Villazón - Villazón

Villazón is a city in the extreme south Bolivia on the border to Argentina. Villazón is an important transport and trade hub; the city has about 35,000 inhabitants.

Together with the Argentine city La Quiaca Villazón forms a small agglomeration with a little more than 50,000 inhabitants.

background

Villazón is a shopping town that is particularly popular with residents of northern Argentina. The negative consequence of the proximity to the border is a flourishing smuggling market.

For the traveler, the transport connections are more important, as there are no direct bus or train connections from Bolivia to Argentina and therefore a change at the border point is absolutely necessary. The city does not necessarily invite you to linger, and crime is higher than in cities of comparable size.

getting there

By bus

Numerous bus companies drive Villazón from major cities in Bolivia.

When traveling on to Argentina, it is usually advisable to buy the tickets at the Argentine bus station in La Quiaca. Some of the vendors approach arriving travelers at the bus station in order to tell them to continue their journey. Unless you get a discount when trading with the seller. Otherwise you run the risk of paying for additional services (e.g. a taxi across the border) that are actually not necessary.

By train

Of Oruro, Uyuni and Tupiza from the Expreso del Sur / Wara Wara del Sur to Villazón. One gets from La Paz, good practice is to travel by bus to Oruro and then continue on this train.

The station is north of the center in a small park.

In the street

The city is connected to the Bolivian road network. The road to Tupiza, Potosí and La Paz is paved. The streets towards Tarija and the west are sometimes a bit adventurous.

mobility

Tourist Attractions

Villazón is a modern city that was only founded on May 20, 1910. So it is not surprising that one looks in vain for old colonial buildings. After all, the church is in the neo-colonial style, but actually unspectacular. More interesting are the modern buildings, such as a small high-rise building in Avenida República Argentina, where attempts were probably made to combine "modern construction" with Indian patterns. There is also a curious monument in the outskirts that looks like a "tripod gate".

activities

shop

In the shops on the main street and some small shopping galleries, everything imaginable is offered - depending on the exchange rate to the Argentine peso, cheaper or more expensive than in the neighboring country.

kitchen

nightlife

Villazón is known for his carnival, with a colorful parade through the streets around the plaza.

accommodation

There are numerous hotels and hostels. However, one should look for recommendations from locals or experienced travelers as not all are trustworthy.

health

Practical advice

Citizens of Mercosur and Bolivia can cross the border line without any formalities. Everyone else has to have their passport stamped even if they make a short visit.

trips

A worthwhile excursion goes to Tupiza, a town in a gorge worth seeing a few kilometers north.

literature

Web links

• Villazón portal (Spanish)