What vaccines do I need for Bolivia?

Required: Yellow Fever (required if arriving from a yellow fever country). Recommended by the CDC: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Malaria prophylaxis (for lowland areas).

Is tap water safe to drink in Bolivia?

Tap water is not safe to drink in Bolivia. Drink bottled or treated water throughout your trip, including in resort areas.

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South America

Bolivia Travel Health

Reviewed by Alexander Webber, Chief Epidemiologist · Updated 2026-08

Bolivia presents a complex health risk profile driven by its dramatic altitude variation, from high-altitude Andean cities to lowland tropical regions. Altitude sickness is a significant concern for visitors to La Paz and other highland areas above 3,500 meters. Tropical diseases including malaria, dengue, and yellow fever are present in the lowland departments of Beni, Pando, and Santa Cruz. Food and waterborne illnesses are common, and tap water is not safe to drink throughout the country.

Food Safety: High Risk Tap Water: Unsafe Malaria Risk Present

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Vaccines for Bolivia

Required for Entry

Yellow Fever (required if arriving from a yellow fever country)

CDC Recommended

Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Yellow Fever
Hepatitis B
Rabies
Malaria prophylaxis (for lowland areas)

Source: CDC Travelers' Health — Bolivia

Malaria Risk

Malaria (predominantly P. vivax, with some P. falciparum) is present in the lowland tropical departments of Beni, Pando, and Santa Cruz below 2,500 meters. No malaria risk in La Paz or the Altiplano.

Food and Water Safety

High Risk Tap water: not safe to drink

Drink only bottled or properly boiled water. Avoid raw vegetables, unpeeled fruit, and street food from vendors with questionable hygiene. Traveler's diarrhea is very common.

Key Health Tips for Bolivia

Ascend to high altitudes gradually and allow 1 to 2 days to acclimatize before strenuous activity. Ask your doctor about acetazolamide before travel.
Use EPA-registered insect repellent and sleep under permethrin-treated bed nets in lowland jungle areas.
Get yellow fever vaccination before visiting tropical lowland departments, and carry your International Certificate of Vaccination.
Seek immediate medical attention for fever after visiting lowland areas, as malaria and dengue both require prompt diagnosis.

Disease Risks in Bolivia

Official Resources

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