Car Rental at El Alto International Airport

Airport travel guide

Located at an altitude of over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet), the co-capital of La Paz is one of the most elevated major cities on the planet. More importantly, it’s also a fascinating place to visit that combines indigenous and colonial influences and provides easy access to the Andes and the nearby Lake Titicaca. Here are four places to visit during your trip:

• The Witches’ Market. Although nowadays more popular among foreign visitors than locals and therefore quite touristy, the Witches’ Market is nonetheless a good place to get some insight into local traditions and folklore. Some objects being sold are indeed prescribed magical properties – think dried frogs and talismans – while others have less of a shock value, but are still interesting, such as native musical instruments.
• National Ethnographic and Folk Museum. Bolivia is home to a wide variety of cultures – the country has no fewer than 36 official languages (the two most popular, Quechua and Aymara, are also dominating in La Paz). The best place to learn about this cultural and ethnographic diversity is MUSEF, one of the most interesting museums in the country. If you know Spanish, take a look at its official website to learn more — the museum itself is fascinating to visit regardless of your language skills.
• Andean Textile Museum. The Andean textiles are world famous, and their tradition dates back to at least the days of the Inca Empire when unique types of weaving were used as a sort of writing for communication and tax purposes. Nowadays, many of these historic garments can be seen in this museum, and there are also exhibitions of works by contemporary Bolivian textile artists; some of these creations are for sale.
• Teleférico. While La Paz can be a very fun – and occasionally challenging – city to drive in, the main mode of transportation for its inhabitants is actually an aerial cable car system. Connecting La Paz to the neighboring city of El Alto that’s located above it, Mi Teleférico is made up of ten lines and is worth taking at least once for the absolutely magnificent views of the snow-capped mountains and the two cities below them. To go on Teleférico, you will need to buy a card and upload some rides on it – the cards can be purchased at any station.Teleférico. While La Paz can be a very fun – and occasionally challenging – city to drive in, the main mode of transportation for its inhabitants is actually an aerial cable car system. Connecting La Paz to the neighboring city of El Alto that’s located above it, Mi Teleférico is made up of ten lines and is worth taking at least once for the absolutely magnificent views of the snow-capped mountains and the two cities below them. To go on Teleférico, you will need to buy a card and upload some rides on it – the cards can be purchased at any station.

Top international routes

• Santa Cruz
• Cochabamba
• Lima
• Uyuni
• Sucre
• Bogota
• Cobija
• Cusco
• Tarija
• Rurrenabaque

Main airlines

Top domestic routes: Sucre, Uyuni, Santa Cruz, Cobija, Trinidad, Cochabamba

Top arilines: Boliviana de Aviación, TAM – Transporte Aéreo Militar, Amaszonas, EcoJet, Peruvian Airlines, and Avianca Ecuador

Terminals

The single airport terminal, divided into international and domestic areas, serves all departures and arrivals.

Arriving at La Paz International Airport

Before booking your tickets to La Paz, Bolivia, check the visa requirements for your country. While most European citizens can enter Bolivia without a visa, all American citizens are required to have a visa to enter the country.

You can get a Bolivian visa at the Bolivian consulate in the United States before your trip, or at the airport on arrival. The Bolivian visa costs $160 USD and has to be paid in cash. It allows holders to stay in the country for up to 90 days per year

Location

La Paz Airport is in the city of El Alto, a suburb of La Paz, and about 8 km (13 mi) west of the city. Av. 6 de Marzo/Route 1, Autopista Héroes de la Guerra del Chaco/Route 3, Ingreso Calle Potosí, Av. Saavedra, and Calle Paraguay are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

• Large cars - from $96 per day
• SUVs - from $105 per day
• Vans - from $145 per day
• Small cars - from $70 per day
• Medium cars - from $105 per day

Car rental desks

Most are outside the arrivals hall. The exact location of your car rental provider's desk will be listed on your Confirmation Voucher.

Services and facilities

You’ll find coffee shops, restaurants serving both international and Bolivian cuisine, as well as a convenience store, a newsstand, a gift shop selling local crafts, and duty-free outlets that are in the international pre-boarding area. There are also ATMs, a currency exchange in the international arrivals area, a first aid center, a pharmacy, pay sleeping cabins, power outlets for mobile device charging, and travel agencies. Unfortunately, the luggage storage service was closed in 2018. Most facilities at the airport are equipped for travelers with reduced mobility. Special help is also available, but you should contact your airline in advance if you’d like assistance, or ask at your airline’s desk at the airport if you’d like a wheelchair.

Nearest gas station

ES San Pablo Villa Bolivar gas station on Avenida Julio Cesar Valdez, near the intersection with Route 1, can be reached in about ten minutes. There are other gas stations near La Paz Airport and on the way to the city.

If you plan to explore areas around La Paz, Bolivia, always keep your gas tank full, and carry plenty of water, as remote areas in the mountains have no gas stations or convenience stores.

La Paz is one of the highest cities in the world, located at an altitude of more than 12,000 feet above sea level. Take a few days to get used to the altitude before continuing your adventures in the country.

Popular one-way rentals

• Santa Cruz de la Sierra (848 km / 527 mi)
• Cochabamba (374 km / 232 mi)
• Cusco (638 km / 396 mi)
• Iquique (693 km / 430 mi)
• Lima (1,497 km / 930 mi)
• Antofagasta (1,103 km / 685 mi)