Travel Guide: Brazil To Bolivia

There are several ways to travel from Brazil to Bolivia, including by plane, bus, train, car, or a combination of these. The quickest way to travel between the two countries is by plane, which takes around 6 hours and costs between $120 and $550. The cheapest way to travel from Brazil to Bolivia is by bus, which costs between $100 and $103 but takes over 33 hours.

Travel by bus and train

Travelling by bus and train from Brazil to Bolivia is a long journey, but it is possible. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to travel from Brazil to Bolivia by bus and train:

Step 1: Get to Campo Grande, Brazil

If you are in Rio de Janeiro, you will first need to get to Sao Paulo, from where you can take a direct bus to Campo Grande. Campo Grande is a city known for its famous wetlands, the Pantanal. There are several bus companies that offer this route, including Busbud, and the journey takes around 5-6 hours. You can book your bus ticket online in advance or purchase it at the bus station.

Step 2: Travel from Campo Grande to Corumba

Corumba is the city in Brazil closest to the Bolivian border. You can take a bus from Campo Grande to Corumba, which takes about 5-6 hours. There are several bus companies that service this route, and the price can vary, so it is recommended to shop around for the best deal. The cheapest option is usually around $14.50 USD.

Step 3: Stay Overnight in Corumba

It is recommended to spend the night in Corumba, as the border is only open during the day. There are a few accommodation options in Corumba, ranging from low-budget to high-budget. One recommended place to stay is Pousada 4 Cantos, a simple, family-run hotel located a few minutes' walk from the bus station.

Step 4: Cross the Border to Puerto Quijarro, Bolivia

Wake up early and take a taxi to the Brazil-Bolivia border. The border opening times can vary, but it is recommended to arrive by 9 am to avoid long lines on the Bolivian side. Get your exit stamp from Brazil and then walk a couple of hundred meters to get your entry stamp for Bolivia. The entry process on the Bolivian side can be slow, so bring your patience and water. The Bolivian town you will arrive in is called Puerto Quijarro.

Step 5: Take the Train or Bus to Santa Cruz

From Puerto Quijarro, you can either take a train or a bus to Santa Cruz. The train is known as the "Death Train" and departs from the Luis Salazar de la Vega Avenue train station. There are two train options: the Expresso Oriental, which is cheaper and offers bus-style seats, and the Ferrobus, which is more expensive and offers sleeping-style accommodations. However, as of June 2023, there are reports that the Death Train may no longer be in operation.

Alternatively, you can take a bus from Puerto Quijarro to Santa Cruz, which costs around the same as the train and departs at a similar time. There are several bus companies offering this route, and you can search for buses on websites like Busbud or Bookaway. The journey from Puerto Quijarro to Santa Cruz takes approximately 8-10 hours.

Step 6: Arrive in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a major city in Bolivia, and from there, you can continue your journey to other destinations in the country. There are malls, ATMs, hostels, and transport options available in Santa Cruz.

Fly from Bolivia to Brazil

If you're looking to fly from Bolivia to Brazil, there are a few different routes you can take. The most popular route is from Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, to Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo, Brazil. This flight takes around 5 hours and 44 minutes on average and costs approximately $372 for a round-trip ticket.

Other options for flying from Bolivia to Brazil include:

• From Cochabamba, Bolivia, to Sao Paulo, Brazil. This route takes around 4 hours and 35 minutes and costs around $140-$490.
• From Sucre, Bolivia, to Sao Paulo, Brazil. This route takes around 6 hours and 3 minutes and also costs around $140-$490.
• From Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. There are two airport options in Rio De Janeiro: Santos Dumont, which takes around 8 hours and 9 minutes, and Galeao, which takes around 10 hours and 33 minutes. These flights cost around $140-$490.

When planning your trip, be sure to check for any COVID-19 travel restrictions that may be in place for both Bolivia and Brazil.

Travel by bus

Travelling by bus from Brazil to Bolivia is a long journey, but it is possible. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you plan your trip:

Step 1: Get to Campo Grande, Brazil

If you are starting your journey in Rio de Janeiro, you will first need to get to Sao Paulo. From there, you can take a direct bus to Campo Grande. This journey will likely be an overnight bus. You can use websites such as Busbud.com or Bookaway.com to find the best route and book your tickets.

Step 2: Travel from Campo Grande to Corumba

Once you arrive at the bus station in Campo Grande, you can book a bus to Corumba. This route is served by several bus companies, including Busbud, and buses depart frequently. The journey takes around 5-6 hours. It is recommended to shop around at the station to find the best price, as ticket prices can vary significantly.

Step 3: Stay Overnight in Corumba

Corumba is the Brazilian city closest to the Bolivian border. It is recommended to spend the night in Corumba, as the border is only open during the day. There are limited accommodation options in Corumba, ranging from low to high budgets.

