Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The minor border crossing at
Bermejo/Agua Blanca
(8am to 5pm) south of Tarija is at
an international bridge that leads onto a highway going further into Argentina.
BRAZIL
Note that proof of yellow-fever vaccination is needed when crossing into Brazil. If you
don't have one, you can get a shot at the border (in relatively sanitary conditions).
Bolivia can be accessed via the
Quijarro/Corumbá
crossing.
Frequent motorboats (B$10) provide a novel water entry/exit via Río Mamoré at
Guayaramerín/Guajará-Mirim
(8am to 8pm). There are no restrictions when entering
Guajará-Mirim for a quick visit, but if you intend to travel further into Brazil, you must
pick up an entry/exit stamp. For departure stamps from Bolivia, head to the Polícia Feder-
al in
Bolivian immigration
(
8am-8pm)
by the dock.
Alternative ferry options are becoming less common, but can provide short hops across
borders in the Amazon Basin at far-flung locales such as Parque Nacional Noel Kempff
Mercado and Pimienteras in Bolivia, and Cobija and Brasiléia in Brazil.
CHILE
Note that meat, fruit and food produce (including coca leaves) cannot be taken from
Bolivia into Chile and will be confiscated at the border.
The most popular route between Chile and Bolivia is by bus from La Paz to Arica
through the border at
Chungará/Tambo Quemado
(8am to 8pm). A convenient alternat-
ive for those doing the 4WD Southwest Circuit tour is to be dropped off on the last day at
Hito Cajón
(8am to 11pm, although it's wise to be there before 6pm) and head for San
Pedro, Chile (many tour operators now offer transfers). From here, you can pick up a bus.
Note the one-hour trip between the Bolivian border and San Pedro - it's better to arrange
transport for this in advance, in case taxis aren't waiting. Alternatively, there is a less used
road between Oruro and Iquique with a border at
Pisiga/Colchane
(8am to 8pm).
A crossing can be made by train or road from Uyuni to Calama, where the border cross-
ing is
Ollagüe
/
Avaroa
(8am to 8pm).
PARAGUAY
The easiest route between Paraguay and Bolivia is to cross from Pedro Juan Caballero (in
Asunción, Paraguay) to Ponta Porã (Brazil), and then travel by bus or train to Corumbá
(Brazil) and Quijarro (Bolivia).
The trans-Chaco bus trip between Santa Cruz in Bolivia and Asunción in Paraguay is a
daily service. This is a notorious smuggling route, so expect to be lined up with your bags
while customs officials and sniffer dogs rifle through your possessions.
