Relevant Information

ARRIVING IN SUCRE

Your host family will meet you at the airport. You will be met as you exit customs. (Sucre airport is a national airport, it is very small and has only one exit door). You should look for someone with a sign with your name on it.

It is advisable to have dollar bills of small denomination on hand. At customs porters will help you with your luggage and a tip of $3-$5 USD is customary. (porters will try to help with your luggage, however I don't think you will need them. While you are in costums waiting for your luggage, you will be able to see the sign with your name on, cause there is a glass wall, dividing customs from the people waiting for passengers.

When Planes Land in La Paz or Santa Cruz. There here are times when the Sucre airport is closed due to weather. When this occurs, the plane will land in La Paz or Santa Cruz. The airline will put you up in a hotel (if necessary) and will transfer you to Sucre. The host family will check with the airport regarding landing conditions. See "Arriving After Hours".

In case somebody needs a hotel in La Paz or Santa Cruz:

Arriving After Hours: If you arrive after hours on a weekend, on a weekday, your flight has been canceled or delayed, or for some reason you miss your arrival transfer at the airport, here is what we recommend you do:

1. Call 00-591-(0)4-64-34212 or 00-591-71174166 (cell phone), the emergency numbers in Sucre and speak with Sandra or Leonardo (Directors)

If unable to make contact:

2. Go to one of the hotels suggested and attempt to call the school or the Director the next day. The school will not reimburse hotel costs.

We also suggest that you bring an international phone card in order to make international calls from your host family's home. If you do not have an international phone card, any international calls must be made at the school.

Departure Taxes: Be prepared to pay approximately $25 for flights out of the country. Check with your airline for the exact amount of taxes.

Length of Stay: With a valid passport, a US citizen can stay in BOLIVIA for 30 days. Extensions of 30 day increments can be attained locally for US$20.

School office hours: 8:15am-l2:10pm and 14:30-18:30pm (Monday thru Friday)

Tips from Past Participants: "Bring 75% less than you think you need".

Weather: About 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit year round. Rainy season Oct-March. Dry season May-Aug (April and Sept have some rain). Seasonal temperatures: Spring: 21 Sept., Oct. Dec. (15 to 24 Celsius) Summer: Dec, Jan, Feb. (15 to 28 Celsius) Fall: Mar, April, May (10 to 15 Celsius) Winter: June, July, August (5 to 15 Celsius)

CHILDREN

Minimum age to participate in group program: 14 (18 if traveling without a parent, teacher or legal guardian).

Children's programs: one on one classes at same cost as adult. The children's program use more TV Spanish programs, audiocassettes, children's Spanish books & games to keep the learning process "fun".

Child care: May be possible upon special request.

Homestay discount for small children: Half price if under 5 (same room as parents, unless host family happens to have extra space).

ATMOSPHERE

Student's nationality: 50% Europeans and 50% North Americans.

Age Group: The majority are independent travelers, professionals and college students (some retirees also).

Capacity: 40 students

ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES

As part of the language program, we offer 2-3 organized activities every week. In addition, students will find a daily schedule of cultural events in Sucre and surrounding areas, locations of theaters, museums, festivals as well as tickets prices are available. Activities include: Visits to local areas of interest, dance classes, cooking classes, parties & fiestas, Spanish languages videos & movies, seminars & discussion groups.

Please Note: You may need to pay "out-of-pocket" expenses (bus fare, entrance fees, etc.)

Weekend trips: Not currently organized by the school. (But they can assist you with your arrangements on-site).

Access to email: Free to send and receive email at the school for the students (no access to the internet though) but there are several internet cafes around the school area.

Airport pickup: Done by the host family.

Relevant Internet Links: Link to a map of Bolivia, Temperature in Sucre, Weather map of Central/South America, Precipitation map of Central/South America, Lonely Planet's Destination Bolivia, Foder's Smart Travel Tips - Bolivia.

