Viru Viru International Airport is Bolivia's busiest and most altitude-convenient airport gateway, located approximately 16 km north of Santa Cruz de la Sierra at just 416 meters above sea level (compared to La Paz's 4,061 meters).
It serves the country's most populous city and primary economic engine, and offers a good starting point for Bolivia's Amazon region.
How to get to Viru Viru International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to VVI
Parking near Viru Viru International Airport
The official parking area is accessible within a few minutes on foot from the terminal.
It is not staffed but monitored; rates are generally affordable, consistent with regional standards.
How to get to Santa Cruz from VVI
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Viru Viru International Airport
Car rental company desks are located in the arrivals area.
You need licence, passport and credit card; the IDP is normally required in addition.
Hotels near Viru Viru International Airport
Equipetrol
About 2 km from Plaza 24 de Septiembre and the historic centre; toward the airport, however, it's 13.8 km, covered by taxi in about 30 minutes or with minibus line 135, running every 20 minutes from 5:00 to 22:00.
Best for: Travelers who want restaurants, bars and shopping centres within a few minutes' walk, while still being about half an hour by taxi from Viru Viru.
- Ventura Mall, Centro Ventura and the Patio Design Lifestyle Center a few minutes' walk from the hotels
- The district with the highest concentration of restaurants and nightlife in the city
- A taxi is still needed for Plaza 24 de Septiembre and the colonial centre
- Heavy traffic on Av. San Martín and the second ring during peak hours
Recommended hotels
- Hampton by Hilton Santa Cruz/Equipetrol International hotel a few steps from Ventura Mall, with a rooftop panoramic bar and buffet breakfast included; among the most bookable options in the area for those seeking a familiar standard. View availability
- ibis Santa Cruz de la Sierra 120 rooms on Av. Cristóbal de Mendoza, in the heart of Equipetrol, about 2 km from the centre; Wojo coworking spaces and a generous buffet breakfast according to reviews. View availability
- TRYP by Wyndham Santa Cruz On Av. San Martín, in the business district of Equipetrol, 2 km from the centre; outdoor pool and gym, near the zoo and the Paseo Artesanal La Recova. View availability
Trade-Fair Area and Fifth Ring
The Novotel is on the same Av. Roca y Coronado as the Predio Ferial Fexpocruz, about 3 km from the centre; the Swissotel is further out, on the fifth ring, about 16 km from Viru Viru (25-30 minutes by taxi to the airport).
Best for: Travelers attending Expocruz or other Predio Ferial trade fairs, or looking for a large hotel with a pool away from the traffic of the centre.
- A few steps from the Predio Ferial Fexpocruz during Expocruz and the other multi-sector fairs of the year
- Pool, gym and meeting rooms of international standard, with more space and quiet than Equipetrol
- Too far to walk to the restaurants and evening life of the centre or Equipetrol
- An area designed for trade-fair and business traffic, not well suited to those who want to get around without a car or taxi
Recommended hotels
- Novotel Santa Cruz De La Sierra Connected to the convention centre on Av. Roca Coronado, right next to the Predio Ferial Fexpocruz where Expocruz is held; pool, hot tub and free parking. View availability
- Swissotel Santa Cruz de La Sierra The first luxury Accor hotel in Bolivia, on the fifth ring in the Barrio 2 de Abril; rooftop bar with a view and outdoor pool, designed for those seeking the highest standard rather than proximity to the centre. View availability
Zona Norte, toward Viru Viru
About 10 minutes by car from the Viru Viru terminal, on the road heading down toward the city; no chain hotels, only rental apartments.
Best for: Travelers with a dawn flight or a late-night arrival who want to halve the 30-minute taxi ride to Equipetrol or the centre.
- Significantly cuts the transfer compared to Equipetrol or the centre for those arriving or departing at inconvenient hours
- Modern apartments with a pool at lower prices than Equipetrol
- A residential area with no restaurants or evening life within walking distance
- Supply limited to a few private rentals, with no real hotel offering round-the-clock service
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is modern and well organized. From check-in to gate you generally walk 10-15 minutes.
During peak hours customs and security checks can get longer: for international flights it is advisable to arrive at least 3 hours in advance.
Map of Viru Viru International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Does Santa Cruz have the same altitude problem as La Paz?
No: Viru Viru is at just 416 metres above sea level, compared to 4,061 in El Alto/La Paz. Those who suffer from altitude sickness might consider starting their trip from here.
Q. How do you reach the Bolivian Amazon from Santa Cruz?
With a domestic flight to Rurrenabaque or Noel Kempff Mercado National Park: connections are limited, so always check schedules well in advance.
Q. Do I need a visa for Bolivia when arriving in Santa Cruz?
The same rules apply to all entries into the country: as of December 2025, no visa is required for the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, but online migration pre-registration is mandatory.
Q. Are there strikes or road blockades in Bolivia that could affect travel from Santa Cruz?
Yes, bloqueos for political or social reasons are relatively common and can disrupt roads for days at a time: always check the current situation before travelling between cities, especially by road.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
