'Is it safe to travel to La Paz right now?? Please help!' La Paz

Maryloo from Up north - 10/24/08 03:39

Hello there,

I am about to leave for South America for the first time. I will be backpacking for a month and have been keeping an eye on the news.

There is a growing number of protests, some violent and some with just road blockades and my government had issued a warning to all travellers going into Bolivia/Peru/Argentina.

I wanted to ask the expats and locals here if I should be concerned??? Please help!

Thank you kindly,

Maryloo

Comment #1 Ben (63.176.159.105) - 10/24/08 05:18

I am going to Buenos Aires tomorrow and have absolutely no fear. Of course that isn't the border area with Peru and Bolivia. I think you'll find those trouble spots to be very small areas and probably ones you are not likely to happen across.

You will certainly be arriving in one of the major cities. When you get there ask if there are areas to be avoided.

A few years ago... before Iraq... the U.S. State Dept listed Colombia as the "most dangerous country in the world". I found it to be an exceptional place to visit at that time.

Comment #2 preCog (63.176.159.166) - 11/28/08 22:38

Well, it is up to you whether to follow such advisories. what truly matters is you being as vigilant and ever observant in the things around you, but if you will ask me I will still go to such countries. Usually these countries are just being victimized and bullied by North America for not satisfying their bottomless dream of control and acquisition. Also, take with utmost importance that there are indeed internal conflicts within these countries so I suggest (if you pursue to go there) you be careful and watch your environment.

Comment #3 Freddieh (63.176.159.251) - 12/16/08 19:38

"There is a growing number of protests, some violent and some with just road blockades and my government had issued a warning to all travellers going into Bolivia/Peru/Argentina."

- well, you have to choices either you heed their warnings and choose another destination; or continue your plans on going but be careful and take care of yourself. There is no safe place in these days and age, if you are too paranoid to travel because of warnings, then I suggest you forget the idea of traveling and stay at home.

Comment #4 Yaya (63.176.159.3) - 12/29/08 22:55

Well test the water first, if the country has a civil war then for crying out loud don't go to the place. It is like a personal death sentence if you continue into one, and for what cause? A business? For leisure? How can you enjoy your vacation if you are too worried for your own safety and knowing that anytime that someone may grab you from behind and bring you to a dark corner and never to return again. Know your limits and think before deciding.

Comment #5 Seth (63.176.159.42) - 01/27/09 21:41

This is really common sense people, why are people keep on asking is it safe to travel in a particular countries in forums. There are various websites and search engines like Google and Yahoo aching to be search for information about a country and to whether it is safe to travel to that country or not. Check those link first and have a common sense, don't go to places that you'll know you'll regret going to.

Comment #6 Klora (63.176.159.176) - 03/24/09 00:42

Test the waters, if things are really not turning out well then I suggest you skip going to that war thorn violent country. There are a lot more great places out there waiting to be discovered, try Asia. Great people, great culture, great scenery, and unforgettable adventure. Plus, it is not as violent as that of Southern American countries like Cuba and Mexico. Though like everywhere else there are pl;aces to avoid to but over all South Asian region is a great place to explore.

Comment #7 Yulia (63.176.159.104) - 04/15/09 20:37

I suggest (if you badly want to go to Bolivia) to not even mind those travel advisories. I've seen some travel advisories banning their people from going to a specific country when only that country has one district that is infested with violence.

Comment #8 Fenieza (63.176.159.245) - 05/28/09 19:47

I suggest you not to follow these travel advisories but at least be vigilant on the place where you plan to go. Releasing such travel statements by different countries around the world is not a laughing matter, this has undergone through critical analysis until a decision to whether to release a statement or an advisory is needed or not. Usually if a country has been labeled to be a dangerous country for visit, then the more it is so but the last decision is yours.

Comment #9 Johannes (63.176.159.199) - 06/04/09 22:41

No travel advisory will stop me from visiting the southern American regions. There is a captivating and "something" from what I usually hear from my friends about the South American countries. Of course safety would be of the highest priority that is why probably I'll head first to those countries which are safer like Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Panama. To see for myself why people have good write ups on them.

Comment #10 Red (63.176.159.14) - 06/10/09 21:08

Is there any travel advisory against Bolivia? Well I am not much of a net person so I don't know it yet. I've been to Bolivia once and I find it pretty amazing and unforgettable. Of course that is way back in my childhood days. I am all grown up now and plans to go back to that place. I don't know about the alleged violence there but I would still go no matter what.

