Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read our general FAQs, where you can find essential information that applies to all of our programs.

Resources to Learn & Teach about Bolivia

Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.

Terms and Conditions

It is very important for you to visit our Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.

GEEO Program Confirmation Process

We require a minimum of 6 participants for most GEEO programs. We officially confirm that a program will run once at least 8 people have signed up, which provides a margin for individual cancellations. Nearly all GEEO programs ultimately meet this enrollment quota, and in the rare event that a program does not meet the minimum requirement and GEEO cancels the program, we will work with you to find a suitable alternative or provide a refund of your deposit if you prefer. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we will notify the entire group once 6 people are booked and again once 8 people are booked. We always emphasize the importance of exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements, especially given the unpredictable nature of travel. For example, we typically recommend booking flights with flexible change/cancellation policies.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.

• If you cancel 60 days or more prior to the start of your program, all payments will be refunded excluding your $350 deposit, which is kept on file for future use and never expires. (Exception for participants who receive grants from our university partners: To address disruption caused by cancellation from grant recipients, deposits paid by grant recipients are forfeited upon cancellation.)
• If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.
• If you cancel within 30 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive no refund, but your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.

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Trip Notes & Expectations

Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program contained on this page. Our programs are quite adventurous, and we find that clients who read the trip details in full are happier with their experiences.

1. YELLOW FEVER: It may be required to show a Yellow Fever certificate upon entering Bolivia. Please check in with your local health expert for advice on Yellow Fever and other inoculations required for this area.
2. ALTITUDE: Your Adventure travels to high altitude. This is medically defined as anything over 2,440 m (8,000 ft). Most people can travel to 8,000 ft with minimal effects, but everyone reacts to altitude differently, and altitude sickness can set in with some people irrespective of fitness and age. For details on how to best prepare and what to do in the unlikely event you are affected on your adventure, please consult your physician. Make sure your doctor carefully checks to make sure any medication you need is safe to use at over 11,000 feet above sea level.
3. SALT FLATS: The accommodation on the salt flats are really cold at night. Make sure you pack long john bottoms and tops. They rent warm sleeping bags fairly cheaply that we recommend. Your tour leader can arrange this for you the day before. Also pack plenty of snacks as the menu is quite limited in this remote part of Bolivia.
4. ACCOMMODATION: The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe, well-located place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury, however, as our priority is keeping our programs as affordable as possible. Sometimes the accommodation is not air conditioned. Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary
5. TRANSPORTATION: We use a mix of transportation that gets our guests from location to location safely. Sometimes you will have full days and nights of transportation as our trips tend to cover a lot of ground. The transportation will often be an adventure in itself.
6. LUGGAGE: You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage, so do not over-pack.
7. ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE: Please make sure you have thoroughly read the itinerary and can handle the group activities, which sometime include day hikes with your daypacks. Trip includes moderate hiking and other activities that require an average/moderate level of fitness to enjoy. We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.
8. GROUP LEADER: Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip. All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure's group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Single Travelers

Half of GEEO’s participants travel by themselves, so please don’t worry if you do not have a travel companion for your trip. Our program fee is for one traveler in double-occupancy accommodation, and GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender if you do not have a travel companion. Most of our programs have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that you can pay to have a room to yourself. You will only incur an additional charge if you specifically request a single room. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please find your program on our extra services page. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org to request a single room. Please note: if you have booked the “My Own Room” option for this tour, you will receive your own single accommodation for all night stops except Days 7 and 8 (Salar de Uyuni - multi-share) and Day 9 (overnight bus).

Emergency Contacts

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so that they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS G Adventures Office Lima, Peru During office hours (Weekdays, 9-6pm Local Time): +51 1 241 1650 After hours Emergency number: +51 99 758 2712 (WhatsApp Available) If for any reason you are unable to reach the G Adventures local office, please call the numbers listed below to connect with their Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000 Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000 Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618 Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307 Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person.

Suggested (click to expand)

• 4-season sleeping bag and liner – also available for rent for about $5 per day
• Winter hat and gloves
• Warm jacket
• Windproof/waterproof rain jacket
• Personal clothing for cold to warm weather – we recommend packing 7-8 days of outfits, so you only have to do laundry once
• Fleece or down top – it gets down into the 20’s at night in the Andes!
• Light hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes
• Daypack
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Watch or alarm clock (or use your phone)
• Small flashlight
• Toiletries
• Camera (or use your phone)
• First-aid kit, including lip salve, aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking

Optional (click to expand)

