Bolivia Driving Advice and Car Hire Info
Driving In Bolivia
Driving abroad in Bolivia is famous for having some of the most alarming roads in the world. Roads that intrepid self drivers will just love to show off to friends via photos and videos when they get home. Type ‘Bolivia Death Road’ into Google and prepare to be stunned by some of the jaw dropping images it will return. Some routes along the Andes are single lane, dirt roads with breathtaking dropoffs. Although La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba are connected by improved highways, the vast majority of roads in Bolivia are unpaved.
For trips outside the major cities, especially in mountainous areas, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is highly recommended. Travel during the rainy season (November to March) is difficult, as most routes are potholed, and some roads and bridges are washed out. High altitude trips can be very cold, especially in the winter (June-August). Low altitude trips in the tropics can be hot, dusty and humid. Added dangers are the absence of formal training for most drivers, poor maintenance and overloaded vehicles, lack of lights on some vehicles at night, and intoxicated or overly tired drivers, including commercial bus and truck drivers who may be driving a double shift with a mouth full of Coca leaves.
This website provides useful route planning info for all countries in South America including Bolivia.
http://www.latino-cars.com/en/homepage/
Bolivia Car Rental-
Avis and Dollar have branches in Bolivia, Also usually features on Car rental broker sites such as Argus Car Hire
This is a long established local company who allow cross border rentals. They can advise on rates and where the car can be taken.
http://www.acrossrentacar.com/home.php
This is a South American company who handle rental in Bolivia,
http://www.localiza.com/Reservas/Default.aspx
Bolivia Self Driving Rules –
The local company mentioned requires drivers to be min age 25.