Comment #11 Somara (63.176.159.136) - 06/18/09 23:03

Travel advisories are just release by a country just to remind a traveler to be careful and choose their destination when traveling abroad. It is not compulsory to follow such advisories nor is there any harm from hearing it out. The decision will always be yours but if a country releases or imposes a travel ban then I think you will have to find a different route to take if you wanted to go badly in a country. I think a country will not easily release a travel ban without any valid and justifiable reasons so try hearing it out as well first.

Comment #12 Cristin (63.176.159.64) - 06/27/09 17:42

Can anyone update us about the recent conditions and news about Bolivia here at the forums? It will be much appreciated. Thanks.

Comment #13 pale-o from around the world (63.176.159.29) - 07/13/09 08:58

I believe it is the country's responsibilty to warn its residents of any dangers in travelling so that in case anything happens, it will not be held responsibility. Imagine sojourning to a country you have never been to before and then falling on the wrong side of things t=yet perhaps a travel advisory had not been issued? Would you not blame your country?

It is good to get and rely on the info from the people on the ground.

Comment #14 Phoebe (63.176.159.199) - 07/18/09 22:38

What are you guys talking about here. I've been in and out of Bolivia for almost a year now and it is completely safe to move around the country. I have a sister living in La Paz and so far nothing has gone wrong.

Comment #15 pale_o (63.176.159.221) - 07/25/09 05:21

I think it is clear that we are trying to exchange ideas. Everyone will normally have their fears. The fact that your sister is doing great is not enough guarantee that the place is safe, is it? You have heard it from a third party Phoebe.

Comment #16 Diana Menises (63.176.159.36) - 07/27/09 17:09

Like what you are trying to imply here pale-o it is indeed a healthy forum where every opinion matters. Our opinions are not to impose or to instruct but rather to enlighten people about their misconception about traveling abroad. Like my aunt usually say "If it is your time, no matter how hard you avoid it, it is your time". One's safety purely depends on himself but then again every rule has an exemptions right?

Comment #17 pale_o (63.176.159.184) - 08/01/09 08:12

Very true Diana. Rules are made to broken(selectively though).

The thing is there is no harm in listening to others but the whole decision to implement whatever is in one's mind wholly depends on what I would call the 'gut feeling'

Your Aunt's word can be taken to be more than just the truth(whichever way you understand it). It is a free world where you choose what you want to do but it does not mean that you lock other people's ideas out. The consequences will be yours to face furthermore.

Comment #18 moy (63.176.159.243) - 08/12/09 09:27

Travel advisories are just that...matters to do with protocol. You do not want to sojourn to a place without any safety measures. Any country with or without its citizens' interests at heart will do whatever they can about security threats that residents will be subjected to; in the event of traveling to a place. It should not however discourage a person from following their hearts. Again you cannot entirely rely on what you find online. They could be flawed or inaccurate. Test the waters first!

Comment #19 cespeta (63.176.159.230) - 09/20/09 02:56

Those states are have been having people's unrest and uprisings against their governments. They don't simply kill or provoke without any reason. The happenings there are basically political in nature so you don't have nothing to worry about. Just stay away or don't go to particular cities that you believe dangerous ones to stay. Just be cautious and be safe all the time and you will be alright.

Comment #20 Eve (63.176.159.160) - 11/20/09 00:40

I have no clue if it is safe to travel to La Paz, but I do know that it is not safe to travel anywhere in the entire world without being aware of one's surroundings, as being pre-cautious is what keeps us as we are, safe and sound.

Comment #21 Lucky from San Juan (63.176.159.56) - 12/09/09 18:42

Eve is right. It is not safe to travel anywhere nowadays. But I don´t think that it is dangerous to travel to Bolivia. The politics is quiet and the people are fed. The place is great and the bars are going strong.

Cheers!

Comment #22 Cherry (63.176.159.74) - 12/16/09 22:50

I f you know that a certain place or a certain country is dangerous, then why on earth are you still pushing through? I think you should try to redirect your choice of place. There are much more beautiful places out there that you can try and visit.

But if you really like to go to Bolivia, then just do not be stupid and know the much safer place to visit.

Comment #23 Dean (63.176.159.126) - 01/02/10 23:59

I suggest you look at travel advisories from UK rather than those from United States. The first have more specific details than the second. US' advisories always advices to avoid a whole country rather than just a region only which is not safe. UK wouldn't advice its citizen to avoid the rest of Peru when the only place in danger is only La Paz unlike would US would do in the same situation.

Comment #24 Charo (63.176.159.133) - 01/22/10 07:50

I have to agree on what Dean had suggested. I would also suggest that you go look for travel advisories from the UK, but the US advisories are good to. Or better yet, try to check on both advisories before going to La Paz or on any country. But with all the must see and must do in La Paz, no wonder why lots of people are interested in visiting the place.

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