Getting around Bolivia
Domestic flights are useful for covering Bolivia's considerable distances and for travelling between the highlands and the eastern lowlands. La Paz, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba are the principal hubs, with services to Sucre, Tarija, Trinidad, Cobija and other regional centres.
Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) operates the country's largest domestic network. EcoJet also serves some domestic routes, including Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Sucre and Tarija.
An extensive highway network connects Bolivia's main cities, but distances are considerable and journey times can be long, particularly in mountainous areas. Major intercity routes are paved, while road standards vary considerably in rural and remote regions. Heavy rain can cause flooding and landslides, particularly during the wet season, and roadblocks can occasionally disrupt travel.
Check road conditions before long journeys, especially during periods of heavy rain or when travelling to remote areas.
Main highways linking La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Sucre and other major cities are paved. Secondary and rural roads range from surfaced highways to gravel and dirt roads, and conditions can deteriorate rapidly during heavy rain. Mountain routes may involve steep gradients, sharp bends and substantial changes in altitude.
Bolivia's principal national highways form the Red Vial Fundamental (RVF) and are identified by an F followed by a route number, such as F1, F2 and F4. These routes connect the departmental capitals, major population centres and international border crossings.
Departmental and municipal roads provide access to smaller towns and rural areas.
Car-hire companies operate at major airports and in cities including La Paz, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba. Drivers need a valid driving licence, passport and credit card, and minimum age requirements vary between companies.
A standard car is suitable for the main paved highways, but a higher-clearance vehicle or four-wheel drive is advisable for many remote areas and unpaved roads. Travellers planning to drive across the Altiplano or around Uyuni should check road and weather conditions carefully and ensure that fuel is available along the intended route.
Taxis are widely available in Bolivia's cities and larger towns. Vehicles vary in colour, but they usually have black-and-yellow chequered markings along the sides. Many do not use meters, so the fare should be agreed upon before setting off in areas where there is no fixed tariff. At airports and coach terminals, use authorised taxi services or recognised booking points where available.
Ride-hailing apps operate in some of the larger cities, including La Paz, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba, although availability varies.
Cycling is possible in many parts of Bolivia, but high altitude, steep terrain and traffic make longer journeys demanding. Mountain-bike excursions are popular around La Paz, particularly on the descent towards the Yungas. Cyclists travelling independently should take particular care on narrow mountain roads and routes shared with heavy vehicles.
Long-distance buses connect Bolivia's departmental capitals and most larger towns, with services ranging from basic buses to more comfortable coaches with reclining or lie-flat seats. Overnight services are common on longer routes such as La Paz to Uyuni, Sucre and Santa Cruz.
La Paz's principal long-distance coach station is the Terminal de Buses on Avenida Uruguay, near the city centre. Tickets are sold at the terminal and by individual bus companies, and booking ahead is advisable for popular routes, weekends and public holidays.
Traffic drives on the right. Seat belts are compulsory where fitted, and motorcyclists must wear helmets. Speed limits vary according to the road and location. Drink-driving laws apply and drivers should avoid alcohol altogether before driving.
Car-hire customers should contact their rental company in the event of a breakdown. Travellers driving in remote areas should carry sufficient fuel and water and ensure that the vehicle has a usable spare tyre, as roadside assistance may be difficult to obtain outside major towns.
Useful emergency numbers are 110 for police, 118 for ambulance and 119 for the fire service.
Visitors driving in Bolivia should carry their driving licence, passport, vehicle registration documents and proof of insurance. Hire companies may have additional requirements, particularly for drivers intending to take vehicles into remote areas or across international borders.
La Paz has an extensive network of minibuses, shared taxis and buses. The Mi Teleférico cable-car system connects La Paz with El Alto and several districts across the metropolitan area, providing a particularly useful way of avoiding congested roads and steep climbs.
Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Sucre and other cities rely mainly on buses, minibuses and shared taxis. Conventional public transport can be crowded and routes are not always obvious to visitors, so taxis and ride-hailing services are often useful for unfamiliar journeys.
Bolivia has two separate railway networks, and passenger services operate on only a small number of routes. In eastern Bolivia, the Expreso Oriental runs between Santa Cruz and Puerto Quijarro, near the Brazilian border, passing through the Chiquitania and towns including San José de Chiquitos and Roboré. The service currently operates once a week in each direction.
In Cochabamba department, the Buscarril Cochabamba–Aiquile provides a local passenger service on the Vila Vila–Aiquile section of the route. Rail services in Bolivia are infrequent and timetables can change, so travellers should confirm schedules before planning a journey.
Passenger boats operate on Lake Titicaca and on rivers in Bolivia's Amazonian lowlands. Around Lake Titicaca, boats from the lakeside town Copacabana provide access to Isla del Sol and other lakeside destinations.
River boats are used locally in the departments of Beni and Pando, where waterways remain important for reaching some remote communities. Services and schedules vary considerably, and river levels can affect travel during the year.
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