Bolivia Safety
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Altitude / mountain sickness
High altitude and dreaming of associated mountain sickness is the most common problem of most travelers passing through Bolivia. What is also treacherous is that, unlike the Himalayan countries, where you can only reach heights of 4,000 meters above sea level and above at the peak stages of individual treks, there are a number of large cities at this altitude. By car or bus you will often move even higher – the highest places of the salar tour are around 4,900 m above sea level. Therefore, you must not underestimate the gradual acclimatization. Most people already feel the effect of an altitude of about three thousand meters above sea level.
Dangerous transportation
Roads of Death: The roads of death leading from the Altiplano through the misty and humid Yungas a few kilometers down to the Amazon Lowlands are still dangerous. There is a greater danger during the rainy season.
Despite its reputation as an unstable country, Bolivia is one of the safe countries with relatively low risks.
Thieves and pickpockets
It is not highly recommended to go to the poor parts of large cities such as La Paz (El Alto) or Potosí. Especially at night
Dangerous creatures
Dangerous animals can be found mainly in the Amazon lowlands – ** Crocodiles: ** ** Black caiman ** (Melanosuchus niger) also lives in the Amazon. It grows up to four meters – ** Dangerous fish: Electric Eel ** (Electrophorus electricus) is not aggressive, but in case of danger it can kill a person by electric shock. The piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) is dangerous to humans only if there is little water and therefore little food. They often attack in flocks. – ** Cats: ** The king of the jungle is ** Jaguar ** (Panthera onca). The third largest feline beast in the world. However, attacks on humans are only exceptional – ** Poisonous frogs: ** beautifully colored forest frogs are very poisonous
Snakes and other venomous creatures
The largest snake (and the second longest) in the world is ** Anaconda ** (Eunectes murinus). It is not poisonous, but it can easily manage deer or humans. Especially in water, it is unexpectedly fast. It is up to nine meters long and weighs over 200 kg.