PASSPORTS, VISAS AND IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

When traveling anywhere in Latin America you should carry your passport or a copy of it with you at all times. It is a good idea to bring photocopies of other essential documents also (airline tickets, important prescriptions, Credit card company number etc.) stored in a separate location.

No visa is necessary for citizens of US, Canada, most Western European countries, Latin American countries (except Mexico & Venezuela), Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, for a visit up to 90 days. For other nationalities, check with the nearest Bolivian Embassy or Consulate.

It is possible to re-enter Bolivia after 24 hours in a neighboring country. Extensions may be solicited at Migraciones in Cochabamba, about $27 each.
A Temporary visa good for one year is $250.
There is an airport departure tax of about $2 on internal flights.
There is a $20 airport tax on international flight departures from Bolivia.
Always call and double check on entry requirements, since they change frequently.
The Bolivian Consulate in the USA, Tel: 202-232-4827, The Embassy, Tel: 202-483-4410.

OTHER

Electricity : 220 volts, same plugs as the US., both 220 and 110 in La Paz.

Time: 4 hours behind GMT

Religion: Mainly Roman Catholic. The Indigenous cultures often blend Catholicism with their traditional beliefs.

People / Population: Bolivia has the highest number of Indigenous people in South America, about 70% of the population.

Many people still speak Quecha or Aymara. The literacy rate is 75%.

Mail: The mail service is reliable but slow, 7 to 10 days from the US or Europe. Use the school's address. When sending parcels, mark them "muestra sin valor" and state the value as zero. Parcels up to 2 kilos do not pass through customs if they are so marked. Parcels which do pass through customs may be taxed beyond their actual value.

Telephone: Local, national and international calls can be received and made at school. Calls may be received at the host family. We prefer that you do not make international calls from your homestay to avoid any possible billing errors.

Collect calls can be made to the US and some European countries at the Entel Offices. You can buy tokens and phone cards for international and long distance calls at the Entel Offices. Most public phone boxes are for local calls only; tokens can be bought from street kioskos & stores. Faxes can be sent from the school and major Entel Offices.

For collect calls or credit card calls with a US operator dial the following:
ATT USA Direct 0-800-2222 or 0-800 1111
MCI Call USA 190 (if calling from Entel outside of) or 011-190
Sprint 0-800-3333

Tipping

• Restaurants: Not required but, most people round-up the bill or leave 2 to 5 Bolivanos extra.
• Baggage porters : in air & bus terminals receive 2 to 5 Bolivianos.
• Hotel maids : Not required, but appreciated.
• Taxi drivers : Not required.

Money and finances: In more expensive establishments, sometimes prices are quoted in dollars.

Travelers checks can be changed into Bolivianos or dollars at exchange offices, only in major cities. You can also change $US into Bolivianos at banks and casas de cambio (exchange houses). It is suggested to use casas de cambio & not street vendors.

It is common that nobody wants to accept dollar bills that look old or are torn. Not even banks! Credit cards - Visa (most common), and Master Card are accepted in main cities. Cash can be withdrawn from your credit card at some banks without extra commission, in Bolivianos and dollars. and from Bancomat in Bolivianos.

Business hours:

• Shops: 9am - 12:00pm and 2:00 or 7:00pm. Small stores are open 6am to 10pm.
• Banks: 8:30am - 11:30pm and 2:30pm - 5:30pm. Friday 2:30 - 5pm. Saturday 8:30am - 12pm.
• Business offices: 9am - 12pm and 2pm - 7pm.
• Government offices: 9am - 12pm. 2pm - 5pm.
• Central Post office: 8am - 8pm, Saturday 8am - 6pm, Sunday 9am - noon.
• ENTEL (phone, fax, telex and telegrams): 8am - 11pm.

Toilet paper : The toilets in Bolivia do not accept toilet paper. There is a receptacle provided. In the homestay you will be provided with toilet paper.

Food and Drinks