There are three ways to send money to Bolivia: a remittance company (online or at an agent), an international bank transfer (SWIFT) to a Bolivian account, or a platform like Wise that pays bolivianos into a local account. The fee alone won't tell you which is best. What matters is how much your family actually receives after the fee and the exchange rate each service applies. On November 10, 2026, USD 1,000 sent from the US with Remitly by bank account delivered Bs11,064.20, while the same dollars at the central bank's official rate are worth Bs11,750.
What changed in 2026
During Bolivia's dollar shortage, many remittances moved through informal channels. On May 4, 2026, the Ministry of Economy, the Banco Central de Bolivia (BCB, the central bank) and ASFI (Autoridad de Supervisión del Sistema Financiero, the financial regulator) announced the normalization of sending and receiving remittances through the financial system, so people can "receive money from abroad directly in the banking system without restrictions."
Since June 27, Bolivia has also had a floating exchange rate. Every business day the BCB publishes a Tipo de Cambio Oficial (TCO, official exchange rate), which Article 5 of Board Resolution 142/2026 calls "the reference" for the public's currency trades. The TCO in force on November 10, 2026 is Bs11.75 per US dollar, according to the BCB home page. We explain it in how Bolivia's official dollar rate works; you can also check it daily on our Official dollar today tool (in Spanish).
According to BCB data reported by the state news agency ABI, Bolivia received USD 752.6 million in remittances from January to August 2026, down from USD 823.6 million in the same period of 2025. Spain, the United States and Chile were the top countries of origin, followed by Argentina.
The channels, one by one
Remittance companies. ASFI lists five licensed empresas de giro y remesas de dinero (money transfer companies) as of September 30, 2026 (official list): MORE Bolivia, Compañía Interamericana de Servicios, Euroenvíos, Mabrend Hispano Transfer and Gambarte Bolivia. International brands pay out through these firms, banks and credit unions. Western Union offers cash pickup at agents, bank deposit or payment to a Visa debit card. Remitly offers bank deposit and cash pickup through banks, credit unions and Euroenvíos, among others.
SWIFT transfer to a Bolivian account. Best for large amounts, with a full bank record. The sending bank charges its fee, intermediary banks may deduct charges, and the Bolivian bank may charge to receive. If you are paying a contractor rather than family, see how to pay a freelancer in Bolivia.
Wise. Pays into accounts at Bolivian banks, and the recipient "does not need a Wise account," according to its US page for Bolivia. It does not show a cash pickup option.
Mobile wallets and crypto. ASFI lists one licensed mobile payment company, E-Fectivo. We found no official source saying it receives remittances from abroad, so ask first. Crypto carries other risks, covered in is crypto legal in Bolivia.
How much arrives: a real example
We checked Remitly's calculator and Wise's US page on November 10, 2026. Prices change constantly and depend on how you pay.
| Service | Fee | Exchange rate | Bolivianos received for USD 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remitly, paid from a bank account | USD 1.99, charged on top | 11.0642 | Bs11,064.20 |
| Remitly, first transfer for a new customer | USD 0 (waived) | 11.6710 on the first USD 500 | Bs11,367.60 |
| Reference: BCB official rate (TCO) | n/a | 11.75 | Bs11,750.00 |
Remitly converts the full amount: 1,000 × 11.0642 = Bs11,064.20. Its regular rate was 5.8% below the official TCO. Wise works differently: it quoted the mid-market rate (11.86, slightly above the TCO) and deducts a fee that varies with the payment method. Wise warns that "dynamic charges" apply to less-used currencies and in volatile markets, and that it could not guarantee the rate that day, so we don't publish a single Wise figure. Run your exact amount through each calculator and compare the final amount, not the fee.
What Bolivian banks charge to receive
When money arrives through a remittance company, the sender usually pays the fee. With a SWIFT transfer, the receiving bank may charge. From the price lists in force, checked on November 10, 2026 (dollar figures at the TCO of 11.75):
| Bank | Remittance received | Incoming SWIFT transfer in dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Banco Nacional de Bolivia | Bs0 via MoneyGram and MORE | Bs50 to Bs200 (about USD 4 to USD 17) by amount, plus Bs40 (about USD 3.40) for forms |
| Banco Ganadero | No collection fee listed; Bs10 (about USD 0.85) per ID photocopy page | Bs100 (about USD 8.50) up to USD 3,000; 0.60% from USD 3,001 |
| Banco Económico | No fee listed | Bs0 |
BNB notes it does not control charges added by foreign banks.
Which currency it arrives in
Remitly and Wise convert first and pay in bolivianos at their own rate. A transfer sent in dollars to a dollar account can be paid in dollars, and the recipient chooses when to convert. In January 2024, the BCB said it would help financial institutions pay remittances from abroad in US dollars, at no charge to them (Circular CIEX 5/2024). Ask which currency will be paid before sending.
How to collect in Bolivia
- Get the exact details: the recipient's full name as it appears on their ID, the transfer reference number and the amount.
- Bring ID: the Bolivian cédula de identidad (national ID card). Foreigners can use a valid passport or foreigner ID card, under Article 46 of the UIF instructions for remittance companies. The UIF (Unidad de Investigaciones Financieras) is Bolivia's financial intelligence unit.
- Above USD 1,000: the payer records more data, such as address, phone and occupation. If remittances add up to USD 1,000 or more within five calendar days, a remittance company has the recipient fill in form PCC-08, declaring where the money comes from and what it is for (Article 58). Banks use form PCC-01 for cash remittances of that size (UIF/050/2026). It is routine, not a penalty.
- Check the amount before signing and keep the receipt.
How to avoid scams
- No legitimate company charges you to "release" a remittance. If you are asked to pay before collecting, it's a scam.
- Never share passwords, codes or the reference number with callers. In April 2026, the BCB warned about WhatsApp, SMS and email messages offering fake money transfers to steal data, and stressed that it does not serve individuals (statement C3/2026).
- Verify the company. In April, ASFI flagged a fake site using its name, promoted with AI-generated videos and cloned voices; its official channels use only .gob.bo domains (April 21 alert). Check at asfi.gob.bo or on the toll-free line 800 103 103.
- Don't lend your name to collect money for strangers.
- Distrust "better than official" rates in informal channels: no receipt, no one to complain to.
FAQ
Do I need a bank account in Bolivia to receive money? No. Western Union and Remitly offer cash pickup with an ID card. Wise and SWIFT transfers need a Bolivian bank account.
What is the cheapest way to send money to Bolivia? It changes daily. Compare the bolivianos received in each calculator with the BCB's TCO; the gap is your real cost.
What happens if I send a large amount? From USD 1,000, alone or added up over a few days, the recipient fills in a form declaring the origin and purpose of the money. It is a routine anti-money-laundering step.
Can I send US dollars? Yes, by transfer to a dollar account. Apps like Remitly and Wise pay in bolivianos.
This guide summarizes what the BCB, ASFI, the UIF, the Ministry of Economy, three banks, Wise, Remitly and Western Union published as of November 10, 2026. Fees and rates change: check them on the day you send.
