Bolivia Packing List

Packing List

Bolivia is high, dry, and dramatic, so altitude and temperature swings drive what you pack. La Paz and the Altiplano sit above 3,600m, where the sun is intense by day and the air turns bitterly cold after dark — while the eastern lowlands around Santa Cruz and the Amazon are hot and humid. Layers are essential everywhere.

La Paz, the Altiplano & Uyuni: Bring warm layers — a fleece or down jacket, hat, and gloves for cold nights — alongside strong sun protection for the fierce high-altitude sun. On the Uyuni salt flats the glare is blinding, so quality sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, and lip balm are must-haves. Comfortable, closed walking shoes round it out.

The Lowlands & Amazon: For Santa Cruz, the Pantanal, or the Bolivian Amazon, pack lightweight breathable clothing, long sleeves and trousers for the evenings, closed shoes, and strong DEET insect repellent. A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for these regions — carry your certificate.

Regardless of when you visit, here are the essentials worth having in your bag for Bolivia.

• Your passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates
• A photocopy (or phone photo) of your passport, kept separately from the original
• Any tourist visa paperwork you need (see the entry requirements above)
• A second form of identification, such as a driver’s license
• Cash for meals, markets, and tips — budget roughly what these items would cost back home
• A money belt and/or decoy wallet
• A power adapter for Bolivia’s Type A and Type C plugs (mostly 230V), plus a portable charger
• Warm layers for the Altiplano, plus sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and lip balm for the high-altitude sun
• DEET insect repellent for the lowlands and Amazon
• A reusable water bottle and any personal medications; ask your doctor about altitude tablets
• A camera with spare memory and batteries to capture it all
• Your smartphone, set to airplane mode or a local eSIM to avoid roaming charges

Planning to pair the Altiplano with the lowlands? Our specialists build private, tailor-made Bolivia tours and can tell you exactly what to pack for the altitude and season.