The Land of Lake Titicaca, The Ruins of Tiahuanaco,

& The Valley of the Moon

Information on Relocating to Bolivia

• The capital city of Bolivia is La Paz with about 2.5 million people. The political centre is also in La Paz where the President resides. Bolivia is a Republic.

• Languages: The official languages are Spanish, Quechua and Aymará. English is also spoken by a small number of officials and businesspeople in commercial centers.  The TV programs are in Spanish. Cable and Satellite TV are available.

• Population: The population is about 8.8 million people - 30% are Quechua, 30% mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry), 25% Aymara and 15% white.

• Expat areas: There are 3 areas of central La Paz - Sopocachi, Miraflores and San Pedro where most Expats live. Many Europeans and other expatriates like to live in Sopocachi, an affluent area retaining many well-built, traditional homes.

• Housing: Most Expats rent their apartments; some buy theirs. Both options are available and will be looked at with you, but mainly depend on your company policy, income, and the length of your stay.

• Cost of housing: Varies from area to area and the size of the house or apartment. You'll pay anything from  US$ 400 up to US$ 5000. The local currency is Boliviano (Bs).

• Schools: We have the American and the International school. Depending on the age we can tell you about a possible waiting lists, etc.

• Transportation: Bus services in La Paz are operated by a confederation of owner–operators. There are also some fixed route taxi ‘Trufi’ and ‘Trufibus’ systems which show colored flags for particular routes. Fares are regulated. In some cases, catching a 'truck' can prove a better means of transport, being half the price of a bus and usually more reliable - although transportation may be less comfortable.

• Bank: The banks are open Monday-Friday from 8.30 am - 12.00 noon and from 2.30 pm - 6.00 pm. Some banks open on Saturday from 8.30 - 12.00 noon.

• Shopping: Is generally done from Monday-Friday from 9.30 am - 12.30 pm and from 3.00 pm - 7.30 pm. Saturday 10.00 am - 3.00 pm.

• Climate: Bolivia's extremes of landscape naturally lead to a wide range of climates. The average temperature in the highlands - the most popular area to visit - is 10°C (50°F). Rain falls heavily from November to March (summer), but May to November (winter) is very dry. The average temperatures in La Paz is 6°C (43°F) to 21°C (70°F) during summer and 0°C (32°F) to 17°C (63°F) in winter.

• Culture: Musical traditions within Bolivia are distinctly regional: strains of Andean music from the desolate Altiplano are suitably haunting and mournful, while those of warmer Tarija, with its compliment of bizarre musical instruments, take on more ebullient tones. Dances such as the cueca, auqui-auqui and tinku hold a reverent place in popular culture. Other forms of folk expression include spinning and weaving, which display regional differences but have changed little over the last 3000 years.

• Public holidays: January 1st-New Year's Day; February/March-Carnival week; Easter-April (dates vary); May 1st-Labour Day; May-Corpus Christi (date varies); July 16th-Municipal holiday in La Paz; August 5th-7th-Independence Days; October12th-Columbus Day; November 2nd-All Souls Day; December 25th-Christmas Day.