Airfare to Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Santa Cruz is La Paz's wealthier sister, the second largest city in the state. Unlike the cities nestled in the Andes, Santa Cruz is less than 500 meters above sea level. Football (soccer) fans should make note of the prestigious Academia de Futbol Tahuichi Aguilera, located in the city.

Airfare to Santa Cruz will be the cheapest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday. Mondays are popular with business travellers and weekends are key dates for holidaymakers wanting the longest trips possible - avoid these dates.

Also consider flights into La Paz, Bolivia. To get between the cities, you can grab a spot on a train, bus or flight. Look for cheap flights on no frills airlines. Gol Transportes Aereos flies to Santa Cruz. Although it will take longer to reach your destination, a bus or train could save you enough cash to make it worth your while.

Another possible money-saving tip is to look for flights that go through Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, or another major gateway city instead of flying direct. Because there are more flights - and competition - from these cities on low budget airlines, you can save some cash over flying non-stop to your destination. It is very common to layover in one of these main cities.

Finally, consider traveling on a lesser-known carrier. Lloyd Aereo Boliviano is the national airline. However, Aerosur and other airlines also stop in Santa Cruz.

The most expensive air tickets to Santa Cruz are found during peak holiday travel times, such as the New Year. Also be aware of national events or festivals, which can also cause ticket prices to rise.

Summary of Money Saving Tips:

• Fly mid-week
• Book your holiday during the off-peak season
• Consider flying into La Paz, Bolivia and traveling overland to Santa Cruz via train or bus
• Look for flights that go through large cities, with many flights
• Check out carriers besides the national airline - they may undercut the monopolistic competition

For more information on Santa Cruz, check out BootsnAll's Bolivia Travel Guide.