Last Updated on February 14, 2025
Contrary to what many foreigners believe, new cars in Bolivia are not significantly cheaper than in other countries. Prices are generally comparable. However, car rental costs are minimal, in the hundreds of dollars per month range. Bolivians tend to purchase very old used cars and, increasingly, Chinese-made vehicles.
Cars in Bolivia cost roughly the same as in developed countries. A new car costs around $30,000, and a five-year-old used car is approximately $18,000. However, the average sale price of a car in Bolivia is $8,000, as people in this country often buy very old, used cars. Renting a car will cost you between $200 and $500 per month.
We are Bolivians who have spent our entire lives here, so we can provide you with comprehensive details about the actual costs of cars and transportation in our country. We’ll also share information about the most important car models and types, their prices, and which used cars to avoid purchasing to prevent being deceived or scammed.
The Real Cost of a Car in Bolivia
Car prices have a wide range in Bolivia, for both new and used vehicles, but these *are generally comparable to prices in developed countries*. This is because Bolivia *doesn’t manufacture any cars*; *we import them all*. Therefore, it’s very difficult to find cars here that are significantly cheaper than anywhere else in the world.
What distinguishes Bolivia is that travel is commonly done via public transportation, using buses and taxis. *Most Bolivians do not own a car*. In our country, owning a car is still considered a luxury for most people. When the average person wants a car, they typically purchase a used one for the entire family, in the range of $5,000 to $10,000. This is why the average car price in Bolivia is $8,000.
The situation is different for upper-class Bolivians, wealthy individuals, and expats living in Bolivia. They typically purchase more than one car for the entire family, and in some cases, one for each family member. They primarily buy new cars in the $15,000 to $40,000 range. They also frequently purchase used cars, *but these are usually no more than 5-7 years old* and have an average price of $20,000.
| Type of Cost | Avg. Spending in Bolivia (1 person) per month |
| Transportation | $50 |
| Average car price | $8,000 |
| Average new car price | $30,000 |
| Average (very) used car price | $2,000 |
| Gas cost (1 gallon) | $1.80 |
| Car parking (1 hour) | $0.70 |
| Car monthly loan payment | $150 |
| 1 bus trip | $0.30 |
| 1 taxi trip | $3 |
| 1 Uber trip | $3 |
| 1 flight to another city | $70 |
As we just mentioned, most people in Bolivia don’t own a car; they typically travel by public transportation or on foot. Distances are small in Bolivia, *and neighborhoods are not solely residential but also simultaneously commercial* (and even industrial in some less desirable areas). Therefore, everything is often within walking distance of where you live.
Additionally, there’s a wide range of car prices here, from brand-new vehicles costing around $30,000 to very old, used cars from the 1990s or 1980s priced around $2,000. Therefore, don’t expect to find significantly cheaper cars here. Whether new or used, you’ll find them at prices comparable to those in developed countries.
One notable difference in our country is the cost of gasoline, which is significantly lower than in other countries. *It has a subsidized cost from the government* and remains stable over time. The price is $1.80/gallon. Car parking can also be inexpensive, but it varies considerably depending on the location, with an average of $0.70 per hour.
You’ll also find significantly lower costs *for public transportation*. A bus or minibus trip can cost as little as $0.30, and a taxi or Uber ride as low as $3, regardless of the city or location within Bolivia. Flights within the country are also inexpensive, around $70 for a one-way ticket.
Price List for Common Car Models in Bolivia
Next, we’ll present the average costs for common car brands driven in Bolivia. By far, the most common car brand in Bolivia is Suzuki, offering extensive support availability in all locations and major cities. Toyota is also very popular in our country, with a wide range of models available for sale.
Other well-known and popular brands in our country include Nissan and Ford, both providing the warranty and support you’d expect, available in most urban areas. However, in recent years, Bolivians have increasingly shifted towards Chinese cars. These are of lower quality than the aforementioned brands, but still reasonably reliable and approximately 30% less expensive.
| Car Model | Avg. Cost (New Car) | Avg. Cost (Used Car, 5 Years Old) |
| Suzuki (SUV S-Cross GL) | $22,000 | $15,000 |
| Toyota (SUV Corolla Cross Mid) | $30,000 | $20,000 |
| Nissan (SUV Kicks Sense) | $25,000 | (Juke) $16,000 |
| Ford (SUV Territory) | $35,000 | $25,000 |
| Chinese Brand (SUV Changan CS35) | $20,000 | $12,000 |
However, if you can afford it, *we advise against purchasing Chinese cars*. You should opt for Toyota, Nissan, or other brands widely available in Bolivia (also with Imcruz and Toyosa as car dealerships), as they are known for their quality, durability, and longevity in Bolivia’s challenging geography. Also, if you’re buying a used car here, these brands should be your primary consideration.
