Bolivia Backpacking Budget
After Peru, we continued our journey to Bolivia because there were several activities we really wanted to experience. While researching the costs of traveling in Bolivia, we noticed that it was relatively cheap to get there. However, the overall costs in Bolivia turned out to be higher than expected due to a very unfavorable exchange rate from US dollars to Bolivianos. In addition, the activities we chose weren’t exactly cheap either. Below, you’ll find an overview of a backpacking budget in Bolivia.
Our Backpacking Budget in Bolivia
To put the costs below into perspective, it’s important to explain the type of trip we made through Bolivia. We traveled as a couple during October 2025 (14 days) and stayed in simple accommodations with either a private or shared bathroom in La Paz and Uyuni. We often ate out because it was sometimes cheaper than cooking ourselves.
Cost Overview Bolivia
In total, we spent around €1,700 (excluding flights, although we didn’t fly at all this time). That comes down to about €61 per person per day. Below is a general breakdown of where our money went. Prices are based on 2025 levels, and we didn’t receive any discounts or special deals anywhere. The costs are mainly so high because of the tours we did!
- Accommodation (12%)
- Food and drinks (17%)
- Transportation (12%)
- Activities (58%)
- Other costs (1%)
Bolivia Backpacking Budget: All Our Costs Explained
Flights
The price of a flight ticket depends on so many factors that we won’t list specific prices here. Check Skyscanner for the best deals and be sure to also look at options with a layover. We didn’t travel by plane at all within Bolivia because buses are a perfect way to get from A to B.
Transportation Costs in Bolivia
We mainly used buses to get around. The transportation costs aren’t 100% accurate because part of these costs is also included in the activities. For example, we crossed the border during the multi-day salt flats tour. In total, we paid around €200 for transportation.
Accommodation Costs in Bolivia
For accommodation, we paid an average of about €20 per night for two people, usually with a private room. In La Paz, for example, we stayed in the same hostel before and after the Huayna Potosí climb—once with a private bathroom and the second time with a shared bathroom.
Activities in Bolivia
As mentioned earlier, tours took up the largest part of our budget during our Bolivia round trip. More than half of our money went toward activities, and we actually only did two major tours! The multi-day salt flats tour was the most expensive. And what do you think of a hike to a lake at 5000 meters. In hindsight, we should have negotiated the price (something the other couples in our group did do). This cost category could therefore have been lower.
Food and Drinks
Food and drinks in Bolivia are not expensive. You can have breakfast out for just a few euros, and coffee is very affordable. Do keep in mind that the food doesn’t always agree with your stomach or digestion. We heard from many other tourists that Bolivia, in particular, caused them quite a few stomach issues.
Other Costs During a Bolivia Round Trip
Other costs include things like a local SIM card or extra fees when withdrawing money from an ATM. We also had to pay a very poor exchange rate surcharge with one tour operator because we couldn’t pay the full amount in US dollars (this is included in the activity costs).
We used an Airalo eSIM in Bolivia, but buying a local SIM is cheaper. With the code MEIKE4854, you’ll get €3 off your first purchase.
