Bolivia

Hoodlum offers expert film fixer services in Bolivia, facilitating international productions of every scale with a full range of services, including location scouting, obtaining permits, full range of logistic support and connecting production teams with local talent and experienced crew.

Ultimate Filming Guide for Bolivia

Capital

Sucre, La Paz

Main Cities

La Paz, Sucre, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, El Alto

Local Languages

Spanish plus 36 recognized indigenous languages

Currency

Boliviano (BOB)

Climate

Highland, Tropical

General Visa Requirements:

Bolivia is known for its breathtaking natural backdrops — from the Salar de Uyuni salt flats and Andean mountains to Amazonian forests and historic colonial cities. The country is increasingly popular with international productions seeking dramatic landscapes and cost-effective shooting conditions. Citizens of most Latin American and EU countries, as well as the U.K. and Canada, can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. U.S. citizens require a visa (obtainable on arrival or at consulates). For commercial film projects, a filming permit and sometimes a temporary work visa are required. All international productions must register with the Bolivian Film Agency (Agencia del Cine y Audiovisuales de Bolivia – Adecine).

Required Documents:

Foreign crews must prepare the following to obtain filming authorization and entry permission:

Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
Invitation letter or co-production agreement with a Bolivian production company
Proof of accommodation and return travel
Health and travel insurance
Detailed filming schedule and location list
Crew list with names, roles, and passport copies
Synopsis or script summary (for national approval if filming in protected or cultural sites)
Proof of project funding
Equipment list and temporary import documentation

Productions are strongly encouraged to partner with a Bolivian production service company like Hoodlum Film Fixers Bolivia to facilitate applications, customs clearance, and translation of official documents.

Visa Application Process:

Visa and entry requirements are outlined by the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería de Bolivia):
👉 https://www.cancilleria.gob.bo/

Processing Time:

Visa on arrival: Immediate for eligible nationalities. Film permit approval: 5–15 business days through Adecine. Work permit (if needed): 2–4 weeks. Customs clearance: 1–2 business days with prior notice. Begin coordination 6–8 weeks before principal photography, especially if filming in protected areas or with aerial equipment.

Cost:

Film permit: US$100–US$500 depending on project scale.Work visa (temporary): approx. US$85 per person. Protected area permits (e.g., Salar de Uyuni, national parks): US$150–US$500 depending on environmental oversight.

Accreditation Requirements:

Foreign productions must be registered with Adecine, which oversees audiovisual works and coordinates filming with relevant ministries (Culture, Environment, Tourism).

Required Documents:

Valid passport with at least six months’ validity
Visa (if applicable)
Crew ID or company identification
Medical certificate
Flight itinerary
Letter of introduction from the production company
Project description and proposal
Proof of insurance

The registration grants access to:

Location permits
Customs clearance assistance
Police and municipal coordination

Processing Time:

Crew registration with Adecine: 5 business days. Local filming permissions: 1–3 weeks.

Cost:

Crew accreditation: free, but location or environmental fees may apply for specific filming sites.

Issuing Organization:

Film permits are issued primarily by:

Adecine (Agencia del Cine y Audiovisuales de Bolivia) – national body for production oversight.
Municipal governments – for filming in city streets, parks, and plazas.
Servicio Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SERNAP) – for filming in national parks and conservation areas.
Ministry of Cultures, Decolonization, and Depatriarchalization – for historical or archaeological sites.

Required Documents:

Registration with CONACINE
Letter to Executive Director of CONACINE with project details, filming locations, format, duration, and crew list
List of equipment
Copy of producer’s passport
Flight itinerary
Legal domicile documentation (legalized)
Commitment to deliver a copy of the final film to Cinematheque archives
Completed valued form (Foreign Filming License)

Processing Time:

Small-scale productions: 5–7 working days. Large or environmentally sensitive projects: 2–4 weeks (including reviews by SERNAP or cultural heritage authorities).

Cost:

Municipal permit fees: typically US$50–US$200. National parks / archaeological sites: US$200–US$800 depending on location and impact. Private locations: negotiated individually with property owners.

Location Scouting / Location Permits Information:

Hoodlum Film Fixers Bolivia assist with:

Scouting and securing private estates, haciendas, hotels, and salt flats access
Negotiating access and rates
Handling municipal and environmental coordination
Hiring local crew and logistics (transport, catering, and accommodation)

Location Scouting / Permitting Cost & Processing Time

Costs depend on accessibility, duration, and exclusivity.

Drone Regulations:

To register a local drone, applicants must provide a valid pilot license, a medical certificate, flight itinerary, and drone details (serial number, make, and model). Importing a drone requires additional documentation including a commercial invoice, bill of lading or airway bill, packing list, certificate of origin, import permit, and customs declaration form.

Drone Importation Regulations:

Drone registration with DGAC
Licensed pilot or certified operator (foreign certifications may be accepted)
Flight plan submission for restricted or populated areas
Liability insurance
Authorization from SERNAP if flying in natural reserves

Permit Issuance:

DGAC (Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil).

Drone filming over national parks, archaeological sites, or indigenous territories requires additional ministry authorization.

Timing:

7–15 business days.

Cost:

Additional costs for permits depending on use and drone type

Carnet Status:

Bolivia is not an ATA Carnet country. You can’t rely on a carnet for film gear entry. Use Bolivia’s Temporary Admission for Re-export in the Same State customs regime instead and obtain ADECINE filming permissions for foreign productions.

ADECINE handles foreign filming permissions and has a specific process titled “Ingreso y salida temporal de equipos de filmación” with required documents (letter, LC-02 form, equipment list, ADECINE filming license for foreign productions, passports). It states submit 96 hours (4 business days) before the equipment arrives.

Required Documents:

Excel sheet listing all equipment with detailed specifications
All listed equipment must exit the country exactly as declared

Issuing Organization:

Aduanas Nacionales (AIN)

Timing:

2–3 weeks in some cases customs clearance is generally efficient, taking 1–2 business days with prior coordination.

Cost:

$500–$2,500

General Overview:

Bolivia is generally safe for film crews, though logistics can be challenging in remote Andean and Amazonian regions.
Local fixers are essential for transportation, permissions, and cultural mediation in indigenous territories.
Adequate insurance is mandatory.
Altitude and extreme weather require medical and contingency planning (especially in highland areas like Uyuni or La Paz).
SERNAP and local authorities can assign environmental supervisors for sensitive shoots.

Security Requirements:

For film productions, it is advisable to hire a local security company to provide on-site support, especially for large productions or in crowded locations.

Rebates/Incentives:

National Incentive System (Adecine & Ministry of Cultures)

Bolivia currently offers rebate-style benefits and exemptions rather than a formal cash rebate.

Key Features:

Exemption from customs duties and VAT on imported film equipment and materials for temporary use.
Waiver of location fees for government-owned properties for qualifying projects.
Tax deductions for Bolivian co-producers participating in international projects.
Local subsidies (grants and funding calls) via Adecine for feature films, documentaries, and animation — often available to international co-productions under cultural cooperation agreements.
Funding and co-production partnerships possible through the Ibermedia Program, of which Bolivia is a member.
Applications must be submitted before production begins with a Bolivian co-producer.

Regional Incentives:
Some municipalities (e.g., La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz) provide permit fee reductions and logistical support for productions showcasing local culture or heritage.