Rates and limits by bank
| Bank | Bought dollars at (Aug 20, 2026) | Debit card limit abroad (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz | Bs 11.45 | Up to USD 7,500 Bank announcement, Apr 9, 2026 (subject to its fee schedule) |
| Banco de Crédito de Bolivia | Bs 11.53 | USD 5,000 Fee schedule |
| Banco Nacional de Bolivia | Bs 11.51 | USD 500 Fee schedule (PDF) |
| Banco Ganadero | Bs 11.52 | USD 500 (+ Bs 10 per ATM withdrawal) Current fee schedule |
| Banco BISA | Bs 11.52 | USD 500 Official website |
| Banco Económico | Bs 11.56 | USD 500 Fee schedule, Apr 9, 2026 |
| BancoSol | Bs 11.57 | USD 500 Bank statement, April 2026 |
| Banco FIE | Bs 11.32 | USD 500 Official website |
| Banco Unión | Bs 11.45 | Regulatory minimum (USD 500) No different amount published |
| Banco Fortaleza | Bs 11.47 | Regulatory minimum (USD 500) No different amount published |
| Banco Prodem | Bs 11.22 | Regulatory minimum (USD 500) No different amount published |
"Bought dollars at" is the average rate each bank paid its customers for dollars, according to the Central Bank of Bolivia's detail report. Card limits come from each bank's official publications, reviewed on September 24, 2026; confirm with your bank before traveling.
How the official rate relates to these banks
Since June 29, 2026 the official rate (TCO) is the weighted average of the dollar purchases that banks make from their customers. Banks that buy more dollars weigh more in the result, so a bank with a low rate but a small volume barely moves the official figure.
Buying dollars at a bank
When a bank or exchange house sells you dollars, it cannot charge more than the official rate plus 10 centavos: Bs 11.91 today. If you are charged more, complain at the bank's claims desk and then to ASFI, the financial regulator (toll-free 800-103-103). Availability of cash dollars depends on each bank; withdrawals from dollar accounts follow the Central Bank's refund schedule.
Using a Bolivian debit card abroad
- Minimum limit: under the ASFI rule of April 2026, banks must allow at least USD 500 per month abroad or online. Some banks allow more.
- Exchange rate: purchases abroad are charged at the Central Bank's reference rate, with no extra fees for the international transaction itself. ATM withdrawals do have fees, and the ATM owner may add its own.
- Activate it first: most banks require you to enable international use in their app or by phone before traveling.
- Choose local currency when a terminal abroad offers to charge you in bolivianos: that conversion is set by the merchant.