How To Get To La Paz From Los Angeles
While traveling is typically spent in hotels or Airbnb apartments, there are some more unique ways to stay while exploring new cities. One of these is staying in a dorm-style room with friends or family. Or you can choose to be self-contained by renting an apartment or house that has good reviews and seems safe!
In this article, I will talk about how to get to/from LAX via Air Bolivia, what timeframes are best for each option, and which one is ideal for you depending on your schedule.
Plan your trip ahead of time
The easiest way to get to Bolivia is through South America tour packages that include flights into either Santa Cruz or La Paz, then a bus or rail journey down the country.
Many people begin their journeys in Bolivia by taking the train from Buenos Aires to Santa Cruz, where they connect with another express train heading south towards La Paz. This can be done directly via Rail Europe or ViaRail, both of which offer great customer service.
You will want to check out which countries are connected with each other at every stop along the way so you know what transportation to use! For example, some buses go only as far as Cochabamba before connecting onto the rest of the route, while others keep going until they reach La Paz. It all depends on how much money you have for spending and how long you want to stay in the country!
Another option would be to take a flight into Santa Cruz first, followed by an organized tour or taxi ride to meet up with the transport in town. Both are viable options depending on your schedule and budget.
Use an online booking site to find flights and hotels
Finding cheap airfare is one of the most important things when traveling abroad, especially if you are coming from America! Luckily, there are many ways to do this. One way is to use an online hotel or flight search tool to determine your destination, airline, date, and timing, and then compare prices.
Some great sites to check out that help save you money include Skyscanner, Google Flights, Orbitz, Expedia, Priceline, Cheapoair, and Travelocity.
Many of these sites have apps so you can easily access them while on the go. Some even keep track of how much you’ve saved since they last checked!
We recommend staying within budget for at least half a day before heading to the airport. That way, you will have time to look around and find something appropriate without having to spend too much money.
Use a transportation app to find your bus or train options
Finding a way to get from one place to another can be tricky, especially when you are in a rush! Thankfully, technology makes this process easy. There are plenty of apps that offer transit information, including maps, times, routes, and prices.
Mostly paid through either mobile data or a monthly subscription, most people use these applications to search for and find buses and trains. Some even have smart features like updates via smartphone or online accounts so you don’t need an account to check schedules.
There are many great apps out there, but The GloBus is one of the best because it doesn’t cost extra to look up fares before you leave. This can really help save time since you won’t have to hunt down tickets or coupons at the station.
Bring your passport and money
If you are coming from outside of Bolivia, it is very important that you have enough money for the trip here and in La Paz.
Bolivia does not use the currency we know as USD or EUR, instead using its own Boliviano (BOB) currency. One BOB equals one thousand bolivianos per 1 000 BOBS = $1 US Dollar.
So if you only have dollars then this will be difficult to do. Luckily, there are many ways to get BOB before you come into country so you are not too worried about spending them.
You can either purchase directly with cash at some stores, or via bank transfer which is way better because you will receive more bolivians than dollars! Make sure to research this process properly first though, as some sites may claim to offer cheap transfers but actually go through poorly regulated companies that steal money or overcharge on fees.
We recommend doing your research online ahead of time to avoid this. There are plenty of websites and blogs dedicated to helping travellers earn extra bolivian coins by teaching their readers how to buy and sell cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Know the address of your hotel
When you arrive in LA, it is very difficult to find a place to stay. There are so many options! Thankfully, we have gone through several hotels close to the airport here for you.
We have compiled a list of all of them that are within a short Uber ride (or taxi trip) from the airport.
Dress comfortably
When traveling by car, things can get expensive quickly! There is an airport shuttle that runs from the hotel you stay at in LA to the International Airport for $15 per person every day. If you don’t take this service, there are many cheap transportation options.
You can take public transport such as taking the bus or train. Both of these cost around $8-10 each way depending on how far you go. Or you can rent a taxi which will also run you about the same price.
If you do decide to drive yourself, make sure you are fully prepared before leaving. Make sure you have enough food and water, and know where your destination is. Also, even though it may be winter here, bring warm clothing just in case!
Once you arrive at the airport, remember that most airlines offer online check-in services so you can begin process of checking bags and all of that stuff ahead of time.
Avoid carrying too much cash
It’s always smart to have some money with you, but not every situation requires lots of spending money. Some restaurants and shops will be able to accommodate your budget, or at least offer you discounts if you are willing to spend more than what is normal for them.
Most people agree that it’s best to leave your wallet in the hotel room when traveling anywhere other than home. This is because there’s usually less crime occurring in areas where fewer tourists go, and even smaller amounts of money are being spent.
Plan for bad weather
If you are traveling from LA to La Paz during winter, know that the mountains can be very icy! While some may think it is beautiful, there is no way to tell if those snowy peaks are truly gorgeous until you make it down.
Not only could snow cause traffic delays, but drivers can become stranded when roads close due to poor conditions.
Since buses do not typically have much space outside, they cannot safely pull off of the road unless there is enough room to do so. Due to this, most bus lines will limit the number of passengers per bus or offer additional rides in other vehicles.
Making sure you are prepared for the unexpected makes your trip more convenient and safer. Make sure to pack warm clothing, bring an extra layer, and check online for information about canceled or delayed routes before heading out.