Joya Andina International Airport

Bolivia's eastern gateway where jungle meets the Brazilian border

Puerto Quijarro is a small border town in the Santa Cruz Department of eastern Bolivia, sitting on the edge of the Pantanal wetlands where Bolivia meets Brazil. It serves primarily as a transit point for travelers crossing into Corumbá, Brazil, and as a commercial hub for cross-border trade.

Despite its utilitarian reputation, the town offers access to some of South America's most extraordinary wildlife and wetland scenery. The surrounding Pantanal ecosystem teems with caimans, capybaras, giant otters, and hundreds of bird species. Nearby Puerto Suárez has an airport and a more established town center, making the two towns function as a practical tandem.

Quijarro is not a destination built for leisure tourism, but adventurous travelers using the legendary Tren de la Muerte railway or heading into the Pantanal will find it a fascinating edge-of-the-map stop with genuine frontier character.

• •Pantanal Wetlands — one of the world's largest tropical wetlands with extraordinary wildlife viewing
• •Tren de la Muerte (Death Train) — iconic slow train journey west through jungle to Santa Cruz
• •Laguna Cáceres — scenic lake near Puerto Suárez rich in birdlife and caimans
• •Bolivia-Brazil Border Crossing — lively, chaotic commercial crossing into Corumbá, Brazil
• •Puerto Suárez Plaza — calm central square with local life and basic amenities
• •Corumbá Day Trip — cross into Brazil for a livelier town, museums, and river views

Getting around: The train station is the town's transport anchor, with slow but legendary rail service west toward Santa Cruz. Mototaxis and shared taxis are the primary local transport, connecting Quijarro to Puerto Suárez and the border crossing cheaply and quickly. Long-distance buses run from Puerto Suárez. There is no rideshare app presence; negotiate fares directly with drivers.

Best time: Visit between May and September during the dry season when wildlife concentrates around shrinking water sources and roads remain passable.

Local food: Try grilled surubí and other fresh river fish at simple local comedores, often served with rice, yuca, and plantains typical of Bolivia's lowland cuisine.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.