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There’s no shortage of amazing adventures awaiting once you cross into South America — and there’s more to come!
But one of the most underrated countries is grabbing its welcome mats from storage, ready to embrace Americans who were likely deterred from visiting before.
When planning a trip anywhere abroad, it can be a real a headache making sure you dot your I’s and cross your T’s, but that’s not the case any longer for one such off-path nation brimming with captivating culture, wondrous landscapes, and wallet-friendly prices across the board.
Better yet, there are new flights being added from major U.S. airports. Now Americans can fly nonstop and visa-free to the lesser-known country of Bolivia.
Why Bolivia Is So Enticing To Visit
Sometimes travelers crave new and exciting versus the same-o beaches south of the border and world-renowned cities so publicized we feel we’ve already visited.
Don’t get us wrong — Bolivia is as old-school as it gets, but when a country has seemed off-limits due to hefty entry requirements, it feels like a brand new adventure awaits!
There are 2 downsides for U.S. tourists:
- Little English is spoken
- No beaches in this landlocked nation
However, there’s Lake Titicaca, equally as gorgeous as it is fun to say, and world wonders such as Salar de Uyuni, which are jaw-dropping salt flats creating an otherworldly landscape like a scene from Interstellar.
Bolivia’s major cities are worth visiting too. If you want a nonstop flight (and who wouldn’t?), then your only option is to fly into Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
Don’t worry — you can get by calling it “Santa Cruz”…
Santa Cruz is Bolivia’s busiest metropolis, but if megacities aren’t your jam, then Sucre is your best bet. This little-known whitewashed city earned the Travel Off Path stamp of approval, especially for solo travelers.
You won’t break the bank anywhere in the country. Other cities to consider are La Paz, famous for its astounding mountain views and cable car skyline, and far more undiscovered Cochabamba, for year-round splendid weather and unmatched authenticity, where you truly absorb local life.
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Bolivia Drops Visa Requirement Immediately
If adventure is calling this winter, it’s time to whip out your credit card.
In order to mend ties with the States and pump much-needed U.S. dollars into its economy, Bolivia has decided to drop visa requirements immediately.
Effective December 1, 2025, you can book a flight no questions asked and let the adventure begin without a hitch.
That being said, we won’t sugarcoat it — Bolivia has seen its fair share of political turmoil, which is one reason why now is the time they’re attempting to improve their image at the drop of a hat.
Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo was quoted by AP News as saying, “We must restore the world’s confidence in Bolivia being a suitable and safe country to visit”.
For what it’s worth, Bolivia is currently categorized as Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, which is on par with countless popular vacation spots around the world.
But if there were ever a time to plan an unforgettable trip, this is it. Moments like this don’t come often, especially as under the radar as Bolivia is, and still managed to break all-time tourism records.
Crowds will only increase now that visa fees won’t dent travelers’ budgets.
Travelers from the following countries can now visit Bolivia visa-free and stay up to 90 days:
- Israel
- South Korea
- South Africa
- Latvia
- Estonia
- Romania
- United States
Exciting New Flight To Bolivia
Last August, an exciting and surprising announcement came from BoA (Boliviana de Aviación), the nation’s flagship carrier. What has long been a trek to reach became easier for Americans to visit, but this was before stingy visa requirements were lifted…
BoA now offers flights from the aforementioned Santa Cruz twice per week to/from Washington, DC.
Additionally, there is still the sole flight prior to DC as an option for Americans too:
The downside is that Boliviana de Aviación is certified as a 2-star airline, according to Skytrax, with reports that ‘cabin products are old, tired and failing to meet customer expectations’.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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