La Paz - Post Report Question and Answers
How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You definitely need at least basic Spanish for daily life. In La Paz there are many people for whom Spanish is a second language, and Aymara or another indigenous language is actually their first. Language classes/tutors are cheap. - Jan 2024
Spanish is necessary. Few speak English proficiently. You will need some to get by day to day. There are local tutors available for a reasonable price. - Aug 2022
You pretty much need Spanish. - Dec 2019
Every professional I have met speaks English including the kids' music teachers and tennis instructors. Most of the domestic staff pool and market vendors speak very little English. Taxi drivers are hit or miss. There are local language classes available. - Feb 2019
You need Spanish. You could get around without, but your experience would be limited. There are many options for tutors. I can't speak for price, but I cannot imagine it is expensive. - Sep 2016
If you don't speak the language, get a tablet and use Google Translate. English is more common here than what I was expecting but I still need electronic hep to express more intricate instructions or inquiries. - Jun 2015
You need Spanish for day-to-day communication as locals speak Spanish and Aymara (indigenous language). - Apr 2015
Spanish is essential here. Few Bolivians speak any English. You can get by with survival Spanish or take classes though the Embassy but you need some in order to meet people and enjoy your time. - Nov 2014
Your life will be much more enjoyable here if you speak Spanish. English is not widely spoken. There are a lot of Spanish language schools in Bolivia and private tutors are inexpensive. - Jan 2014
I picked up a lot over the 2 years -- very little English is spoken. - Jul 2013
You must know it to some extent. Very few people speak english here. - Jun 2013
You should have some Spanish. Especially if you leave the main part of La Paz. - Jul 2012
Some will help. - Feb 2012
You must speak Spanish. - Aug 2011
You need to be good in Spanish. It will not be an enjoyable tour without it. - May 2011
Basic Spanish but if you want to have bolivian friends you need to speak the language. - May 2011
Language is very important here. You can get by with the basics, but I feel that to really be able to get around in a taxi, go shopping etc. you should have a good understanding of the language. - Mar 2011
Lots. - Aug 2010
You need to speak some Spanish. - Jan 2010
Spanish is quite useful as most folks don't use or speak english. - Aug 2009
