La Paz, Bolivia Report of what it's like to live there - 12/17/19
Personal Experiences from La Paz, Bolivia
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Tijuana and Harare.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
It takes some effort to arrive in La Paz and to leave La Paz. American Airlines stopped flying to Bolivia, and all of the flights leave in the middle of the night. They almost all pass through Santa Cruz, Lima, or Bogota. It takes upwards of 20 hours to get to Arizona. Maybe 16+ with connections to the DC area.
3. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Embassy.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is generally very nice in La Paz, especially in the suburbs of Zona Sur. Commute times to the embassy are around 20-45 minutes depending on traffic. Houses are generally fairly large, brick, and some have yards. We loved our house. Some are a bit too far from the embassy, like those in upper achumani and a bit far to walk to anything.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Some things are much cheaper, other more or about the same.
3. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Lots of pizza, some sushi even (but choose wisely), decent Bolivian food, and some Venezuelan cuisine. We didn't eat out much, but others did.
4. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Ants, but nothing else really lives at 11K feet.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
There was no local post for a while, but that might have changed. We get ours through embassy pouch or diplomatic post.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Fairly inexpensive, about US $400-$500 per month for a full-time nanny or housekeeper. Expats usually employ one or the other or both.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
We loved the German Club, but there are also plenty of gyms. Embassy has a small facility for personnel.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You pretty much need Spanish.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes. sidewalks are terrible. Not much of the infrastructure nor buildings seemed to have considered persons with disabilities in their construction.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Safe...hmm. There are many of them and they are very affordable. They are almost all from the eighties. Some barely hanging together, but others are nicer. Most don't have seat belts. The positive side is that no one can drive very fast at that elevation, so...
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
I would bring a four-wheel drive, but wouldn't park on the street. There were many incidents before we arrived of people stealing the "brains" of cars. Not too many incidents while we were there though.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. it's pretty fast. Takes some time to install, maybe a couple weeks. Much of it is fiber, and we can stream well.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Entel is the government-owned company, and it has the best service.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
We liked our vet. There are many vets available, and no quarantine necessary.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Lots of churches, orphanages and others.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
People dress casually in public (but nicely to go out), suits to work.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Not really. I felt pretty comfortable walking around my neighborhood at night alone. Other neighborhoods maybe not. Post was just evacuated after elections, but that seems to have calmed down.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
The elevation is no joke. People do suffer. It can be hard to sleep, and we know of even children who have been badly affected by the elevation. Some vomit, other have had more serious side effects. But the intestinal issues were maybe more of an issue. Ecoli is rampant, to include all four strains. Giardia and h pyloir are also rampant, and it seemed people got sick all the time.
Our family was pretty lucky, but others just seemed to get sick all the time. It's impossible to know until you arrive. Anything really serious should be medevaced. Facilities are only okay and mostly pretty old. Cochabamba has better facilities, but La Paz is lagging somewhat.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Seemed okay, though there's not that much of it (air, that is).
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
You can get some gluten-free foods but also people don't know or always appreciate serious allergies.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
It's just a little chilly all year round.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
German school, American School, French School. We've heard good things about them all. American school is good through middle school. can't speak to later grades. My kids had good teachers and a nice experience there. They were well-prepared for re-entry into the USA, and even a bit ahead of their peers.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Not huge. and morale is okay. Some are very happy, and others not so much.
2. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
In my opinion, better for families or couples than singles.
3. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Seems like folks I knew had an okay time dating.
4. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
It's a beautiful country. Tons to do in and outside of Bolivia. We traveled all over South America and Bolivia. Galapagos, Patagonia, Salar de Uyuni, Amazon, Machu Picchu, and much more.
5. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Great weavings and other nice art. There is also pretty jewelry made from Bolivianite.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Roads are bumpy. It's hard to come and go. It's also incredibly beautiful. People are lovely.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Sure.