Different Income Levels and the Cost of Cars
As we mentioned earlier, the vast majority of people in Bolivia do not own a car. Only around 25% of Bolivian families own one, and this car is typically for the entire family. Because cars are not cheaper here than elsewhere, and the average Bolivian income is around $500 per month, *it’s very difficult for a Bolivian citizen to own a car*.
For this reason, almost all Bolivians from the lower to middle classes typically don’t own a car, either for themselves or their families. When these individuals acquire a car, *they usually purchase used vehicles* in the $5,000 to $10,000 range, with an average of $8,000. In contrast, upper-class individuals typically purchase new or nearly new cars costing around $25,000.
| Lower-Class Bolivian | Middle-Class Bolivian | Upper-Class Bolivian | |
| Avg. Car Price | $0 | $8,000 | $25,000 |
| Avg. Car Expenses / Month | $0 | $70 | $400 |
You can consider an expat from a developed country living here *as equivalent to an upper-middle-class Bolivian*. Therefore, they will also likely purchase a car with an average price of $25,000. However, you can easily find good deals here, similar to those in the US or Europe. For example, a 2001 car with a sale price of $6,000 or a 1992 car for $2,000. But to do this, *you really need to avoid scams* and know where and how to purchase used cars in Bolivia.
Foreigners and the Cost of a Car
As we just mentioned, expats living in Bolivia *behave similarly to upper-middle-class Bolivians*, and in most cases, they’ll purchase a new or used high-quality car in the price range of $15,000 to $40,000. Foreigners living here who know where to buy and find good car deals will also acquire older used cars in good condition for an average price of $8,000.
If you’re a tourist visiting Bolivia for only a few days or weeks and want to rent a car, you can do so very easily through, for example, EuropCar, which is the most important rental car company in our country. There, you can obtain a good compact car for around $200 per month and a good family car for around $350 per month. They’ll require you to leave a deposit for the car, around $500 or $1,000, and that’s it.
It’s worth mentioning that when a taxi driver here notices that you’re from overseas, they’ll instantly increase the fare by 100% or more, making it cost $7 or even $10, while it normally costs just $3 for locals. Be aware of this situation.
| Type of Car Expense | Average Cost (1 tourist) |
| Tourist Avg. Car Expense per Day | $8 |
| Tourist Avg. Car Expense/Month | $250 |
| Renting a Common Compact Car (1 month) | $200 |
| Renting a Common Family Car (1 month) | $350 |
| Buying a Brand-New Common Car (Toyota Prius) | $25,000 |
| Buying a Used Car (Toyota, 5 years old) | $18,000 |
| Buying a Used Car (Toyota, 15 years old) | $5,000 |
| 1 Bus Trip | $0.30 |
| 1 Minibus Trip | $0.40 |
| 1 Taxi Trip (often overpriced for tourists) | $7 |
| 1 Uber Trip | $3 |
If you intend to purchase a used car in Bolivia, you absolutely need to know what you’re doing. Scammy car sellers and dealers are ubiquitous. They’ll offer you complete junk for a few thousand dollars or disproportionately overprice their vehicles. Most used cars in the $2,000 to $10,000 range in Bolivia are advertised on:
- Facebook Marketplace (indeed, the vast majority of them).
- Newspapers (many of them).
- Online car directories.
- With a “For Sale” sign on the car itself.
When purchasing used cars here, you’ll find some legitimate car dealerships (very few), but rather, you mostly have *large, open-air car markets* like the “16 de Julio” open market, where you can find a wide selection of used cars. However, many scammers will also be present among legitimate sellers.
The company we recommend for purchasing used cars in Bolivia is Autopia, a recently established company that generally provides good services. It acts as an intermediary between car buyers and sellers and receives a commission for the sale. Currently, it’s perhaps the only reliable used car company in Bolivia.
