Bolivia, a country of diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is known for its stunning salt flats, towering Andean peaks, and vibrant indigenous traditions. From the otherworldly beauty of Salar de Uyuni to the bustling markets of La Paz, Bolivia offers a unique blend of natural wonders and cultural experiences. Navigating the financial aspects is key to a smooth journey, so understanding the local currency and cash, cash and ATMs in Bolivia, and payment options is essential for exploring Bolivia with ease and confidence.
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Where can I find ATMs in Bolivia?
Bolivia offers a network of more than 4,000 ATMs across its cities, but we can tell you that this is not enough. They’re not as common in smaller towns.
You can find ATMs at:
- major transport hubs, central markets, busy tourist streets, malls, and near banks.,
- Central Markets,
- Busy tourist streets,
- Malls,
- Near Banks.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Small airports on islands,
- Bus stops in the area,
- The villages’ interiors,
- Hidden away in small towns, away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets,
- Remote resorts and retreats.
Best ATMs to use in Bolivia for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Bolivia are those owned by popular banks such as:
BCP Bolivia,
Banca Ganadero,
BNB (Banco Nacional de Bolivia), and
Banco Fie.
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards albeit with higher fees.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Bolivia, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in BOB).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Bolivia, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in BOB’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Bolivia?
Yes, many types of foreign cards are easily accepted at ATMs in Bolivia.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Bolivia.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs are usually operational 24/7, with many being standalone for easy access at any time. However, ATMs inside banks might have restricted hours from 9 am to 3 pm.
What do they call ATMs in Bolivia?
“Cajero” or “ATM” is commonly used, or you will simply see the name of the bank.
PIN type
ATMs in Bolivia primarily accept 4-digit PINs. ATMs in Bolivia are generally not configured to accept PINs longer than 4 digits.
Languages at ATMs in Bolivia
Bolivian ATMs generally offer Spanish and English as the default language choices.
If you cannot understand these languages, it’s fine. Use the camera feature of Google Translate to translate the selections on your phone in real time! Note: Because these translations are not always accurate, please take your time and finish the transaction without haste.
Do ATMs in Bolivia work similarly as other countries?
Without a doubt, Bolivia boasts modern ATMs that operate on par with those in major countries like the US and the UK. A word of caution: these machines may keep your card during the transaction, so don’t leave it behind.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in South America.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Bolivia?
ATMs in Bolivia dispense only the official currency Bolivian Boliviano (BOB). A handful of banks at some of their ATMs allow withdrawing USD and few other currencies, however, this is not very common.
ATM withdrawal limits in Bolivia?
ATMs in Bolivia have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of BOB 500 to BOB 2,000, with the most common being BOB 2,000 (Bolivianos). One bank ATM allows to withdraw up to BOB 4,500 in one transaction and another bank ATM allows to withdraw as much as the card’s withdrawal limit, in one transaction.of BOB 500 to BOB 2,000, with the most common being BOB 2,000. One bank ATM allows to withdraw up to BOB 4,500 in one transaction and another bank ATM allows to withdraw as much as the card’s withdrawal limit, in one transaction.
ATM Fees in Bolivia?
There are some fee-free ATMs in Bolivia. some bank ATMs do not charge ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders, and some Bank ATMs in Bolivia charge between BOB 20 to BOB 69.6 per transaction (Bolivianos). So, there are some fee-free ATMs you can use in Bolivia as a foreign cardholder!
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Bolivia – something every traveller handling cash in Bolivia should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Bolivia?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Bolivia?
Use the ATM Fee Saver application on both mobile and web to pinpoint ATMs in Bolivia that don’t impose fees, alongside currency exchange and money transfer facilities. This app outlines the costs for foreign cardholders at Bolivia ATMs and their withdrawal limits. It also features an easy calculator to accurately determine the fees for any withdrawal in Bolivia. Once you’ve chosen an ATM, the app will navigate you there and includes data for 50 countries, with Bolivia featured.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Bolivia ATMs?
The security of ATM transactions in Bolivia depends on the location of the ATM. Instances of muggings near ATMs have been reported by many tourists.
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Bolivia takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
Yes, it is possible. There are some fee-free ATMs in Bolivia. some bank ATMs do not charge ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders, and some Bank ATMs in Bolivia charge between BOB 20 to BOB 69.6 per transaction (Bolivianos). So, there are some fee-free ATMs you can use in Bolivia as a foreign cardholder!
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Bolivia?
Yes. You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs in Bolivia.
Bitcoin ATMs?
No, there are no Bitcoin ATMs in Bolivia.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Bolivia
Bank of America: No.
Citbank: No.
Barclays: None at all.
HSBC: No.
Standard Chartered: No.
