Essential Bolivia Travel Tips: Weather, Culture & Tipping Guide
Weather can be a little confusing in Bolivia, especially in the capital, where temperatures can soar during the day and dip below freezing at night—so pack appropriately for both extremes. A key point in any Bolivia travel guide is understanding the country’s social customs. Bolivia is quite formal, and old-fashioned politeness is still widespread. Be sure to greet everyone with a courteous “good morning”, “good afternoon” or “good evening” before starting a conversation.
In smaller towns and villages, much like in rural areas of Britain, it’s common for strangers to exchange greetings as they pass on the street. One of the most important Bolivia travel tips is to always use your “please” and “thank you’s” and show respect for local customs and behaviour.
Like elsewhere in South America, tipping is most common in restaurants, where it’s generally acceptable to leave 10% if there’s no service charge included. Taxi drivers typically don’t expect tips, unless they’re hired for the whole day—in that case, 10% is considered generous and appropriate.
