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Fuel Prices in Bolivia Fuel Prices in Bolivia
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  #1  
Old 1 Feb 2014
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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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Old 2 Feb 2014
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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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Old 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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Old 4 Feb 2014
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Originally Posted by Tony LEE View Post
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?
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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Old 5 Feb 2014
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Originally Posted by El Forko View Post
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.
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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Old 5 Feb 2014
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Originally Posted by BruceP View Post
Surely the money is better in the back pocket of the pump attendant or cop than the government ? It will help feed their families.
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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Old 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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Old 6 Feb 2014
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Originally Posted by Mr Steam Turbine View Post
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.
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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