โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Teniente Jorge Henrich Arauz Airport (TDD/SLTR) serves as Trinidad's primary aviation gateway to Bolivia's Amazon basin region in Beni Department. Named after Lieutenant Jorge Henrich Arauz, a national hero pilot honored by law in 1948, the airport underwent major renovation in 2022 through NAABOL with $20 million in improvements announced by President รรฑez in 2019. These upgrades modernized the terminal building and constructed new fire rescue and firefighting services to international standards.
The renovated terminal building provides contemporary passenger facilities with expanded boarding areas, modern check-in counters, and improved baggage handling systems. Recent infrastructure improvements support the airport's role as the main hub for Amaszonas and Aerocon airlines, facilitating connections throughout Bolivia's challenging Amazon geography. Enhanced safety equipment and emergency services reflect the facility's critical importance for medical evacuations from remote Beni Department communities.
Operational characteristics focus on scheduled domestic services connecting Trinidad to La Paz, Santa Cruz, and other Bolivian cities, while also supporting charter operations for cattle ranching logistics and ecotourism access to pristine wetland ecosystems. The Trinidad VOR-DME (TRI) navigation aid, located 1.7 nautical miles northwest, and the on-field Trinidad NDB (TDD) provide essential navigation support for flights operating in the Amazon's frequently challenging weather conditions.
Strategic importance encompasses serving as the primary gateway to the UNESCO-recognized Llanos de Moxos wetlands and supporting Bolivia's largest cattle ranching region. The airport facilitates tourism access to pristine rivers and forests while providing essential connectivity for medical services, government operations, and economic development in this remote but economically vital Amazon region.
๐ Connection Tips
Check with airlines for transfer procedures at Teniente Av. The facility coordinates with La Paz Flight Information Region for traffic control, as most flights connect through Santa Cruz or La Paz. Seasonal weather patterns including heavy rains and occasional flooding significantly impact flight operations, requiring travelers to maintain flexible schedules and consider weather-related delays. The facility maintains flexible scheduling to accommodate afternoon thunderstorms that are common in this tropical region, particularly during the wet season (November-April). Keep Bolivian bolivianos available as USD exchange may be limited.
Ground transportation options include taxis, mototaxis, and rental vehicles for travel to downtown Trinidad, though advance booking is recommended during peak periods. Consider bringing insect repellent and sun protection as you'll likely be outdoors while waiting. Local aviation services support cattle ranching logistics, ecotourism operations to the nearby protected areas, and charter flights for fishermen and hunters visiting the region's pristine rivers and forests. The airport's strategic location serves as the primary gateway to the Llanos de Moxos, a vast wetland ecosystem and cattle ranching region of Bolivia.
Emergency services and medical evacuation capabilities are maintained year-round, providing critical coverage for the isolated communities throughout Beni department. Jorge Henrich Arauz Airport, serving Bolivia's Beni department capital in the Amazon lowlands. Baggage handling procedures accommodate specialized equipment for ecotourism activities, but passengers should verify weight restrictions for smaller aircraft. Weather monitoring systems provide essential data for safe flight operations in challenging tropical conditions with rapidly changing weather patterns.
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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