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bolivia Bolivia v.2026-05-15

Chapare drug trafficking, kidnapping and extortion, plus La Paz transport strike from 6 May 2026 disrupting interprovincial buses and routes.

  • Articolo
  • aggiornato 2026-05-15

Bolivia has active official travel advisories as of 2026-05-15. The strongest current guidance is to avoid non-essential travel to the Chapare region of Cochabamba Department; road blockades, a La Paz transport strike announced from 2026-05-06, violent crime, civil unrest, and health alerts are also in the official notices.

What Is Being Advised

Avoid non-essential travel to Chapare in Cochabamba Department, including Villa Tunari and highway routes 4 and 24 through Chapare. Official advisories cite drug trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, and clashes in the region. (UK FCDO, Canada, New Zealand, Italy)

If you are traveling by bus or other overland transport, check the route before paying, add slack, and do not cross blockades. The UK advisory says the interprovincial transport union of La Paz announced an indefinite strike from 2026-05-06; a bus ticket sold as condicionado means the company does not guarantee arrival. (UK FCDO)

Use heightened caution elsewhere in Bolivia. Current official notices flag frequent roadblocks, political and social tensions, robbery risks in named areas, border restrictions, flooding and landslides, chikungunya, dengue, measles, flu, and other health risks. (Canada, France, Italy)

Where exactly this applies
  • Chapare, Cochabamba Department: avoid non-essential travel, including Villa Tunari and highway routes 4 and 24 through Chapare. (UK FCDO)
  • La Paz road network: official notices report road blockages on main routes in the La Paz region and an indefinite transport strike announced from 2026-05-06. (France, UK FCDO)
  • France-marked security zones: La Paz bus terminal, Santa Cruz, El Alto, Lake Titicaca shores and islands, Salar de Uyuni, and Sud Lipez are listed above ordinary baseline advice on the French map. (France)
  • Italy-marked caution areas: Muela del Diablo and Palca; Manco Kapac Province around Lake Titicaca; El Alto; Chapare; Santa Cruz Department and roads toward Cochabamba; Beni and eastern departments; Rurrenabaque circuit; Nor Yungas; and Chile border zones around Pacu Pacu. (Italy)
Organizations issuing warnings
  • Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia
  • Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, United Kingdom
  • Global Affairs Canada
  • Ministere de l'Europe et des Affaires etrangeres, France
  • Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, Italy
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand

Current Disruptions

The road problem is active. Italy posted a Bolivia road-block update on 2026-05-13 covering border restrictions, demonstrations, and strikes. France posted a La Paz-region road-block update on 2026-05-08. The UK advisory gives the clearest bus detail: condicionado tickets do not guarantee arrival. (Italy, France, UK FCDO)

For same-week overland context, see HostelPunk's separate route update: Bolivia road blockades, May 2026: what's actually going on. Use it as route context, then check the latest official advisory and transport operator status before moving.

Other Official Risk Notes

Canada's country page says continuing political and social tensions are producing frequent roadblocks throughout Bolivia. Ireland, Australia, and Japan also keep Bolivia in heightened-caution categories. (Canada, Ireland, Australia, Japan)

Health alerts are part of the official picture. France has an active alert for measles, chikungunya, and flu, dated 2026-03-31. Italy posted a chikungunya update on 2026-02-20, marks Beni and eastern departments for dengue risk, and flags El Alto for health risks. (France, Italy)

Italy's 2026-02-10 update warns about rainy-season flooding and landslides. Check same-day road conditions if you are crossing regions by road. (Italy)

Source Notes

Official advisories do not use identical maps or labels. The practical overlap is clear: avoid non-essential travel to Chapare, treat road travel as disruption-prone, and check official pages again before crossing regions or borders.

Official source notes

Official source notes used for this article. Native government labels are preserved when available.

