Money & Payments in La Paz (2026)

Currency Local: BOB

Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: travelwithhello.com, explore.atmfeesaver.com

Good to know

Good to Know

Bolivia ATMs typically do not charge fees, but your home bank may; withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize foreign transaction charges.
Most Bolivian ATMs have low withdrawal limits (2,000–3,500 BOB average); plan ahead and visit during business hours.
Cash is essential in La Paz. Even in tourist areas, many small vendors, markets, and transportation do not accept cards.
Casas de cambio on Calle Camacho in central La Paz offer the best currency exchange rates; avoid street exchangers.
Tipping in Bolivia is modest and optional. Unlike North American custom, service charges are not automatically added in casual restaurants; always check your bill.
For upscale restaurants, look for 'servicio included' on the receipt before adding extra tips.
USD is accepted in many hotels and restaurants, but locals prefer Bolivianos. Ensure any USD bills are crisp and undamaged—torn bills are refused.
Taxi fares should be negotiated before entering the vehicle. Tipping is not expected unless the driver went above and beyond.
Free walking tours in La Paz operate on tips; BOB 30–50 per person is the standard and expected amount.
QR code payment has recently gained popularity in La Paz among locals, but foreign cards cannot yet access Bolivia's local QR payment networks.

ATM Info

Availability: ATMs are widely available in La Paz, found in major banks and city center locations.
Card Acceptance: Visa and Mastercard are most widely accepted at ATMs. Maestro, Plus, and Cirrus have limited support.
Withdrawal Limits: Typical ATM limit is 2,000–3,500 BOB per transaction, though some banks allow up to 6,500 BOB.

ATM Fees

Affected Banks: Some ATMs at Banco Fie, BCP Bolivia, and Mercantil Santacruz charge high fees; your home bank may also impose international withdrawal fees.
Typical Local Fee: BOB 40
Note: Most Bolivian ATMs do not charge fees; however, some banks may charge local fees to foreign cards.

Recommended Banks

BNB
BCP
Banco Unión
Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz

Tipping Norms

Bars: Round up the bill or leave small change; no percentage-based tip required at the counter.
Taxis: Tipping is not expected. Pay the negotiated fare or metered amount. Rounding up is optional if the driver provided exceptional service or helped with luggage.
Walking Tours: BOB 40
Walking Tours Note: BOB 30–50 per person is standard for 2–3 hour free walking tours.

Hotel Staff

Bellhops: BOB 7.00
Housekeeping: BOB 7.00
Bellhops Note: BOB 5–10 per bag.
Housekeeping Note: BOB 5–10 per night, left daily on the nightstand.

Restaurants

Upscale Restaurants: A 10% service charge may already be included. Look for 'servicio included' on the bill.
Sit Down Restaurants: A tip of 5–10% is standard if no service charge ('servicio') is already included on the bill. Check the receipt before adding extra.
Casual Eateries Comedores: Tipping is not mandatory; locals might leave small coins for exceptional service.

Tour Guides

Day Tours: BOB 30
Multi Day Treks: BOB 50
Day Tours Note: Typical range: BOB 20–50 per person for day tours.
Multi Day Treks Note: Typical range: BOB 35–70 per person per day for multi-day excursions.

Currency Local

BOB

Currency Exchange

Best Option: Casas de cambio (authorized exchange houses) in city centers, particularly Calle Camacho in La Paz, offer better rates than airports or hotels.
Where To Avoid: Avoid street exchangers due to counterfeit risk; avoid airports and hotels for poor rates.
USD Notes: USD is widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and large transactions, but do not rely on it for daily purchases. Ensure bills are in perfect condition—even minor tears are rejected.

Card Acceptance Summary

Where Cards Work: Cards are growing in acceptance, especially in hotels, restaurants, and urban areas; however, cash remains essential for markets, transportation, and small vendors.
Note: Visa and Mastercard are most commonly accepted. Amex is rarely accepted.

Banking

Ineligible Category: Tourism—cannot claim residency for tourism purposes only
Account Opening Time: Typically 1 hour once documents are ready
Residency Requirement: Foreigners cannot open accounts as tourists; must have temporary or permanent residency status
Foreigner ID Card Cost: BOB 1,386
Account Opening Difficulty: medium
Notes: Larger banks generally more equipped to serve international clients; some banks have better English-language support than others

Major Banks In La Paz

Banco Nacional de Bolivia (BNB)
Banco de Crédito de Bolivia (BCP)
Banco BISA
Banco Unión

Required Documentation

Carnet de Identidad para Extranjeros (foreigner ID card) or equivalent identification
Valid passport or visa
Proof of address in Bolivia
Proof of income in Bolivia (often required)
Initial deposit (often required)

Account Types Available

Checking account in bolivianos
Savings account in bolivianos
Fixed-term deposits
Foreign currency accounts (USD, with limitations)

Residency Categories Eligible

Employment
Studies
Investment
Business
Health reasons

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About La Paz

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in La Paz