Are you looking for somewhere cheap and safe to retire with good health care? Have you thought of Bolivia?. We will discuss the weather, number of people, how to get around, and all the basics that can help you to move there comfortably.
Bolivia is one of the most beautiful countries in South America with diverse cultures and people. Its population is 11 million with predominant Roman Catholic religion. Bolivian cuisine is one of the best cuisines in South America and it varies from area to area due to the influences of each of its neighbouring countries.
The Best Places to retire in Bolivia are:
- La Paz
- Santa Cruz de la Sierra
- Copacabana
- Potosí
- Coroico
- Sucre
- Oruro
- Sorata
- Rurrenabaque
Now that you know which are the best places to retire in Bolivia, let’s dig deeper to discover which one is best for you.
Where to Retire In Bolivia
There are many cities with diverse weather conditions where you can live in Bolivia. You can choose one which is most compatible for you. Bolivia also comes with an affordable cost of living for foreigners. La Paz is the capital and is one of the most peaceful places in Bolivia and is known as the International City of Peace.
Bolivia is a landlocked country located in western-central South America. The climate of Bolivia varies significantly from area to area. Average temperature in summer is 72°F (22°C) and in winter it is 59°F (15°C). It is a great country with friendly people, fresh food and breathtaking landscapes.
Festivals are a huge part of Bolivian culture, and no matter where you are in the country some kind of party is likely to be happening. In true Bolivian style, these events involve lots of drinking, dancing, and happy people.
Why Retire in La Paz?
Temperature: -4 to 24 deg C / 25 to 75 deg F
Population: 1.8 million
Tourist Information Centre – https://golapaz.com/en/
La Paz is the capital of Bolivia and it is the third-most populous city and is at 11,975 ft above sea level. It is commonly known as the cultural center of Bolivia. In recent years the economy of La Paz has improved greatly due to its improved political stability.
It has a cold climate due to its altitude with an average low of 0 deg C in Winter and a high of 19 deg C in the summer months around December and January. The yearly rainfall is around 782 mm or 30.8 inch per year and mainly falls during the summer months of December through to March.
La Paz is the home of the biggest football teams in Bolivia. It is a remarkable place with natural beauty and modern lifestyle. There are many public holidays and outdoor festivals throughout the year like the Alasitas Fair.
Popular Restaurants
- Bolivian Popular Food
- Mestizo Restaurante
- Mi Chola
- The Carrot Tree
- Higher Ground
- 1700
- Cafe del Mundo
- Luciernagas Restaurant
Transport
- Micro & Minibus – city bus network
- Trufi – cheap alternative to a bus
- Taxi – Individually run and business owned
- Motorcycle – jump on the back and tell them where you want to go
- Bolivia Hop – National bus that goes between Bolivia and Peru
- Mi Teleférico – Cable Car System
- Uber
What To Do
- Ethnography Museum
- Calle Jaen
- Plaza Murillo
- Mirador Killi Killi
- Basilica of Saint Francis
- Valle De Las Animas
- Plaza Abaroa
- Mirador Laikakota
- Valle de la Luna
- Cholitas Wrestling/Cholitas Luchadoras
Why Retire In Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Temperature: 14 to 34 deg C / 58 to 88.5 deg F
Population: 5 Million
Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the largest and most populous city of Bolivia. It is commonly known as Santa Cruz. This city was founded in 1561 and today it is the most economically prosperous city of Bolivia.
Its climate is warm and temperate. Summers are long and mostly cloudy. While winters are short and partly cloudy. The average rainfall is around 28.1 inch or 715mm per year mainly in the summer months.
Santa Cruz is famous for its exciting nightlife. It has a wide range of exciting tourist attractions such as Espejillos which is a natural swimming hole and waterfall.
Popular Restaurants
- Sonnengarten
- Restaurant Yorimichi Srl
- Restaurante Michelangelo
- Jardín de Asia
- Santo Peccato
- Bravissimo
- Restaurant Landhaus El Fuerte
- Ettmüller Landhaus Restaurant
Transport
- Micro & Minibus – city bus network
- Trufi – cheap alternative to a bus
- Taxi
- Uber
What To Do
- Espejillos
- Independence Museum
- Contemporary Art Museum
- Museo Guarani
- Sandboard Project SCZ
- Noel Kempff Mercado Natural History Museum
Why Retire In Copacabana?
Temperature: 2 to 16 deg C / 35 to 60 deg F
Population: 13K
Copacabana is a small enchanting town located between two hills on the southern shore of Bolivian Lake Titicaca. Copacabana is located close to La Paz and is named for the patron saint of the same name. It is famous for pretty red and terracotta roofed houses and being the largest town on the lake. This means there is plenty of fishing and watersports that can be done here.
