Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
economic fortunes now depend more on duty-free sales to Brazil and central government
investment in infrastructure, part of a Pando-wide policy aimed at attracting settlers and es-
tablishing a human frontier to prevent a repeat of what happened across the border in the
Brazilian state of Acre .
Most of the streets are well paved and the town boasts a modern airport out of all proportion
to its needs, though with few obvious attractions and the highest rainfall in Bolivia, it's no
surprise that few travellers make it here. Cobija does, however, offer an adventurous back
route into Brazil and even Peru, and the chance to explore a rainforest region where organ-
ized tourism has yet to make an impact.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: COBIJA
By plane The modern airport was the scene of gun battles between right wing paramilitaries
and the Bolivian army after the 2008 massacre . It is on the outskirts of town, at the far end
of Av 9 de Febrero; a motorbike taxi should cost around Bs10. Most flights are operated by
Aerocon, Av 16 de Julio 37 ( 03 8424575) and TAM, Av 9 de Febrero 49 ( 03 8422267),
and - at considerable inconvenience and expense to all - routed via Trinidad where you'll
have to change plane, though TAM do run a much cheaper, direct daily flight to La Paz (1
hr), usually departing around 11.30am.
Destinations Guayaramerín (1 daily; 2hr 40min); La Paz (4-5 daily; 1hr-2hr 35min); Riber-
alta (2 daily; 2hr 40min); Santa Cruz (3-4 daily; 2hr 30min); Trinidad (2 daily; 1hr 30min).
By bus Buses from Riberalta and beyond arrive at offices strung out along 9 de Febrero.
Destinations La Paz (1 daily; 48hr); Riberalta (2 daily; 12hr).
GETTING AROUND
By motorbike taxi Though riders aren't as common in Cobija as elsewhere, they're still the
cheapest and most convenient way to get around; most journeys cost Bs5.
CROSSING THE BRAZILIAN BORDER
Via Brasiléia The Bolivian immigration office (daily 8.30am-8.30pm) is on the main border
crossing, the international bridge over the Río Acre at the end of Av Internacional. A taxi
from the town centre across the bridge to the federal police office (where you'll need to
clear immigration) in the Brazilian town of Brasiléia should cost about Bs30; otherwise it's
a twenty-minute walk. You need an international yellow-fever vaccination certificate to enter
Brazil here. If you need a visa, the Brazilian Consulate (Mon-Fri 9am-1pm & 3-6pm) is just
off the plaza in Cobija. From Brasiléia there are regular buses to Río Branco, from where you
can get onward connections.
Onward travel to Peru There's also an adventurous route into the Peruvian department of
Madre de Dios from here. From Brasiléia you can get a bus to Asis Brazil, 95km west on
the border with Peru, and cross over to the Peruvian settlement of Iñapari, from where a fully
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