Travel Guide: La Paz To Iquitos, Bolivia's Amazon Adventure

La Paz, Bolivia and Iquitos, Peru are separated by a distance of 946 miles. There are several ways to travel between the two cities, including by plane, bus, car, ferry, and taxi. The quickest way to travel from La Paz to Iquitos is to fly, which takes around 7 hours and costs between $150 and $470. The cheapest way to travel between the two cities is by bus and ferry via Lima, which costs between $95 and $150 and takes 5 days.

Direct and connecting flights

There are no direct flights from La Paz, Bolivia, to Iquitos, Peru. The quickest flight takes 4 hours 25 minutes and has one stopover.

Airlines

The following airlines fly this route:

• LATAM Airlines
• Avianca
• Sky Airline
• Boliviana de Aviación
• JetSMART

Airports

La Paz

• El Alto International Airport (LPB) is the main airport in La Paz.
• La Paz is also served by Juan Mendoza Airport.

Iquitos

• The main airport in Iquitos is the Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport (IQT).
• Iquitos is also served by the Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport.

Booking

When booking a flight from La Paz to Iquitos, it is a good idea to book in advance. Airfares tend to be more expensive closer to the departure date. Shopping around for the best price is also recommended.

Multi-leg bus trips

To get from La Paz, Bolivia, to Iquitos by bus, you can take one of the following multi-leg bus trips:

Option 1:

• Take the bus from La Paz Bus Station to Oltursa Lima Terminal.
• Take the bus from Lima Plaza Norte to Pucallpa.
• Take the ferry from Pucallpa to Iquitos.

Option 2:

• Take the bus from La Paz to Juliaca.
• Fly from Juliaca (JUL) to Iquitos (IQT).

Option 3:

• Take the bus from El Alto - La Paz to Arica.
• Take the bus from Arica to Tacna.
• Fly from Tacna (TCQ) to Iquitos (IQT).

Option 4:

• Take the bus from La Paz to Lima - Terminal Arriola.
• Take the bus from Lima 28 de Julio to Tarapoto.
• Drive from Tarapoto to Yurimaguas.
• Take the ferry from Yurimaguas to Nauta.
• Drive from Nauta to Iquitos.

Option 5:

• Take the bus from La Paz to Lima - Terminal Arriola.
• Take the bus from Lima - La Victoria to Yurimaguas.
• Take the ferry from Yurimaguas to Nauta.
• Take a taxi from Nauta to Iquitos.

Option 6:

• Take the bus from La Paz to Lima - Terminal Arriola.
• Take the bus from Lima to Pucallpa.
• Take the ferry from Pucallpa to Iquitos.

Ferry and taxi

To get from La Paz, Bolivia, to Iquitos, Peru, by ferry and taxi, you can follow this itinerary:

• Take a bus from La Paz to Lima - this bus will arrive at the Terminal Arriola in Lima.
• From Lima, take another bus to Yurimaguas.
• In Yurimaguas, take a ferry to Nauta.
• Finally, take a taxi from Nauta to your destination, Iquitos.

This journey will take approximately 3 days and 4 hours, and the estimated cost is between $200 and $220.

Driving

Step 1: La Paz to Tarapoto

From La Paz, you will first need to drive to the Peruvian city of Tarapoto. This part of the journey will cover a distance of around 1,000 miles (1,610 kilometres) and will take you through a variety of landscapes, from the high Andes mountains to the dense Amazon rainforest. The journey will likely take you several days, and you will need to be well-prepared with supplies, including food, water, fuel, and any other essentials. Make sure to also carry all the necessary documentation, such as your passport, driver's license, and vehicle registration.

Step 2: Tarapoto to Yurimaguas

Once you arrive in Tarapoto, you will need to continue your journey north towards the city of Yurimaguas. This leg of the trip will cover approximately 130 miles (210 kilometres) and will take you through more remote and sparsely populated areas of the Peruvian Amazon. The roads in this region can be in poor condition, so make sure your vehicle is in good working order and that you have a spare tire and any other necessary repair equipment. It is also advisable to fill up your fuel tank whenever possible, as gas stations can be few and far between.

Step 3: Yurimaguas to Iquitos

The final stretch of your journey will take you from Yurimaguas to Iquitos, a distance of around 220 miles (354 kilometres). This part of the trip will likely be the most challenging, as the roads are mostly unpaved and can be difficult to navigate. You may encounter river crossings and areas where the road is impassable due to flooding during the rainy season (typically from December to March). It is essential to check local conditions and weather forecasts before setting out on this final leg of your journey.

Additional Considerations:

• Border Crossing: When crossing the border from Bolivia into Peru, you will need to go through customs and immigration. Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork for your vehicle and yourself, including proof of insurance and vehicle ownership.
• Accommodation: Along the route, there will be small towns and villages where you can find basic accommodation and food. It is advisable to research these stops in advance and plan your overnight stays accordingly.
• Safety: Driving in remote areas always carries certain risks, and it is important to be prepared for any eventuality. Make sure someone knows your route and expected arrival time, and carry a basic first aid kit and any other emergency supplies.

Flight and bus combinations

The fastest way to get from La Paz, Bolivia, to Iquitos, Peru, is to fly. There are no direct flights between the two cities, but there are several one-stop options. The flight time is around 2 hours and 20 minutes, but the total travel time, including time spent at the airport, is around 3 hours.

The cheapest airline tickets for this route can be found in November, with prices as low as €134. The most popular airlines for this route are LATAM Airlines, Avianca, Sky Airline, Boliviana de Aviación, and JetSMART.

• 6:56 pm: Depart from La Paz.
• 7:05 pm: Arrive at El Alto International Airport (LPB).
• 7:20 pm: Get your boarding pass and go through security.
• 7:50 pm: Arrive at the gate and prepare for boarding.
• 8:05 pm: Board your flight.
• 8:30 pm: Flight departure time.
• 8:45 pm: Take-off from LPB.
• 8:33 pm (local time): Arrive at Coronel Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport (IQT) in Iquitos.
• 8:48 pm (local time): Deboard the plane and claim your baggage.
• 9:02 pm (local time): Arrive at your destination in Iquitos.

There are also flight and bus combinations to get from La Paz to Iquitos. One option is to take a bus from La Paz to Juliaca, and then fly from Juliaca to Iquitos. Another option is to take a bus from La Paz to Arica, and then another bus to Tacna, before flying from Tacna to Iquitos. These options may take longer but could be more cost-effective.

Frequently asked questions