Remember that open-air car markets are very risky places to buy in Bolivia, where numerous scammers and thieves will attempt to sell you a car. Many of these will also be stolen cars or vehicles with substandard Chinese replacement parts. Only purchase a used car from open car markets in Bolivia if you are extremely knowledgeable and experienced.
When visiting Bolivia, we recommend that you only:
- Rent a car from the EuropCar company, or search on Kayak.
- Use Uber, which is widely available throughout our country.
- Purchase a car from Toyosa, Imcruz, Nissan, or Autopia car companies.
You also need to be cautious with taxi drivers. Some are robbers who will readily target tourists like you. It’s preferable to simply hire an Uber driver in Bolivia. Public transportation is not particularly risky for Bolivians, but it’s certainly risky for foreigners. Many thieves will perceive you as easy prey when traveling on public transportation here.
Comparing the Cost of Cars in Bolivia Versus Other Countries
As we mentioned earlier, if you’re seeking new cars in Bolivia, you won’t find significant price differences, regardless of the brand or model you’re looking for. This is because Bolivia is not a car manufacturer, *so we import virtually everything* related to vehicles, including parts and accessories.
Therefore, we have prices for cars that are the same as or even higher than those in other countries, including developed nations. It’s also worth noting that cars shipped to Bolivia *are often of lower quality than cars shipped to or manufactured in countries like the US*. This is due to high import taxes and the lack of regulations here to ensure that imported cars meet high quality standards.
Almost the same situation applies to used cars. These depreciate very rapidly initially, and after that, they depreciate at a slower rate, eventually reaching an average price of $2,000 in their very final stages (cars from the 1990s are at these prices). The difference is that in Bolivia, most people use quite old and used cars, which are inexpensive, with an average sale price of $8,000.
Therefore, the average Bolivian typically owns an inexpensive used car, but this doesn’t mean that cars in Bolivia are cheaper overall. It simply means that there are significantly more relatively inexpensive, used, older cars here than new cars.
| Bolivia | Upper-Class Bolivian | USA | Canada | UK | India | |
| Avg. New Car Price | $20,000 | $30,000 | $45,000 | $45,000 | $38,000 | $20,000 |
| Avg. Used Car Price | $8,000 | $18,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $26,000 | $8,000 |
| Avg. Used Car Expenses / Month (with car loan) | $200 | $550 | $400 | $400 | $420 | $350 |
| Renting a Compact Car / Month | $200 | $300 | $600 | $550 | $450 | $150 |
| Renting a Family Car / Month | $350 | $500 | $1,100 | $1,000 | $850 | $270 |
Furthermore, if you compare the average spending on a car by an upper-middle-class Bolivian, you’ll find that it’s very similar to what is spent in developed countries. However, regarding car rentals, prices are very different, ranging from $200 to $500 per month here, while in a developed country, they range from $500 to $1,500 per month.
Remember also that to obtain a loan to purchase a car in Bolivia, you need to have a source of income within our country and receive approval from a major bank. If you have a stable job or investment in Bolivia and are also a Bolivian resident, you can certainly obtain a car loan from a Bolivian bank without any difficulty.
Conclusions:
Here, you’ve learned that cars in Bolivia have almost the same sale prices as in developed countries. However, when renting them, they are significantly less expensive. Buying a new car will cost you around $30,000, a used car around $20,000, and a very old used car around $8,000. Renting a car here will cost you between $200 and $500 per month.
You’ve also realized that you can find expensive cars in Bolivia for around $40,000, as well as very inexpensive used cars for around $2,000, from the 1990s or 1980s. Additionally, the most important brands in Bolivia are Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, Ford, and Chinese brands, which in recent years have become widely used and available in our country. The most important car dealerships are Toyosa, Imcruz, and Autopia (this last one for purchasing used cars).
Finally, you now know that when buying a used car in Bolivia, you must take numerous precautions, as many scammers even sell stolen cars in open-air markets, where you should never purchase a used car unless you are extremely knowledgeable and experienced. And for renting a car, you should engage EuropCar, a company that is the largest and most important for car rentals here.
We hope this information has been helpful. If you’d like to learn more about the overall cost of living in Bolivia, including food, transportation, travel, clothing, etc., please visit our dedicated guide: The cost of living in Bolivia: All you need to know.
CasasenBolivia.com, information on living, working, investing, and traveling in Bolivia.
