Santa Cruz · Bolivia
Viru Viru International Airport (VVI)
Viru Viru International Airport (VVI) serves Santa Cruz de la Sierra and is Bolivia's main international hub. Situated approximately 17 kilometres north of the city centre in the municipality of Warnes, the airport operates from a single integrated passenger terminal handling both domestic and international traffic.
Terminals
- Main Passenger Terminal
- Handles all domestic and international flights, with dedicated concourses for international arrivals/departures and domestic routes.
Arriving
Passengers arrive via jet bridges or bus transfers into the central terminal, completing passport control, baggage collection, and customs before entering the main landside arrivals concourse.
- Follow signs towards international immigration upon disembarking.
- Present your passport, entry visa (if applicable), and completed border declaration to immigration officers.
- Collect checked baggage from the designated carousel in the reclaim hall.
- Submit baggage for X-ray scanning or inspection at customs control.
- Exit into the public arrivals hall where ground transport, currency exchange, and telecom desks are located.
Getting to the city
Taxi
Radiotaxi Viru Viru / Airport Authorized Taxis
Registered airport taxis operate from outside the main arrivals exit with standard fixed fares to central Santa Cruz.
- Time:
- Typically 30-45 minutes
- Typical cost:
- Roughly 60-80 BOB
Bus
Línea 135 / Local Minibus Operators
Shared minibuses run from the airport perimeter access road towards the city centre and main bus terminal (Terminal Bimodal).
- Time:
- Typically 45-60 minutes
- Typical cost:
- Roughly 6-10 BOB
Car rental
International and local rental suppliers
Rental counters are available inside the public arrivals area.
- Time:
- Typically 30-45 minutes
- Typical cost:
- Varies by vehicle class and hire duration
Connections & transfers
Transferring between international and domestic flights requires full immigration and customs clearance.
- Clear Bolivian immigration and customs upon international arrival.
- Retrieve all checked luggage in the arrival hall before transferring.
- Proceed to the main check-in hall to re-check luggage and receive domestic boarding passes.
- Allow a minimum of 2 to 3 hours between connecting flights.
Wi-Fi & staying connected
Public Wi-Fi coverage is provided across the terminal building.
- Select the public airport network from your device settings.
- Accept the terms of service on the redirected browser page.
- Speeds are adequate for basic web browsing and messaging.
- Local SIM cards with mobile data plans can be bought from telecom booths in the arrivals hall.
Money, cards & tipping
Financial services are located in both arrivals and departure public zones.
- The local currency is the Bolivian Boliviano (BOB).
- ATMs accepting major international bank cards are located in the arrivals and departures halls.
- Currency exchange desks convert major currencies including US Dollars and Euros.
- Carrying cash in BOB is advisable as small merchants and public transport rarely accept cards.
Food & drink
Dining choices include local food stalls, cafes, and international fast-food options.
- Landside public area features small restaurants and cafes.
- Airside departure zones offer snack bars and drink options.
- Services operate to align with daily flight schedules.
Lounges & rest
VIP lounge facilities operate in the international departure area.
- Located past international security and border control.
- Offers seating, light refreshments, Wi-Fi, and flight status displays.
- Entry is available to eligible lounge programme members or through walk-up payment.
Airport hotels
There are no hotel facilities inside the terminal building, but numerous options exist nearby along the main highway.
- Hotels are located within a 10-20 minute drive along the Avenida Cristo Redentor highway.
- Many hotels in central Santa Cruz provide pre-arranged shuttle pickups.
- Accommodation ranges from business hotels to budget lodges.
Baggage & customs
Luggage services including wrapping and assistance are present inside the terminal.
- Baggage carousels are located past the immigration control area.
- Luggage wrapping service operates in the landside check-in hall.
- Porters are available near baggage reclaim for assistance.
- Report delayed or damaged luggage to your operating airline's counter inside the reclaim zone.
Family & accessibility
Standard family amenities are accessible within the passenger terminal.
- Baby-changing facilities are provided in main restrooms.
- Seating areas in landside and airside zones accommodate families.
- Strollers are permitted through security screening up to the boarding gate.
Facilities
- ATMs
- Currency exchange
- Car rental desks
- Telecom SIM booth
- VIP lounge
- Cafes and snack bars
- Luggage wrapping
- Duty-free shop
Emergency & safety
Local emergency number: 110 (Police), 118 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire).
- Medical first aid in the terminal can be requested through airport staff or security.
- Report missing passports immediately to the airport police office and your national embassy.
- Major hospitals and full emergency medical care are situated in Santa Cruz de la Sierra city centre.
Before you leave home
- Check your passport validity and any visa, ETA or entry declaration required.
- Confirm your departure terminal on your boarding pass the day before.
- Activate a travel eSIM so you are online the moment you land.
- Download offline maps and screenshot your hotel address and booking reference.
- Tell your bank you are travelling and carry a backup payment card.
- Save the local emergency number and your embassy contact in your phone.
- Photograph your passport and store the copy somewhere you can reach offline.
- Check baggage allowance and any restricted items for your destination.
Official sources
Airport operations change. Always confirm terminals, fares and timetables with the official sources below before you travel.
- Navegación Aérea y Aeropuertos Bolivianos (NAABOL)Official airport source
- Dirección General de Migración BoliviaGovernment source
- Aduana Nacional de BoliviaGovernment source
- Autoridad de Regulación y Fiscalización de Telecomunicaciones y TransportesOfficial transit source
- Ministerio de Salud y Deportes de BoliviaGovernment source
Guide last reviewed October 23, 2026
Airport information can change. Verify terminal assignments, schedules, fares, entry requirements and operating hours with the official provider before travel.
Land connected
Airport Wi-Fi is slow, time-limited and not private. A travel eSIM activates before you fly, so maps, ride-hailing and your booking emails work the second you switch off airplane mode.
Browse eSIM plansPlan the rest of the trip
Get a personalized day-by-day trip plan built around how you travel, delivered as a PDF you can use offline.
Build my trip planTravel information disclaimer: passport, visa and entry requirements change frequently and vary by nationality, route and purpose of travel. Everything published here is general guidance only and is not legal or immigration advice. Always verify current requirements with the official government sources for your citizenship and your destination before booking and before travel.