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1 Feb 2014
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Join Date: Dec 2012
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Fuel Prices in Bolivia
Hi folks,
I received some interesting info when I was back in Bolivia a couple of weeks ago from a Bolivian. I was told that foreigners should only pay the inflated price for fuel at stations within 70km from the border. Thereafter, the national price applies to forgeiners and locals alike.
I've found a document on line which appears to be an extract from a formal Bolivian legal document, which states this (actually the distance is 50km), but it is dated 1996. There is also a more recent report on a Bolivian news website that also stipulates this. But this is info is dated.
Does anyone have any up-to-date info on this, or better still success at buying gas at the national price under these regulations?
I'm familair with the whole 'sin factura' tactic for getting cheaper fuel, so no advice on that please! In this instance I want the facts and ideally the documentation to prove it. In the mean time, I'll keep searching the web when I have more time and will post if I find anything.
Cheers!!
Paul
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2 Feb 2014
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Join Date: May 2011
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Bump, we are keen to know as well, another month here in Peru and we will be looking over the fence into Bolivia too.
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4 Feb 2014
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Is the cost of fuel (especially for a motorbike, and especially compared to prices in UK, Europe and even Australia)) such a major part of your travelling budget that it would make any difference what you paid for it?
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4 Feb 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony LEE
Is the cost of fuel (especially for a motorbike, and especially compared to prices in UK, Europe and even Australia)) such a major part of your travelling budget that it would make any difference what you paid for it?
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The price for foreigners is three times that of the national price - about USD1.50 (for 85 Octane at best). On my budget, travelling for a couple of years and using gas at approx 17km/l - yes, it makes a difference.
And furthermore, I hate dishonesty and being ripped off. It's not going break my bank to pay $1.50/L and I'm happy to pay if it's legit, but not if the 200% difference is going into the back pocket of the pump attendent. It's a matter of principle, just like not caving into a cop fishing for a back-hander.
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5 Feb 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by El Forko
The price for foreigners is three times that of the national price - about USD1.50 (for 85 Octane at best). On my budget, travelling for a couple of years and using gas at approx 17km/l - yes, it makes a difference.
And furthermore, I hate dishonesty and being ripped off. It's not going break my bank to pay $1.50/L and I'm happy to pay if it's legit, but not if the 200% difference is going into the back pocket of the pump attendent. It's a matter of principle, just like not caving into a cop fishing for a back-hander.
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Surely the money is better in the back pocket of the pump attendant or cop than the government ? It will help feed their families.
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5 Feb 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceP
Surely the money is better in the back pocket of the pump attendant or cop than the government ? It will help feed their families.
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We're now getting into ethics territory!
The Bolivian government subsidises fuel heavily to help business and general day to day life in the country to run (including the lives of the pump attendant and the cops). That's why it's so cheap. As a result, the govt budget is taking a big hit. They want to raise the price of fuel to try to get the budget sorted, but every time they attempt to do so the country goes crazy - demos, strikes, etc. so they are in a difficult situation.
So as a matter of principle, I think the govt should get the money when a gringo pays, given the situation I've outlined above.
And without wishing to sound pious, in my books neediness doesn't justify dishonestly - aka theft in this case.
I'll leave it at that - I don't want to get drawn into a moral debate,I just want to know how much I should be spending on gas.
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5 Feb 2014
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The problem I had in Bolivia wasn't about how much I paid for gas but rather getting a gas station to bother with selling me any gas. I was refused several times because the station didn't want to deal with the hassle of processing the additional charge for foreigners.
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5 Feb 2014
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I crossed into Bolivia yesterday from Peru (near Copacabana) and I was refused gas at every gas station(4-5 different stations) along the way to La Paz.. They wouldn't even sell it to me at the foreigner 9bs/liter price.. sigh.. I hope it's not like this all over Bolivia or else I'm gonna be in trouble. I even tried the trick of offering 5bs sin factura.. no luck.
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5 Feb 2014
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Did you try going up to the fuel pump attendant with your helmet on and asking for fuel in a plastic container ???
This worked for me every time. It's not a case of trying to fool them ( im blond with crap spanish) just not letting the cameras see its a gringo asking for fuel
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5 Feb 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kito
Did you try going up to the fuel pump attendant with your helmet on and asking for fuel in a plastic container ???
This worked for me every time. It's not a case of trying to fool them ( im blond with crap spanish) just not letting the cameras see its a gringo asking for fuel
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I'll try that next. Thanks
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5 Feb 2014
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Join Date: Oct 2010
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Never had problems with fuel!
Just buy a 20 liter plastic container for 20 B and give it to a moto taxi you see everywhere and give him 100 B and he will bring you back change! worked for me everywhere and was never afraid of running out![IMG]  [/IMG]
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6 Feb 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Steam Turbine
The problem I had in Bolivia wasn't about how much I paid for gas but rather getting a gas station to bother with selling me any gas. I was refused several times because the station didn't want to deal with the hassle of processing the additional charge for foreigners.
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Agreed, there is that and if they are short of gas they don;t like to sell it to foreigners either. But a handy "bidon" to walk up with works a treat.
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6 Feb 2014
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Contributing Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moto Mikey
I crossed into Bolivia yesterday from Peru (near Copacabana) and I was refused gas at every gas station(4-5 different stations) along the way to La Paz.. They wouldn't even sell it to me at the foreigner 9bs/liter price.. sigh.. I hope it's not like this all over Bolivia or else I'm gonna be in trouble. I even tried the trick of offering 5bs sin factura.. no luck.
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Pretty much like that until about 90km south of La Paz last year. Hopefully you filled up in Copa and a fuel can.
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12 Feb 2014
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All great ideas here!.........I just arrived in La Paz with a Bolivian bike, but my license plate fell off in Peru. Looking at all options now to get gas - jerry can, fake plate backed up by my real papers, and maybe even a legit replacement, but Ive heard it can be time consuming and expensive.
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15 Feb 2014
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Oh Bolivia!
“No sympathy for the devil; keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride...and if it occasionally gets a little heavier than what you had in mind, well...maybe chalk it off to forced conscious expansion: Tune in, freak out, get beaten.”
― Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
I would say Bolivia is one of my least favorite countries in South America, if it weren't also one of my favorites. Raw, amazing and out of control. The Bolivians do it their way and they don't really care if you like it. I hated trying to buy gas in Bolivia, because everything about it sucks.
Even if the distance from the border particulars were legal fact, they getting an traction with a pump jockey what really could care less for your business. Its a seller's market. Never forget that the station is going run out of gas before the next shipment arrives.
Sure it bugged me to feel like I was get ripped off every time I managed to find a pump with gas and an attendant that would fill out two receipts, and maybe manage to pocket a few coins in the process. Good for him. If that kind of petty Robin Hood thing really bothers you, go tour Sweden.
__________________
Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.
Blogs: Peter's Ride
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