Discover Bolivia's Top Aerial Adventure Spots

Bolivia is a landlocked country in the heart of South America, attracting 1.2 million travellers each year. The country is known for its breathtaking landscapes, rich indigenous culture, and vibrant cities. Reaching Bolivia can be challenging due to its location and the limited number of direct flights available. However, travellers can fly into one of the country's three major international airports: El Alto International Airport in La Paz, Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz, or Jorge Wilstermann International Airport in Cochabamba.

El Alto International Airport in La Paz is one of the highest commercial airports in the world, located at an altitude of 3,900m. As a result, large planes like 747s cannot land there, and smaller planes must ensure a light load before touching down. Therefore, most international flights land in Santa Cruz. All international passengers departing Bolivia by air must pay a departure tax.

When travelling to Bolivia, the closest airport depends on your origin and preferred mode of transportation. For those travelling from the United States, direct flights are available from Miami to La Paz or Santa Cruz. If you're departing from another city, you may need to connect through hubs such as Miami, Panama City, or Bogotá. From the United Kingdom, there are no direct flights, and travellers typically connect through cities like Madrid, Miami, or São Paulo. From Australia and New Zealand, there are no direct flights, and travellers will need to connect through cities like Santiago, Los Angeles, or Miami.

In addition to air travel, it is possible to enter Bolivia by land from neighbouring countries such as Peru, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Paraguay. Bus services and rail connections are available, offering a unique way to explore the country and its surroundings.

Flying into La Paz

La Paz is one of Bolivia's two capitals, the other being Sucre. El Alto International Airport (LPB) is the closest airport to La Paz, situated in the rapidly expanding city of El Alto, which is adjacent to La Paz. The airport is approximately 8 km (5 miles) from La Paz in a straight line, but the actual journey distance is approximately 17 km (10.5 miles).

There are no direct flights to La Paz from the UK or Ireland. Common connecting cities include Madrid, Miami, and São Paulo. British Airways, Iberia, and LATAM are popular choices for these routes, offering a range of connections to La Paz. From Ireland, Aer Lingus or Ryanair can connect you to major airports across Europe. The total journey time is typically between 15 to 20 hours.

If you're flying from the US, there are direct flights from Miami to La Paz with American Airlines. Most other flights from the US to La Paz have at least one layover, with common layover cities including Panama City, Bogota, and Lima. The average price of a flight to La Paz is $276, with the cheapest month to fly being August, where tickets cost $399 on average for a one-way flight.

Alternative airports

Although La Paz's El Alto International Airport is the major airport in Bolivia, there are several other airports in the country that serve as alternatives for travellers. These include:

• Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz: This is the largest airport in Bolivia and is centrally located, making it a good base for exploring the country. It is also the busiest airport in Bolivia, receiving direct flights from Miami.
• Jorge Wilsterman International Airport in Cochabamba: This airport is a great alternative to the ones in La Paz and Santa Cruz, as it is less busy. It is also a good option for those planning to visit the resort town of Copa Cabana.
• Sucre Alcantari International Airport: This airport serves Bolivia's second capital, Sucre. Daily domestic flights from Viru Viru International Airport serve this airport.
• Uyuni Airport: This airport is a good option for those planning to visit the famous Lake Titicaca and the ancient Inca civilizations in southern Bolivia. It is also the closest airport to the pink Laguna Colorada.
• Yacuiba Airport: This airport is located nearest to the southern regions of Bolivia.
• El Trompillo Airport: This airport is located in Santa Cruz.

Overland travel from neighbouring countries

Bolivia is accessible by bus from all five of its neighbouring countries: Peru, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Paraguay.

From Peru

The most popular route from Peru is from Puno via the Kasani border crossing near Copacabana or Desaguadero. Both crossings are an easy bus ride (around 4 hours) from La Paz.

From Brazil

The main entry point from Brazil is Quijarro, near the Brazilian city of Corumbá. From Quijarro, you can take a 13.5-18.5-hour train to Santa Cruz. Alternatively, you can enter at San Matías, which is a day's bus journey from San Ignacio in Chiquitania. In the Amazon region, you can cross from Brasiléia to Cobija or Guajará-Mirim to Guayaramerín.

