Is Bolivia Cheap to Travel? Here’s What I Spent

When I first started planning my Bolivia trip, I kept hearing it was one of the cheapest countries in South America. Naturally, a cheapo like me was buzzing – more snacks, more buses, more random museum entries just because they cost 50p. But is Bolivia actually cheap to travel? After a few weeks on the road, hopping between cities, salt flats, jungle & dodgy night buses… here’s the honest lowdown.

Quick Answer: Yes. Ridiculously So (Most of the Time)

Compared to Peru, Chile or Brazil, Bolivia is especially budget-friendly. You can get by on around £20–30 a day (roughly $25–38 or €23–35) including accommodation, food, local transport & a few splurges. It’s one of those places where even a “big day out” rarely dents your wallet.

I had days where I spent under £15, without even trying. That included a private room, lunch, bus ticket & a cheeky bev.

Fun Fact:
A three-course lunch menu in Bolivia, known as an almuerzo, often costs less than £2.50 – and that usually includes soup, a main, rice and a soft drink. Did someone say Inca Cola?

Accommodation: From £5 Dorms to £15 Privates

You won’t find boutique luxury everywhere, but you will find hostels with Wi-Fi, hot showers (mostly), & sometimes rooftop views – for peanuts.

• Dorm bed: £5–7 (around $6–9 or €6–8)
• Private room in a guesthouse: £12–18 ($15–23 or €14–21)
• Mid-range hotel: £25–35 ($32–45 or €30–41)

La Paz & Sucre have the best options for budget stays. Uyuni’s a bit pricier just because it’s remote. Santa Cruz leans more upmarket.

If you’re new to Bolivia or still plotting where to go, I’ve got a full guide on the best things to do across the country – loads of which are budget-friendly or even free.

Food: Eat Like a Local for Pocket Change

This is where Bolivia shines. If you’re happy eating local, you’ll eat well and cheap.

• Almuerzo (set lunch): £2–3 ($2.50–4 or €2.30–3.50)
• Street snacks (salteñas, empanadas): under £1
• Sit-down dinner at a tourist-friendly spot: £5–8
• Fancy splurge meal: £12–15 (and that’s really fancy for Bolivia)

I ate some of my best meals off plastic chairs under market tarps. Don’t be put off by humble surroundings – the food’s usually top-notch.

Curious what to look out for at market stalls or on menus? I broke down Bolivia’s traditional dishes in a separate post – it’s basically a love letter to carbs, spice & surprisingly good soups.

Transport: Cheap But Not Exactly Smooth

Long-distance buses are wildly affordable – though don’t expect comfort unless you splash on the “cama” class (worth it, trust me). For those still brushing up on their Spanish – “cama” means “bed”!

• La Paz to Sucre (10+ hours): from £10 ($13 or €12)
• Uyuni to Potosí: around £5
• Local minibuses: often under £1

Taxis are cheap too, but always agree a price first. And in La Paz, the cable car system (Mi Teleférico) is both scenic and costs less than 50p per ride. The day after we arrived me and my friend literally spent the whole day travelling on these. Cool pic of the cable cars in action at the end!

Fun Fact:
La Paz has the world’s highest urban cable car system – it doubles as public transport & a killer way to see the city from above, all for the price of a cup of coffee.

If you’re navigating all this on your own & wondering how safe it actually is – especially at night or in more rural areas – I wrote a piece on Bolivia’s safety for tourists that breaks it down without scaremongering.

Tours & Activities: Some Bargains, Some Blowouts

The big stuff – like visiting Salar de Uyuni or biking Death Road – is going to cost more, but even then it’s decent value for what you get.

• 3-day Salt Flats tour: £150–£200 (€170–€230 / $185–$250) including food, guide & accommodation.
  Top tip: We bargained this down in person through putting 3 travel groups together 5 mins before booking, and the tours often use Jeeps which fit 6+ people
• Death Road bike tour: around £95 ($120 / €112)
• Jungle tours: £50–90 depending on length & location

Some prices haven’t changed in years. Others spike during peak season, especially in Uyuni. Always check what’s included – and bring cash, cards often get you nowhere. For more info on the tour side of things, here’s how I booked everything – with links & price notes too.

If you’re curious whether the Death Road is actually worth the hype, or just something everyone does for Insta, I put together a Death Road bike tour full guide – including the random trivia & slightly terrifying stats.

You can get a feel for tour prices in this Bolivia tour booking guide I wrote if you’re one of those Type A plan aheaders.

Is Bolivia Still Cheap If You’re Not Backpacking?

Yep. Even if you’re staying in mid-range places, eating out every day & doing all the bucket list stuff, Bolivia’s still way cheaper than most other South American countries. It’s not just a “cheap if you rough it” kind of place.

I met people doing it all on £40 a day, and others on £15. Both were loving life.

Final Word: Cheap Doesn’t Mean Cutting Corners

So, is Bolivia cheap to travel? Absolutely. It’s one of the few places where you can stretch your budget and have an unforgettable time. The value you get for your money is next level – whether it’s a salt flat sunrise, jungle boat ride or just a 30p coffee in Sucre’s central plaza.

If you’re wondering why it’s so affordable, and what the economic picture actually looks like, I dug into whether Bolivia is a poor country – spoiler: it’s more complex than people think.

And if you’re planning when to go, check out my full guide to the best time of year to visit Bolivia, plus a quick read on what the climate’s like by region so you don’t end up freezing in a T-shirt at 3,500 metres.

Also worth checking Bolivia’s vaccination requirements before you fly – especially if jungle trips are on your list.

Cheap doesn’t mean basic – it just means your money goes further. And in Bolivia, it really does.

Happy Travels!