Bolivia
Latin America & the Caribbean · 15 specs
Direct Answer
Bolivia (BO / BOL / 068) operates on a 230 V / 50 Hz electrical grid using Type A, Type B, and Type C sockets. Traffic drives on the right (RHT). The official currency is the Bolivian Boliviano (BOB, Bs.), calling code is +591, emergency dispatch is 110 (Police) / 118 (Ambulance), and paper standard is ISO 216 A4.
Source: AETN / ATT / IBNORCA / ISO 3166-1 / Correos de Bolivia · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Official English Name | Plurinational State of Bolivia ISO 3166-1 |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | BO |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | BOL |
| ISO 3166-1 Numeric / UN M49 | 068 UN M49 (Code 419) |
| Country Calling Code | +591 ITU-T E.164 |
| International Exit Code (IDD) | 00 |
| Internet ccTLD | .bo NIC Bolivia |
| National Currency (ISO 4217) | Boliviano (BOB, Bs.) 100 Centavos |
| Mains Electricity Standard | 230 V (La Paz: 115V in older zones), 50 Hz AETN |
| Electrical Plug Sockets | Type A, Type B & Type C (Universal combo sockets) 10 A / 230 V |
| Road Traffic Driving Side | Right-Hand Traffic (RHT / LHD) Código de Tránsito |
| Primary Measurement System | Metric (SI) IBNORCA |
| Standard Office Paper Format | ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm) |
| Consolidated Emergency Number | 110 (Police) / 118 (Ambulance) / 119 (Fire) Emergency Services |
| Primary Time Zone | UTC-4 (BOT) No DST |
Electrical Grid, Voltage & Plug Compatibility
- Nominal Grid Parameters: Operates on a single-phase standard of 230 V (La Paz: 115V in older zones), 50 Hz.
- Plug & Socket Hardware: Type A, Type B & Type C (Universal combo sockets). Mixes North American style Type A (2-blade ungrounded) and Type B (3-prong grounded) receptacles with European Type C (ungrounded 2.5 A Europlug) sockets.
- International Traveler Guidance: Devices operating on 100–240 V (smartphones, laptops) require only a mechanical pin adapter. Single-voltage appliances from differing voltage regions require a certified step-down/step-up power transformer.
Telecommunications, Dialing & Emergency Dispatch
- International Dialing: The country calling code is +591. Outbound international calls from within the country require dial prefix 00 followed by the destination country code.
- Emergency Dispatch: Consolidated emergency services are reached at 110 (Police) / 118 (Ambulance) / 119 (Fire). Calls are automatically routed to local public safety answering points with emergency vehicle dispatch.
Transportation, Driving Standards & Road Regulations
- Traffic Flow: Road traffic drives on the right (RHT) with Left-Hand Drive (LHD) vehicles.
- Standard Speed Limits: General regulatory speed limits default to 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up urban and residential zones, 80–100 km/h (50–62 mph) on undivided rural roads, and 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph) on grade-separated divided motorways/expressways (unless lower local limits are posted).
- Safety Requirements: Mandatory seatbelt compliance for all occupants, zero-distraction handheld mobile phone bans while driving, and mandatory in-vehicle warning triangles.
Commerce, Currency & Document Standards
- Official Currency: Legal tender is the Boliviano (BOB, Bs.).
- Document & Paper Standards: Standard office printing, official government gazettes, and legal filings strictly utilize ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm). Standard business correspondence pairs with standard business envelopes.
- National Time Zone: Regulated under UTC-4 (BOT).
Postal Addressing & Administrative Divisions
- Postal Architecture: Postal delivery utilizes Standard postal system.
- Standard Address Format: Structured in standardized hierarchy: Recipient Name → Street Address / Building Unit → Postal Code + City/Town → Province/State → Plurinational State of Bolivia.