During the upcoming carnival weekend, people who live in or visit Bolivia must take precautions. Unfortunately, we have been experiencing an upward trend in violence and crime. Use taxi cabs that your friends or hotels locally recommend; do not engage in useless arguments that can turn ugly and keep an eye on your belongings at all times; do not show how much money you have; always let your loved ones where you are and avoid driving if you had any alcohol.

This cartoon shows how public safety is perceived in Bolivia, two people in jail talking: “… according to the ‘FELCC’ police reports, everyday there are like 100 serious felonies taking place in Santa Cruz, El Alto and La Paz..!” and the other replies “…everyday…? that is insecure..!! street criminality grows…! we have more security inside here..!” El Diario, February 7, 2012.

You can still have fun, we have rich folklore in Oruro, Potosi, La Paz; people have fun in Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba and Tarija. No matter where you are inside Bolivia, you will meet friendly and happy people, we may have our “issues” with current political trends here like in Venezuela, Ecuador and Nicaragua. But, we can still enjoy  great food, dance with all rhythms and if you like, play with water! If you are new in this side of the world, try our Paceña, Cruceña, Taquiña beers or our Singani (more grape flavor than the Peruvian pisco); all of them with moderation and have fun this carnival!!