Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Santa Barbara, Bolivia is crucial for safeguarding your skin health and enjoying the outdoors safely. With UV levels rising sharply throughout the day, particularly peaking at a striking 10 around noon, awareness of these fluctuations can help prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage. Nestled in a BSk climate zone, Santa Barbara experiences intense sunlight, especially during the summer months, making it essential to stay informed about UV exposure risks. By monitoring the UV Index, residents and visitors can take proactive steps to protect themselves while soaking up the beauty of this vibrant locale.
Throughout the day, the UV Index rises dramatically, reaching its peak at noon with a striking score of 10, signaling a high risk for harm from unprotected sun exposure. Starting off the morning, the index remains low, only 1 until 9:00 AM, when it begins to climb more steeply. By 11:00 AM, it escalates to 8, urging outdoor enthusiasts to take precautions. The intensity diminishes in the afternoon, dropping to 5 at 3:00 PM before tapering off further to 1 by 5:00 PM and finally 0 after 6:00 PM. This data underscores the importance of wearing protective gear and seeking shade during the midday hours when the sun's rays are most potent. Stay safe and enjoy the sunshine wisely!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index exhibits a notable pattern throughout the year, with extreme exposure categories prevalent during the first half and later months. From January to April, the UV Index remains high, peaking at 18, indicating the highest risk of sunburn with a minimal burn time of just 10 minutes. May slightly decreases to an 11, but still represents a considerable risk. The summer months of June and July see a marginal drop to 9 and 10, categorized as very high, allowing for a slightly extended burn time of 15 minutes. Notably, August reverts to an extreme level at 12, while September reflects an uptick back to 15, followed closely by an 18 in October and a peak of 19 in both November and December. Visitors and residents should exercise extreme caution during these high-risk months, especially during peak sun hours. Regular application of sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade are strongly advised to mitigate the harmful effects of UV radiation.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz de la Sierra UVI | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
| Sucre UVI | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 |
| Santa Barbara | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 19 |
| Sacaba UVI | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| Cochabamba UVI | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
| Oruro UVI | 19 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 19 |