[Stories & Tips]

I’m sure I won’t be the first one to tell you about all of the drugs in South America. Once you enter Bolivia, Colombia, Argentina, or Peru the drugs will be ready and available for your tastings. Be warned, buying and using drugs in South America are completely illegal. Considering I witnessed a Bolivian prison first hand, I highly advise against it but if you must then you better use your common sense and be extra careful!

When will you encounter drugs? Most common place will be in the hostel. I suppose that would be the safest place to buy it, however, its still sketchy. Otherwise, drugs will be offered in the bars, clubs, beaches, and at illegal jewelry street vendors. You better believe that the local drug dealers work with the cops. As fast as it takes to buy pot or cocaine, it can be just as fast to get caught and arrested.

There are places called “cocaine bars” in Bolivia. A popular one amongst gringos is called Route 36 in La Paz. I was persuaded into going to it but looking back at it now, I 100% do not recommend it. I actually think it was one of the stupidest things I have ever done. In order to get there, we needed to hire a private/secret taxi. That should have been a big hint that wherever we were going to was going to be dodgy. Once we arrived, we rang the doorbell and the owners inspected us. Inside it was lightly dimmed and we were the first ones there. We ordered beers and the Australian guys we were with bought cocaine. I became sketched out fast and decided to pass on the cocaine. The lights started to flicker on and off in the joint, which meant that there were people outside. Soon more gringos started to roll in and within hours the place was jammed packed with travelers.

I kept thinking how this place was a gold mine. Bolivia is beyond corrupt and I couldn’t stop thinking about how easy it would be for the owners to call the police and have them raid the joint. Each and every one of us would have either been sent to prison or would have had to cough up hundreds and hundreds of dollars to pay them off. Nothing ended up happening but that situation could have turned bad REAL fast.

Even though drugs can be a blast just keep in mind about how not of a blast a prison would be.