Bolivia offers stunning natural wonders from the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni salt flats to the serene waters of Lake Titicaca. Experience rich indigenous culture, colorful markets, and the world's highest capital city in La Paz.
- Public
- Micros (buses) and trufis (shared taxis on fixed routes) are cheap but confusing for first-time visitors. La Paz's Mi Teleférico cable car system is excellent and tourist-friendly.
- Taxi
- Radio taxis and Uber/InDrive are reliable and relatively cheap. Avoid unmarked taxis, especially at night.
- Rental
- Car rental practical for exploring rural areas like Tiwanaku and Tarija; 4WD essential for Uyuni and highland parks.
- Walking
- Historic centers of La Paz, Sucre, and Potosí are compact and walkable, though altitude makes hills challenging.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Official taxi - $10-15 (30-60 min depending on traffic)
- Shuttle
- Minibus - $2 (45-90 min)
- Bus
- Radio taxi - $8-12 (book ahead)
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Micros (buses) and minibuses throughout cities - Bs 2-3 ($0.30-0.45). No fixed timetables, depart when full. Trufis (shared taxis) follow fixed routes - Bs 2-3. Routes identified by signs in windshield.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Base fare Bs 5-10 ($0.70-1.50), then Bs 1-2 per km. Radio taxis more expensive but safer. Always negotiate price before entering or insist on meter in larger cities.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Primary intercity transport. La Paz-Uyuni: 10-12 hours, $10-20. La Paz-Sucre: 12-14 hours, $12-25. La Paz-Copacabana: 3-4 hours, $3-5. Choose Cama (reclining seats) for long trips. Departure tax Bs 2 at terminals. Companies: Bolivia Hop, Trans Copacabana, Panasur.
Flights
Fastest option for long distances. La Paz-Santa Cruz: 1 hour, $60-120. La Paz-Uyuni: 45 min, $80-150. La Paz-Rurrenabaque: 40 min, $70-130. Airlines: BOA (Boliviana de Aviación) and Amaszonas. Book in advance for best prices.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
El Alto International Airport
From centre: 14 km to La Paz center
Options: Official taxi - $10-15 (30-60 min depending on traffic); Minibus - $2 (45-90 min); Radio taxi - $8-12 (book ahead); Private transfer - $15-25
Viru Viru International Airport
From centre: 17 km to Santa Cruz center
Options: Taxi - $12-18 (25-35 min); Minibus - $2.50 (40-50 min); Uber/InDrive - $8-12; Airport bus - $1.50 (45 min)
Joya Andina Airport
From centre: 5 km to Sucre center
Options: Taxi - $5-8 (15 min); Shared minibus - $1.50 (20 min); Hotel pickup - included with many hotels
Jorge Wilstermann International Airport
From centre: 5 km to Cochabamba center
Options: Taxi - $5-10 (15-20 min); Trufi (shared taxi) - $0.50 (25 min); Radio taxi - $8 (15 min)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
InDrive
Best rideshare app in Bolivia - available in La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Sucre. Negotiate fare before accepting.
Uber
Available in La Paz and Santa Cruz with standard pricing. Less coverage than InDrive but fixed fares.
Mi Teleférico App
Official cable car app for La Paz's 11-line teleferico system - check live wait times and route maps.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
In La Paz, always take the Mi Teleférico cable car ($0.50/ride) instead of taxis for routes covered by the 11-line network
Only use registered radio taxis or Uber/InDrive at night - express kidnapping by fake taxis is a documented risk in La Paz
For Uyuni salt flat tours, book through reputable La Paz agencies (cheaper and better vetted than booking in Uyuni itself)
Long-distance buses: always choose Cama or Semi-Cama class for overnight journeys - regular seats are very uncomfortable on 10-12 hour routes
Domestic flights save enormous time on La Paz-Santa Cruz and La Paz-Rurrenabaque routes - prices from $60-150 are worth it
Altitude affects driving - vehicles run less efficiently above 4,000m and stops are harder on mountain roads