20–35 Bs from VVI into Santa Cruz if you don’t mind a transfer
Bus 135 runs from Viru Viru International Airport (VVI) MAIN terminal into Santa Cruz for about 20–35 bolivianos, which is a fraction of the 100+ Bs people report paying for direct taxis. It’s a regular city-route bus, not a private shuttle, so think budget first leg into town, then taxi or rideshare from there.
The stop for bus 135 sits right in front of the airport exit doors at VVI, so there’s no need to cross highways or walk long distances with bags. You pay your fare on board in cash in bolivianos; have small bills because drivers usually don’t want to break 100s. Service runs throughout the day, but late-night arrivals after about 22:00 may find reduced frequency and fewer onward taxis in town.
Most budget flyers use route 135 to reach central Santa Cruz, then hop in a regular city taxi for the last few kilometers to areas like the center or Equipetrol. One rider reports doing VVI to Equipetrol by taking the airport bus first, then switching to a taxi that accepted QR payment from Banexcoin, which keeps the total well under the full 100–150 Bs door-to-door airport taxi quotes.
There’s also a specific “4th ring” tactic: some regulars ride bus 135 only as far as the Cuarto Anillo (4th ring road), then get off and take a local taxi from there. That split keeps the airport leg at roughly 20–35 Bs and then a short city taxi ride at normal in-town rates, instead of staying in an airport-markup cab the whole way.
The trade-off: you’re adding at least one transfer instead of a single 35–45 minute taxi ride from VVI straight to your hotel. With a checked bag and immigration, you’re looking at around 60–90 minutes total from touchdown to central Santa Cruz using bus 135 plus taxi. This works best in daytime when buses and taxis are both running frequently and streets feel busier.
Step-by-step from VVI on bus 135
- 1. Clear immigration and customs at VVI MAIN and exit to the public arrivals area; walk straight out the main doors.
- 2. Find the bus 135 stop directly in front of the terminal exit and confirm the number on the windshield.
- 3. Board, pay the driver around 20–35 Bs in cash, and keep your smaller bag with you instead of in the aisle.
- 4. Ride into Santa Cruz and either stay on until the central area or get off at the 4th ring road, depending on your hotel location.
- 5. On arrival in town, flag a city taxi for the last leg; inside the city you’ll usually pay well under 50 Bs for a short ride to areas like Equipetrol.
One practical tip: hit the ATM in the VVI arrivals hall first and break your withdrawal into smaller bills so paying the 20–35 Bs bus fare on route 135 is quick and painless.