Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING THERE & AWAY
A landlocked country, Bolivia has numerous entry/exit points, and you can get here by
boat, bus, train, plane, bike and on foot. Some places are easier to travel through and more
accessible than others.
Flights, cars and tours can be booked online at
www.lonelyplanet.com
.
Entering the Country
If you have your documents in order and are willing to answer a few questions about the
aim of your visit, entering Bolivia should be a breeze. If crossing at a small border post,
you may be asked to pay an 'exit fee.' Unless other- wise noted in the text, such fees are
strictly unofficial.
Note that Bolivian border times can be unreliable at best and you should always check
with a
migración
(immigration) office in the nearest major town. If you plan to cross the
border outside the stated hours, or at a point where there is no border post, you can usually
obtain an exit/entry stamp from the nearest
migración
office on departure or arrival.
Air
Only a few US and European airlines offer direct flights to Bolivia, so airfares are high.
There are direct services to most major South American cities and the flights to/from Chile
and Peru are the cheapest. Santa Cruz is an increasingly popular entry point from Western
European hubs. Due to altitude-related costs, it is more expensive to fly into La Paz than
Santa Cruz. High season for most fares is from early June to late August, and from mid-
December to mid-February.
Airports & Airlines
Bolivia's principal international airports are La Paz'
El Alto International Airport
(LPB),
formerly known as John F Kennedy Memorial, and Santa Cruz'
Viru-Viru International
(VVI).
The bigger airlines operate international flights and have offices in La Paz.
Aerolíneas Argentinas
(AR;
3-333-9776;
www.aerolineas.com.ar
)
