Capitán Av. Selin Zeitun Lopez Airport (RIB)

Capitán Av. Selin Zeitun Lopez Airport operates as the vital aviation gateway to Bolivia's Amazon capital of Riberalta, positioned in the western section of this strategic port city where the Madre de Dios and Beni Rivers converge in northern Bolivia's Beni Department, serving as the essential air link for the world's most productive Brazil nut (Amazon almond) region. Located just 2 kilometers from Riberalta's commercial center at 462 feet elevation, this regional facility maintains the critical aviation infrastructure supporting Bolivia's dominance in global Brazil nut production, accounting for 78% of world output with exports valued at $192 million annually and volumes reaching 25,000 tons.

The airport features a single asphalt runway 13/31 measuring 1,753 meters, equipped with essential navigation aids including the Riberalta non-directional beacon (REA) supporting aircraft operations in the challenging tropical environment where dense jungle vegetation and unpredictable weather patterns create unique operational considerations. Basic terminal facilities provide essential passenger processing for EcoJet and other regional carriers connecting this remote Amazon region to Trinidad, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, and Bolivia's major urban centers, though amenities remain minimal reflecting the facility's functional focus on supporting agricultural and commercial aviation rather than tourist services.

Operational characteristics center on the airport's crucial role facilitating the Brazil nut trade that defines Riberalta's economy, with cargo flights transporting harvested nuts to processing facilities and international markets while passenger services enable business travel for agricultural executives, government officials, and technical specialists managing the sustainable harvesting operations throughout the surrounding Amazon basin. The tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw classification) creates seasonal challenges with intense wet season precipitation from November to March affecting runway conditions and flight reliability.

Strategic importance extends beyond regional connectivity to supporting Bolivia's position as the global Brazil nut production leader, while the airport also facilitates operations for rubber tapping, alluvial gold extraction, and exotic fruit cultivation (cupuazú, majo, motacú) that sustain this remote Amazon community. Ground transportation connects to Riberalta's port facilities on the Beni River, where river navigation provides additional access to remote forest areas, while the airport serves as the essential link maintaining economic connections for this frontier community that embodies Bolivia's Amazon development balancing environmental conservation with sustainable resource extraction in one of South America's most biodiverse regions.