World Country Guide

Travel - International

Note
There are no restrictions on travel throughout Bolivia, but unpredictable bouts of social unrest can affect main tourist areas and internal travel. Transport strikes can affect movement in and out of the country. It is best to avoid demonstrations and respect roadblocks.

Air
The national airline is Lloyd Areo Boliviano (LB). Other airlines serving Bolivia include American Airlines, which flies from major European cities to La Paz via Miami. British Airways flies to Miami and Rio, from where connecting LAB or Varig flights to Bolivia are available.

Approximate flight times
From La Paz to London is 14 hours 30 minutes and from Santa Cruz is 14 hours 40 minutes.

International airports
La Paz (LPB) (El Alto) is 14km (8.5 miles) southwest of La Paz. Coach services to the city depart whenever there are scheduled flight arrivals (travel time – 20 minutes). Services from the city to the airport depart from Plaza Isabel La Catlica. Minibus and taxis are also available.
Santa Cruz (VVI) (Viru-Viru) is 16km (10 miles) from the centre of Santa Cruz. Restaurant and duty-free facilities are available.

The Visit South America Pass
The Visit South America Pass: Must be bought outside South America in country of residence and allows unlimited travel to 36 cities in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines include Aer Lingus (EI), American Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Finnair (AY), IBERIA (IB), LAN-Chile (LA) and Qantas (QF). A minimum of three flights must be booked, with no maximum; the maximum stay is 60 days, with no minimum, and prices depend on the amount of flight zones covered. Children under 12 years of age are entitled to a 33 per cent discount and infants (under two years old) only pay 10 per cent of the adult fare. For further details, contact one of the participating airlines.

Departure tax
US$25. Payable in US Dollars for all non-residents. For visitors staying longer than 90 days: US$50.

Sea
Although it is a member of the International Maritime Organisation, Bolivia is wholly landlocked. However, it is possible to reach ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Peru by ship, and from there there are rail connections to La Paz or Santa Cruz. The nearest seaport is Arica in the extreme north of Chile.

Lake
Steamers cross Lake Titicaca to the Peruvian port of Puno from Guaqui, the most important port on the lake. Situated 90km (56 miles) from La Paz, it is accessible both by road and rail, though services are generally slow.

Rail
There is a twice-weekly connection from La Paz to Buenos Aires (Argentina), and a twice-monthly connection to Arica (Chile). There is also a weekly train to Calama (Chile) with bus connections to Antofagasta.

Road
The Pan-American Highway which links the Argentine Republic with Peru crosses Bolivian territory from the south to the northwest. Driving in the rainy season may be hazardous. During recent years, much attention has been given to new roads, and the principal highways are now well maintained.