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Living and Teaching English in Bolivia - Habits, Customs & Curiosities

As one of the lesser travelled countries in Latin America, Bolivia makes a great destination for teaching EFL for people who prefer to get off of the regular tourist trail.

Although salaries are likely to be less than some other countries in the region, the chance to experience living in a unique and fascinating environment is a major draw for many.

If this sounds like what you are looking for, take a look at these brief guides for an insight into Bolivia.

You will find basic travel tips, some interesting facts about the country and an idea of how much to budget for exploring in your spare time.

If you are not a fan of the ocean then Bolivia may be the perfect destination to fulfill your teaching ambitions as it is the largest landlocked country in South America. Before traveling to Bolivia you must have a passport and visa organized in advance and make sure that you are vaccinated against yellow fever and typhoid.

A third of the country is covered by the Andean mountain range with major city La Paz perched 3,650m above sea level. During your stay you won’t want to miss out on the most popular attractions, such as jungle trekking, river cruises, hot springs and the fascinating colonial architecture which can still be found in many parts of the country.

Bolivia has a wide range of attractions for teachers to enjoy in their free time and thanks to the country’s low cost of living most of it can be experienced on a shoestring budget. Shared dormitory accommodation can be found at very reasonable prices in all the main locations and to make travel even cheaper you can take advantage of free walking tours, eat at local markets and make use of inexpensive public transport.

When you are not in the classroom you can explore the country’s most well known towns and cities such as Copacabana, La Paz, Sucre and Potosi, as well as the world’s largest salt flat, over a 2-week period for less than $45 per day.

Named after independence fighter Simón Bolívar, Bolivia gained independence from Spain 70 years ago. Among the quirkier facts about Bolivia are that the dolphins in the Bolivian Amazon are pink and the average height of the local women is only 1.47m. You can stay in a hotel made completely of salt, dine on roasted guinea pig, and explore the famous salt flats at Salar de Uyuni.

Although the main language used in the country is Spanish, the population of 11.5 million speaks 36 different indigenous languages. Teachers who are lucky enough to work in Bolivia can enjoy all manner of unique experiences during their stay.

Bolivia’s wonderful traits are often overshadowed due to its location nestled between other more well-known nations including Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

If you want to know a bit more about the country, this graphic takes a light-hearted look at what Bolivia has the ‘most’ of.