Bolivia has taken a dramatic turn in its approach to international relations and tourism, scrapping long-standing visa requirements for citizens of the United States, Israel, and several other countries. This sweeping policy change, announced on December 1, 2025, comes just weeks after President Rodrigo Paz and his center-right government ended two decades of left-wing rule, ushering in what officials describe as a new era of openness and economic pragmatism.
The move was confirmed by Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo at a press conference in La Paz, where he detailed the administration’s broader strategy to boost tourism and restore global confidence in Bolivia. "We must restore the world’s confidence in Bolivia being a suitable and safe country to visit," Aramayo told reporters, according to the Associated Press. The visa requirement was also lifted for visitors from South Korea, South Africa, Latvia, Estonia, and Romania, with the government projecting at least $320 million in tourism revenue between 2026 and 2029.
For many, the announcement marks a sharp departure from the policies of former President Evo Morales and his successors in the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party. Morales, who ruled from 2006 to 2019, had imposed visa restrictions on U.S. citizens in 2007, citing the principle of reciprocity—since Bolivians face a $185 fee and a complex application process to visit the U.S., Morales argued that Americans should face similar hurdles. The policy was briefly lifted by interim President Jeanine Áñez in 2019, only to be reinstated by President Luis Arce in early 2021. Morales also severed diplomatic ties with Israel in 2014, introducing visa requirements for Israeli travelers in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
The new government’s decision to reverse these measures was met with swift approval from international partners. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar publicly thanked President Paz, posting on X, "Thank you, President [Rodrigo Paz], for eliminating the visa requirement for Israelis. This decision will allow thousands of Israelis to return to Bolivia after many years, enjoy its rich culture and impressive landscapes, and contribute to strengthening the ties between our people." The Times of Israel highlighted that Paz’s election represents a notable policy shift, especially after years during which Bolivia not only imposed travel restrictions but also cut off diplomatic relations with Israel.
Americans and Israelis, along with citizens from the newly exempted countries, can now enter Bolivia with only a valid passport for stays up to 90 days. This is a significant change for travelers who previously faced both bureaucratic and financial barriers to visiting one of South America’s most geographically diverse nations. From the soaring Andean peaks to the lush Amazon basin and the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni salt flats, Bolivia offers a wealth of attractions that have often been overlooked in favor of its neighbors, Brazil and Peru.
Underlying this shift is a pressing economic reality: Bolivia is grappling with a severe shortage of U.S. dollars, which has hampered imports and paralyzed parts of the economy. The new administration sees tourism as a critical avenue for replenishing the country’s depleted dollar reserves and stimulating broader economic recovery. According to Aramayo, Bolivia lost over $80 million in revenue due to the visa requirement since 2008. More strikingly, government officials estimate the broader impact of visa restrictions since 2007 at a staggering $900 million loss, according to the Associated Press.
President Paz, who secured victory in the October 19, 2025, runoff election as the candidate for the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), has wasted no time signaling a departure from the MAS party’s leftist policies. In addition to the visa reforms, his administration has scrapped certain corporate and wealth taxes and outlined plans to take on more debt, aiming to liberalize the economy amid what many describe as the worst crisis Bolivia has faced in four decades.
Bolivia’s recent history has been marked by dramatic swings in foreign policy. Anti-American sentiment peaked under Morales, a charismatic former coca growers’ union leader who expelled the U.S. ambassador and the DEA, and shifted Bolivia’s alliances toward Russia, China, and Venezuela. The rationale for imposing visa restrictions on Americans was rooted in a sense of fairness—if Bolivians were subject to stringent U.S. visa rules, then Americans should expect the same when visiting Bolivia. However, critics argued that these policies did more harm than good, deterring tourism and foreign investment at a time when the country could ill afford it.
Now, with the new measures in place, Bolivian officials hope to send a clear message that the country is open for business and eager to engage with the world. “This is not only about increasing tourism revenue,” said Aramayo at the Government Palace in La Paz. “It’s about repositioning Bolivia as a welcoming destination and rebuilding relationships that have been strained for too long.”
Of course, challenges remain. The U.S. State Department still rates Bolivia at a level 2 travel advisory, urging visitors to "exercise increased caution" due to the risk of civil unrest. The coca-growing region of Chapare, where Morales is reportedly residing to evade arrest for alleged statutory rape, is under a level 4 "Do Not Travel" warning—the highest risk grade. These advisories reflect persistent concerns about stability and safety, even as the government works to present a new face to the world.
Yet, for many Bolivians, the lifting of visa restrictions is a hopeful sign that the country is turning a corner. The expectation of $80 million in new tourism revenue over the next four years is only part of the picture. There is also a sense that Bolivia is ready to move beyond the ideological battles that have dominated its politics for two decades, and to embrace a more pragmatic, outward-looking approach.
As thousands of potential visitors from the U.S., Israel, and beyond consider Bolivia for their next adventure, the government’s bet on openness and engagement will soon be put to the test. If successful, the policy could mark the beginning of a new chapter for Bolivia—one defined less by division and more by opportunity and connection.
