This is a informative post, there is very little information on the internet about our particular situation, so here’s the scoop for anyone who finds themselves in the same place.

We got a shock when we arrived on an overnight bus to Puno, learning that we couldn’t just get a visa on arrival at the border like we expected. 

Turns out, getting a visa can be very time consuming and expensive, with border prices varying between 60-100USD (depending on how corrupt your border official is), a whole lot of paperwork, and the chance of being denied entry. 

However, we have good news for you! You can (and should) get your visa in Puno, at the Bolivian consulate. The consulate is here:

Consulado de Bolivia
Cajamarca 664, Puno 21001, Peru
+51 51 205400

https://goo.gl/maps/uSFuh6uAWit4NWuS6

Everything you need: 

• Passport that’s valid obvs 
• 1 passport photo, regular size. 
• A digital copy of a passport photo, must be less than 150kb, white background. 
• Digital copy of the info page in your passport. 
• Digital copy of your first nights hotel booking, must be less than 500kb.
• Digital copy of bank statement for 90 days, must be less than 500kb.
• All of these you need to complete the visa application form online HERE. 
• A printed copy of the completed application form AFTER submission. 
• A photocopy of your passport info page. 
• A printed copy of your first nights hotel reservation. 
• A printed copy of above bank statements. 
• A printed copy of either your ticket out of Bolivia, or your return ticket home (can be from a different country, we had a flight from Chile which they accepted.) 

First, complete the application form HERE, submit it and then print the submitted application form. You will need the digital copies of the above documents to complete the application form. 

Take this and the rest of your documents to the Bolivian consulate – open 8am mon-fri. 

We got our passports and visas back after 3 hours (same day!) and it was free! Gratis! Mahala! 

A little bit of admin, but it saved us a lot of money and time on the border! 

Good luck!