Bolivia Vaccination Requirements: What You Actually Need

When I was planning my trip to Bolivia, I lost count of how many conflicting vaccine lists I came across. Some made it sound like I was prepping for an expedition into uncharted jungle. Others were so vague I thought, surely that can’t be right? So here’s what I actually found — the real Bolivia vaccination requirements, without the faff.

And yes, if the caption wasn’t clear enough, that is my real vaccine record card and authentic llama keychain from Bolivia used in the pic! Only the realest stuff allowed here on F&F!

Do You Have to Get Vaccinated to Enter Bolivia?

Short answer – not unless you’re coming from somewhere with yellow fever. I wasn’t, so nothing was checked. But I did get asked if I’d been to Brazil recently, which caught me off guard while half-asleep at a border crossing.

If you are passing through a yellow fever risk country, even just on a layover, it’s worth carrying the yellow fever certificate. Technically it’s only required in some situations, but border agents aren’t always working off the same rulebook.

I took mine along just in case, stuffed between pages of my passport. Didn’t need it, but it’s one of those better-safe-than-awkward things. Here’s what it looks like on the inside and where they’ll add the info once you’ve been jabbed:

Vaccines People Actually Recommend

This is where the Google lists start to spiral. But realistically, here’s what came up again & again when I spoke to travel nurses & other people who’ve been:

• Hep A – anything to do with food or water. A no-brainer.
• Typhoid – same deal. Street food dreams, not stomach bug nightmares.
• Tetanus – I think most of us had this as kids, but check your booster’s still current.
• Rabies – didn’t bother, but if you’re around animals a lot (especially dogs in rural areas), it’s worth thinking about. Met a guy who had to get jabs after a bite in Santa Cruz – not fun.
• Yellow Fever – again, especially if you’re going to the Amazon basin

I paid around £60 (about $76 or €70) for the yellow fever one, which felt steep at the time, but cheaper than flying back with dengue. It should also in theory be for life, I got mine back in 2019 when visiting Brazil and have barely given it a second thought since. For you UK peeps, some of the other vaccines were covered by the NHS depending on your GP or clinic. For Yellow Fever though I went proper basic with Boots who sorted me right out.

Honestly, if you’re planning to hit up experiences like the Death Road bike tour or head out on long treks, it’s worth being a bit more prepared. Those kind of adventures – and Bolivia’s high-altitude terrain in general – make it more than just a chill sightseeing trip.

Malaria – Should You Worry?

Honestly? Probably not. If you’re staying in La Paz, Sucre, Uyuni, or even Copacabana (Bolivian town not Brazilian beach fyi) – no worries. I didn’t take anti-malarials & never felt like I needed them.

That said, if you’re off into the Amazon or planning to stay in mosquito-heavy areas, it’s a different story. A travel nurse will give you proper advice, but I just went heavy on the DEET & long sleeves when I hit Rurrenabaque.

If you’re not sure how wild Bolivia’s weather actually gets across regions, I’ve written about how the climate shifts depending on Bolivia’s altitudes & seasons – worth a look if you’re trying to plan what time of year to go.

Fun Fact: Bolivia’s lowland regions sit under 500m above sea level, while the capital La Paz is over 3,600m – meaning you can go from mosquito country to frostbite zone in a single day.

How does COVID feature in Bolivia Vaccination Requirements?

At the moment, Bolivia’s not asking for proof of COVID vaccination or negative tests. No one checked when I flew in, and nothing came up during bus rides or hostel check-ins either – except one random driver who asked, then forgot about it 30 seconds later. I still think about that chap sometimes…

Still, to this day I keep my COVID pass saved on my phone just in case. You never know what might pop up.

Don’t Forget the Boring Bit: Bring Proof

Honestly, the yellow fever certificate is easy to forget until you’re at the border & suddenly panicking because the guard is giving you the “you look well unvaccinated” side eye. As mentioned above I simply kept mine in between my passport pages. Didn’t need it, but knowing it was there kept me relaxed.

Interesting Fact: Yellow fever isn’t just a suggestion for jungle travel – Bolivia officially requires proof of vaccination if you’re arriving from 40+ countries, including parts of South America & Africa.

Those little yellow booklets look pretty old school but they do the trick.

Final Word: Vaccines Matter, But Don’t Overdo It

Bolivia vaccination requirements are pretty manageable. You’re not prepping for a zombie outbreak – just using common sense.

Sort your food-related jabs, maybe rabies if you’re going rural, & yellow fever if the jungle’s calling. No need to get the whole pharmacy in your arm before you go. Subtle flex here with my last injection doc telling me I’m one of the most vaccinated people he’s come across. Does show you that these vaccines do last a good ole time usually though!

If you’re wondering more broadly about what it’s actually like to travel around Bolivia – safety, poverty, politics, quirks – I’ve got pieces on everything from why Bolivia has two capitals, to what it’s like cost-wise, to how safe it actually feels day to day.

And once you’re jabbed & packed, there’s plenty to get stuck into – whether you’re keen on Bolivia’s top things to do, curious about Death Road, or just want to eat your way through the country’s best traditional dishes.

If you’ve had any vaccine dramas or tips I missed, chuck them in the comments. Always keen to hear what other travellers ran into .. or forgot, then regretted. We’ve all been there.

Happy Travels!