Major city · Bolivia
Puerto Suárez
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Puerto Suárez: see Motacusito caves, a local balneario, and browse Bolivianite shops; longer stays not needed.
Puerto Suárez is a small border town serving as a gateway to the Bolivian Pantanal and nearby caves. Most attractions are close to town, so a single day (or a half‑day if on a tight schedule) covers the highlights.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BOB
- Best months
- May–Oct (dry season, easier border crossing)
- avoid Nov–Apr (rainy season, possible road/flood delays)
- Airport
- VVI
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Bolivia ↗Visa rules depend on your passport (some nationalities need a visa in advance): check with Bolivia's migration authority or a Bolivian consulate.
- Bolivia ↗Most of the tourist route is above 3,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on arrival, and see a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Bolivia ↗Protests and road blockades (bloqueos) are frequent and can close routes and cities for days; watch local news and keep plans flexible.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Puerto Suárez110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Puerto Suárez, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the boliviano (BOB, Bs).Bolivia-wide
- SIM or eSIMEntel, Tigo and Viva sell SIMs with passport registration in their own shops.Bolivia-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Bolivia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up; about 10% in tourist restaurants.Bolivia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Bolivia-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for daytime visits; stay alert at border crossings and use registered taxis.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPay a boliviano or two; bring paper.Bolivia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 118 ambulance · 119 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBlockades and strikes close shops and roads; Sunday is quiet.Bolivia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportVVI Viru Viru International (Santa Cruz) (BoA flights from Santa Cruz to Puerto Suárez; about 1 h flight, then taxi to town.).
- Getting aroundTaxis are the main local transport; they can take you to the Brazilian border (Corumbá) in about 30 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a cafécheckBs 5–8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi within town (3.1 mi (5 km))checkBs 15–20
- Budget bedBudget hotel room, a night, per personBOB 50
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per personBOB 200
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per personBOB 300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BOB 120 · Mid BOB 250 · High BOB 500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VVI Viru Viru International (Santa Cruz) (BoA flights from Santa Cruz to Puerto Suárez; about 1 h flight, then taxi to town.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jun (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Puerto Suárez: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis are the main local transport; they can take you to the Brazilian border (Corumbá) in about 30 min. No regular public bus within town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pantanal (via Corumbá)
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total to reach tour start
Taxi to border (≈30 min), then bus to Corumbá (≈1 h). Tours depart from Corumbá.
Most wildlife tours leave from Brazil; arrange in advance with Ruta Verde or similar.
Motacusito caves
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Local taxi or organized minibus, ~7 km (4.3 mi) west of town.Local taxi or organized minibus, ~4.3 mi (7 km) west of town.
Stalactite formations; no entry fee reported.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Beby (budget)
Rooms from Bs 50; air‑conditioned rooms Bs 80. Central Avda. Bolívar.
Ejecutivo (mid‑range)
Standard hotel on Avda. Bolívar, moderate rates.
Resort El Pantanal (splurge)
Outskirts, pool, transport via phone; higher price.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Bs 120–200 excl. bed
- Mid
- Bs 250–400 excl. bed
- High
- Bs 500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel room2 × 1 night × BOB 50 | BOB 100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × BOB 120 | BOB 240 |
| Taxi to Brazilian border (one way)2 × BOB 30 · check | BOB 60 |
| Motacusito caves tour (guide + transport)2 × BOB 80 · check | BOB 160 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BOB 56 |
| Trip total≈ BOB 308 per person per day, bed included | BOB 616 |
Hotel Beby rates
2026 estimate in Bolivianos; flights and international transport excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a cafécheck | Bs 5–8 |
| Taxi within town (5 km)check | Bs 15–20 |
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | Bs 3–5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Border crossing may close early on Sundays; verify opening hours.
- Train service to Puerto Suárez has been suspended since early 2020; offers claiming tickets are likely scams.
- Avoid paying taxi fare all the way to the Mutún mine (≈25 km (16 mi)); it is not a tourist site.Avoid paying taxi fare all the way to the Mutún mine (≈16 mi (25 km)); it is not a tourist site.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 119
Pocket card
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Puerto SuárezPuerto Suárez
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire119
Embassy
US consulate in Santa Cruz (check address); other embassies in La Paz.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi to Corumbá border: about Bs 30, 30 min (check)
- Bus Rio de Janeiro (long‑distance): ≈28 h, price varies (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (graˈθjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está la frontera? — Where is the border? (ˈdonde esˈta la feˈrenta)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Puerto Suárez. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (dry season, easier border crossing) · avoid Nov–Apr (rainy season, possible road/flood delays) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a short border‑crossing taxi segment to any Brazil‑focused itinerary.
- Include a day‑trip slot for Motacusito caves when staying overnight.
Sources
Ask about Puerto Suárez
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