La Paz - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
This country is fairly tolerant when it comes to religion and race. Gender norms are not quite as progressive as in the U.S. or Europe, but there are lots of influential women in government and business. - Jan 2024
There is tension between the indigenous and mestizos. Fairly macho culture. - Aug 2022
Yes and yes. Skin color matters for some Bolivians. It is a patriarchal society. - Sep 2016
They say everyone is equal under the law here but there are some obvious classist tones to things/situations. - Jun 2015
I don't notice any racial issues being that La Paz is mostly indigenous. - Apr 2015
Yes. Bolivians make a big deal out of being a plurinational state that allegedly accepts all cultures but this is still more a dream than reality, racism between European looking and non European looking people is still rampant. There is discrimination against women but it's not as bad as other places in Latin America. - Nov 2014
For expats there are not too many difficulties. This is a macho culture and there is prejudice against women and girls in many contexts. There is a long colonial history of oppression of those perceived as indigenous by those perceived as European. Arguably the majority of Bolivians have some indigenous heritage. There are signs everywhere that say all are equal under the law so it is obvious that a reminder is still necessary. The colonial legacy is still very alive here even with an indigenous president in office. There is not a huge diversity of religion, the majority are Catholic or Christian and there is little familiarity with other religions amongst the general population. There are very small populations of Jews, Muslims, Baha'i and some Korean and Japanese Buddhists. There are also colonies of conservative Mennonites that keep socially and culturally isolated, still speaking their original low German dialect. - Jan 2014
Not that I've noticed. - Jul 2013
No. - Jun 2013
None affecting visitors. - Jul 2012
Probably internal to the country, the government hates Americans but you can't feel the same sentiment from the locals. - Feb 2012
No - Aug 2011
Not really. Some folks don't like Americans, but most do!! - May 2011
This is a very "machista" society but they don't have major issues or prejudices. - May 2011
I have not experienced any prejudices here, though there is some distance between the government here and the United States, which can be uncomfortable at times for those of us living here. - Mar 2011
No not that I am aware of. The only prejudice is from the government of Bolivia towards anyone associated with the U.S. Embassy. Local embassy employees are constantly harrassed by the GOB. - Aug 2010
Yes, among Bolivians there is discrimination against indigenous populations. The darker the skin the more they will be discriminated. - Jan 2010
Not any more than you would expect anywhere else. - Aug 2009
