You can drive to Bolivia from any one of the five countries with which it shares a common land border. You’ll find direct road connections between Bolivia and neighboring Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru. As a landlocked country, it is crucially important for Bolivia to have good road connections with its neighbors. So despite the mountainous terrain that dominates the Bolivian landscape, you’ll find plenty of routes into and out of the country.
It is also possible to drive to Bolivia as part of a larger Pan-American road trip from the United States. Using the Pan-American Highway, you can travel the length of the Americas. The highway stretches continuously from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska to Ushuaia in Argentina, with just a small break in the Darién Gap in Panama. This means you can follow the Pan-American Highway almost the entire way to Bolivia.
Bolivia is located in the central part of South America. It is a landlocked country bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina to the south, and Chile and Peru to the west. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 16.2902° S latitude and 63.5887° W longitude.
Bolivia’s diverse terrain includes the Andes Mountains, the high-altitude plateau known as the Altiplano, tropical lowlands and the vast Amazon rainforest.
Despite the country’s challenging geography, there’s a range of different ways to travel to Bolivia. While the towering Andes and the dense Amazon Rainforest make getting there a tricky experience, you won’t find a shortage of options. Read on to find out all the different options available to you when traveling by land, water, or air.
There are three major border crossings between Argentina and Bolivia, all located along Bolivia’s southern border. The border crossings are as follows:
La Quiaca – Villazón: This is Argentina and Bolivia’s most popular and frequently used border crossing. It connects the Argentine town of La Quiaca with the Bolivian town of Villazón. It is located in the province of Jujuy in Argentina.
Salvador Mazza – Yacuiba: This border crossing connects the Argentine town of Salvador Mazza with the Bolivian town of Yacuiba. It is situated in the province of Salta in Argentina and is the easternmost of all the border crossings.
Aguas Blancas – Bermejo: Located in the province of Salta, Argentina, this border crossing connects the Argentine town of Aguas Blancas with the Bolivian town of Bermejo. The border crossing is on the Aguas Blancas International Bridge, which crosses the Bermejo River.
There are three major border crossings between Bolivia and Brazil. The dense rainforest means the border area is sparsely populated, making onward travel tricky. The border crossings are as follows:
Corumbá – Puerto Quijarro: This is the most commonly used border crossing between Brazil and Bolivia. It connects the Brazilian city of Corumbá with the Bolivian city of Puerto Quijarro. It is located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, and provides access to the far south-eastern region of Bolivia.
Cáceres – San Matías: This border crossing connects the Brazilian city of Cáceres with the Bolivian city of San Matías. It is situated in Mato Grosso, Brazil, and the border is open to domestic and international traffic.
Costa Marques – Guayaramerín: Located in Rondônia, Brazil, this border crossing connects the Brazilian city of Costa Marques with the Bolivian city of Guayaramerín. It offers the only crossing point into the northern part of Bolivia from Brazil.
There are several border crossings between Chile and Bolivia. These span the length of the border between the two countries. The following border crossings are all open to domestic and international traffic:
Chungará-Tambo Quemado: This border crossing connects the Chilean town of Parinacota with the Bolivian town of Tambo Quemado. It is located in the Lauca National Park and offers scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
Colchane-Pisiga: Situated in northern Chile, this border crossing connects the Chilean town of Colchane with the Bolivian town of Pisiga. It is commonly used by travelers heading to or coming from the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.
Ollagüe – Uyuni: This border crossing is between Chile and Bolivia in the Andean region. It connects the Chilean town of Ollagüe with the Bolivian town of Uyuni. This crossing is primarily used for freight and is not frequently used by tourists.
Hito Cajón – Pisiga: Located in the far south of Bolivia, this border crossing connects the Bolivian town of Hito Cajón with the Chilean town of Pisiga. It provides access to Bolivia’s southwestern region and is often used by travelers visiting the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve.
There are limited border crossings between Bolivia and Paraguay. Getting up-to-date information can be challenging online, so always check with locals for the latest news. The following border post is open and accepts domestic and international travelers:
Puerto Sucre – Mayor Infante Rivarola: This remote crossing links western Paraguay with the south of Bolivia.
Additional crossings are further north along the western border at Villazon and Paraguay’s northern border. We couldn’t verify these borders were open at the time of writing.
A few border crossings between Peru and Bolivia allow travelers to cross between the two countries. The following are the main border crossings between the two countries:
Desaguadero-Guaqui: Located on the Pan-American Highway, this is Peru and Bolivia’s most popular and busiest border crossing. It connects the Peruvian town of Desaguadero with the Bolivian town of Guaqui.
Kasani: Situated near Lake Titicaca, this border crossing connects the Peruvian town of Puno with the Bolivian town of Copacabana. It is often used by travelers visiting the famous Lake Titicaca. Another border crossing is several kilometers away on the other side of the peninsula.
