Bolivia Airports: Open Or Closed?

Bolivia is a country in South America with a varied landscape that includes rugged mountains, high plateaus, low valleys, and tropical forests. This terrain has made transportation between cities and isolated communities difficult. As such, aviation is an important solution for connecting communities across the country. Bolivia has 3 international airports and many more regional ones. The three international airports are located in the cities of La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz.

Bolivia's three international airports

Bolivia has three international airports and many more regional ones. The three international airports are:

Viru Viru International Airport (IATA: VVI)

Viru Viru International Airport, also known as Santa Cruz Airport, is Bolivia's largest international airport. It is located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the largest city in Bolivia, and serves around 2-3 million passengers per year. The airport offers domestic, regional, and international flights to South America, North America, and Europe. It is a hub for Bolivia's biggest airline, Boliviana de Aviación, and other airlines such as American Airlines, Iberia, and Air Europa.

El Alto International Airport (IATA: LPB)

El Alto International Airport, also known as La Paz Airport, is located in El Alto, the second-largest city in Bolivia. It also serves La Paz, the third-largest city. The airport handles approximately 2-3 million passengers per year and is a hub for Línea Aérea Amaszonas and Boliviana de Aviación. It is located within El Alto, making it easily accessible by public transport, and is about 13 km from the La Paz city centre.

Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (IATA: CBB)

Jorge Wilstermann International Airport, officially known as Cochabamba Airport, serves the city of Cochabamba. The airport handles around 2-3 million passengers annually and is operated by Amaszonas, Boliviana de Aviación, and EcoJet. The airport primarily offers connections to the rest of South America. Cochabamba's downtown is only about 3 km from the airport, making it easily accessible by taxi.

Domestic flights

There are several reliable domestic airlines in Bolivia, including:

• Boliviana de Aviación (BoA): The national flag carrier of Bolivia, owned by the government. It offers the most domestic destinations compared to other airlines and operates international services to various South American countries, the US, and Spain.
• Amaszonas: A Bolivian airline with its head office in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and an administrative centre in La Paz. It operates a mix of domestic and international services, including flights to Paraguay and Chile.
• EcoJet: A privately-owned domestic airline in Bolivia, operating to 9 destinations within the country from its hub airport in Cochabamba.
• Transportes Aéreos Bolivianos (TAB): A dual passenger and cargo airline based in Cochabamba, with its operational base at Santa Cruz Viru Viru International Airport. TAB operates services to 3 destinations within Bolivia and the United States.

These airlines serve many domestic destinations, including La Paz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Cochabamba, Sucre, Tarija, Trinidad, and more. The busiest airport in Bolivia for domestic flights is Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz, with about 186 domestic flights per week.

When booking domestic flights in Bolivia, it is important to be aware of potential delays and cancellations due to weather conditions or other factors. It is recommended to book well in advance and reconfirm your flight before departure. Additionally, baggage allowance on internal flights is usually around 15-20 kg, and you may be charged extra for excess baggage.

International flights

Bolivia has three international airports: El Alto International Airport in La Paz, Jorge Wilsterman International Airport in Cochabamba, and Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz. The busiest airport in Bolivia is Viru Viru International Airport, with about 186 domestic and 60 international flights per week.

There are currently 13 airlines offering international flight services in Bolivia, including American Airlines, Iberia, Air Europa, Avianca, LATAM, BoA, and Aerolíneas Argentinas. However, only a handful of US and European airlines offer direct flights to Bolivia, so airfares tend to be high. Direct services are available to most major South American cities, and flights to/from Chile and Peru are typically the cheapest. Santa Cruz is an increasingly popular entry point from Western European hubs.

Due to altitude-related costs, flying into La Paz is more expensive than flying into Santa Cruz. The high season for most fares is from early June to late August and from mid-December to mid-February, while the low season falls between January and April and between November and December.

When travelling to Bolivia, it is important to be aware of potential roadblocks and strikes that can disrupt travel plans and restrict access to airports. It is recommended to consult local media and check with your airline before travelling to the airport to ensure your flight is not affected by any delays or cancellations caused by these events.

Airlines that fly to Bolivia

Bolivia has three international airports, located in the cities of La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz. The principal airports are in La Paz and Santa Cruz, which are served by several major airlines.

• American Airlines: The world's largest airline.
• Iberia: Spain's flag carrier airline.
• Air Europa: A large Spanish airline owned by Globalia.
• Avianca: A Colombian airline.
• LATAM Airlines: A Chilean airline.
• BoA: This airline flies to Madrid, Miami, São Paulo, and Buenos Aires.
• Aerolíneas Argentinas: This airline flies to Buenos Aires.
• Gol: This airline flies to Rio de Janeiro.
• Peruvian: This airline flies to Cuzco.
• Amaszonas: This airline flies to Cuzco and operates the popular domestic route from La Paz to Uyuni.
• Boliviana de Aviación: This airline serves as a hub for the Santa Cruz Airport.
• EcoJet
• Paranair
• United Airlines
• Copa Airlines
• LAN

New airports to be opened in Bolivia

Bolivia currently has three international airports, with many more regional ones. The three international airports are:

• El Alto International Airport, La Paz
• Jorge Wilstermann International Airport, Cochabamba
• Viru Viru International Airport, Santa Cruz

Viru Viru International Airport is Bolivia's largest airport, serving as a hub for Boliviana de Aviación. It handles 2-3 million passengers per year and is located about 20km from the city centre of Santa Cruz.

There are plans to open new airports in Bolivia, located in the following areas:

• Oruro city: Known for its Bolivian Folklore and the famous Oruro Carnival.
• Potosi city: Known for its silver mines and colonial history and architecture.
• Copacabana town: Located on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
• Monteagudo town in Sucre.
• Camiri and San Ignacio de Velasco in Santa Cruz: Located on the Bolivia Jesuit Missions route.
• Ramón Darío in Beni: Near the Iténez river and the border with Brazil.

These new airports will provide further access to the country and enhance travel options for visitors to Bolivia.

Frequently asked questions