The climate of Copacabana is dry and temperate. Due to the high altitude of Copacabana, the town is chilly throughout the year. But it is still a popular resort for both locals and foreigners, the main reason for visiting is admiring Lake Titicaca.
It is a peaceful and safe place to live in. Copacabana is one of the cheapest places to live in bolivia.
Popular Restaurants
Transport
- Bus
- Taxi
- Overland Rail
- Rental cars
What To Do
- Cerro El Calvario
- Isla del Sol
- Puerto de Copacabana
- La Horca del Inca
- Chinkana
- Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana
- Museo del Poncho
Why Retire In Potosí?
Temperature: -4 to 10 deg C / 25 to 50 deg F
Population: 264K
Potosí is known as one of the highest cities in the world and is 4,090 metres (13,420 ft) above sea level. It was started as a mining town in 1945 and is famous for its silver mines. It is home to some famous football teams.
If you are looking for a year round cold climate to retire too without getting too cold then this is the place for you and your log fire. Snowfall is common from May to August. The average rainfall is about 840 mm or 33.1 inch per year.
Popular Restaurants
- El Tenedor de Plata
- Cafe Potocchi
- Cafe Pub 4060
- La Casona 1775
- Sabor y Sazón Potosi
- Wayna Potosi, palacio de la kalaphurka
Transport
- Micro & Minibus – city bus network
- Trufi – cheap alternative to a bus
- Trufi
- Taxi
- Motorcycle
- Private Cars
What To Do
- Cerro Rico
- Laguna Colorada
- Toro Toro National Park
- Casa Nacional de la Moneda
- Templo y Convento de Santa Teresa
- Church of Saint Francis
- Plaza 10 de Noviembre
- Ojo del Inca
Why Retire In Coroico?
Temperature: 1 to 13 deg C / 34 to 55 deg F
Population: 2478
Coroico is a town in Nor Yungas Province with an elevation of 1,525 m (5,003 ft) above sea level. It is considered as the industrial center of Bolivia as it produces wood products, fruits, and coca. It is a safe town with a low cost of living. This is another place where you will have plenty of time to curly up next to a fire and read a good book.
In Coroico, due to low elevation the climate is temperate and warm. Average annual rainfall is about 2920 mm or 115.0 inch. Agust is the driest month in Coroico. Rainfall is common even in driest months. If you like small town living then this town is definitely for you. In this town most people know each other much like a small italian town.
Popular Restaurants
Transport
Coroico is a small town. Everything is available within walking distance. There are also some taxis in town.
What To Do
- Awa Rafting
- Plaza coroico
- Cascadas 2 – Comunidad San Jacinto
- Rancho “Santa Lucía”
- Mono Zip Line
- Mirador de carretera de la muerte
- Plaza Mururata
Why Retire In Sucre?
Temperature: 8 to 21 deg C / 46 to 70 deg F
Population: 300k
Sucre is a medium-sized city well-known for being one of South America’s most remarkable colonial cities. One of the major advantages of living in Sucre is its very low cost of living. It is at an elevation of 9,200 feet above sea level.
One thing I love about this city is that its daily temperature year round remains constant. This means that it is cool single doona weather each night and warm enough during the day every day without being too hot. My perfect weather for when I travel is 10 to 25 deg C or 50 to 77 deg F so this is pretty damn close.
Climate of Sucre is warm and temperate. Dry periods start from April to October. October is the warmest month while June is the coldest month. Average rainfall is 1087 mm or 42.8 inch per year. Summers have much more rainfall than winter.
Popular Restaurants
Transport
- Regular hop-on buses
- Taxis
- Micro buses
- Personal cars
What To Do
- Cal Orck’o
- Glorieta Castle
- Freedom House
- Monasterio de La Recoleta
- Treasure Museum
- Parque Bolivar
- Obelisco
- General Cemetery
Why Retire In Oruro?
Temperature: -6-19 deg C
Population: 325K
Oruro is a city in west-central Bolivia with an elevation of 3,709 meters (12,169 ft) above sea level. It was founded as a silver-mining centre on November 1, 1606. By population, it is the fifth largest city in Bolivia.
Due to high altitude, the Climate of Oruro is cold. Warmer temperatures usually take place from August to October. The average rainfall is around 669 mm / 26.3 inch per year. Summer has a good amount of that rainfall, while winters have very little rainfall.
Oruro is famous for its colourful pre-Lenten Carnival that has received Unesco recognition. It is a religious and cultural festival which takes place in February or March.
