Last Updated on February 13, 2025
Finding houses for rent in Bolivia isn’t drastically different from other countries. You have several options, including Airbnb, local realtors, online directories, traditional newspapers, and “For Rent” signs, among others. However, the level of risk varies significantly; some methods are relatively safe, while others carry the risk of scams or even assault.
The best way to find homes for rent in Bolivia largely depends on your intended rental duration. For short-term stays, Airbnb is generally the best and often the only practical option. For longer periods, Airbnb remains a good choice, but ReMax and Century 21 become the best and safest alternatives.
We are Bolivian real estate experts who assist many Bolivians with their real estate projects (you can visit our Bolivian real estate website). In the following sections, we’ll guide you through the process of finding rental homes in Bolivia. We’ll discuss the most effective methods, outlining the pros, cons, and risks associated with each.
The 6 Main Ways to Find Houses for Rent in Bolivia
You’ll find that there are six primary ways to find available rental houses in Bolivia. We’ve ranked them *from best to worst*, based on convenience and safety:
- Through Airbnb, which operates in Bolivia.
- Through international, well-known real estate companies with a Bolivian presence.
- Through reputable local real estate agents.
- Through Bolivian real estate directories and newspapers.
- Through Facebook Marketplace.
- By physically searching for available rentals.
| Search Option | Short-Term Rentals | Long-Term Rentals | Inventory Size | Safety Level |
| Airbnb | Excellent | Good | Large | Excellent |
| Remax & Century 21 | Poor | Good | Average | Good |
| Top Local Realtors | Poor | Fair | Limited | Acceptable |
| Other Local Realtors | Poor | Poor | Very Limited | Dangerous |
| Newspapers | Poor | Fair | Average | Risky |
| Online Directories | Poor | Fair | Large | Risky |
| Facebook Marketplace | Poor | Poor | Extensive | Dangerous |
| Physical Search | Poor | Poor | Very Limited | Risky |
1) Through Airbnb, Which Operates in Bolivia
Airbnb operates in Bolivia, just as it does in 220 other countries. The company has a substantial number of properties available for rent in our country. Therefore, if you’re planning a *short-term* rental – for example, if you’re visiting as a tourist or staying for only a few days or weeks – Airbnb is by far your best option.
Most Airbnb rentals in Bolivia fall within the $20-$50 per night price range. Many of these properties have been rented hundreds of times to both domestic and international travelers. At the time of writing, *Airbnb has around 5,000 hosts in Bolivia*, with a significant concentration in the three major cities: La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz.
You can find available Airbnb rentals in Bolivia here:
For short-term stays, Airbnb is also *the most affordable option*. A one-week rental averages around $150, and a monthly rental is about $500. In contrast, renting a house through traditional methods typically requires a long-term lease, lasting at least several months.
If you need to rent a house in Bolivia for a short period, such as a few days or weeks, the best *and most economical option* is to search for rental properties on Airbnb.
2) Through International, Well-Known Real Estate Companies with a Bolivian Presence
If you’re planning a longer stay in Bolivia, for several months or even more than a year, your best and most cost-effective option is to rent a house through the traditional method: finding a reputable real estate agent to handle the process.
However, we strongly advise *against engaging just any available real estate agent* in Bolivia. Due to the *prevalence of real estate scams in our country*, it’s crucial to work only with well-known and reputable agents. Therefore, our best recommendation is to hire a real estate agent from ReMax or Century 21. Both companies operate in Bolivia, with a combined total of around 3,000 listings at any given time.
As you likely know, these companies are internationally recognized *for their excellence in real estate services*. Both are highly reputable, safe, and guarantee quality service.
Furthermore, both companies *operate in Bolivia under the same standards as in other countries*, so you can rely on them to find a rental property and handle the necessary paperwork. Both companies are generally well-equipped to assist international clients, given their global presence and agent training.
You can search for available rental properties listed by ReMax Bolivia here:
You can search for available rental properties listed by Century 21 Bolivia here:
To rent a property through these companies, simply contact the agent listing the home. Many agents will be able to communicate with you in English; if not, you can contact the franchise owner where the listing is located. The agents will assist you with the rental paperwork. For details on the required documentation, please refer to our dedicated guide: How to rent a house in Bolivia? Steps and precautions.
If you plan to live in Bolivia for several months or longer, *your best and most affordable option* is to rent a house with the assistance of ReMax or Century 21.