Iñapari: This border crossing is in the far north of Bolivia and connects the Peruvian town of Iñapari with the Bolivian town of Cobija. It is mainly used by travelers looking to explore the Amazon region.
Bolivia has three major international airports that serve as entry points for international travelers. While these airports offer domestic and regional flights, there are very few inter-continental flights into Bolivia. Most long-haul aircraft fly into one of South America’s major hubs, which in turn connects with Bolivia.
The main international airports in Bolivia are:
El Alto International Airport (IATA: LPB, ICAO: SLLP) – Located in El Alto, near La Paz, it is the primary international gateway to Bolivia. Many international flights arrive and depart from this airport, connecting Bolivia with destinations in South America and beyond.
Viru Viru International Airport (IATA: VVI, ICAO: SLVR) – Situated in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, it is Bolivia’s largest and busiest airport. It offers domestic and international flights, connecting Bolivia with numerous destinations in South America and some international cities.
Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (IATA: CBB, ICAO: SLCB) – Located in Cochabamba, this airport is a hub for domestic and international flights. It provides connections to various destinations within Bolivia and select international cities.
Across these 3 international airports, it’s possible to fly directly to the United States in North America, Spain in Europe, and all the other countries of South America. Long-haul flights connected to one of South America’s major airport hubs are often cheaper than direct flights to or from Bolivia.
As a land-locked country, there are inevitably very few opportunities for travel by boat. However, Bolivia does have one significant body of water, which straddles the Peruvian and Bolivian border, Lake Titicaca. In the past, it was possible to traverse this beautiful lake by paddle steamer or a variety of other craft. Unfortunately, those days are long gone, and the only way to cross is on land via the crossing at Kasani (see above for details).
To travel from the United States to Bolivia, you can embark on a road trip utilizing the extensive network known as the Pan American Highway. This route will lead you through Mexico and the countries of Central America until you reach the border between Panama and Colombia. However, crossing this border can be challenging and expensive due to the impassable Darién Gap region. As a result, you will need to arrange for your vehicle to be shipped from Panama to Colombia. For more information on traveling to South America, refer to our blog post.
After entering Colombia, you will continue your journey southwards towards Peru and Bolivia. The table below provides the driving distances from major U.S. cities to La Paz, the capital of Bolivia.
Starting Point | Destination | Distance | Drive Time |
New York | La Paz, Bolivia | 7,567 miles | 171 hours |
Chicago | La Paz, Bolivia | 7,022 miles | 163 hours |
Los Angeles | La Paz, Bolivia | 7,231 miles | 165 hours |
Houston | La Paz, Bolivia | 5,939 miles | 147 miles |
Seattle | La Paz, Bolivia | 7,987 miles | 178 hours |
Foreign nationals can drive in Bolivia using their home country’s valid driver’s license. However, having an International Driving Permit (IDP) and a valid driver’s license is generally recommended. An IDP serves as a translated and internationally recognized document that verifies the validity of your driver’s license in different countries.
In addition to your driving license and an IDP, you also need to:
Driving in Bolivia isn’t for the faint-hearted, so come prepared.
Driving in Bolivia poses some unique challenges on account of its altitude, mountainous geography, and varied road conditions. While the major highways that connect some cities are generally well-maintained, many inner-city and rural roads can be much less accommodating. However, by taking appropriate precautions and planning, many of the risks associated with driving in Bolivia can be minimized.
We’ve summarised below the main challenges when driving in Bolivia:
Carjacking and Armed Robbery: This issue is concentrated in busy city centers. To reduce the risk, avoiding driving in downtown areas is advisable, especially at night.
Poor Road Conditions: Remote rural areas and some economically disadvantaged urban regions may have subpar road conditions. Remain cautious of potholes and other hazards.
Altitude and Mountainous Terrain: Bolivia’s mountainous landscape presents unique challenges, including steep and winding roads, high altitudes, and thin air. Altitude sickness can affect some individuals, so acclimatization is important.
Lack of Road Signs and Markings: Maintaining Bolivia’s mountainous road network is challenging. Consequently, roads often lack clear markings, and rural areas often lack proper road signs, posing an additional challenge.
The best time to visit Bolivia is during the dry season, typically from May to October. This period offers favorable weather conditions for outdoor activities and exploration, with dry and sunny days. It’s an ideal time for hiking, visiting salt flats like Salar de Uyuni, and exploring cities like La Paz and Sucre. However, preparing for colder temperatures at higher elevations is important. Driving conditions are at their best at this time of year.
The rainy season from November to April is best avoided as it can bring increased rainfall and limited accessibility to certain regions. Driving during the wet season is potentially very dangerous, particularly on rural and mountainous roads.
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