South America

Bolivia

Location

Central South America, south-west of Brazil.

Extreme vigilance and caution about your surroundings. Violent crime and express kidnapping. World's third largest producer of cocaine and second poorest country in South America. Drug problem as it accounts for 60 per cent of the nation's foreign exchange revenue - cocaine. Respect for traditions should be observed. Local militia groups, weapons (various), vehicle security, personal security, bandits/corruption, gunfire, checkpoints, general travel, navigation, off road driving, building/office security, hot weather injuries, personal hygiene, sanitation/sterilisation, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, helicopter safety, cultures/customs, communications, emergency shelters. Everything evolves around the dollar in Bolivia.

Use bottled water.

Rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin.

Varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semi-arid.

Flooding in the north-east (March-April).

Avoid going to a doctor, dentist or clinic unless you really must, as the medical profession has an unhealthy reliance on the prescription of unnecessary drugs. Take sanitary protection with you, as tampons are increasingly expensive.
Altitude sickness, hepatitis A, malaria, polio, typhoid, yellow fever.
Hospital: Hospital General, Avenida Saavedra 2245, La Paz. Tel: 2-367711

The clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation.

Traffic is usually light. Little control of vehicle worthiness and serious accidents occur. Use 4-wheel drive as best means of transport. In cities taxis are cheap and plentiful. However, be aware of bogus taxi drivers.

Hostile Environments and Emergency First Aid Training (HEFAT®) (5 days)
Centurion's flagship Hostile Environments and Emergency First Aid Training (HEFAT®) course is for people who operate world wide, particularly in areas where there may be personal health or safety concerns. It is extremely effective for "frontline" organisations.

For more in-depth general information please download our Preparation and Training document.