US Updates Travel Advisory for Bolivia Citing Crime and Unrest

Officials have updated the travel advisory for Bolivia, maintaining the country's overall Level 2 status while adding new warnings about crime and civil unrest. A do not travel advisory was issued for Chapare Province because significant amounts of coca are produced there illegally.

The country, which borders Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile and Paraguay, is known for its jungles, salt flats and Andean landscapes. Tourists are drawn to the administrative capital La Paz and to Lake Titicaca, which sits between Bolivia and Peru. Large demonstrations about local politics and the economic situation can occur with little warning.

Officials are advising people to stay aware of their surroundings. Government employees in El Alto, Bolivia's second-largest city, have been encouraged to pay extra attention to their surroundings due to petty crime. The advisory states that government employees need special authorization to travel to Chapare Province.

Americans visiting Bolivia are urged to stay vigilant, avoid crowds and follow local updates. Officials recommend that travelers obtain insurance and prepare emergency plans.

The advisory for Bolivia joins a growing list of destinations flagged in recent months. Last month, officials updated the travel advisory for Azerbaijan over Iran-linked security concerns. The latest Bolivia notice replaces previous guidance that carried the same overall Level 2 rating but contained fewer specific cautions for certain provinces and cities.