In Bolivia, you can find good rental houses comparable to those in developed countries for around $500 per month for a two-bedroom unit and approximately $800 per month for a four-bedroom unit. Keep in mind that these properties typically require a minimum lease term of several months, *and you’ll need to sign a rental contract with a notary public*.
3) Through Reputable Local Realtors
While this option is available, we strongly advise against it. Most local realtors lack the experience and expertise to effectively assist international clients. Worse yet, some may be scammers attempting to defraud you.
We reiterate our recommendation to work exclusively with ReMax or Century 21. However, there are three local companies *that might be able to assist you* adequately:
- Firma Propiedades (La Paz city only):
- https://firmacasas.com/inicio (Translated: Link).
- Servial Inmobiliaria (Cochabamba city only):
- http://www.inmobiliariaservial.com/ (Translated: Link).
- UNO Corporación (Santa Cruz city only):
- https://www.uno.com.bo/ (Translated: Link).
These three companies are the top-rated in their respective major Bolivian cities, according to our in-depth review conducted previously (you can read it in Spanish here: link, and translated via Google: link).
However, *we don’t believe these companies are fully equipped to meet all your needs*. They primarily serve Bolivian clients locally, each company focusing on its specific city. You can certainly explore rental properties and potentially rent through these realtors if you choose, *provided you are well-informed and understand the local practices*.
4) Through Bolivian Real Estate Directories and Newspapers
You can also find rental properties in Bolivia using the same methods as Bolivians: searching newspaper listings and online real estate directories.
However, we advise against this approach. Many scams and disreputable individuals are behind these listings. Furthermore, most listers are not expecting inquiries from foreigners; they anticipate dealing with Bolivians. You’re also unlikely to find significantly better deals than you would through ReMax or Century 21.
Proceed with this method only *if you are very knowledgeable* about Bolivia, understand how to interact with Bolivians, are familiar with rental paperwork, know how to find reliable Bolivian lawyers (a challenging task, as some are unreliable and may attempt to deceive or scam you), and possess similar skills and knowledge.
Nevertheless, below are links to the most prominent newspapers and online real estate directories in Bolivia:
- Ultracasas.com (Typically, only real estate agents and brokers list here, and the listed houses are usually in Bolivia’s best neighborhoods. Be cautious, as some of these individuals and companies may be fraudulent).
- InfoCasas.com (Similar to Ultracasas, but with a smaller inventory and fewer listings. The vast majority of listers are also not accustomed to dealing with foreigners).
- El Deber newspaper (Santa Cruz city only. You’ll find hundreds of rental homes, but most are located in poorer and less desirable areas. Anyone can list here; it’s similar to Craigslist, but with greater risk).
- El Diario newspaper (La Paz city only. Similar to El Deber, anyone can list, increasing the risk for foreigners. Many properties are also in undesirable neighborhoods).
- Los Tiempos newspaper (Cochabamba city only. Similar to the previous two newspapers; the risk is higher than Craigslist for foreigners and even for less experienced Bolivians).
We strongly advise against using this method to find a rental house in Bolivia. In most cases, you won’t find significantly better deals than you would through ReMax or Century 21, and you’ll expose yourself to the risks of scams, inflated prices, and complex paperwork.
5) Through Facebook Marketplace
Recently, this social network has become the primary platform for Bolivians to advertise their rental properties, through its Facebook Marketplace section, *where you’ll find a vast number of listings* (but also numerous scammers).
This is the preferred choice for average Bolivians to list their rental homes because it’s free, user-friendly, and quick. The inventory is so extensive that major newspapers only contain around 10% of the rentals listed on Facebook Marketplace.
Therefore, if you want to view nearly every house currently available for rent in Bolivia, simply visit Facebook Marketplace. However, exercise extreme caution, as many scammers operate here, and most listers are not expecting to interact with or be contacted by foreigners.
To use Facebook Marketplace to find rental houses in Bolivia, follow these steps:
- Open the Facebook app or website on your device:
- https://facebook.com/marketplace/.
- Alternatively, type “Marketplace” in the Facebook app search bar.
- Navigate to the “real estate for rent” section.
- Apply the location filter to target Bolivia and its cities.
- Use additional filters to refine your search for rental homes within the country.
- That’s it.