Popular Restaurants
- Factory Xpress
- Chorizos Dña. Anita
- Restaurant Las Retamas
- Moli Fá
- Churrasquería Las Delicias
- Roca Pollo
- Restaurant Andino
Transport
- Micro & Minibus – city bus network
- Trufi – cheap alternative to a bus
- Taxis
- Private Cars
What To Do
- Faro de Conchupata
- Casco del Minero
- Museo Arqueológico
- Plaza Principal 10 de Febrero
- Cardozo Velasquez Art House Workshop
- Monumento A La Virgen Del Socavon
Why Retire In Sorata?
Temperature: 4 to 17 deg C / 39 to 63 deg F
Population: 3k
In the Northwest of La Paz, Sorata is a small town at about 2678 meters above sea level. It is located at the base of the mountains Janq’u Uma and Illampu. It is famous for being a weekend getaway and a relaxing base camp for hikers.
Climate of Sorata is tropical savanna type which has alternating wet and dry seasons. November is the warmest month while July is the coolest month. The average annual rainfall is 509 mm / 20.04 inches. Rainfall is common in January.
Homecoming Festival is a religious ceremony which is held on 14 September. In this festival people wear colorful costumes and sing and dance all day.
Popular Restaurants
Transport
Town is small and only a few taxis are available to get around. As with most small towns you may want to get a car or a bike.
What To Do
Why Retire In Rurrenabaque?
Temperature: 19 to 36 deg C / 66 to 97 deg F
Population: 12K
Rurrenabaque is a small town in the North of Bolivia located alongside the Beni River. It is nicknamed as Rurre by locals. Located on the edge of Madidi National Park, it acts as an easy gateway for tourists to visit Madidi National Park.
Climate of Rurrenabaque is a tropical monsoon. Significant rainfall occurs in most months of the year and has a short dry season. Average annual precipitation is 2170 mm / 85.4 inches. Maximum rainfall occurs in December. So if you like Sleepless in Seattle but want somewhere warmer then this may be for you.
Popular Restaurants
Transport
- Taxis
- Buses
- Private Cars
What To Do
- Serere Eco Reserve
- Oscar’s Swimming Pool
- Plaza Principal De Rurrenabaque
- Parque Nacional Madidi
- SUNSET TRAVEL RURRENABAQUE
- Bala Tours Ecolodges
Where To Find A Home?
You can buy a home in any city of Bolivia without any restriction. Whether you are renting or buying the real estate websites below will help you out.
Whether you are buying or renting there are options for all budgets in Guadalajara.. If you are looking for something really cheap then you can go to facebook marketplace. Change your filter to Guadalajara and then click on Property Rentals or House Sales. Remember prices will be in local Peso.
While you will find places to buy there you will be dealing directly with the homeowner. As with buying any property in any country make sure you get the right legal advice prior to purchase to make sure the paperwork is in order.
It is always safer for buying or long term leases to go through a real estate agent instead and I have taken the liberty to list a few for you to look at below. They will tell you about local laws and fees and taxes that may be involved.
Safety and security
Bolivia is a safe country with a low level of crime. There is security and emergency response coverage in many big cities including La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Sucre and Potosi. In recent years crime levels have increased like petty theft and other violent crimes but still very low compared to other south american countries.
Simple precautionary measures can help you to avoid street crime in the bigger cities like with any other large city around the world. These are things like not walking down dark alleys after midnight or flashing expensive jewelry or a wallet full of cash. Pretty much the same as what you would do in New York or London. Avoid big crowds and be mindful of keeping your distance to people as crushed crowds are where pick pockets are mainly found.
LINK: USA State Department Travel Advisory for Bolivia
Low Cost of living
In Bolivia the cost of living varies depending upon which area you are living and the lifestyle you choose like every other country. The cost of living is lower than neighbouring countries. Average cost of living is $600-$800 USD.
Here is a list of some of the common monthly expenses for you to think about:
| Monthly Expense | USD Cost |
| Rent – 2 bedroom | $400 |
| Rent – 1 bedroom unit | $250 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Rates) | $47.90 |
| Internet | $30 |
| Food and Groceries | $220 |
| Transportation | $32 |
| Healthcare | $65 |
| Total Expenses (2 bed) | $794.90 |
| Total Expenses (1 bed) | $644.90 |
Good Healthcare
Bolivia is struggling with high levels of poverty and providing quality healthcare to people who need it. The Bolivian healthcare system is providing free healthcare to poorer people in the country. It covers more than 6 million uninsured people.
In the ruler area, there is a lack of basic healthcare for people. Several NGOs such as Global Links are supporting the Bolivian government’s plan to facilitate healthcare to locals. Mobile healthcare centres are also available to facilitate people with basic healthcare.
So what does this mean for you when you are wanting to retire there? It just means like most cheaper countries you get private health insurance and then have access to the private health system instead. It is typical in South America to get a plan directly with your local hospital or for wider coverage you can use a global provider like Cigna for $276 or $300 Alliance approximately per month. Local providers can be way cheaper.
