Bolivia
This page contains the main health risks for travellers and general recommendations. Travel conditions are different for everyone and each patient's health condition varies. Discuss your trip during a travel consultation with your doctor or in a travel clinic, preferably six to eight weeks before departure.
Check the current security situation on the federal government website.
Important health risks
Malaria
The malaria risk is:
- high in the Amazon region in the department Pando and northern areas of the departments Beni and La Paz. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning, in combination with the use of malaria tablets.
- moderate in regions below 2500 m, south of the high risk areas in the department Beni and in the northern part of the department La Paz. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning. For people with an increased risk, we sometimes recommend preventive malaria tablets, or taking an emergency treatment with you.
- low in areas below 2500 m, south of the moderate risk areas in the department Beni, the northern region of the department Santa Cruz and eastern part of department Tarija. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning.
There is no malaria risk in the areas above 2500 m including La Paz in the central and southern part of the country.
In case of fever during or after your journey, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.
Yellow fever
There is a risk of yellow fever east of the Andes; the entire departments of Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz and the coloured regions of Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz and Tarija (see map).
The risk of yellow fever is very low in the areas above 2300m and the areas that are not mentioned in the list above, the cities of La Paz, Sucre and Cochabamba included.
Other insect-borne diseases
Insects can transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, zika, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
Protect yourself against insects.
Ticks
Ticks can transmit diseases.
Rabies
Dogs and other mammals can be infected with rabies.
Altitude sickness
You may experience altitude sickness in areas above 2500 metres.
COVID-19
Take a look at the general preventive measures related to COVID-19.
- Carefully read the entry conditions and local measures of this country.
Other possible infections
Other frequent health risks while travelling
Read these tips before you leave.
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers from the age of one year.
In addition, vaccination is compulsory if you have been in a country where yellow fever may be present during the last six days (see map). This is not necessary when transiting through an airport.
This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre and must be registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers.
Update of basic vaccinations
Other vaccinations
Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you: