Exploring Distances: Bolivia And Brazil's Unique Proximity

Bolivia and Brazil are neighbouring countries in South America with a shared border that extends 3,423 km. The distance between the two countries is approximately 790 miles or 1,272 kilometres by air travel. By road, the distance is 1,299 miles. The journey from Brazil to Bolivia can be done by land, air, or water, with the cheapest option being a combination of train and bus, costing between $85 and $330.

The distance between Bolivia and Brazil is 790-791 miles or 1,272-1,273 kilometres

If you're travelling from Bolivia to Brazil by plane, the flight time is around 4 hours and 35 minutes, and the price ranges from $140 to $490. This is the fastest way to travel between the two countries.

Alternatively, you can take a bus, which is the best way to get from Bolivia to Brazil without a car. The bus takes 37 hours and 16 minutes and costs $102 to $104.

You can also travel by train and bus, which takes 37 hours and 40 minutes and costs $85 to $330. This is the cheapest way to get from Bolivia to Brazil.

Finally, you can drive from Bolivia to Brazil. The drive is approximately 1,299 miles and takes around 25 hours and 52 minutes.

The Bolivia-Brazil border is 3,423 km long

The Bolivia-Brazil border extends from Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, to Assis Brasil, in Acre. The boundary line crosses a variety of terrains, from large urban areas to inhospitable deserts and forests. It begins in the Pantanal and ends in the Amazon rainforest.

The first treaty of limits between Brazil and Bolivia was signed in 1867 without a proper understanding of the geographical location of rivers in the Amazon Basin. This led to disputes and clashes over the control of the Acre region, which was resolved through the Treaty of Petropolis in 1903, resulting in territorial compensations and the construction of the Madeira-Mamoré Railway.

Travelling from Brazil to Bolivia by land can be challenging and often involves lengthy bus or train journeys. The border crossing between the two countries is in Corumba, Brazil, and Puerto Quijarro, Bolivia. It is recommended to spend the night in Corumba as the border is only open during the day, and the lines on the Bolivian side can be long.

The cheapest way to travel from Bolivia to Brazil is by train and bus

The distance between Bolivia and Brazil is 923 miles by land, or 791 miles in a straight line. The cheapest way to travel between the two countries is by taking a bus and then a train, which costs between $70 and $330. Here is a detailed breakdown of this journey:

Brazil to Bolivia by Land:

Note: This guide can be used in either direction.

• Get yourself to Campo Grande, Brazil: If you are in Rio de Janeiro, you will first need to get to Sao Paulo, from which you can get a direct bus to Campo Grande. Campo Grande is a city people usually visit for the famous Pantanal wetlands.
• Get from Campo Grande to Corumba: You can take a bus from the bus station in Campo Grande to Corumba. This journey takes about 5-6 hours.
• Stay the night in Corumba: Corumba is the Brazilian city closest to the Bolivian border. It is recommended to spend the night here, as the border is only open during the day.
• Cross the border: Take a taxi to the border, which is a straightforward process. Get your exit stamp from Brazil, walk a couple of hundred meters, and get your entry stamp from Bolivia. The Bolivian town you will enter is called Puerto Quijarro.
• Take the train from Puerto Quijarro to Santa Cruz: This train is called The Death Train. It is not a comfortable ride and is not recommended for those who get motion sickness. Tickets can be bought at the station or online in advance.
• Arrive in Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz is the largest city in Bolivia and has many attractions, including waterfalls, beaches, deserts, and markets.

The fastest way to travel from Bolivia to Brazil is by plane

The distance between Bolivia and Brazil is 1,273 kilometres or 791 miles. This distance can be covered by air travel in 1.41 hours. Therefore, the fastest way to travel from Bolivia to Brazil is by plane.

There are several airlines that operate flights between the two countries. Boliviana de Aviación, Gol Transportes Aéreos, LATAM Chile, and Silk Way Airlines are some of the airlines that offer flights between Bolivia and Brazil. The flight time varies depending on the route and the number of layovers. The quickest flight option is the direct flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, which takes 2 hours and 50 minutes.

When travelling from Bolivia to Brazil by plane, there are several airport options in each country. In Bolivia, you can fly out of airports such as Cochabamba (CBB), Santa Cruz (VVI), or Sucre (SRE). In Brazil, you can arrive at airports in Sao Paulo (GRU), Rio De Janeiro Santos Dumont (SDU), or Rio De Janeiro-Galeao (GIG).

In addition to air travel, there are other ways to travel between Bolivia and Brazil, although they may take significantly longer. Travelling by land from Brazil to Bolivia can be challenging due to the limited availability of information. One common route involves taking a bus from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Campo Grande, and then another bus to Corumba, which is the Brazilian city closest to the Bolivian border. After crossing the border, you can take "The Death Train" or a bus to Santa Cruz, Bolivia. This entire journey can take several days. Alternatively, you can also drive or take a combination of trains and buses between the two countries, but these options may also involve lengthy travel times.

The journey from Brazil to Bolivia by land can be difficult without the right information

Travelling from Brazil to Bolivia by Land

The distance between Brazil and Bolivia is 1,273 kilometres or 791 miles. Although travelling by land is the most common way to navigate South America, the journey from Brazil to Bolivia can be difficult without the right information.

Step 1: Get to Campo Grande, Brazil

If you are in Rio de Janeiro, you will need to get to Sao Paulo first. From Sao Paulo, you can get a direct bus to Campo Grande. Campo Grande is a city where most people visit the famous wetlands called the Pantanal. From wherever you are starting in Brazil, search Busbud.com or Bookaway.com for the best route to Campo Grande. Expect a lengthy night bus to be your solution.

Step 2: Get from Campo Grande to Corumba

Once you arrive at the bus station in Campo Grande, you can book a bus to Corumba straight away. Several bus companies do this route and it is frequent. The bus time is about 5-6 hours. Shopping around at the station can save you a lot of money. The most expensive bus is $170 BOB ($25 USD) and the cheapest is $100 BOB ($14.50 USD)!

Step 3: Stay the night in Corumba

Corumba is the city in Brazil closest to the Bolivian border. It is recommended to spend the night here as the border is only open during the day and you won’t want to get stuck at the Bolivian border town for safety reasons. There are a few options for places to stay in Corumba, including Pousada 4 Cantos (low budget), Hostel Dom Alberto (mid-range budget), and Santa Mônica Palace Hotel (high budget).

Step 4: Get to the border

Wake up early and grab a taxi to the border. The border opening times seem to vary and nobody really knows when it opens exactly so it is suggested to head there around 8:30 to be at the border for around 9 am. It is better to arrive earlier rather than later as the lines on the Bolivian side are infamous for being long! The border between Brazil and Bolivia is fairly straightforward and similar to all other South American borders. Get your exit stamp, walk a couple of hundred meters, and get your entry stamp. The entry part on the Bolivian side can be quite slow so bring your patience and water for standing in the heat for hours. The Bolivian town you will be in once you’re done with immigration is called Puerto Quijarro.

Tip: Bolivian ATMs are fussy. It is recommended to bring some extra Realis from Brazil and exchange them at the border for Bolivianos. You will have more luck with ATMs and banks once in the city of Santa Cruz.

Step 5: Take the Death Train to Santa Cruz

Make your way to the train station called Luis Salazar de la Vega Avenue to catch The Death Train to Santa Cruz. The Death Train’s schedule can change at a moment’s notice but when we were there the schedule was as follows: Expresso Oriental (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 1 pm for approximately $10 USD) and Ferrobus (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 6 pm for approximately $35 USD). The price difference is because Ferrobus is more comfortable, offering sleeping-style train seats. The Death Train is not called “The Death Train” because it is dangerous. Its name is from when it used to transport people who had yellow fever many years ago.

There is another option if the train doesn’t sound enticing. Instead, you can take a bus that leaves at a similar time and costs around the same.

Step 6: Arrive in Santa Cruz!

You made it from Brazil to Santa Cruz! The Death Train will stop right at the Santa Cruz Central station. There you will find malls, ATMs, hostels with pools, and transport to your likely next destination of Samaipata or Sucre.

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