Step 4: Cross the Border

Wake up early and take a taxi to the border. The border opening times are not always consistent, but it is suggested to arrive by 9 am to avoid long lines on the Bolivian side. Get your exit stamp from Brazil and then walk to the Bolivian side to get your entry stamp. This process can take several hours, so be prepared with water and snacks. Once you have crossed the border, you will be in the Bolivian town of Puerto Quijarro.

Step 5: Travel to Santa Cruz

From Puerto Quijarro, you can take a bus or train to Santa Cruz. The bus journey takes around 36 hours, while the train journey is shorter but can be less comfortable. The train is called "The Death Train" and is not recommended for those prone to motion sickness. Tickets for both the bus and train can be purchased online or at the station.

Additional Tips:

• Bolivian ATMs can be unreliable, so it is recommended to bring some extra Brazilian Reais and exchange them at the border for Bolivianos.
• Be mindful of what you bring across the border, as there are restrictions on certain plant and animal products.
• The bus journey from Santa Cruz to Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a common route and takes approximately 36 hours. This journey can be made with various bus companies, such as La Preferida Bus, and tickets can be purchased online.

Travel by train

Travelling by train from Brazil to Bolivia is possible but may be difficult. The train route from Brazil to Bolivia appears to be known as the "Death Train" and has not been running for a few years. However, some travellers have reported taking this route, so it may be operational at certain times. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to travel from Brazil to Bolivia by train, based on the available 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 take a direct bus to Campo Grande. Campo Grande is a city known for its famous wetlands, the Pantanal. You can use websites like Busbud.com or Bookaway.com to find the best route to Campo Grande. Expect a lengthy night bus to be the most common option.

Step 2: Travel from Campo Grande to Corumba

Once you arrive at the bus station in Campo Grande, you can book a bus to Corumba. Several bus companies operate this route, and it usually takes around 5-6 hours. Shopping around at the station can save you money, as prices can vary significantly between different companies.

Step 3: Stay Overnight 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. There are limited accommodation options in Corumba, ranging from low-budget to high-end hotels.

Step 4: Cross the Border to Puerto Quijarro, Bolivia

Wake up early and take a taxi to the Brazil-Bolivia border. The border opening times are not consistent, but it is generally advisable to arrive early, around 8:30 am, to ensure you don't miss the opening. The border crossing procedure is straightforward and similar to other South American borders. Get your exit stamp from Brazil, walk a short distance, and then get your entry stamp for Bolivia. The entry process on the Bolivian side can be slow, so bring your patience and water, as you may be standing in the heat for hours.

Step 5: Take the Train from Puerto Quijarro to Santa Cruz

The train station in Puerto Quijarro is called Luis Salazar de la Vega Avenue. The train, known as the "Death Train," used to operate on specific days of the week at set times, but these schedules may have changed. There were two main options: Expresso Oriental (cheaper with bus-style seats) and Ferrobus (more expensive with sleeping-style accommodations). Tickets for the Death Train can be purchased at the station or online in advance. However, it is recommended to buy them at the station in case you arrive later than expected due to border delays.

Please note that as of June 2023, there were reports that the Death Train had not been running for two years. Therefore, it is essential to verify the current status of this train route before planning your trip.

The journey on the Death Train is not the most comfortable, and it is not recommended for people prone to motion sickness due to the constant rocking of the train. If motion sickness is a concern, consider taking a bus instead.

Additional Considerations:

• The Death Train is called "The Death Train" due to its historical use in transporting people with yellow fever and not because it is dangerous.
• ATMs in Bolivia can be unreliable, so bring some extra Brazilian Reais from Brazil and exchange them at the border for Bolivianos. You may have better luck with ATMs and banks once you reach the city of Santa Cruz.
• If you plan to stay in Bolivia for more than 30 days, inform the border officials, as they may only give you a 30-day stamp by default.
• Register the addresses you plan to stay at in Bolivia online, as this is currently mandatory for all visitors.

Travel by car

The road distance from Brazil to Bolivia is approximately 1,299 miles, and the journey will take around 25 hours.

If you're travelling from Bolivia to Brazil by car, you'll first need to make your way to Santa Cruz, where you can join the BR-070 highway heading north. This road will take you all the way to the Bolivian border town of Puerto Quijarro.

The border crossing is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, but be prepared for long wait times, especially in the morning. You'll need to present your passport and any other necessary documentation to the Bolivian customs officials to receive your exit stamp. Then, it's just a short walk to the Brazilian side, where you'll obtain your entry stamp.

Once you've crossed the border, you'll be in the Brazilian city of Corumba. From there, you can continue your journey to other destinations in Brazil.

If you're travelling in the opposite direction, from Brazil to Bolivia, the process is similar. Make your way to Corumba and cross the border at Puerto Quijarro. After obtaining your exit stamp from Brazilian customs, walk to the Bolivian side of the border to receive your entry stamp.

Keep in mind that border procedures and requirements can change, so it's always a good idea to check with the relevant embassies before your trip. Additionally, while the region is generally safe, remain vigilant against pickpockets and petty thieves, and be prepared for the possibility of being asked for bribes by officials.

Frequently asked questions