La Paz Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our La Paz Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

Benches aren’t very comfortable and there are only a few dining options. It’s a small airport so be sure to bring your own entertainment. – chocital

LPB Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at La Paz El Alta International Airport (code: LPB).

What to Expect

A small single-terminal international airport with clean facilities and a limited variety of shops and dining options. This is the world’s highest international airport, so altitude sickness is no joke. Talk to your doctor and take the necessary precautions to stay healthy! WiFi is available to help pass the time. Economy class passengers can pay to enter the airport’s comfortable VIP lounge.

La Paz Airport Guide — (Photo courtesy of a guest traveller / 10July2018)

Sleeping in La Paz Airport

Sleeping areas are limited to the floor or the airport’s hard benches, and the airport can be cold, especially at night. Have a sleeping bag or travel blanket handy for added comfort and warmth. For uninterrupted sleep, there are sleep pods in the terminal’s public area and hotels near the airport. See our Airport Hotels section below for locations.

Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our La Paz Airport Guide.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.

Airport Hours

The terminal is open 24 hours. Airside access follows the flight schedule, so you may need a boarding pass to remain in the secure area overnight.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Cots

The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels & Sleep Cabins

If sleeping in El Alto airport sounds like a nightmare, there are short-stay sleep cabins inside the terminal. A few small hotels are also located nearby.

Hotel inside El Alto Airport

Sleepbox Onkel Inn – Sleep cabins and lounges located inside the airport. It’s convenient, but online reviews suggest that you need to keep your expectations very low. A reader tells us that showers are available. Sample rates are: Single, private for US$12 – 1 hour; Single, private for US$51 – 6 hours; Single, shared for US$9 – 1 hour; Single, shared for US$36 – 6 hours. Located: Landside.

Hotels near the airport

Hotel Rosario La Paz (2.6 mi / 4.2 km) Mid-range hotel.
Illampu Art Boutique Hotel (2.6 mi / 4.2 km) Mid-range hotel.

Although El Alto Airport is located over 4,000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level, many travellers choose to stay in La Paz rather than near the airport. The city offers a much wider selection of accommodations at a lower elevation, about a 20-30 minute drive from the airport (traffic permitting).

Browse the complete list of hotels in La Paz on Expedia.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.

The Lounge VIP (International) – Location: Airside, International Departures. Hours: 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (approx. USD $31) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
The Lounge VIP (Domestic) – Location: Airside, Domestic Departures. Hours: 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (approx. USD $25) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.

Food & Drinks

One reader reported a 24-hour Juan Valdez café located landside near the airline check-in desks. Some airside food outlets may also remain open overnight depending on flight activity. (Reported November 2022)

Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Information is inconsistent. A traveller review from October 2018 reported luggage storage available for about 25 Bs per day, but current availability could not be verified. If you know, click here to update the guide.

Mobile Charging

Charging points are reportedly available in the airside departures area.

Showers

Showers are available at the Onkel Inn sleep cabin facility. A traveller (Feb 2025) reported a price of about 50 Bs per shower. Towels were included, but soap was not provided.

WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at El Alto International Airport. Connect to the “GAP FREE” network.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs are available in the main hall (landside). International transaction fees may apply depending on your bank.

Currency Exchange – Aero Cambio Casa de Cambio provides currency exchange services. Location: International Arrivals area, Door 1.

Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available, along with a small variety of souvenir shops.

Information Desk – An information desk is located in the main hall. Tourist information desks are also available in the Domestic and International Departures areas.

Medical Services – A 24-hour medical clinic is located in the International Arrivals area.

Pharmacy – A pharmacy is located in the International Arrivals area, next to the medical clinic.

SIM Cards – SIM cards are reportedly available from kiosks in the landside check-in and arrivals area. One traveller reported purchasing a TIGO SIM card and activating it later at a TIGO store in La Paz using a passport. (January 2023)

Airlines

La Paz Airport is served by the following airlines: Aeroméxico • Amaszonas • Avianca • Boliviana de Aviación • EcoJet • LATAM • Peruvian • TAM.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Car Rentals

These car rental agencies offer service onsite: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Europcar • Hertz • National • Thrifty.

Hotel Shuttles

See Airport Hotels above.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area. Flat rates are available for key destinations.

Security & Safety

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Last updated: 2026-03-09

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.