Bolivia Travel Warning: Alcohol Ban & Flight Cancellations – FCDO Advice

The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued a travel advisory for Bolivia, warning British nationals of transport disruptions and a temporary ban on alcohol sales coinciding with local elections held on Sunday, March 22nd. The advisory, updated on March 24th, remains in effect.

According to the FCDO, domestic flights were cancelled and all transport was suspended until 6pm on Sunday evening. While international flights were unaffected, limited taxi services with special permits operated to and from the airport. The prohibition on alcohol sales was in force from Friday, March 20th, through midnight on Sunday, March 22nd.

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Chapare region of Cochabamba Department, including Villa Tunari and highways 4 and 24. The advisory warns that travel insurance could be invalidated by travel against FCDO guidance.

The travel warning follows a recent easing of Bolivia’s visa requirements. On December 1st, Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo announced that citizens of the United States, Israel, South Korea, South Africa, Latvia, Estonia, and Romania no longer require a visa to enter the country. President Rodrigo Paz and Tourism Minister Cinthya Yañez were present at the announcement. The government anticipates an additional $80 million in tourism revenue over the next four years as a result of the policy change, citing an estimated $900 million loss in tourism income since visa requirements were implemented in 2007.

“We require to rebuild global confidence in Bolivia as a welcoming and safe destination,” Aramayo stated at the time of the visa policy change.

The FCDO advisory remains in force as of Tuesday, March 24th, with no indication of when the transport restrictions or alcohol ban will be lifted.