FAQs

• A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.

• Flexibility is key when you’re travelling in Bolivia. The itinerary will give you a good idea of what your trip is going to look like. But routes, schedules, hotels & modes of transportation may be subject to change without prior notice because of local circumstances or events beyond Contiki’s control.

• You’ll need to bring USD cash with you, as it’s the only way to pay for the Free Time Add-Ons on this trip. You’ll receive the cost of each option in your Welcome Email. Plus, we recommend you bring Bolivian Bolíviano on your Visa and/or Master Card (American Express or Discover cards aren’t widely accepted).

• You’ll usually receive a 10% service charge on your restaurant bill. But tipping isn’t a requirement. Either way, if you’re pleased with your service, a tip will always be appreciated! We recommend tipping 12% of the total bill. 

• Bolivia doesn’t have lots of ATMs. So you’re better off carrying cash wherever possible. We also recommend bringing USD and then exchanging those during the tour. 

• You can buy a lot of things for an affordable price once you arrive. But we’d suggest you bring: 

  • Summer clothes: shorts and lightweight tops essential for keeping cool. 
  • Warm overcoat: there’ll be colder parts of your trip, even in summertime. 
  • Good walking socks & shoes: keep comfy on any terrain. 
  • Sturdy backpack: one you don’t mind getting dusty too! 

  Weather in the salt flats of Uyuni is unpredictable. So it’s a good idea to bring the following along too:  
  - Bandanas for the wind 
  - Sunscreen 
  - Hats, sunglasses 
  - Light rain gear 
  - Walking shoes for hiking & flip-flops & or water shoes 
  - Towel 
  - Light jacket/zip off pants 
  - Binoculars 
  - First aid & medication - aloe vera gel, insect repellent, hand sanitiser or gel, moisturising cream, pain relief (e.g. aspirin etc for headaches or muscle pain) and motion sickness medication. 

• You can bring 1 hand luggage + 1 suitcase or backpack per person. 
   
  Internal flights are included in this trip (your Trip Manager will have your tickets ready for you). Each traveller is allowed 1 checked bag & 1 carry-on bag/personal item (eg: small backpack/handbag or laptop bag). Our suitcase restriction above means that the checked bag will be within the limitation for this flight. The carry-on bag must not exceed 114 cm (45”). Extra or overweight bags will incur a fee by the airline which is the traveller’s responsibility. Fees range from US$25.00-US$100.00. 

• Bolivia’s climate varies by altitude. The lowlands are hot year-round - equatorial in the north and tropical with a longer dry season in the south. The Andean peaks are colder and arid. Seasons are reversed from the Northern Hemisphere, with a dry winter (May- October) and a rainy summer (November - March). 

• Drinking tap water isn’t recommend. So, please stick to bottled water (even when brushing your teeth). There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase bottled water during the trip. 

• Parts of this trip go above 2800 metres (9200 feet) where it's common for some travellers to experience shortness of breath, nausea or light-headedness. While it's usually not severe in most cases, it’s always best to be prepared. That’s why we recommend that you carry your own medication and read a trusted health advisory for tips on how to combat altitude sickness. Plus, your Trip Managers will give you loads of helpful advice and before and during the trip.

• Please check the latest travel info from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention if you're travelling to Bolivia. We also recommend that you consult your local health clinic or doctor for more details.

• Your Trip Manager brings the group together with all the info, fun facts and food recommendations you'll ever need. Plus, they’ll ensure everything runs smoothly and address any issues. They’ll be there with you throughout the trip and will be your go-to person if you need anything. They’ll also fill you in on the cultural and historical context of the places you visit with some informal talks when relevant. 

• Contiki sometimes uses ground handlers or third parties to assist with the full or partial operation of our products. The ground handler for this trip is Encounter Latin America.