Hello friends, my name is Felipe and I have plans to travel to Bolivia soon but we have received reports of robberies and assaults on foreigner motorcyclists in Bolivia. More specifically in the region of Colquechaca, Ocuri and Santa Cruz de la Sierra. We have heard that an argentine biker had been shot and killed, and a brazillian one has been severely beaten.
Is there anyone here from BOLIVIA ? I would like to know if you can confirm that these problems are occurring and if you have any news realated to this.:confused1:
Thank you.
Felipe

WOW! I never had trouble when I passed thru! But then I went Puerto Suarez to St. Cruz to Cochabamba to La Paz...

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http://www.aroundtheblockmotoadventures.com/
'We build the bike (in Peru) for your Epic Ride of South America.'

As you travel to places you always here the worst, from people who have never been.

When you get there every thing is normal.

Scare stories abound.

We were told by many an America we would be killed, robbed and or raped in Mexico.

Everyone feared for us going to Colombia

The next country was always somewhere to look out for and be careful.

Everywhere we went the opposite seemed to be true. People could not be nicer and more appreciative of us visiting their country.

Just go for it, keep your normal wits around you. Travel as you would back home.

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http://www.ytc1.co.uk

Hi Felipe, unfortunately at least one of the reports is true. I'm quoting below what I've posted on ADVRiders on this subject. I'm glad you started this thread. Ride safe and do go to Bolivia, it's wonderful, but perhaps right now it is not a good idea to ride around the border with Brazil.

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Vince my friend how are you!! It's been a long time, I haven't been here at ADVRider for a while now, you know how lasy I am ;-)

Well, unfortunately, at least one of the reports I know for sure it's real, it has just happened with a good friend of mine who has just arrived from Bolivia. Eduardo *Rotaway* Wermelinger Rotaway is an experienced motorcycle traveller who's been around extensively. When he was on route 6 near Pocoata he overtook a light Isuzu truck; then the truck began to speed and overtook him and the guy at the back pointed a gun at him. He obviously had to stop, was punched and slapped by the guys who took everything he had, wallet, documents, notebook, camera, money, you name it. Then they left. Eduardo always carries a spare key on the bike so he managed to go to a hotel where a British fellow around 70, who was travelling by car, lent him money so he could organize his trip back to Brazil.

I've also *heard*, so no confirmation, of other episodes, including an Argentinian fellow who was killed (he was riding a Versys).

I've spoken to another friend who rides occasionally in Bolivia and he raised a good point which matches with what I think too. One thing is the Amazon region in Bolivia and the area around the border with Brazil where there is a lot of drug traffic.Right now perhaps it's a good idea to avoid this area or, at least, not to ride solo. Quite another is the altiplanos around Uyuni and further southwest, perhaps one of the best motorcycle rides in Latin America as Vince has mentioned. I've been there and it is totally desert and I felt safer than riding here in Brazil. I've heard nothing about safety issues there.

I guess I'll start a thread on this subject so people who are planning to travel to Bolivia and are concerned about safety will have a place to go and get information.

Vince, when are you c[/I]oming back south? You owe me $1!!!
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Fernando
Ilhabela, SP BRAZIL
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Fernando Costa
Ilhabela, SP BRAZIL

Jorge Neira Hernandez, who lives in Iquique, Chile, and travels extensively in the region including Bolivia, has sent the following message (lousy translation below):

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No he tenido ninguna noticia de Riders con problemas en Bolivia. Si
necesitas algo avisame porque tengo amigos en algunos lugares.

En todo caso, te informo que el pasado Mayo estuve en Bolivia y creo
que será mi ultimo viaje a ese pais. La gente se esta poniendo muy
agresiva y hay constantes manifestaciones espontaneas con bloqueos de
caminos urbanos y rurales, a vista y paciencia de la Policia que no
ayuda en nada.
Además ya es muy díficil conseguir combustible.

*****

I havent heard anything on motorcycle riders with problems in Bolivia. If you need anything please let me know as I have friends in several places.

In any event, I was in Bolivia last May and it will be my last trip to this country. People are becoming very aggressive and there are continuous spontaneous manifestations with blockage of urban and rural roads under the placid eye of the Police who doesn´t help at all.
Additionally, it is very difficult to obtain fuel.

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Fernando Costa
Ilhabela, SP BRAZIL

About 3 months ago my girlfriend and I spent 3 months motorcycling around Bolivia (when we left we had 1 day left on our 90 visa). We met amazing people and had no issues and only good stories. The only thing you have to watch out for is the quality of the drivers, though I think that is most places in South America