Peru
BoliviaUseful Information about Sucre, Bolivia
We are happy to provide you with all the assistance you need to prepare your adventure in Bolivia. Here are a few tips and information about Sucre that will help you to organize your trip and get the most out of your stay.
ARRIVING IN SUCRE – BOLIVIA
There are times when Sucre airport is closed due to weather conditions. When this occurs, the plane will land in La Paz or Santa Cruz. The airline will put you up in a hotel (if necessary) and will transfer you to Sucre. See “Arriving After Hours”.
In case a hotel is needed in La Paz or Santa Cruz:
Arriving After Hours: If you arrive after hours or on a weekend and your flight has been canceled or delayed, or for some reason you miss your arrival transfer at the airport, here is what we recommend you do:
Call 00591-(0)4- 6439 613 or 00591-761 23 223 (cell phone), the emergency numbers in Sucre and speak with Mary Guereca.
If unable to get in touch:
Go to one of the hotels suggested and attempt to call the school or the Director the next day. The school will not reimburse hotel costs.
We also suggest that you bring an international phone card in order to make international calls from your host family’s home. If you do not have an international phone card, any international calls must be made at the school.
Departure Taxes: Be prepared to pay approximately $ 25 for flights out of the country. Check with your airline for the exact amount of taxes.
School office hours: 8:15am-12:10pm and 2:30-6:30pm (Monday through Friday).
Tips from Past Participants: “Bring 75% less than you think you need”.
Weather in Sucre: About 55-85ºF / 12-25ºC year round. Rainy season: October-March. Dry season: May-August (April and September now and then have some rain).
Seasonal temperatures: Spring: September, October, November 58-75ºF / 15-24ºC). Summer: December, January, February 58-83ºF / 15-28ºC). Fall: March, April, May 50-58ºF / 10-15ºC). Winter: June, July, August (40-58ºF / 5-15ºC).
PASSPORTS TO BOLIVIA, VISAS TO BOLIVIA AND IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
When traveling anywhere in Latin America you should carry your passport or a copy of it with you at all times. It is also a good idea to bring photocopies of other essential documents (airline tickets, important prescriptions, credit card company number etc.) stored in a separate location.
US citizens need a Tourist Visa to enter Bolivia, which has to be obtained at the Bolivian Embassy in the USA. We will help you obtain the visa once you sign up for a course at Latino Schools.
Citizens of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most Western European countries are allowed to stay in Bolivia for up to 30 or 90 days with a valid passport without a visa. However, these requirements change frequently. Therefore please check with the Bolivian Embassy in your home country before you start your travels.
Embajada de Bolivia en los Estados Unidos
Web: www.bolivia-usa.org
Phone: (+1) 202 483 4410
Consulate phone: (+1) 202 232 4827
Embajada de Bolivia en Australia
Web: bolivia.visahq.com/embassy/Australia
Phone: (+61) 2 6290 2968
Embajada de Bolivia en Canadá
Web: bolivia.visahq.com/embassy/Canada
Phone: (+1) 613 236 5730
New Zealand: (Consulate)
Web: bo.embassyinformation.com
Phone: (+64) 9 5205 071
UK:
Web: bolivia.visahq.com/embassy/United-kingdom
Phone: (+44) 20 7235 4248
CHILDREN
Minimum age to participate in group program: 14. 18 if traveling without a parent, teacher or legal guardian.
Children’s programs: one to one classes at the same cost as adults. The children’s program uses more Spanish TV programs, audiocassettes, children’s Spanish books and games to keep the learning process fun.
Child care: Possible upon special request.
Homestay discount for small children: Half price if under 5 years (when staying in the same room as parents, unless host family happens to have extra space).
OTHER
Electricity
Time zone
Religion
People / Population
Mail
Telephone
Tipping
Money and finances
Business hours
Electricity
220 volts, same plugs as the US, both 220 and 110 in La Paz.
Time zone
During European winter Time: 5 hours behind Western European and 4 hours behind GMT-time. During European daylight saving time: 6 hours behind Western European and 5 hours behind GMT-time.
Religion
Mainly Roman Catholic. The Indigenous cultures often blend Catholicism with their traditional beliefs.
People / Population
Bolivia has the highest number of Indigenous people in South America, about 70% of the population.
Mail
The mail service is reliable but slow, 7 to 10 days from the US or Europe. Use the school’s address. When sending parcels, mark them “muestra sin valor” and state the value as zero. Parcels up to 2 kilos do not pass through Customs if they are so marked. Parcels which do pass through Customs may be taxed beyond their actual value.
Telephone
Local, national and international calls can be received and made at school. Calls may be received at the host family. We prefer that you do not make international calls from your homestay to avoid any possible billing errors.
Collect calls can be made to the US and some European countries at the Entel Offices. You can buy tokens and phone cards for international and long distance calls at the Entel Offices. Most public phone boxes are for local calls only; tokens can be bought from street kiosks and stores. Faxes can be sent from the school and major Entel Offices.
Tipping
Restaurants: Not required, but most people round up the bill or leave 2 to 5 Bolivianos extra.
Baggage porters: In air and bus terminals,they receive 2 to 5 Bolivianos.
Hotel maids: Not required, but appreciated.
Taxi drivers: Not required.
Money and finances
In more expensive establishments, sometimes prices are quoted in dollars.
Travelers checks can be changed into Bolivianos or US dollars at exchange offices only in major cities. You can also change US dollars into Bolivianos at banks and casas de cambio (exchange houses). It is suggested to use casas de cambio and not street vendors.
It is common that dollar bills that look old or are torn are refused. Even banks may do so! Credit cards – Visa (most common) and Master Card – are accepted in major cities. Cash can be withdrawn from your credit card at some banks without extra commission, in Bolivianos and US dollars, as well as from most ATMs.
Business hours
Business hours:
Shops: 9am-12:00pm and 2:00-7:00pm. Small stores are open from 6am to 10pm.
Banks: 8:30am-11:30pm and 2:30-5:30pm. Friday 2:30- 5pm. Saturday 8:30am-12pm.
Business offices: 9am-12pm and 2-7pm.
Government offices: 9am-12pm, 2-5pm.
Central Post office: 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 9am-12pm.
ENTEL (phone, fax, telex and telegrams): 8am-11pm.
Toilet paper: Don’t throw toilet paper into the toilets, as these get blocked very easily. There is a receptacle provided. In the host family you will be provided with toilet paper.
Need more information about Sucre? Please feel free to contact us. We’re happy to assist you with anything you need in advance.
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