โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Santa Ana del Yacuma Airport (SBL) serves the town of Santa Ana del Yacuma in Bolivia's Beni Department, and the airfield sits just south of the town rather than on its edge. SKYbrary lists the field at about 472 ft elevation, which is consistent with the low-lying Beni plain and the airport's role as a small regional access point rather than a major transport hub.
The airport has a single asphalt runway, 14/32, measuring about 1,527 to 1,528 m long by 21 m wide. The Santa Ana non-directional beacon, identified as ANA, is on the field, and OpenAIP lists the airport as VFR with sunrise-to-sunset operating hours. That combination points to a straightforward airfield layout with limited infrastructure but enough navigational support for short regional sectors.
OpenAIP also shows no passenger facilities, no fuel, no cargo handling, no maintenance, no de-icing, and no shelter, so travelers should not expect a conventional terminal experience. In practice, the airport works best when ground transport is arranged before arrival and when schedules allow some slack for weather or local operating constraints, especially in the wet season when conditions across the Beni region can change quickly.
๐ Connection Tips
Santa Ana del Yacuma (SBL) serves the Beni department of Bolivia, primarily via regional carriers from Trinidad or Santa Cruz. Flights are often on small turboprop aircraft and are highly weather-dependent due to the tropical climate In practical terms, the practical plan is the onward road or domestic transfer, not the building footprint, because the airport mainly keeps Santa Ana del Yacuma tied into the regional network. The meaningful alternates are Viru Viru International Airport, San Ignacio de Moxos Airport, Teniente Av. Jorge Henrich Arauz Airport, which is why the backup plan matters more than the terminal amenities. Scheduled service is carried by Regional carriers, so the first bank of the day is the one to watch. In practice, that means the airport works as Santa Ana del Yacuma's time-saving link to the rest of Bolivia.
Ground transportation consists of local taxis and 'micros' (small buses) into the town center If the plan changes, the practical plan is the onward road or domestic transfer, not the building footprint, because the airport mainly keeps Santa Ana del Yacuma tied into the regional network. The meaningful alternates are Viru Viru International Airport, San Ignacio de Moxos Airport, Teniente Av. Jorge Henrich Arauz Airport, which is why the backup plan matters more than the terminal amenities. Scheduled service is carried by Regional carriers, so the first bank of the day is the one to watch. In practice, that means the airport works as Santa Ana del Yacuma's time-saving link to the rest of Bolivia.
The airport is a vital link for the local cattle ranching industry and administrative travel in this seasonally flooded region For connection planning, the practical plan is the onward road or domestic transfer, not the building footprint, because the airport mainly keeps Santa Ana del Yacuma tied into the regional network. The meaningful alternates are Viru Viru International Airport, San Ignacio de Moxos Airport, Teniente Av. Jorge Henrich Arauz Airport, which is why the backup plan matters more than the terminal amenities. Scheduled service is carried by Regional carriers, so the first bank of the day is the one to watch. In practice, that means the airport works as Santa Ana del Yacuma's time-saving link to the rest of Bolivia.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Apolo Airport (APB) is a vital regional aviation facility serving the town of Apolo in the northern La Paz Department of Bolivia. Situated at an elevation of approximately 1,415 meters (4,642 feet), the facility acts as a critical lifeline for the Franz Tamayo Province, providing a rapid alternative to the challenging and often treacherous overland routes through the Yungas region. The terminal infrastructure is minimalist, consisting of a functional administrative building that provides basic shelter and passenger processing for the light aircraft and turboprops that dominate local operations.
The airport's technical capabilities are centered around a single runway, identified as 18/36, which measures approximately 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) in length. While some older records describe it as a grass strip, recent improvements have aimed at providing a more stable surface to accommodate year-round operations. For navigation, the field is equipped with a non-directional beacon (NDB) with the identifier 'APB', though pilots primarily rely on visual flight rules (VFR) given the surrounding mountainous terrain and the lack of a published METAR service.
Ground handling and airport services are managed with a focus on supporting the region's agricultural and burgeoning ecotourism sectors. While the airfield lacks the complex amenities of a major commercial hub, it offers a welcoming and authentic atmosphere characteristic of the sub-Andean frontier. Navigating the terminal is extremely simple, with walking distances between the check-in area and the aircraft parking stands being negligible. The airport's location on the edge of the town ensures that travelers are just a few minutes away from local community services and guesthouses.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting through Apolo Airport (APB) is a specialized process tailored for travelers heading to the remote Madidi National Park and the high-biodiversity frontiers of the Franz Tamayo Province. Since the airport does not currently host regularly scheduled commercial airline services, 'connections' at this facility typically involve transitioning from a private or government charter flight to local ground transportation. It is absolutely essential to coordinate all aspects of your journeyโincluding flight manifests, cargo requirements, and ground pickupsโdirectly with your charter operator or local host well in advance of your departure from La Paz.
Ground transportation from the 1,300-meter grass runway is informal and must be pre-arranged. There are no on-demand taxi ranks or public shuttle services at the airstrip; instead, visitors are usually met by local 4x4 vehicles or coordinate motorbike taxi (moto-taxi) transfers for the short journey into the Apolo town center. For those planning onward overland travel to the capital, the 400-kilometer road journey typically takes 10 to 12 hours under optimal conditions, but can extend to over 18 hours during the rainy season (December to March) when unpaved sections of the route become extremely muddy.
Travelers should be prepared for substantial schedule fluidity; it is highly recommended to build at least a 48-hour buffer into your itinerary, as regional flights are frequently delayed or cancelled due to localized tropical storms and low cloud cover in the foothills. Please ensure that all your onward travel arrangements, including ground transport to your final destination, are confirmed well in advance. Our research indicates that regional transit in this area is highly weather-dependent and requires travelers to remain flexible with their schedules. Always confirm your flight status 24 hours prior to departure, carry your essential medications and critical documents in your hand baggage, and maintain open lines of communication with your local hosts or transport providers. By treating this airport segment as the foundation of your regional travel plan rather than the conclusion of your flight, you will find that it is a highly reliable gateway, provided you account for the unique pace of local transport and the seasonal variability of the local environment, which can often be unpredictable due to sudden meteorological shifts or technical logistics.
Passengers must arrive fully self-sufficient, as the airfield provides only minimal sheltered waiting areas and lacks any retail, dining, or financial services. Ensure you have sufficient Bolivian Bolivianos (BOB) in cash before leaving La Paz, as there are no banking facilities or ATMs in the Apolo area.
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