A beautiful and inexpensive place without a tourist in sight. Sounds like a dream? It is not. This little piece of paradise exists. Nestled high in the Andes mountains of South America, Bolivia is a little-known retreat with exotic spices with a unique Latino and Native American flavor. Bolivia has a lot to offer…a very low cost of living, an unspoiled natural environment, friendly people, and a variety of climates to suit just about everyone.

Property prices are among the lowest in Latin America and it has the potential to become the world’s next great expat paradise. Bolivia has long been a favorite destination for adventure travelers, yet few American and European tourists make it to this secret spot. Why? Well, maybe it’s because Bolivia is not a destination you stumble upon by chance. Surrounded by large mountain ranges, it is hidden between Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Peru and Paraguay.

The most famous visitors to the country were Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the American outlaws who fled to South America in the early 20th century; it is said that they had their last battle with the Bolivian army and are buried here. As recently as the 1980s, wise old men in Bolivian highland towns could be heard gossiping about the fate of two of America’s most notorious outlaws. In Bolivia, myths are piling up fast, and one legend says that the Incas have an underground network of secret passageways on an island located in Lake Titicaca, which is praised by visitors as one of the deepest and most beautiful bodies of water. in the world.

leave your worries at home

Bolivia is one of those countries that seduces you by pure personality. The colorful bustle of its markets and street vendors, the animation of its nightlife, and the charm and friendliness of its people make it one of the most livable places in Latin America. Bolivia has something for everyone: charming old-world colonial towns with great restaurants, museums, and nightlife, as well as quiet, welcoming developments in rural areas near indigenous towns, where hunting, gathering, and fishing are a way of life. .

The weather is another plus. Temperatures in Bolivia range from the mid 60s to the low 80s, averaging in the mid 70s. Even the hottest days are always tempered by cooling breezes.

Bolivia is a republic with a presidential system of government. Its fully democratic American-style system preserves respect for individual rights and liberties.

Bolivia enjoys a remarkably low crime rate, with violent crime virtually unknown and robbery uncommon.

Americans, Canadians, Australians and most Europeans do not need a visa to spend up to 90 days as tourists in Bolivia, and non-residents can buy property. Live the good life on less than $9,000 a year. Besides the fact that there is no such thing as a rat race in Bolivia, its biggest asset is its cost of living. You can stay in a clean and cozy hotel in the center of the city for $8 a night (or $125 a month) where each meal costs less than $3. Groceries are up to 70% cheaper than in the United States or Europe. A routine visit to a good English-speaking doctor will cost you no more than $20. You can see an American movie for just $2 or take a cab across town for as little as 80 cents. And you certainly won’t have high utility bills: Electricity and heating costs average $15 per month.

Cheap Real Estate

To give you an example of the costs, here are some properties on offer right now:

A 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2,500-square-foot home in an affluent neighborhood with a large yard, a garage, an alarm system, and all modern conveniences, for $75,000.

An 800 square foot apartment with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room, kitchen, central heating, balcony, and parking costs $15,000.

Rents are downright cheap by First World standards. Apartments start at around $75 per month for something small, with houses starting at the $200 mark.

Sure, you could rent a nice two-bedroom apartment in one of the best areas of the city for $175 to $350 a month. And you can rent a three-bedroom luxury suburban home for anywhere from $275 to $400 a month; homes with private pools start at around $500 per month.

I recently helped a client find a building lot for less than $5,000 with good shopping, a lake, and the airport within easy reach.

These deals and many more make little-known Bolivia worth investigating.