Consulate: We don’t have enough Visa’s for you.
Us: What? What do you mean you don’t have enough Visa’s for us? Can’t we just pay you the money?
Consulate: No. I don’t have enough of these little pieces of paper to stick in your passports.
Us: Well, where can we get more? When will you get more?
Consulate: The closest place to get a Visa is Jujuy or Salta. We won’t get more for another week.
Us: You don’t have enough pieces of paper to stick in our passports? Can’t we still just pay some US dollars and enter?
That was the start of our conversation at the Bolivia Consulate. In the end, our experience trying to enter Bolivia was more than slightly confusing and took an entire morning.
We knew prior to entering that we would need to pay $135 each (yes… US dollars), proof of stay and yellow fever shot in order to obtain a visa. This fee is in place because the US levies the same fee on Bolivians wishing to visit the States. Other South American countries also charge the fees: Brazil at all border crossings, Chile and Argentina at the international airports.
Click to continue reading “Joining Club Bolivia – Paying Our Dues”
