Private jet to Bolivia

Bolivia's airports sit at two very different levels. Santa Cruz in the eastern lowlands lies at 373 m, while El Alto airport above La Paz stands at more than 4,000 m, one of the highest international airports in the world. That difference decides the aircraft, the route and the plan for the way home, so we start every Bolivian trip with one question: where exactly are you going?

From the European hubs it is 8,900-10,400 km to Santa Cruz. A Gulfstream G550 or Global 7500 flies it without landing; a Challenger 650 refuels once. Santa Cruz is the easy arrival for any jet. La Paz, Sucre and Uyuni are reached either directly, after the operator has checked the aircraft's performance at altitude, or by a smaller jet from Santa Cruz.

Tell us the airport, the dates and the number of passengers; a consultant answers with aircraft and a price.

Why fly there privately

Prices and flight times

The tables give one-way prices for the whole jet, assuming one is available near your departure airport. The DGAC permit, handling, fuel stop fees and passenger taxes are quoted separately, and the flight time shown is that of the first aircraft in the row.

From the European hubs

A Challenger 650 with one stop costs EUR 110,000 from Madrid and EUR 120,000 from London, Paris or Nice to Santa Cruz. Non-stop from London, the Gulfstream G550 costs EUR 145,000 and the Global 7500 costs EUR 160,000. The two La Paz rows show the price for the distance only: whether a given type may land and take off at El Alto, and with how many passengers, is decided by the operator's performance check for the date. A flight home from El Alto is usually planned with a fuel stop at Santa Cruz.

From the Americas and neighbouring countries

These are international flights. From Miami a Praetor 600 reaches Santa Cruz without a stop for EUR 48,000; Lima - La Paz takes under two hours.

Domestic legs with a Bolivian operator

Flights between two Bolivian airports are added to the DGAC permit, and a small jet is usually cheaper than the aircraft that crossed the ocean. At Sucre, Uyuni and La Paz the operator checks take-off weight for every leg and may limit bags or fuel. The reverse direction costs the same:

Santa Cruz - La Paz takes 1:21 h and costs from EUR 9,000 in a Citation M2. European departure taxes depend on where you leave from: France a per-passenger tax on business jets that rises with distance, about EUR 2,100 to South America and about EUR 420 within Europe, Italy EUR 200 per passenger on long flights in either direction, Austria EUR 12. British Air Passenger Duty is charged at the higher rate on jets of 20 t or more with fewer than 19 seats, a group that includes the Challenger 650, G550 and Global 7500. Bolivian fees appear in the quote.

Business jet price per flight hour

Heavy Jets from EUR 8,300 / hour

Light Jets from EUR 3,200 / hour

Ultra Long Range Jets from EUR 12,000 / hour

Super Midsize Jets from EUR 6,300 / hour

Very Light Jets from EUR 2,500 / hour

Long Range Jets from EUR 9,800 / hour

Midsize Jets from EUR 4,500 / hour

Turboprops from EUR 2,000 / hour

Two trips worked out

The aircraft costs the same whatever the number of passengers:

Calculator

Enter the route for a first estimate by e-mail; for La Paz or Uyuni a consultant adds the performance check and the plan for the return.

Airports in the lowlands and on the Altiplano

In the cabin, pressure falls to the airport's altitude during the descent, so passengers breathe air at El Alto's height before the door opens. Shortness of breath, headache and tiredness are common; anyone with a heart or lung condition should see a doctor before the trip, and extra oxygen on board can be requested from the operator.

Want the lowland and direct plans compared for your dates? Leave a number and a consultant will call.

Seasons in Bolivia

On the Altiplano May to October is dry and sunny, with freezing nights from June to August; December to March brings rain and afternoon storms over the Andes, so flights to La Paz, Sucre and Uyuni are planned for the morning. Santa Cruz is warm all year. Transatlantic Empty Legs to Bolivia are rare in every month; a jet returning from a neighbouring country is the likelier match.

Empty Legs

Few long-range jets cross to Bolivia, so a leg to or from Europe is a matter of luck; a jet returning north from Brazil, Argentina or Peru, with a short positioning hop, is more likely. Send your direction and dates to empty-legs@jets.flights.

Dogs and cats

Pets entering Bolivia are checked by SENASAG, the national animal health service. In the jet the animal travels in the cabin with you, once the operator has agreed.

• A government veterinary certificate from the departure country, with the rabies vaccination record; the microchip number must match the animal.
• Rabies vaccination for dogs and cats from three months of age.
• A clinical examination by a vet within 10 days before departure.
• Without the SENASAG inspector's approval on arrival, customs will not release the animal.
• Back to Europe: Bolivia is outside the EU list of approved countries, so the pet needs a rabies antibody result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, best obtained in Europe before departure to avoid waiting three months. Dogs bound for the UK, Ireland, Malta, Finland or Norway are also treated against tapeworm by a vet one to five days before arrival.

Entry and permits

Booking

1. Tell us where you will land and whether La Paz, Sucre or Uyuni are on the programme.
2. We compare a one-stop Challenger 650 with a non-stop G550 or Global 7500, and add a small jet for the Andes.
3. After contract and payment, the operator files the DGAC permit with the passenger data and, for La Paz, the performance chart.
4. We plan the domestic legs so that altitude rises gradually, and book cars and guides.
5. At Santa Cruz or La Paz the handler meets you at the aircraft and stays with you through immigration and customs.

The operator of the aircraft is your contract partner; payment goes by bank transfer or card, cancellation charges follow the operator's terms and the time left before departure, and the contract lists every extra. Bolivia is often combined with Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil or Paraguay; each country issues its own permit.

Questions about private flights to Bolivia

• • How much does a private jet from Europe to Bolivia cost?

  • From EUR 110,000 one way from Madrid to Santa Cruz in a Challenger 650 with one stop, and EUR 120,000 from London or Paris. Non-stop in a Gulfstream G550 costs from EUR 130,000.

• • Santa Cruz or La Paz?

  • Santa Cruz suits every aircraft and is the easiest start. La Paz El Alto, above 4,000 m, needs a performance check and often a fuel stop at Santa Cruz on the way home.

• • Can any jet land at La Paz?

  • No. The operator must show a high-altitude performance chart with the permit request, and some types cannot take off there with a full load.

• • How long does the permit take?

  • Usually four working days. The DGAC works Monday to Friday, so data for an early-week flight is needed the week before.

• • Do we need a visa?

  • British tourists do not, for up to 90 days a year. Most EU passports are also visa-free, but we confirm the rule for each nationality before the flight.

• • Can we fly to Uyuni?

  • Yes. Uyuni has a runway of about 4,000 m at about 3,650 m. From Santa Cruz a Citation CJ3 takes 1:12 h, from EUR 9,000.

• • What is the time difference?

  • Bolivian clocks stay on one time all year: 4 hours behind London in winter, 5 hours when the UK is on summer time.

• • Can we bring our dog?

  • Yes, with a government vet certificate, rabies vaccination and a vet check within 10 days before departure. Have the antibody test done in Europe before the trip, so the return is not delayed.