Is $25 a day realistic for the Uyuni Salt Flats tour?

No. The 3-day Salt Flats tour costs roughly $100-$150. You must budget for this separately as a 'one-off' expense; it cannot be squeezed into the $25 daily limit.

Can I use a credit card for daily spending?

Almost never. Keep your budget in physical cash (Bolivianos). Most hostels, markets, and buses operate on a cash-only basis.

How to travel Bolivia on $25 a day

Travel Bolivia on $25 a day by sticking to local markets for meals, utilizing overnight buses for long distances, and prioritizing free natural landmarks over expensive private tours. Stay in shared hostel dorms and book all transportation directly at bus terminals to avoid middleman fees.

Eat at the 'almuerzo' markets. Avoid restaurants catering to tourists. Go to the municipal markets (Mercado Central) between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM for a set-menu 'almuerzo'. This typically includes soup, a main dish, and a drink for $2.50 to $3.50.
Take overnight buses to save on lodging. Use companies like Trans Copacabana or Bolivar for long hauls between cities like La Paz and Uyuni. Choosing a 'cama' (full-flat seat) bus saves you the cost of one night in a hostel, effectively keeping your daily budget intact.
Book tours in person. Do not book your Salt Flats or Amazon tours online. Wait until you are in the gateway city (e.g., Uyuni or Rurrenabaque) and visit 3-4 different agencies in person to negotiate the price. You can often save 20-30% by paying cash.
Master local 'trufi' transport. Use 'trufis' (shared taxis) or micro-buses for city transit instead of private taxis. They cost roughly $0.30 to $0.50 per ride. Always ask locals where the designated stop is.

Is $25 a day realistic for the Uyuni Salt Flats tour?: No. The 3-day Salt Flats tour costs roughly $100-$150. You must budget for this separately as a 'one-off' expense; it cannot be squeezed into the $25 daily limit.
Can I use a credit card for daily spending?: Almost never. Keep your budget in physical cash (Bolivianos). Most hostels, markets, and buses operate on a cash-only basis.