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FAQs Bolivia
| Application Process: |
Please read Rustic Volunteer Travel's 5 steps of application
- There are two options for applying to volunteer in Bolivia through our program. You can apply online or you can down loan an application, fill it out, and mail it in to us. You will need to submit your application with a $200 deposit (this deposit will be deducted from your final program fee.) This program deposit is required to make an application valid.
- Once we get your application, we will immediately send it to Bolivia for processing. They go over your application carefully and find the best project possible for you. The decisions for room and food are made at this time, Arrangement for room and food depends on the location of the project. The vast majority of our volunteers stay in full immersion home stays though some orphanage projects are residential.
- Once we get the details of your placements, we pass it on to you with a final invoice. Your final payment is due six weeks before your start date, and in expedited cases, as soon as possible. The placement details have local contact information use them for contacts on your Visa application or to get in touch with the local staff and host family.
- Preparation for trips should include reading about Bolivia , immunization, travel Visa (entry permit), and booking airfare. If you face any problems our Program Manager is always available for assistance.
- Now, once you purchase your ticket, send your flight information to our US office by fax or by email. Your flight information will be forwarded to the Bolivia staff who will arrange an airport pickup.
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| Visa : |
Most of Western European, North and South American countries, Australia and New Zealand only need a passport to enter. Upon entry, you will be given a tourist visa entitling you to a stay of 90 days in the country. If for any reason you are only given 30 days, you can easily extend to your stay to 90 days at the immigration office.
It is a suggested that participants have a photo-copy of their passport containing their photo and passport number, along with proof of their international travel insurance, airfare, and traveler's checks' serial numbers to prevent any loss of important information.
For more information pertaining to visa requirements, visit www.projectvisa.com .
Rustic volunteer Travel suggests that ALL volunteers acquire the appropriate visa in their home country BEFORE arriving in-country to avoid any unnecessary hassles at the airport. |
| Health and safety : |
Being informed is your first defense against disease and safety risks. We recommend visiting some of the following websites for health and safety information:
WHO website for international travelers ( http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/ )
General Health Tips for volunteer in Bolivia
- Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by both filtering through an "absolute 1 micron or less" filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. "Absolute 1 micron filters" are found in camping/outdoor supply stores.
- Buy bottled water from respectable outlets to guard against stomach upsets. Make sure that the seal of the bottle is intact as it is not uncommon for local street merchants to sell tap water in resealed bottles.
- Avoid eating food from road side stalls. Don't eat unpeeled fruits and avoid fresh salads, especially in small hotels. If you are forced to eat food at some place that you have doubts about, make sure the food is served hot.
- Limit display of jewelry and handle cash discreetly.
- In Bolivia , most modern medicines are available over the counters in drugstores, but it is wise to travel with a reserve stock. If any prescription drugs are required, bring enough for the duration of the trip. It is advisable that you carry a small health kit which should include remedy for upset stomachs, some antiseptic cream, mosquito repellant cream, sun block, band aids, etc.
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| Vaccination : |
We use the Center for Disease Control traveler's health recommendations (www.cdc.gov.) Your travel doctor will be knowledgeable about current epidemics and should be consulted.
Required:
Yellow fever is present in this region and vaccination is recommended if you travel to the endemic zones in any of the countries of Bolivia . A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries if you have visited an endemic area. For detailed information, see Comprehensive Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements . Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center .
Recommended:
- Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
- Hepatitis B , especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
- Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in these countries, including some cities. See your health care provider for a prescription anti-malarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Tropical South America .
- Rabies , if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
- Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors.
- As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles .
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| Money Matter : |
What is the exchange rate? Where should I change my dollars? Can I use a debit card or credit card? Should I bring travelers checks?
Often called pesos, bolivianos are extremely difficult to unload outside the country. Watch out for mangled notes: unless both halves of a repaired banknote bear identical serial numbers, the note is worthless. Be aware, too, of circulating counterfeit banknotes.
