Travel and Tourism Information

Travel - International

AIR

The national airline is Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano (LB).

International Airports

La Paz (LPB) (El Alto) is 14km (8.5 miles) southwest of La Paz. To/from the airport: 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 Católica. Minibus and taxis are also available.

Santa Cruz (VVI) (Viru-Viru) is 16km (10 miles) from the centre of Santa Cruz. Facilities: 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.

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. There are also crossings at Port Heath on the Madre de Dios river (Peru), the Bermejo or Pilcomayo rivers (Argentina) and from Brasilia to Cobija across to the Acre river and from Guayaramerin across the Heinez river (both in Brazil).

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 connection from La Paz to La Quiaca and Pocitos (Argentina), and a connection to Arica (Chile), plus also to Coroba (Brazil). There is also a 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.

Travel - Internal

AIR

Airlines operating internal flights are AeroXpress, LAB and TAM (the military airline). Because of the country’s topography and tropical regions, air travel is the best method of transport, although delays, cancellations and general unreliability is highly possible. La Paz (El Alto) - which is the highest airport in the world - and Santa Cruz (Viru-Viru) are the chief internal airports.

RIVER/LAKE

Double-decker passenger boats operate between the various small islands on Lake Titicaca and traverse the many rivers of the Amazon basin (the main thoroughfares being Ichilo, Mamoré, Beni, Madre de Dios and Guaporé rivers); most of them leave from Copacabana.

RAIL

Bolivia has 3697km (2297 miles) of track, which goes to make up separate and unconnected networks in the eastern and western parts of the country. Since privatisation, the railway services have been reduced and services are, by and large, slow and disorganised. The Eastern network is particularly inefficient. Some trains have restaurant cars, but there are no sleeping-car services. The railways have recently renewed their rolling stock with Fiat railway carriages from Argentina. There are joint plans with the Brazilians to link Santa Cruz and Cochabamba.

ROAD

The internal road system covers 50,419km (31,330 miles). Work is in progress to improve the condition of major highways, since the overall road network is rather poor, due to the lack of paved roads. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: Long bus trips off the main routes can be erratic. Most long-distance bus trips are overnight. Taxi: All have fixed rates and sharing taxis is a common practice. Tipping is not necessary. Car hire: Hertz and local companies exist in La Paz. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. This can be issued by Federación Inter-Americana de Touring y Automóvil on production of a national licence, but it is wiser to obtain the International Permit before departure.

URBAN

Bus services in La Paz are operated by a confederation of owner–operators. There are also some fixed route taxi ‘Trufi’ and ‘Trufibus’ systems which show coloured flags for particular routes. Fares are regulated. In some cases, catching a 'truck' can prove a better means of transport, being half the price of a bus and usually more reliable - although transportation is less comfortable.

Resorts & Excursions

La Paz, the seat of national government, is situated 3632m (11,910ft) above sea level and is the world's highest capital city. Mount Illimani stands in the background. The city contains many museums and is well provided with modern and comfortable hotels. Nearby attractions include Lake Titicaca, the Yungas Valleys, the Chacaltaya ski resort and the exceptional rock formations in the Moon Valley.

Cochabamba, known as the garden city, is 2558m (8390ft) above sea level and boasts a long tradition of local culture and folklore.

The state of Santa Cruz is rich in natural resources; the city itself, despite considerable modernisation, still retains much of its colonial past and is characterised by its ethnic diversity (owing to the large number if immigrants its has attracted in recent years). Santa Cruz, which shares many historical links with neighbouring Argentina and Brazil, is Bolivia's fastest growing city as well as the centre of the country's economic growth. This region around the city is rich in tradition and folklore and the nearby rainforest offers abundant opportunities to lovers of outdoor activities (such as fishing or swimming). The area's rich cuisine is also to be sampled.

Potosí is known as the imperial city and is situated at the foot of Rich Mountain, famed for its mineral wealth. In early colonial times, Potosí was the most important and populous city on the continent, and is now one of its greatest historical memorials. The House of Coins is just one example of this.

Oruro is a traditional mining centre, and preserver of many relics of a colonial past. Every year the town hosts one of the most extraordinary and faithful expressions of folklore in South America during the famous carnival (February/March).

Sucre, in the state of Chuquisaca, played an important part in the struggle for independence, and is rich in museums, libraries and historical archives. Among the most important are the Cathedral Museum, the National Library, the Colonial Museum, the Anthropological Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Recoleta Convent.

Tarija stands 1957m (6480ft) above sea level. The area enjoys an excellent climate, and is festive and hospitable. With its beautiful flowers and fine wines, Tarija is the ideal place for finding peace and quiet.

The states of Beni and Pando, situated in the heart of the Bolivian jungle, occupy a region which offers the visitor landscapes of warmth and colour. The 'Golden' Pantiti with many navigable rivers is a popular place for excursions by both land and water. Good fishing is also possible in the region. The major towns in the area are Trinidad and Cobija.