You’ll find nearly all available rental properties in Bolivia there, but with limited information about each, along with numerous scammers and fake listings. Therefore, proceed with extreme caution.
6) By Physically Searching for Available Rentals
This is a more reliable option than the previous two because, in most cases, by looking for “For Rent” signs in neighborhoods, you’ll encounter genuine individuals with actual properties available. However, even for Bolivians, this is an uncommon approach and might be a viable option only in specific circumstances.
In Bolivia, people are unaccustomed to seeing foreigners searching for rental properties on the streets. This is a very rare occurrence. Consequently, in some areas and neighborhoods, by doing so, you could quickly become a target for robbers and thieves.
Be mindful of this risk and only search for rentals this way if you are extremely familiar with the local environment!
Comparing the Different Ways to Find Houses for Rent in Bolivia
For Short-Term Stays
If you’re visiting Bolivia for a short period, Airbnb is by far the best, and in our opinion, the only truly practical option.
We emphasize this because, for instance, if you were to rent a house for three months using the standard Bolivian rental procedure, you would likely spend between $1,500 and $2,000, even if you only used it for a few days or weeks. This would be a waste of money, and you’d also have to furnish the entire property.
In contrast, using Airbnb allows you to secure excellent deals for around $30-$50 per night. Additionally, many rentals offer amenities comparable to those found in developed countries.
For Long-Term Stays
However, if you’re coming to Bolivia to live for several months or more, you have another viable option: renting a house through the traditional method.
This entails engaging real estate agents, such as those from ReMax or Century 21. With this approach, you might find slightly more affordable deals, securing suitable houses for around $500 per month. *However, you’ll be required to sign a rental contract with a local notary public, typically for a minimum term of several months.*
Furthermore, you’ll be responsible for fully furnishing the house, unlike with Airbnb, where properties come fully equipped.
Nevertheless, renting a house in Bolivia through the traditional method offers greater flexibility in terms of location within Bolivian cities and neighborhoods. It also allows for more direct interaction with Bolivians and the opportunity to explore areas less commonly frequented by foreigners.
Except for Airbnb, ReMax, and Century 21, There’s a High Risk of Scams
Regarding using methods other than ReMax, Century 21, or Airbnb, such as Facebook Marketplace, local newspapers, or local real estate directories, **we strongly discourage it for tourists and newly arrived expats in almost all circumstances**. These platforms often contain numerous scams and unreliable individuals, and they lack the controlled environment of the previously mentioned options.
Moreover, local real estate agents, local real estate companies, and local homeowners *are generally unaccustomed to dealing with foreigners*. In many cases, they might attempt to inflate rental prices or create complications with deceptive rental contracts or similar issues.
Finally, searching for rental homes by simply walking through neighborhoods and areas of the country puts you at a significant risk of becoming a target for thieves who constantly seek out unsuspecting foreigners. We strongly advise against this option; *it’s uncommon even for Bolivians to do this*.
Conclusions
In this guide on finding houses for rent in Bolivia, you’ve learned about the six primary methods for both short-term and long-term rentals.
You now understand that for short-term rentals, Airbnb is your best choice, offering a large inventory of around 5,000 properties, affordability, and the security of a globally recognized company, along with well-maintained rentals and verified hosts. For long-term rentals, your optimal options are Airbnb, ReMax, and Century 21, as these companies ensure competitive pricing and safety throughout the rental process.
You’re also now aware of the significant risks associated with choosing options other than these three companies. Local realtors, online local real estate directories, local newspapers, and Facebook Marketplace carry a high risk of scams, unreliable services, and inflated prices. These methods are not recommended for tourists and recently arrived expats.
Furthermore, simply walking around in search of rental properties exposes you to the risk of becoming a target for thieves – a practice that is uncommon even among Bolivians.
Finally, you now know that you can find excellent two-bedroom units for around $500 per month through Airbnb, ReMax, or Century 21, with Airbnb being slightly more expensive. Four-bedroom units will generally be around $800 per month. These properties are comparable to decent homes in developed countries, and with Airbnb, you’ll have the added advantage of a fully furnished space.
We hope this information has been helpful. If you’d like to learn more about renting a house in Bolivia, including all the details and steps for both Airbnb and other options, please visit our dedicated guide: How to rent a house in Bolivia? All the steps, paperwork, and risks.
CasasenBolivia.com, information on living, working, investing, and traveling in Bolivia.
