Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Santa Cruz - Cochabamba advice needed

Country forums / South America / Bolivia

Hi all,

As soon as I managed to find flights from Lima (where I arrive from the Netherlands) to Santa Cruz, I will start planning the rest of my trip. My destination is Cochabamba. I could fly but it also sounds nice to do it overland via Sucre and/or Samaipata in 2,3, or 4 days. I am pretty flexible at this stage.
As I am traveling alone, I am a bit overwhelmed by all options and not sure how to do this.

Would anyone have advice or practical tips what a good and safe way?
Any addresses? timetables?

Or are you even around, at that time? I am arriving in Cruz on the 19th or 20st of November.
Please contact. All help is appreciated.

Bye!
Jose

I live in Cochabamba and I have never found a decent price flight between Lima and anywhere in Bolivia. The flights are usually about $500 one way. Do you have to go to Santa Cruz? Would you consider traveling overland from Lima to La Paz and then on to Cochabamba? I went to Peru in May and traveled by bus. I am going again next month and am considering using a new Amazonias flight from La Paz to Arequipa (last I checked it was $170).

Samaipata and Sucre are both lovely places but not on the way to Cochabamba unless you want to travel really bad roads. I would not recommend it. You can fly or take a bus (day or night) between Santa Cruz and Cochabamba.

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Hi Contenta,

We were advised to travel via Lima as a good option. I know of Air Europe, but it was more expensive at the time of booking. KLM was offering deals to Lima. Why Santa Cruz? I don't think it is the best option to fly from Lima to La Paz with a jet lag and no reason of staying in La Paz. I don't wanna risk getting sick....

Thanks for you reply. You are right about overland to CCB. I have done some more research now.
I am now thinking flying to Cruz, than maybe spend a night in Samaipata, come back, and fly to Sucre, spend a few nights, visit Tarabuco and fly to CCB from Sucre.

I know TAM has flights on that route but do happen to know how to find out flight schedules and prices? I can't find anything online and am now forced to check several dates one by one to see if there's a flight that day.

Do you think it is worth going to Samaipata? I was hoping for two nights, but flight options toSucre and CCB might force me to one night or skipping and spending more time in and around Sucre...

Bye!

Edited by: Jose_NL

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Samaipata is a lovely place to rest and get over jet lag but I don't think one night is worth it. It wouldn't be restful. Best to spend that time around Sucre. You can even make a day trip to Potosi from Sucre.

I don't know about TAM, I avoid using them, they don't have the best reputation . I use BOA or Amazonias for internal flights in Bolivia.

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