From Chile

There are three main routes from Chile. You can take a bus from Arica on the Pacific coast via Tambo Quemado, catch the weekly train from Calama to Uyuni via Avaroa, or take a jeep tour from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni, crossing at Laguna Verde.

From Argentina

There are two main crossings from Argentina: La Quiaca to Villazón in the southern Altiplano, with connections to Tupiza, Uyuni, and Oruro, and Pocitos to Yacuiba in the Chaco, with routes to Santa Cruz or Tarija. There is also a minor crossing at Bermejo, south of Tarija.

From Paraguay

During the dry season (May-September), you can take a 24-hour bus journey from Asunción to Santa Cruz (roughly 1,000 km).

International flights to Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a popular destination in Bolivia, with 51% of flight searches to the country intending to land in the city. The city is served by Viru Viru International Airport, the largest airport in Bolivia, located 10 miles from the city centre.

Direct flights to Santa Cruz are available from Miami, with American Airlines and Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) both offering routes to the city. The average nonstop flight time from the US to Bolivia is 16 hours and 47 minutes, while the Miami to Santa Cruz route takes around 7 hours.

If you're flying from the UK or Ireland, there are no direct flights, and you will need to catch a connecting flight, usually from Madrid, Miami, or São Paulo. The total journey time is typically between 15 and 20 hours.

For those travelling from Australia or New Zealand, there are also no direct flights. A popular route is to fly to Santiago, Chile, and then catch a connecting flight to Viru Viru International Airport. This journey can often exceed 25 hours, including layovers.

Domestic flights within Bolivia

Boliviana de Aviación (BoA)

BoA is the national flag carrier of Bolivia, owned by the government. It operates both domestic and international flights and serves the most domestic destinations compared to other airlines in the country. From its hub airport, Cochabamba's Jorge Wilstermann International Airport, and secondary bases at La Paz El Alto International Airport and Santa Cruz Viru Viru International Airport, BoA flies to ten domestic destinations: Cobija, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Potosí, Uyuni, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Sucre, Tarija, and Trinidad. BoA is a great option for those looking to explore multiple cities in Bolivia, as it offers many connections from its hub in Cochabamba.

Línea Aérea Amaszonas

Amaszonas is a Bolivian airline with its head office in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and an administrative centre in La Paz. Its hub airport is La Paz's El Alto International Airport, while Santa Cruz Viru Viru International Airport serves as a focus airport. Amaszonas operates a mix of domestic and international flights to Paraguay and Chile. Within Bolivia, Amaszonas serves four destinations: Cochabamba, La Paz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, and Sucre.

EcoJet

EcoJet is a privately-owned domestic airline in Bolivia, operating only within the country. It has its hub at Jorge Wilstermann International Airport in Cochabamba and serves nine destinations across Bolivia: Cobija, Cochabamba, Guayaramerin, La Paz, Riberalta, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Sucre, Tarija, and Trinidad.

Transportes Aéreos Bolivianos (TAB)

TAB is a dual passenger and cargo airline based in Cochabamba, with its operational base at Santa Cruz Viru Viru International Airport. TAB operates services to just three destinations within Bolivia: Cochabamba, La Paz, and Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

Domestic Airports in Bolivia

When flying domestically within Bolivia, you will likely encounter one of the following airports:

• Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (Cochabamba)
• El Alto International Airport (La Paz)
• Viru Viru International Airport (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
• Capitán de Av. Emilio Beltrán Airport
• Capitán Oriel Lea Plaza Airport
• Teniente Jorge Henrich Arauz Airport
• Sucre Alcantari International Airport (Sucre)
• Joya Andina Airport (Uyuni)

Tips for Domestic Flights in Bolivia

When planning your domestic flights within Bolivia, keep the following in mind:

• Arrive early: Amaszonas recommends arriving at the airport no later than 1 hour before departure, while BoA suggests arriving at least 30 minutes in advance.
• Luggage restrictions: Some Bolivian airlines use smaller planes with limited luggage capacity. Checked luggage may be restricted to 20kg, while cabin luggage may be limited to 5kg.
• Flight delays and changes: Due to the altitude and climate sensitivity of some airports, flight delays and cancellations may occur. Additionally, airlines may change flight schedules without prior notice.
• High season prices: Flying during the high season (July-August, Christmas, and Easter) will be more expensive. Consider travelling during the shoulder or low seasons for lower fares.

Frequently asked questions