Yes, you need a yellow fever vaccination card to enter Bolivia
Heading to Bolivia? Here’s some advice on why you should get the yellow vaccine shot and proof hereof!
Sneaking into foreign countries has never really been on my bucket list, and being the organizing junkie that I am, I certainly never expected to get in a situation like this.
But as I was about to learn, you just can’t control everything…
Why the sneaking around?
In short: Because of a vaccination card – or lack of same.
For medical reasons, I wasn’t able to get the yellow fever vaccination shot, but I was told by embassies and doctors that it wouldn’t matter for Bolivia.
Then two weeks before departure, I found out it was in fact required, and at that point, we had already bought plane tickets and paid for tours and hostels.
Grrr!
So that left me with two options: Go for it and hope for the best, or not go at all. Now, I couldn’t really call myself adventurous if I’d chosen door number two, could I?
So, I went for it, knowing that it could result in deportation or fines. With a medical waiver as my strongest defense, I hoped that they would have mercy on me.
Read next: 3 days in Salar de Uyuni: The Ultimate Guide
* Since 2013, the yellow fever vaccination certification is required to enter Bolivia and proof hereof may be required before boarding by airlines flying into/transiting Bolivia, as well as at entry points to Bolivia. Get more information on The U.S. Department of State.
Before leaving, I read different reports on how travelers were either denied access or didn’t get asked at all.
For the record, the yellow fever vaccine is required and the Bolivian Immigration Department can deny you entry if they wish.
Scary guards with guns
As you can imagine, I was quite a nervous wreck when we got to the airport in Cuzco.
To calm myself, I figured it was better to get turned away in Peru than in Bolivia, but as we got closer to the airline desk, my nerves increased exponentially.
Luckily, we were let through and given our boarding passes without any hassle.
At the entry point in La Paz and with the Bolivian embassy on speed dial, we got off the plane and moved towards the immigration facilities.
We were shown to a small crowded room, and the first thing I noticed was two security guards with dark shades, pump guns, and very serious expressions on their faces.
Oh, dear.
Trying to look ever so innocent and unimportant, I felt how the blood disappeared from my face as I walked with heavy steps toward the armed immigration guard.
My heart raced so fast I could feel the pulse in my throat and my hands shook like crazy as I handed him my passport.
He looked at me carefully with squinted eyes and opened his mouth in slow motion, while my eyes got bigger and bigger…
OKAY, I CONFESS. I’M GUILTY, I was about to cry out.
But then he just nodded and said “Next”.
I was ready to throw up right there on his neat desk.
Instead, I swayed past the security guard at the luggage belt, and a few minutes later we were at the parking lot. I was more than done with sneaking around!
iPad-sniffing airport security
Ironically enough, leaving the country turned out to be tougher. Although I didn’t get asked for my vaccination card at any point, my bag was turned inside out and Patty, my iPad, thoroughly checked.
The lady guard opened it, turned it on, double-checked the screen, and sniffed it carefully while she suspiciously scowled at me.
She then carelessly ripped out my flash and turned it on after which her eyes shot wide open as if it was a bomb about to detonate: “Ma’am, identify. Now!!”
I might accidentally have tee-heed when the guard next to her made a funny face at her expense, which only made her more persistent in finding the drugs she was so determined I was hiding.
Although I was guilty as ever of sneaking my way into Bolivia, my conscience was crystal clear as far as drugs were concerned.
Lessons learned
- If you’re going to Bolivia, get the vaccination card.
- Don’t laugh at the female guards.
- Stay updated on the Bolivian visa requirements. They tend to change often and with short notice.
- Find out if your transit and own country require the vaccination card to enter. I know that Australia is pretty strict on this one.
Have you ever encountered any problems with border control?