As a rule, visitors fare best with US dollars, the only foreign currency accepted throughout Bolivia , although Euros are getting easier to change. Currencies of neighboring countries may be exchanged in border areas, airports, and at certain La Paz casas de cambio (currency exchange houses). All casas de cambio are able to change US dollars and traveler's checks. Changing traveler's checks in smaller towns is often impossible.
Your credit card information can be stolen and used fraudulently just by making a credit card payment. For this reason, cash and travelers checks are suggested to settle most accounts. You will have trouble paying with traveler's checks, but you will be able to exchange them at local banks or post offices. Traveler's checks are recommended as a safe way to carry money with you, make sure you write down the check numbers and contact information you need to cancel stolen checks. Different brands of traveler's checks work better in different countries so consult your local financial institution about which company you should buy your checks from.
Travelers should have a credit card for large and emergency purchases so you won't go broke if something goes wrong. If you've requested a pin number for your credit card, you can use it to get cash advances at the ATM.
You can also carry a debit card that can be used at ATM's to withdraw local currency. When using ATM's, be advised to bring a friend along, travel directly from the bank back to your home and stash your cash. Find a private, well disguised place to hide any cash. When you are carrying cash, break it up into different amounts and keep it in different pockets so if you get robbed you won't lose everything. |
| Field Support and supervision: |
How does Rustic Volunteer Travel help me when I am in the field? How can I maintain communication? Does Rustic Volunteer Travel visit volunteers?
Once the volunteer program start, our local staff stays in touch with volunteers. We visit our volunteers every 2 weeks (if possible) and you are always welcome at the office. Your project will have local staff as well, though not our own. The local doctors, nurses and administrators on your project will be there for you throughout. If your project is very far, then our local staff maintains communication by email and phone. |
| Communication : |
How do I communicate with my family? Rustic Volunteer Travel staffs? Is there internet?
All contact information of Rustic Volunteer Travel staff (i.e. phone numbers, email addresses, location addresses) will be provided to participants in their pre-departure/placement details which is supplied prior to departure.
International Direct Dialing within Bolivia is available in most cities. Phone cards are widely available and calls can be made from the many phones found in urban areas, hotels and phone booths on the streets. In hotels, local calls are generally charged at a nominal fee. You will be near all communication facilities, such as internet, telephone and post office. The exception may be in some conservation projects. However, information on all local facilities and proximity of banks, shops, etc., will be given to you before you arrive in Bolivia .
Internet is available in most urban areas. Internet cafes are available in some of Bolivia 's major cities, although the cafes can be very noisy as they are a popular venue for the youth to play online games and for students to do work.
You can bring your cell phone, but it if it does work in Bolivia , your local communications will be very expensive. For this reason, we recommend that, upon your arrival, you change your cell phone SIM-card and number to a local one (usually costing approximately US $5). |
| Climate of Bolivia: |
Since much of Bolivia is located on the Altiplano, above an elevation of 4000 meters, weather is particularly impacted by elevation. If you are planning to visit the jungles, then the best time would be from April to October, since the rainy season is from November to March – often bringing insects and mosquitoes. As for the rest of the country, it does not rain much in the Altiplano, so timing is not a crucial factor when traveling to Bolivia .
During the summer between June - July, nights tend to be clearer is the best time to visit Salar de Uyuni, as the salt lake is even more impressive under the clear blue skies. The busiest months are between May-September. Most of the festivals are observed during the rainy season, such as the big carnivals in February.
Yahoo Weather forecast ( http://weather.yahoo.com )
Weather channel ( http://www.weather.com )
Weather Underground ( http://www.wunderground.com ) |
| Gift for Host Family and Project: |
What gifts should I bring for my project and/or host family?
It is a common courtesy to bring a small gift for the staff that will be hosting you. You are not required to do so, but if you choose to bring something it can be pretty simple. We suggest a box of chocolates, a t-shirt with a hometown/country logo, or pictures of your family and local post cards.
If you want to bring gifts for your project and if you are working for an orphanage or a school, please bring pencils, pens and paper, art supplies like markers and construction paper pads, as well as games for the children to enjoy. Remember that every child will need these items so you may wish to bring enough for a number of children. |
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