How to Get to Santa Cruz De La Sierra. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel

Airports & Airlines

Viru Viru International Airport (VVI) is the main international airport, located 17 km (11 miles) north of the central area.

Air Information

International airlines: BoA, LATAM, Copa Airlines, Avianca, Air Europa, GOL.
Domestic airlines: Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) and EcoJet.
Direct flights from Miami, Madrid, Panama City. Connections via From South america hubs.

Airport Facilities & Transfers

VVI offers duty-free shops, currency exchange, ATMs, car rental, restaurants, cafes, and VIP lounges. Wi-Fi is often available.

Transfer Options

Licensed airport taxis: Fixed rates to city center (70-100 BOB). Confirm price.
Shared Vans/Minibuses (Trufis/Micros): Cheaper, less direct with luggage.
Ride-sharing apps: Uber and Didi for transparent pricing.

Flight Availability

Flight prices fluctuate based on demand, holidays, and peak travel seasons (dry season: May-October). Booking in advance is recommended for better fares. Look for deals on Dollar Flight Club and Skyscanner.

Departure Timing

Arrive 2-3 hours before an international flight, 1.5-2 hours for domestic flights, especially during peak times. Online check-in is often available. Security procedures are standard.

Airport Services

Viru Viru (VVI) departure lounges, restaurants, cafes, duty-free shopping, and currency exchange. Terminal Bimodal offers basic facilities including food stalls, small shops, and waiting areas.

Taxes and Fees

Air Travel Fees

No general exit fee for international flights, typically included in ticket price.
Confirm all taxes and fees are part of your fare during the reservation process.
Hidden charges are not common for air travel from VVI.
Retain boarding passes until you clear customs.

Land Border Fees

Small, informal "departure" fees might be requested by border officials.
These fees are often unofficial (e.g., 5-20 BOB).
Be prepared to pay or politely ask for a receipt.
Scams or unofficial fees exist at some land borders.

International Connections

South America

Flights connect to major hubs like Lima, Santiago, Bogotá, Sao Paulo, and Buenos Aires.

North America

Direct flights are available from Miami (BoA) and Panama City (Copa Airlines).

Europe

Madrid is a connection point (BoA, Air Europa).

Land Transportation

Border Crossings

Bolivia shares land borders with Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Always carry your passport and any required visa, and ensure exit and entry stamps.

Border Points

From Brazil: Corumbá (Brazil) to The port Quijarro (Bolivia). Connect to Santa Cruz by train or bus.
From Argentina: La Quiaca (Argentina) to Villazón (Bolivia). Onward travel by bus or train.
Always check visa requirements in advance.

Train Services

Ferroviaria Oriental (Eastern Railway) operates services from Santa Cruz. Services vary in comfort and speed. Book in advance.

Train Routes

To Puerto Quijarro: Connects to Brazil border. "Expreso Oriental" for comfort, "Tren Regional" for budget.
To Quijarro via Roboré and San José de Chiquitos: Serves the Jesuit Missions.
To Yacuiba: Connects to Argentina border (bus travel often preferred here).

Long-Distance Buses

Terminal Bimodal is the main bus terminal, serving domestic and international routes. Many companies offer various comfort levels.

Popular Bus Routes

La Paz: Approximately 18-24 hours. (Trans Copacabana, La Preferida).
Cochabamba: Approximately 8-10 hours. Sucre: 12-14 hours.
Samaipata: Approximately 3-4 hours (smaller local buses).

Self-Driving & Rentals

An International Driving Permit (IDP) with your national driver's license is needed. Road quality changes widely.

Driving Info

Car rentals from agencies at VVI and in the city. Compare rates at DiscoverCars.com.
The principal highways are generally paved; secondary roads are unpaved and challenging, especially wet season.
Traffic is chaotic in cities. Defensive driving is necessary. Night driving outside urban areas is not recommended.

Road Safety Concerns

Poor lighting and unmarked obstacles make night driving risky.
Police checkpoints are common; ensure vehicle documents are in order.
Mountain roads are winding, narrow, and lack guardrails.

Wet season: Unpaved roads become muddy and impassable, river crossings flooded.
Motorcycle/scooter rentals are less common, come with elevated risk.
Sea/River arrivals not applicable for Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

Departure Information

Exit Fees & Taxes

No general exit fee for departing Bolivia via air for international flights; these are usually included in the ticket price.

Fee Details

Air travel exit fees are generally pre-paid.
Crossing borders by land might have small, informal "departure" fees (5-20 BOB).
Politely inquire for a receipt if an unofficial fee is requested.

Departure Procedures

Plan your arrival time at the airport or bus terminal to account for procedures.

Recommended Timing

Airport (VVI): Arrive 2-3 hours before an international flight.
Airport (VVI): Arrive 1.5-2 hours for domestic flights.
Bus Terminal (Terminal Bimodal): Arrive 30-60 minutes before departure.

Airport Connectivity

Viru Viru International Airport offers Wi-Fi, sometimes for a fee or with limited complimentary entry, to departing travelers.

Shopping & Dining

VVI offers duty-free shops, restaurants, and cafes. Terminal Bimodal has basic food stalls and small shops.

Financial Services

Currency exchange and ATMs are available at Viru Viru International Airport for last-minute transactions.

Sea/River Arrivals

Ferry & Cruise Services

Santa Cruz de la Sierra is landlocked. Therefore, ferry services and cruise ports are not applicable for city arrivals.

No Maritime Access

No direct sea access to Saint (feminine) Cruz.
Cruise ports are not relevant to this place.
All international arrivals are by air or land.

River Transportation

River transportation is not directly relevant for arriving in Santa Cruz de la Sierra itself.

Regional River Travel

In other parts of Santa Cruz Department (towards the Amazon basin), riverboats are a main mode of transport.
This is for regional, not city, arrival.
Connections to land transportation from these remote river points exist.

Immigration Procedures at Seaports

No Seaports

Santa Cruz de la Sierra has no seaports.

No Cruise Ship Arrivals

Cruise ship arrivals are not applicable.

Focus on Air/Land

Travelers arrive through air or land border crossings.

Travel Route Planning

Thoroughly plan your arrival and departure routes based on your chosen mode of transportation for a smooth journey.

How to Get to Santa Cruz De La Sierra