January 4, 2023, it would remain closed until further notice.
And recommended visitors should limit travel to and around Santa Cruz.
American citizens in Santa Cruz needing urgent consular assistance can contact the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy La Paz, located at Avenida Arce 2780, La Paz, Bolivia.
At over 3,500m elevation, La Paz is positioned in the Andes' Altiplano plateau near the snow-capped Mt. Illimani, with the world's highest cable car. Or visitors can visit Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake.
Furthermore, Canada confirmed that roadblocks are common on January 26, 2023, and can lead to significant traffic and public transportation disruptions. The following areas are vulnerable to blockades: along Bolivia–Peru border and roads leading to international airports.
From a health perspective, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests several pre-visit vaccinations, such as yellow fever.
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travelers ≥9 months of age traveling to areas in elevation and east of the Andes Mountains: the entire departments of Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz, and designated areas of Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, and Tarija departments.
In the U.S., the YF-Vax vaccine is available at certified travel clinics and pharmacies.
The article was updated on Jan. 28, 2023.