Border Crossing from Argentina to Bolivia: La Quiaca to Villazon

Vehicle Import:

The border crossing is used by many international travellers and the following was about a 2 hour process.

1. 1.Parked vehicle outside Aduana Integrada.
   

2. 2.First went to “Senasa Tramite 2” window
   

3. 3.Here the officer checked the passports, Argentina Temp Vehicle Import papers, and Vehicle Registration.
   

4. 4.He gave back the TIPapers and an immigration form to complete which we returned to him. he also gave us a ‘Ticket’
   

5. 5.Move to window “ Aduana Tramite 4”
   

6. 6.The officer took the TIPapers and the ‘Ticket’ and directed us to window No5
   

7. 7.“Migration Bolivia 5” Fill out the immigration form and he will give back the bottom half.
   

8. 8.“Window 6” We are given a Customs declaration form to complete  this you complete and hand back to the officer...then you wait....
   

9. 9.Your vehicle is in line and unless you watch, other vehicles will continually move in front of your vehicle unless you continually move it up the line as the line moves forward.
   

10. 10. The officer seems to inspect 2 or 3 vehicles at a time then your name is called and you are given the Bolivian Temporary Vehicle Import Papers at the window
    

11. 11. It was a rather casual search.
    

This is the actual entrance to Bolivia, but all the paperwork is done as above.

Set you watch back 1 hour but be prepared to go back in time even further.

Just outside Villazon is the first PEASE ( Toll ) It was Bol5  (US$0.72) They also wanted to see the Temporary Import Papers and the toll was stapled to them.

We were then directed to the small police booth where he wrote into a book our name, vehicle description and where we were going. - No charge and very friendly.

There was another PEASE before Tupiza, but they were happy to just see the first receipt.

3rd Party Insurance:

Non was offered or asked for ????

Travel in Bolivia:

Tolls were Bol 5 to 15 and only on main roads. The rate depends on the number of axles and size. We called our vehicle a ‘livano’ spanish for ‘simple car’, however sometimes because we were over 2metres we paid more.

Outside most towns are police checks, we always found them friendly and at most wanted to see the Vehicle import papers. Once I was asked for Driver Licence and they were more happy with the Australian plastic licence than the International licence.

There is no requirement to drive with lights on during the day.

Camping:

We free camper everywhere. very easy.

Food:

Much cheaper than Argentina and a bigger variety. Big Supermarkets do not exist in the south but we found all we need, fruit, vegetables and meat ( chicken beef & pork) in the town markets.

Fuel:

Fuel price is different for locals and about 2 to 3 times more for foreign vehicles.

On the pump for Diesel was Bol3, but I think the locals paid around Bol5. We had to pay a price of Bol9.2 /Lt ( US$ 1.33/ Lt) This was a fixed foreigner price and the price list was on the window or pump.

We often said “Sin Factur” meaning no invoice to get it cheaper, but only once did it work.

High altitude and frozen diesel:

With a diesel vehicle we suffered from about 25-30% less power at altitudes over 4,000metres. Our vacuum brakes also up to 50% less at 5000metres.

Often we had near frozen diesel at minus 10* degrees C which we had to wait until 10am for the sun to warm the tank. Once at minus 20*C the diesel was near frozen and it took a number of hours for it thaw.

The same diesel 10 minutes later after it has thawed from a very cold state (but not frozen)

Water:

From service stations, if it was not frozen in the pipes !

Prepare your vehicle for frozen water pipes and pump. We kept a couple of litres in the fridge overnight where is did NOT freeze, and was available for that early morning coffee.

Internet:

Difficult to find, and painfully slow when you can.

For our actual Travel Diary through Bolivia see: Bolivia Overland Travels

Return to Top

Return to: DIY Kit For Overland Travel