Last Updated on February 15, 2025
In Bolivia, the functionality of PayPal varies significantly depending on where the account was created. If it’s your existing PayPal account from your home country, it will operate as usual, without any changes. However, if you create a PayPal account in Bolivia and link it to a Bolivian bank account, you’ll encounter significant restrictions.
PayPal accounts created in other countries work fully in Bolivia, allowing you to send, transfer, receive, and withdraw money. However, PayPal accounts created in Bolivia and linked to Bolivian banks or cards are restricted to sending money only. Your existing PayPal account from your home country will function normally in Bolivia.
In this article, we’ll discuss whether PayPal works in Bolivia, to what extent, and the current limitations when using it. You’ll also learn about some important alternatives to PayPal available in our country and their limitations. We are Bolivian real estate experts.
PayPal Works in Bolivia with Restrictions
Currently, PayPal has a presence in over 200 countries worldwide. In most of these countries, it offers its full range of services, *but this is not the case in Bolivia*. If you create a Bolivian PayPal account linked to a Bolivian bank account or a Bolivian credit/debit card, you’ll face significant limitations.
With a PayPal account linked to a Bolivian credit/debit card or a Bolivian bank, you’ll only be able to:
- Purchase items online.
- Send money.
And nothing more.
No Restrictions on Your Foreign PayPal Accounts
However, if your PayPal account was created in a country that supports the full range of services offered by the company (e.g., any country or region in the developed world, such as the US, Europe, many Asian countries, etc.), then regardless of your location in Bolivia, *your foreign PayPal account will still have access to all the services* the company provides.
With a foreign PayPal account, perhaps from your home country, linked to a foreign bank or credit/debit card, you’ll be able to:
- Purchase items online.
- Send money.
- Receive money.
- Hold money in your PayPal account.
- Withdraw funds to your foreign card or bank.
- Use your PayPal debit or credit card at any ATM in Bolivia.
This is why we recommend using your foreign PayPal account if you plan to visit or conduct business in Bolivia. Natives face this significant restriction with Bolivian PayPal accounts when selling online, receiving money, using the virtual account, etc., *and they simply use PayPal in a normal way*.
Therefore, you should always prioritize using your foreign PayPal account over a Bolivian one.
Alternatives to PayPal in Bolivia
Now, we’ll explore different alternatives to PayPal for digital wallets with banking and payment processing capabilities available in Bolivia.
The available options vary significantly depending on whether:
- You are only a tourist.
- You are a temporary or permanent resident.
- You are a Bolivian or a foreign business operating in the country.
1) When You Are Only a Tourist
If you’re solely a tourist in Bolivia (*meaning you don’t have your foreigner ID card*, which requires at least temporary residency), you’re not authorized to fully utilize banking services or most other services available in Bolivia, including education, employment, etc.
In this situation, as a tourist, your options are:
- Your regular credit or debit card.
- Western Union.
- Payoneer.
Your Regular Credit or Debit Card
You can use your foreign MasterCard or Visa credit or debit card at any ATM in Bolivia. Unfortunately, American Express is not widely supported by Bolivian ATMs. Therefore, when visiting our country, *always bring these cards to receive and withdraw money* from Bolivian ATMs.
Western Union
While you can’t make purchases for goods with Western Union, *you can receive money and wire transfers through this company in Bolivia without any limitations*. You simply need to present your passport and your full personal details, whether you’re receiving or sending money from overseas or other parts of Bolivia.
We have a comprehensive guide on using Western Union in Bolivia, including all the requirements, fees charged in the country, agency locations, and other details, available here: Western Union in Bolivia: All You Need to Know.
Payoneer
Payoneer currently offers a prepaid card that can also be used at any ATM in Bolivia. If you use this payment processor and possess its card, you can use it without restrictions at any ATM within the country.
2) When You Are at Least a Temporary Resident
If you obtain the status of at least a “temporary resident” in Bolivia, *which, it should be noted, is not easy to acquire*, you’ll gain the rights to fully utilize banking services in Bolivia with your foreigner ID document, issued by the Bolivian government.
We have a complete guide on obtaining Bolivian residency, with all the steps, costs, precautions, and other details, available here: [Link ].
Once you obtain this ID document, *you’re considered to have the same status as any Bolivian*, and you can work, invest, conduct business, and utilize banking services, including obtaining loans and opening bank accounts, without any restrictions.
Therefore, with this residency status, the following alternatives to PayPal are available in Bolivia:
- Your bank account at a Bolivian bank.
- Soli from BCP Bank.
- Tigo Money.
- TransferWise.
- Western Union, MoneyGram, etc.
To utilize any of the services and companies mentioned in the list above, *you need at least temporary residency* in Bolivia, as stated, and your foreigner ID card.
We have a comprehensive guide on all the payment options and methods available for foreigners in Bolivia, with all the details, requirements, and restrictions for each, available here: Payment Options and Methods Available in Bolivia: A Complete Overview.
3) When You Are a Business Operating in Bolivia
If you’re operating a business in Bolivia, whether it’s a native or foreign entity, such as an e-commerce store, you have the following options for receiving payments from your Bolivian customers:
- Stripe and Stripe Atlas
- 2Checkout
- PagosNet
- Your Bolivian business bank account
- Soli from BCP Bank
- Tigo Money Bolivia
Some of these payment processors can be used without obtaining Bolivian residency. For example, if you have a Stripe account in your home country, you’ll be able to fully utilize it to receive payments from Bolivian customers.
However, *if for any reason you cannot obtain a Stripe account in a country other than Bolivia*, you’ll need to use solutions like Stripe Atlas or obtain Bolivian residency to use PagosNet, Tigo Money Bolivia, and similar services.
We have a comprehensive overview of all the payment processors available in Bolivia, including Stripe, Stripe Atlas, PagosNet, etc., with all the steps, details, and restrictions for using them, available here: Payment Processors Available for Bolivia: A Complete Guide.
Conclusions:
In this article about whether PayPal works in Bolivia, you’ve learned that it does operate in the country, without any issues or limitations, but only if it’s your existing account created in your home country or in a country where the company fully supports its services.
However, you’ve also seen that if you create a PayPal account in Bolivia and link it to a Bolivian bank account or a Bolivian credit/debit card, it will function, but with significant restrictions, and you’ll only be able to send money and make online purchases.
Additionally, you’ve discovered that there are several alternatives to PayPal currently operating in Bolivia, but their availability depends on whether you’re a tourist or a resident. If you’re solely a tourist, your options include your regular credit or debit card and Payoneer. However, if you’re a resident of Bolivia, you have additional options, such as your Bolivian bank account and Soli from BCP, among others.
Finally, you’ve seen that if you’re a business operating in Bolivia, you have other options like Stripe, Stripe Atlas, 2Checkout, PagosNet, and similar services, without requiring Bolivian residency for some of them.
We hope this information has been helpful. If you’d like to learn everything about all the payment processors and methods that exist and operate in Bolivia, including the steps to start using them, please visit our dedicated guide here: Payment Options and Methods Available in Bolivia: A Comprehensive Overview.
CasasenBolivia.com, information on living, working, investing, and traveling in Bolivia.