  • Ministere de l'Europe et des Affaires etrangeres (fr) (avoid non-essential travel; native label: Zones déconseillées sauf raison impérative (orange sur la carte); Zone de vigilance renforcée (en jaune sur la carte); updated 2026-05-12; checked 2026-05-14): Bolivie - Conseils aux voyageurs: security zones. France Diplomatie currently places parts of Bolivie above ordinary baseline travel advice. Native severity labels are preserved as: Zones déconseillées sauf raison impérative (orange sur la carte); Zone de vigilance renforcée (en jaune sur la carte). Named areas/routes/borders include: Terminal d’autobus de La Paz, Santa Cruz, El Alto, Abords et îles du Lac Titicaca, Salar d’Uyuni et sud Lipez.
  • Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (gb) (avoid non-essential travel; native label: FCDO advises against all but essential travel; updated 2026-05-08; checked 2026-05-14): Bolivia: FCDO advises against all but essential travel. Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Chapare region of Cochabamba Department including Villa Tunari and highway routes 4 and 24 that pass through Chapare. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
  • Global Affairs Canada (ca) (avoid non-essential travel; native label: Avoid non-essential travel; updated 2026-05-06; checked 2026-05-14): Bolivia: Chapare Region - Avoid non-essential travel. Avoid non-essential travel to the Chapare Region, in the Department of Cochabamba, due to criminal activity such as drug trafficking, kidnapping and extortion.
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (nz) (avoid non-essential travel; native label: Exercise increased caution; Avoid non-essential travel; updated 2026-01-23; checked 2026-05-14): Bolivia: Exercise increased caution. Exercise increased caution in Bolivia due to the potential for civil unrest and violent crime (level 2 of 4). Avoid non-essential travel to the Chapare Region in the Department of Cochabamba due to criminal activity such as drug trafficking, kidnapping and extortion (level 3 of 4).
  • Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (it) (heightened caution; native label: ultimaora - BOLIVIA: blocchi stradali - aggiornamento.; updated 2026-05-13; checked 2026-05-14): BOLIVIA: blocchi stradali - aggiornamento.. Official Viaggiare Sicuri current update for Bolivia: transport or border disruption. It concerns border restrictions, demonstrations and strikes. Travelers are advised to use heightened caution and follow local authority instructions.
  • Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (gb) (heightened caution; native label: Current FCDO warning; updated 2026-05-08; checked 2026-05-14): Bolivia: Transport strike. Transport strike The interprovincial transport union of La Paz announced an indefinite strike from 6 May 2026. If a bus company sells you a ticket ‘condicionado’ it means they will not guarantee arrival to your destination. Check local advice before travelling and do not cross blockades.
  • Department of Foreign Affairs (ie) (heightened caution; native label: High Degree of Caution; updated 2026-05-08; checked 2026-05-14): Ireland DFA: High caution - Bolivia. Ireland DFA currently rates Bolivia as High Degree of Caution. Irish tourists should treat the destination as elevated risk and check the official page for local security and travel conditions.
  • Ministere de l'Europe et des Affaires etrangeres (fr) (heightened caution; native label: Dernières minutes; updated 2026-05-08; checked 2026-05-14): Bolivie - Blocage des principaux axes routiers dans la région de La Paz. France Diplomatie has an active 'Dernières minutes' update for Bolivie, titled 'Blocage des principaux axes routiers dans la région de La Paz'. The update concerns security or civil disruption; the original French excerpt is included for exact official wording.
  • Global Affairs Canada (ca) (heightened caution; native label: Exercise a high degree of caution; updated 2026-05-06; checked 2026-05-14): Bolivia - Exercise a high degree of caution. Exercise a high degree of caution in Bolivia due to the continuing political and social tensions resulting in frequent roadblocks throughout the country.
  • Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (it) (heightened caution; native label: sicurezza - Area di particolare cautela; updated 2026-04-16; checked 2026-05-14): Area di particolare cautela. Official Viaggiare Sicuri marks Muela del Diablo e Palca in Bolivia for above-baseline travel caution due to robbery. Travelers are advised to use heightened caution and follow local authority instructions.
  • Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (it) (heightened caution; native label: sicurezza - Area di particolare cautela; updated 2026-04-16; checked 2026-05-14): Area di particolare cautela. Official Viaggiare Sicuri marks Provincia di Manco Kapac - Lago Titicaca e dintorni in Bolivia for above-baseline travel caution due to kidnapping and robbery. Travelers are advised to use heightened caution and follow local authority instructions.
  • Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (it) (heightened caution; native label: sanitaria - Situazione sanitaria; updated 2026-04-16; checked 2026-05-14): Situazione sanitaria. Official Viaggiare Sicuri marks Località di El Alto (Dipartimento di La Paz) in Bolivia for above-baseline travel caution due to health risks. Travelers are advised to use heightened caution and follow local authority instructions.
  • Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (it) (heightened caution; native label: sicurezza - Area di particolare cautela; updated 2026-04-16; checked 2026-05-14): Area di particolare cautela. Official Viaggiare Sicuri marks Regione del Chapare in Bolivia for above-baseline travel caution due to clashes. Travelers are advised to use heightened caution and follow local authority instructions.
  • Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (it) (heightened caution; native label: sicurezza - Area di particolare cautela; updated 2026-04-16; checked 2026-05-14): Area di particolare cautela. Official Viaggiare Sicuri marks Dipartimento di Santa Cruz e strade di collegamento con Cochabamba in Bolivia for above-baseline travel caution due to kidnapping, robbery and chikungunya. Travelers are advised to use heightened caution and follow local authority instructions.
  • Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (it) (heightened caution; native label: sanitaria - Situazione sanitaria; updated 2026-04-16; checked 2026-05-14): Situazione sanitaria. Official Viaggiare Sicuri marks Dipartimento di Beni e Dipartimenti orientali in Bolivia for above-baseline travel caution due to dengue. Travelers are advised to use heightened caution and follow local authority instructions.
  • Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (it) (heightened caution; native label: sicurezza - Area di particolare cautela; updated 2026-04-16; checked 2026-05-14): Area di particolare cautela. Official Viaggiare Sicuri marks Circuito di Rurrenabaque in Bolivia for above-baseline travel caution due to theft. Travelers are advised to use heightened caution and follow local authority instructions.
  • Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (it) (heightened caution; native label: sicurezza - Area di particolare cautela; updated 2026-04-16; checked 2026-05-14): Area di particolare cautela. Official Viaggiare Sicuri marks Provincia di Nor Yungas - Valle delle "Yungas" in Bolivia for above-baseline travel caution due to theft. Travelers are advised to use heightened caution and follow local authority instructions.
  • Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (it) (heightened caution; native label: sicurezza - Area di particolare cautela; updated 2026-04-16; checked 2026-05-14): Area di particolare cautela. Official Viaggiare Sicuri marks Zone di frontiera con il Cile - Pacu Pacu in Bolivia for above-baseline travel caution due to landmines, border restrictions, border risk and border crossings. Travelers are advised to use heightened caution and follow local authority instructions.
  • Ministere de l'Europe et des Affaires etrangeres (fr) (heightened caution; native label: Dernières minutes; updated 2026-03-31; checked 2026-05-14): Bolivie - Alerte sanitaire - Épidémies rougeole/Chikungunya/Grippe. France Diplomatie has an active 'Dernières minutes' update for Bolivie, titled 'Alerte sanitaire - Épidémies rougeole/Chikungunya/Grippe'. The update concerns health risks; the original French excerpt is included for exact official wording.
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (au) (heightened caution; native label: Exercise a high degree of caution; updated 2026-03-02; checked 2026-05-14): Smartraveller advisory for Bolivia: Exercise a high degree of caution. Australia Smartraveller lists Bolivia at "Exercise a high degree of caution" on its current destinations index. The destination entry was updated on 2026-03-02.
  • Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (it) (heightened caution; native label: ultimaora - BOLIVIA: epidemia di Chikungunya.; updated 2026-02-20; checked 2026-05-14): BOLIVIA: epidemia di Chikungunya.. Official Viaggiare Sicuri current update for Bolivia: health alert. It concerns chikungunya. Travelers are advised to use heightened caution and follow local authority instructions.
  • Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (it) (heightened caution; native label: ultimaora - BOLIVIA: rischi associati alla stagione delle piogge.; updated 2026-02-10; checked 2026-05-14): BOLIVIA: rischi associati alla stagione delle piogge.. Official Viaggiare Sicuri current update for Bolivia: weather or natural-hazard alert. It concerns flooding and landslides. Travelers are advised to use heightened caution and follow local authority instructions.
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs (jp) (heightened caution; native label: レベル1：十分注意してください。（継続）; updated 2024-12-13; checked 2026-05-14): Bolivia: レベル1：十分注意してください。（継続）. Japan MOFA keeps Bolivia in the listed area at レベル1：十分注意してください。（継続）; travelers should exercise a high degree of caution. The update notes cite ongoing security risks and advise travelers to monitor reliable information and take sufficient safety measures.
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs (jp) (heightened caution; native label: レベル1：十分注意してください。（新規）; updated 2024-12-13; checked 2026-05-14): Bolivia: レベル1：十分注意してください。（新規）. Japan MOFA keeps Bolivia in the listed area at レベル1：十分注意してください。（新規）; travelers should exercise a high degree of caution. The update notes cite ongoing security risks and advise travelers to monitor reliable information and take sufficient safety measures.