• Bathing suit and small, quick-dry towel
• Binoculars
• Travel pillow
• Water bottle
• Money belt
• Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
• Chargers for electronics as well as converters/adapters, if needed
• AirTags or Tile trackers
• Packing cubes
• Flip-flops/sandals
• Earplugs
• Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks when you get there too, so don’t go crazy here
• Ziplock bags
• Reading/writing material
• Hand sanitizer/baby wipes

Documents (click to expand)

• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the trip (plus photocopies)
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• Travel insurance ID card
• Flight itinerary/boarding pass(es)
• USD/EUR cash
• Credit/debit card
• G Adventures vouchers
• GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent a few days before departure

Laundry

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge, or you can ask your tour leader where the nearest laundromat is located. There will be times when you may want to do your own laundry, so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Passports and Visas

All GEEO trips require that the participant have a valid passport. Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double check the information we provide below by searching the U.S. State Department's Travel website. PASSPORT Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in Bolivia. Make sure it has at least one blank page for entry and exit stamps. VISA U.S. citizens need a visa to travel to Bolivia. While it’s possible to apply for a visa in advance at a Bolivian Embassy or Consulate, it is more convenient to obtain the visa upon arrival. The visa costs $160 USD. IMPORTANT: U.S. dollar bills must be in perfect condition. Old, torn, or marked notes will not be accepted by immigration officials. Requirements for your visa:

• A passport with at least six months of validity remaining
• Two copies of the passport information page
• Two passport photos
• Evidence of a hotel reservation (your G Adventures confirmation voucher)
• A copy of your trip itinerary
• Exit ticket (return flight or proof of onward travel)
• Proof of economic solvency (e.g., a current bank statement)
• International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination (if applicable)
Additionally, it’s important to complete the SIGEMIG registration either online or upon arrival, which is required for all foreign visitors to Bolivia.

Money Exchange

The local currency in Bolivia is the Bolivian boliviano (BOB). As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. We recommend that you obtain cash from ATMs while traveling; they will dispense the local currency. We do, however, recommend that you bring at least $200 USD in cash for emergency use or in case you have trouble with the ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but you may be charged an international transaction fee; ask your financial institution about their international fees. Please note that if you are carrying U.S. dollars, the bills should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and dated recently.

Tipping

It is customary to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service. Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of this program and an expression of satisfaction with the people who assist you on your trip. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There will be opportunities during the trip to tip your local guides or drivers. You may do this individually, or your tour leader may offer to collect the money and give a tip on behalf of the group. Ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and expectations. Also, at the end of your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, a tip would be appreciated. Tipping amounts are entirely your personal preference, but as a guideline:

• Service providers/Waiters: 10% of the bill
• Local guides and drivers: $5-10 USD per person per day
• Tour Guide (CEO): $20-25 USD per person per week

Vaccinations

GEEO cannot provide any medical advice, so it is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. We recommend contacting Passport Health, which has travel clinics located throughout the United States. You can also check the CDC's recommended vaccinations for your destination. Please take this seriously!

Flights

We find the best prices for flights are often available around 90-120 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. You should wait until this trip is confirmed before you book non-refundable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. This program begins and ends in La Paz. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in La Paz. You may want to arrive in La Paz one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our 6:00 p.m. Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart from La Paz any time on the final day of the program.

Plugs and Converters

There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers (also called electrical converters). The adapter is for your device's plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two- to three-pronged power cord to fit the local outlets. The transformer/converter changes the local voltage to the voltage used in the U.S. Bolivia uses 2- and 3-pronged power plugs similar to those in the United States, as well as a European-style two-prong plug. Bolivia’s voltage is mostly 220-230V, with a few homes with 110V on the European-style outlets. (Standard U.S. electrical outlets are 120V.) Most new devices, including phones and laptops, are made to work with the different voltage rates, but some devices, like hair dryers, may only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device's plug or manual to see what voltage range it requires. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity; for example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work with voltages between 100V to 240V. If your device can’t handle the higher voltage, you’ll need to purchase a transformer/converter. You can find world transformers/converters online or at many retail stores in the travel section.

Weather

Consisting of temperate valleys, semi-arid highlands, humid jungles, and balmy lakeside villages, Bolivia’s weather differs greatly depending on the altitude and topography of the region. Because most of the country is situated at a high elevation, temperatures vary from hot and humid during the day to freezing cold at night. From May to October, Bolivia’s highland areas are cool and dry during the day, making it a consistently good time to visit. Days feature clear blue skies and light breezes, and evenings can get very cold, dropping to below freezing at night. July is one of the best times to visit Salar de Uyuni as it sees lots of sunshine and very little rain. You should prepare for weather that can get up into the 80s during the day, but most of the time will be in the 50s and 60s. Night temperatures will typically be in 20s and 30s. You will probably be wearing jeans and a fleece during the day and adding on a winter coat at night.