This small Bolivian border town connects with Argentina through a major trading route. Local markets sell traditional textiles and food near the railway station.
Villazón sits at the Bolivia-Argentina border at 3,447 meters above sea level. The city's train station dispatches carriages through mountain canyons toward Tupiza and Uyuni, while its streets fill with local vendors selling alpaca textiles and electronics. You'll find both Bolivian and Argentine traders crossing the international bridge daily, creating an active market atmosphere near the border checkpoint.
Getting Through Border Control
The international bridge connecting Villazón to La Quiaca, Argentina, has immigration offices on both sides. You must get stamps from both countries' passport control offices - missing either one can cause problems later. Watch local traders cross the bridge throughout the day, moving textiles, electronics, and household goods on foot rather than using larger vehicles through customs.
Dealing with Altitude
At 3,447 meters above sea level, many visitors experience altitude sickness symptoms in Villazón. Common effects include headaches, difficulty breathing, and fatigue, particularly if you arrive directly from low-elevation cities like Buenos Aires. To reduce these symptoms, consider staying at intermediate altitudes first, such as Humahuaca, allowing your body 24-48 hours to adjust before reaching Villazón.
Transportation Hub
You'll find the train station 30 minutes uphill from the border crossing. Trains leave at 15:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, following a route through red-colored canyons toward Tupiza, Uyuni, and Oruro. The city has two bus terminals: the old terminal, a 10-minute walk from the border, and the new terminal, which serves Tupiza routes, located 40 minutes away on foot or 10 minutes by taxi.
Money and Services
Look for two ATMs that accept foreign cards on Calle Independencia, including Banco Union with its 5% withdrawal fee. Money changers work from offices on the Bolivian side of the border. Internet cafes charge 3 Bolivianos per hour, though the city lacks Wi-Fi coverage. For document services, walk several blocks north of the border to Avenida República Argentina, where you'll find photocopy shops.
Shopping Areas
Walk the streets near the border crossing to find rows of small shops and market stalls. Vendors sell alpaca sweaters, leather items, electronics, and handicrafts from both Bolivia and Argentina. The market area extends several blocks from the border, with most activity concentrated in the morning hours.
