Puerto Quijarro

Understand

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).

Getting there

By bus 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.

By train 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.

From Brazil 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 1 city bus stop a few meters away from the 2 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 r

Getting around

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).

Buy

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.

Sleep

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) 1 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)