Bolivia
Airports in Bolivia: which one to fly into
Fly into Viru Viru (VVI) in Santa Cruz if you want a low-altitude arrival and the widest international connections; fly into El Alto (LPB) for La Paz if you can handle 4,050 m on day one. Choose VVI when altitude is a worry or you are heading to the lowlands; choose LPB when La Paz is your first stop.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
GuideBolivia
Key facts
- Main international gateway
- Viru Viru (VVI), Santa Cruz — low altitude, most long-haul flights
- Second gateway
- El Alto (LPB), La Paz — about 4,050 m, 30–45 min down to the centre
- Domestic hub for Uyuni
- Joya Andina (UYU) — about 1 h from La Paz, US$60–150
- Arrival altitude
- VVI about 400 m; LPB about 4,050 m — plan a slow first day at LPB
- Best buffer
- Keep one spare day: weather, fuel shortages and blockades cancel flights
Details
Bolivia has two airports that matter for international arrivals. Viru Viru International (VVI) sits outside Santa Cruz at roughly 400 m, so you land in warm lowland air with no altitude shock. El Alto International (LPB) serves La Paz from the plateau above the city at about 4,050 m — one of the highest commercial airports in the world. Most long-haul routes from the US, Europe and neighbouring countries land at one of these two; a few regional services also use Cochabamba.
From VVI, the airport is about 16 km from central Santa Cruz; a taxi or remise takes roughly 30–40 minutes and costs Bs 80–120 (2026 estimate). From LPB, the run down into the La Paz bowl takes 30–45 minutes depending on traffic, and the fare is similar (2026 estimate). El Alto's altitude is the thing to plan for: arrive, drink water, eat lightly and do not schedule a full day.
For the salt flats, Joya Andina (UYU) at Uyuni takes domestic flights from La Paz in about an hour, US$60–150 (2026 estimate). Domestic services are run mainly by Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) and a few smaller carriers; schedules thin out in the low season and around holidays, so book early and keep a buffer day. Fuel shortages and road blockades have disrupted both flights and airport transfers in recent years — check status the day before you fly.
| Airport | Code | Altitude | Best for | Transfer to city |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viru Viru International | VVI | About 400 m | Low-altitude arrival, long-haul flights, Santa Cruz and the lowlands | Taxi or remise, 30–40 min, Bs 80–120 (2026 estimate) |
| El Alto International | LPB | About 4,050 m | La Paz, Lake Titicaca, onward domestic flights | Taxi or minibus, 30–45 min, Bs 80–120 (2026 estimate) |
| Joya Andina | UYU | About 3,700 m | Uyuni and the Salar de Uyuni | Short taxi into town, minutes |
| Jorge Wilstermann | CBB | About 2,550 m | Cochabamba, some regional links | Taxi into the centre, 15–25 min |
Tips
Land at VVI if you are unsure about altitude, travelling with children or older travellers, or heading first to Santa Cruz, Samaipata or the Amazon lowlands. Land at LPB if La Paz and Lake Titicaca are your first stops and you have a slow first day planned. If you are going straight to Uyuni, LPB plus a domestic hop is the fastest route; VVI plus a long bus is the cheaper but slower one.
Change a small amount of money at the airport for the transfer, then use city ATMs or casas de cambio for better rates. Buy a local SIM in Santa Cruz or La Paz rather than at the airport if you want cheaper data. Keep your onward ticket and accommodation address handy — immigration may ask. And build in a spare day before any international departure: domestic delays are common.
- Arrive at LPB with water and take the first day easy; altitude sickness is the main arrival risk.
- Pre-book or agree the taxi fare before you get in; use radio taxis or app taxis where available.
- Keep a printed or offline copy of your booking — airport wifi is unreliable.
- Check flight status the day before: weather, fuel shortages and blockades cause cancellations.
Questions people ask
Which airport should I fly into for Bolivia?
Viru Viru (VVI) in Santa Cruz for a low-altitude arrival and the most international connections; El Alto (LPB) for La Paz if you can handle 4,050 m on day one. Choose VVI if altitude worries you or you are heading to the lowlands.
How do I get from the airport to the city in Bolivia?
At VVI, a taxi or remise to central Santa Cruz takes 30–40 minutes and costs Bs 80–120 (2026 estimate). At LPB, the drive down to La Paz takes 30–45 minutes for a similar fare. Agree the price before you get in.
Which airlines fly to Bolivia from the US and UK?
Long-haul routes usually connect through a hub in a neighbouring country rather than flying direct; Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) and regional carriers serve the main links. Check current schedules and routings before booking — they change often.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialBoliviana de Aviación (BoA)
- secondaryWikivoyage – Bolivia