Overland Transit & Safari Hub

Cross-Border Tours & Routes

Official guide to Bolivia's international land borders, driving distances, customs procedures, and private multi-day expeditions starting in Chile, Peru, and Argentina.

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1. Border Distance Map 2. Key Border Points 3. Border Readiness Matrix 4. Which Border to Use? 5. Tours Starting in Chile & Peru 6. Crossing FAQs
Interactive Route Schematic

Bolivia Border Connections & Distances

Overland driving and boat crossing distances connecting international land borders directly to Bolivia's top highlights.

Bolivia Border Crossing Distances Map 135 km 8 km 151 km 24 km 72 km 205 km 210 km 45 km 95 km 220 km 91 km Puno Kasani Border Copacabana Isla del Sol & Moon Desaguadero Tiwanaku Ruins La Paz ✈ Calama (CJC) Ollagüe Pass San Pedro Hito Cajones (4,480m) Eduardo Avaroa Reserve (Lagunas) Salar de Uyuni Tupiza Villazón Border
International Land Border Checkpoint
4x4 Highland & Paved Highway Route
Catamaran / Boat Ferry Passage
Major Gateway & Hub
Customs & Migration Guide

Key Bolivia Border Points

Operating hours, migration procedures, and road conditions for the 5 most traveled international checkpoints.

Chile ➔ Bolivia (Atacama)

Hito Cajones Border

Altitude:4,480 m (Cold alpine pass)
Hours:08:00 – 16:00 Daily (Daylight only)
Access:45 km from San Pedro on paved road; transitions to 4x4 unpaved reserve.
Park Ticket:150 Bs (~$22 USD cash) for Eduardo Avaroa Reserve.
Primary departure for 3D/4D San Pedro ➔ Uyuni safaris.
Chile ➔ Bolivia (Calama)

Ollagüe / Abaroa Border

Altitude:3,695 m (Open volcanic pass)
Hours:08:00 – 20:00 Daily
Access:Paved Route 21 (205 km from Calama CJC Airport).
Reliability:Rarely blocked by winter snow; open year-round.
Fastest connection directly from Calama Airport to Uyuni.
Peru ➔ Bolivia (Copacabana)

Kasani Border

Altitude:3,820 m (Lake Titicaca shores)
Hours:08:00 – 19:00 Daily
Access:135 km from Puno / 8 km from Copacabana sanctuary port.
Migration:Offices on both sides within 100m walking distance.
Scenic leisure route for Isla del Sol & boat crossings.
Peru ➔ Bolivia (Direct Highway)

Desaguadero Border

Altitude:3,812 m (Integrated CEBAF post)
Hours:08:00 – 20:00 Daily
Access:Paved highway through Tiwanaku Sun Gate ruins into La Paz.
Transit:Busiest commercial post; private driver escort recommended.
Fastest overland route connecting Puno/Cusco with La Paz.
Argentina ➔ Bolivia (South)

Villazón / La Quiaca Border

Altitude:3,440 m (Horacio Guzmán Bridge)
Hours:07:00 – 23:00 Daily (Migration windows)
Access:Direct bridge crossing from Jujuy / Salta (Route 9).
Rail Link:Passenger train connection to Tupiza and Uyuni.
Southern gateway connecting Northwest Argentina with Uyuni.
Quick Comparison

Border Readiness Matrix

Compare operating altitudes, road quality, and on-arrival visa availability at each crossing.

Border Pass Connecting Hubs Altitude Operating Hours Road Quality Visa on Arrival?
Hito Cajones San Pedro de Atacama ➔ Uyuni 4,480 m 08:00 – 16:00 Paved in Chile / 4x4 Unpaved in Bolivia Available (Group 2)
Ollagüe / Abaroa Calama (CJC) ➔ Uyuni 3,695 m 08:00 – 20:00 100% Paved Highway Available (Group 2)
Kasani Puno ➔ Copacabana / Isla del Sol 3,820 m 08:00 – 19:00 100% Paved Lakeside Highway Available at Desk
Desaguadero Puno / Cusco ➔ Tiwanaku ➔ La Paz 3,812 m 08:00 – 20:00 100% Paved Highway Available at Desk
Villazón La Quiaca (Argentina) ➔ Tupiza / Uyuni 3,440 m 07:00 – 23:00 Paved Highway & Train Connection Available at Desk

Which border should I use?

Want the scenic Uyuni salt flat circuit from Chile? Hito Cajón, via San Pedro de Atacama — this is what our multi-day 4x4 safaris use.
Just need Calama to Uyuni, no frills? Ollagüe, via paved road, express private transfer, or daily public bus.
Want La Paz as fast as possible from Peru? Desaguadero — direct paved highway with guided stops at Tiwanaku ruins.
Want Lake Titicaca and a calmer queue? Kasani, via Copacabana and private catamaran / motorboat to Isla del Sol.
Coming from Northern Argentina (Salta / Jujuy)? Villazón–La Quiaca is the official bridge route with train connection to Tupiza and Uyuni.
Direct International Departures

Tours starting in Chile and Peru

Multi-day 4x4 safaris and private lake cruises departing directly from San Pedro de Atacama, Calama Airport, and Puno.

San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni Shared Tour
3 Days
Potosi
Featured
Potosi

San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni Shared Tour

An attractive budget option for visiting the best attractions of the Uyuni area and the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve starting from San Pedro de Atacama.

From
$185 USD
View Details for San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni Shared Tour
Critical Border Safety Advice: Verify Your Entry Stamp

At Peru–Bolivia land borders (Kasani & Desaguadero), always confirm that the immigration official physically stamps your passport upon entry. Missing stamps can lead to unnecessary delays and exit fines when leaving the country. Our private drivers accompany you to the migration counter to ensure correct processing.

Essential Crossing Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Practical rules on visas, pre-registration, currency, and high-altitude border passes.

It depends on your nationality. Travelers from Group 2 countries (including the United States) can obtain a 30-day tourist visa directly at Hito Cajones, Ollagüe, Kasani, and Desaguadero migration desks for $160 USD cash in crisp, unmarked banknotes. Group 1 passport holders (EU, UK, Canada, Australia) enter visa-free.
SIGEMIG is Bolivia's free online entry pre-registration system, required for every foreign visitor regardless of nationality or border crossing. Complete the digital form 24 to 48 hours prior to reaching the border checkpoint.
At Kasani and Desaguadero, yes — public buses cross daily. At Hito Cajón, no — the road is unpaved through the desert and has no public bus service, so a tour vehicle or private transfer is the only practical way through. Ollagüe (from Calama) offers a public bus option.
During high-altitude winter storms (June–August), Hito Cajones (4,480m) can occasionally close for safety. When this occurs, our operations team reroutes private 4x4 expeditions via the lower Ollagüe / Abaroa pass (3,695m), which stays open year-round.
The Eduardo Avaroa Reserve ticket (150 Bs / ~$22 USD) and Incahuasi Island ticket (30 Bs / ~$4 USD) must be paid in cash (Bolivian Bolivianos) directly at the park ranger stations. We recommend bringing local currency cash from San Pedro de Atacama or exchanging at border desks.
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