Backpacking in Bolivia: our travel budget

In Bolivia, it went off without a hitch! It’s almost strange, we left the country feeling like we had stayed for 10 days, yet we spent almost a month there, 25 days to be exact! Without any hesitation, Bolivia will be among our top most beautiful countries in the world, especially for its incredibly stunning landscapes! And to add to its charm, it is also one of the cheapest places to travel in South America! To help you plan your next trip to Bolivia, we break down our travel budget. It’s time for the financial report!

Our 1-month trip to Bolivia in video

Every good financial report starts with a look back at our 4 weeks in Bolivia. Enjoy the video and don’t hesitate to follow our YouTube channel ;-).

How much does a trip to Bolivia cost?

As mentioned in the introduction, the cost of living in Bolivia is low, making it one of the most affordable countries to travel to in South America and the world. We had a travel budget of 24 euros per day per person. Honestly, we had no trouble sticking to it without skimping on excursions!

Here’s the breakdown by expense category:

In total, we spent 21.1 euros per person per day.

Note: We counted the nights spent in the Salar as part of the visits category, as they were included in the Salar de Uyuni tour. On average, a hotel night cost us 93 bolivianos for two people, excluding nights on the bus and nights during the Salar tour.

Transportation budget in Bolivia

Before arriving in Bolivia, we had heard mixed reviews about the state of Bolivian roads and the quality of the buses, which some travelers said were more than deplorable… In the end, we were almost disappointed! Expecting to find minimalist conditions similar to Laos or Indonesia, we were pleasantly surprised in Bolivia! Sure, the roads aren’t as perfect as in Argentina, and the buses aren’t as luxurious as in Peru, but it’s not as bad as people say! Traveling by public transportation in Bolivia is quite possible and doesn’t require any daredevil genes!

Budget-wise, transportation in Bolivia is cheap, especially if you decide to travel in regular class (daytime) or semi-cama for night buses.

Bus costs

• Cusco to La Paz: 18 hours, 100 soles (about 25 euros) per person in cama.
• La Paz to Isla del Sol: 4 hours, 40 bolivianos (5.5 euros) per person.
• La Paz to Salar de Uyuni: don’t hesitate to take a night bus. The price per person is around 100 bolivianos (14 euros) for a 12-hour journey.
• Uyuni to Sucre: in cama, a night bus ticket costs 110 bolivianos (15 euros) per person.
• Sucre – Oruro: 150 bolivianos per person for an 8-hour overnight trip and a minibus to take you from Patacamaya to Sajama for 25 bolivianos each.

Hitchhiking in Bolivia

Hitchhiking works well in South America in general… But Bolivia is a bit of an exception. There are some good-hearted people who will give you a lift for free, but often you’ll have to pay the driver! The price is negotiable but often ends up close to the bus fare… So, while hitchhiking is a great way to meet people, it’s not the ultimate way to travel cheaply. Consider yourselves warned :).

Accommodation budget in Bolivia

Hotel situation

Regarding accommodation, we had heard varied feedback. Generally, the quality of accommodations is lower compared to neighboring countries, especially when traveling on a budget.

Insulation is minimal, heating is rare, and electric showers are common. This means the water is heated directly in the showerhead through electrical wires that hang in the shower! Expect a few jolts when turning the metal taps… Apart from this, the hotels weren’t too bad.

Our hotels in Bolivia

Here’s a list of the prices of the accommodations we stayed in.

• Isla del Sol: Hostal Puerta del Sol. For 40 bolivianos per person, you get a double room with a shared bathroom. Basic, but the terrace view makes up for it!
• Copacabana: Hostal Sonia offers rooms at very reasonable prices. The view of Lake Titicaca from the terrace is splendid.
• La Paz: we stayed at the hostal Residencial Colonia. For 70 bolivianos, we had a double room with a shared bathroom. Well-located, clean room, and helpful staff. Minor drawback: a few electric shocks in the shower… 😉
• Uyuni: we don’t remember the hotel name but let’s call it “the prison.” It looked like one… The price was fair – 100 bolivianos – but better accommodations can be found in Uyuni.
• Sucre: we loved Hostal Cadena Casa de Huespedes. For 120 bolivianos, we had a huge double room with a private bathroom and hot shower without electrocution! Access to an ultraclean shared kitchen, close to the center, and friendly staff. However, it’s popular with Bolivian families and couples, so solo travelers might not find it the best for meeting people.
• Sajama: Hospedaje Pachamama run by a lovely lady named Doña Theodora. The hostel is at the village entrance, near the main lodges. More than just accommodation, it’s actually a room in the family’s courtyard, with divine meals cooked by Doña Theodora. We paid 80 bolivianos for two, and meals cost 20 bolivianos each.

Budget for sightseeing and activities

• 1-day excursion to Salar de Uyuni: 500 bolivianos per person (all-inclusive: lunch, transport, guide)
• Parinacota ascent with a private guide: 1000 bolivianos (130 euros)
• Coca Museum in La Paz: 15 bolivianos per person
• Entrance to the Valley of the Moon in La Paz: 15 bolivianos per person
• La Paz Walking tour: we’re used to taking a guided tour when we arrive in a big city. For La Paz, we set our sights on Red Cap tour. It costs less than 3 euros, and you can tip if you enjoyed it.
• Pedestrian tolls on Isla del Sol: 45 bolivianos per person for crossing the three communities.
• Museum of Indigenous Art (textile museum) in Sucre: 22 bolivianos per person to discover the amazing work of weavers. It’s not just an activity for women in Bolivia!

Budget for food and extras in Bolivia

• Average cost of a meal in a mid-range restaurant: about 100 bolivianos for two people (including dishes and drinks).
• Average price of a street-bought empanada: 5 bolivianos.
• Average cost of a pompom hat: 20 bolivianos! Lama wool sweaters cost around 80-100 bolivianos.

1 month in Bolivia: the review

This month traveling through Bolivia was simply amazing. The landscapes are forever etched in our memories and, in our opinion, they are the most beautiful in South America! We would gladly return for more treks! So, we can only recommend visiting. Plus, as Bolivia is very affordable, you won’t blow your travel budget. Continue the journey with us to Chile to discover another side of Latin America!

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