According to estatelearning, Bolivia is located entirely in the tropics, but different climatic conditions prevail in the different parts of the country. From the polar climate on the mountain peaks of the Andes to the tropical climate in the lowlands, all climates are represented. The temperatures are seasonally quite stable, for the most part depending on the altitude. In most regions of Bolivia, most of the rainfall occurs in the southern summer, with the annual rainfall decreasing from north to south.
In the lowlands of the north there is a humid tropical climate with high temperatures throughout the year. Humidity and precipitation are high. In this area, daily maximum temperatures of more than 30 ° C are reached all year round. The heavy rainfall is caused by the northeast trade wind that blows over the Amazon basin. The rain is often accompanied by brief thunderstorms, sometimes hail and strong gusts.
In the central lowlands one finds both humid tropical and dry climates. In the period between October and April, the northeast trade winds cause hot and humid weather. Between May and September, however, the dry southwest trade wind prevails with only low amounts of rain. This dry season is characterized by sunny days and clear nights with extreme high and low temperatures during the day. Strong south winds (surazos) occur from time to time in winter and cool the region for a few days.
The Chaco has either a tropical or a dry climate. Due to the northeast trade winds, there is relatively high rainfall from January to March at high temperatures. The rest of the year it stays dry on hot days and cold nights. The highest temperature measured in Bolivia, 47 ° C, was also found in the Chaco. The south winds of the Surazos also blow in the Chaco, they are often accompanied by strong thunderstorms.
In the mountains, temperatures and rainfall vary greatly depending on the region. In the Yungas, the humid northeast trade winds are pushed upwards by the mountains. Due to the cooling at increasing altitude, clouds quickly form, the area with up to 1520 mm of annual precipitation is very rainy. In the protected basins and valleys of the Cordillera Oriental, on the other hand, one finds relatively mild temperatures and lower amounts of precipitation (from 640 to 760 mm per year). Temperatures fall with increasing altitude. Snow may fall above an altitude of 2,000 m, and permanent snow above 4,600 m. Higher than 5,500 m there is a polar climate, where some glaciers have formed. There is a cold high desert in the Cordillera Occidental.
The Altiplano has a cool and dry climate. Cold and strong winds also play a decisive role here. The daytime temperatures fluctuate strongly, the precipitation decreases from north to south. The maximum daily temperatures reach between 15 and 20 ° C, in some cases 27 ° C are reached. At night the air cools down quickly and temperatures drop to just above 0 ° C. Lake Titicaca has a mitigating influence on the climate, but also on its shores at nights with temperatures around freezing point, and snowfall is also possible.
Bolivia – money
Local currency: 1 boliviano equals 100 centavos
Currency abbreviation : Bs, BOB
Banknotes are issued to the value of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Bs. Coins to the value of 10, 20 and 50 centavos as well as 1.2 and 5 Bs. Watch out for possible forgeries. Getting change for larger bills can be very time consuming.
Currency Exchange: Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices (Casas de Cambio) and hotels in larger cities. US dollars in small bills are the easiest to exchange; the exchange rate is also better here than to the euro. Often US dollars are accepted as a form of payment. It is practically impossible to exchange boliviano outside the country.
Credit Cards: Common credit cards (e.g. MasterCard, Visa, American Express) are accepted in better hotels, restaurants and shopping centers in larger cities. Outside of these cities, as well as in smaller shops, there is rarely a payment option with credit cards.
ATMs: At numerous ATMs, it is possible to withdraw Boliviano with EC cards that have the Maestro symbol. Sometimes it is also possible to receive cash in US dollars.
Travelers Checks: Should be made out in US dollars, and can be exchanged in banks and some exchange offices in larger Bolivian cities. In smaller cities there is seldom an option to exchange travelers checks, so cash is a better choice here.
Foreign exchange regulations: National and foreign currency can be imported without restriction, but must be declared. When exporting local and foreign currency, the maximum amount that can be reached is the amount declared upon entry.
Bank opening times: Mon – Fri 8.30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
