Puerto Quijarro Voyage Tips and guide

Puerto Quijarro is in Santa Cruz Department in Bolivia, adjacent to the Brazilian border city of Corumbá.

As a border town along a major road, Puerto Quijarro serves as a land transportation hub to and from Brazil.

The "Puerto" in the name isn't for nothing: Quijarro is also Bolivia's premier waterport for shipping, due to its close proximity to the navigable Paraguay River, a major tributary of the Rio de la Plata (though you might not notice it, as the port facilities are outside of town). Though the Paraguay River is entirely on the Brazilian side of the border in this region, the Tamengo Canal provides a navigable link to it from the surroundings of Puerto Quijarro. The Paraguay River actually does meet the Bolivian border farther much farther south, but in a very remote part of the Pantanal without any major settlements (though there are actually some commercial port facilities there too).

As of 2025, the new Puerto Quijarro bus terminal is on the west side of town, and no longer next to the train station. As of November 2025 there are a whopping 12 different bus companies running the long-distance route between here and Santa Cruz, who prefer to compete by shouting rather than differentiating their services. They mostly run at around the same times and for around the same price (can vary, but around Bs. 100, 8-10 hours). The one called 23 de Marzo is said to be the fastest, and charges Bs. 20 more than the others, while Chiquitana looks like the nicest vehicle. For schedules from Puerto Quijarro to Santa Cruz, see "Get in" in the Santa Cruz article.

Most of the bus station is taken up by these companies (which generally also stop at a few of the biggest towns in between). At one end are two companies that run only to towns along the first half of the route to Santa Cruz a few times per day (including one or two in the afternoon); at the other end are two companies with buses departing long distance for major cities in Brazil.

Until 2020, you could also come by train from Santa Cruz, but this option was considered more expensive and longer (17 hr or 13 hr). The route was called the Death Train because it was famous for bringing the victims of yellow fever to the state capital Santa Cruz. It suspended service early in the Covid-19 pandemic, and by most accounts is still not running again as of late 2025.

In Corumbá, go to the city bus terminal (not the same as the long-distance bus terminal - see that city's article), from where line 102 drops you at a -19.0274-57.7072861 city bus stop a few meters away from the -19.027619-57.7076032 Brazilian border post, where everybody is required to fill a form and get an exit stamp that is later demanded by Bolivian immigration. The border is usually busy, queues are long, make sure to enter the queue on the right side (entry/exit). This border post is officially open every day from 09:00-18:00 Brazilian time, but reality might be somewhat different.

From the Brazilian side, it's a 5-min-walk across a bridge to the -19.028451-57.7087823 Bolivian border post. It's a single queue for both entry/exit. Make sure to get a slip of paper with your name and entry stamp as this will be asked on your way out and is a common cause of trouble for travelers. This border post opens every day at 08:00.

Behind the Bolivian border post building, many shops offer food, money exchange and other services needed by travelers. It's okay to walk past the border post and go anywhere in town without getting your stamp if you're not going further into Bolivia yet (for example, if the Brazilian border post is unexpectedly closed and you need to spend a night nearby before going back).

Counterfeit bills are widespread in Bolivia, but no need to get paranoid, just check them carefully, and politely ask to change any suspicious bill if you receive one. Brazilian real get good rates from the border all the way to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, but further from that it's better to have Bolivianos or US dollars. As of November 2025, money changers with signs suggesting they'll trade Euro, Soles, or Chilean Pesos were only at the bus terminal (and it wasn't always true - ask).

As of November 2025, taxis from the border area to the new Puerto Quijarro bus station ask for Bs. 15-20 to go right away, or Bs. 10 per person if you can wait for strangers to show up. You may have to walk to the first big intersection to get these prices.

It's very likely that the only purpose of your visit is to cross the border to Brazil. There are some reports on the web stating difficulties to cross the border (bribery, extremely long queues etc.). As of August 2019, the situation was as stated:

• no long queues
• fast and efficient exit and entry as well as at the Bolivian as on the Brazil side; all in all 30 min
• there's only one queue for exit and entry; be sure to state your desire and to get the right stamp; Bolivian side is manned with 2 officers, Brazilian side with 3
• no exit tax for tourists (Bs. 18 for Bolivian residents)
• no problem exiting with a tarjeta electronica (issued on the main airports in Bolivia instead of the physical piece of paper received at land borders)
• no bribery problems at all
• no customs officers present
• there's no time difference between Puerto Quijarro and Corumba
• the Brazilian border post was surely operating well before the advertised opening time of 09:00
• nobody asked for the yellow fever certificate
• on the Brazilian side: get a luggage tag for the bus, then enter Bus 102 (on work days twice per hour at full and half hour, on Sundays once per hour, R$3.60) to get to Corumba

The area near the border, which is not actually the town center but a neighborhood called Arroyo Concepción, is very walkable. To get anywhere else, such as the bus terminal, you'll probably want to take a taxi (see "Get in" for latest prices on that route).

You can change money at a million kiosks in the part of town near the border, as well as at the bus terminal. There is at least one ATM close to the border.

As of November 2025, things are shockingly cheaper on the Bolivian side than in Brazil - plan accordingly if you're on a low budget.

There are several opportunities for accommodation in town but you might consider going to Puerto Suarez for the night.

There are several places to stay right by the border, which are already much cheaper than similar quality accommodations in nearby parts of Brazil.

• Hotel Bradel. Probably the best-value budget lodging near the border. A proper hotel, with shared-bathroom units for people on a budget. Rooms with air conditioning aren't too much more expensive. Starting from about Bs. 100 per person. (updated Nov 2025)
• -19.0267-57.71071 Alojamiento 14 de Septiembre. Extra-budget place for people who only need an enclosed space with a bed and a standing fan. Bs. 50 for single (one person). (updated Nov 2025)