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Safety Guide

Avoid Taxi Scams at El Alto International Airport

La Paz airport scam warnings for 2026 — how the scams work, where to avoid, and the official taxi + ride-share options to use instead.

LPBBOBUpdated 2026-08

The main scam at LPB

LA PAZ ALTITUDE WARNING: El Alto is 4,061m — many travelers experience altitude sickness on arrival. Drink water, avoid alcohol, take it slow first 24 hours. Coca tea offered in most hotels. Taxi scams: agree price BEFORE entering; only use RADIO TAXI (marked with company + phone number) from the airport rank.

Do

  • Use the OFFICIAL prepaid taxi counter inside arrivals
  • Use Uber / Grab / Bolt / Careem / DiDi if available (app-based, fixed price)
  • Insist on the meter or agreed fixed rate BEFORE entering the vehicle
  • Verify the driver's license plate matches your receipt
  • Pre-book a transfer for zero scam risk (see below)

Don't

  • Never accept rides from drivers approaching you inside arrivals
  • Never enter a taxi without confirming meter/price first
  • Avoid taxi ranks OUTSIDE the official signposted zone
  • Do not pay in cash without seeing the meter reading
  • Never hand over your passport or luggage to hold as "security"

Official safe options at LPB

Radio taxi (from official rank)
taxi
Cost: BOB 60-100 (~$9-15) to La Paz Centro
Time: 25-45 min
AGREE PRICE BEFORE ENTERING — no meters.
Uber / InDrive (limited)
ride share
Cost: BOB 50-90
Time: 25-45 min
Hotel transfers
shuttle
Cost: $15-30
Time: 30-60 min

Pre-book a fixed-price transfer — zero scam risk

The safest option for first-time visitors to La Paz: driver meets you inside arrivals with your name, price locked before you fly, no queues, no negotiation.

Getting out of La Paz (LPB)

Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.

Pre-book a fixed-price transfer

Our pick

Driver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.

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Frequently asked

How do I avoid taxi scams at El Alto International Airport?
LA PAZ ALTITUDE WARNING: El Alto is 4,061m — many travelers experience altitude sickness on arrival. Drink water, avoid alcohol, take it slow first 24 hours. Coca tea offered in most hotels. Taxi scams: agree price BEFORE entering; only use RADIO TAXI (marked with company + phone number) from the airport rank.
What is the official taxi rank at El Alto International Airport?
The official La Paz airport taxi options are: Radio taxi (from official rank) (BOB 60-100 (~$9-15) to La Paz Centro, 25-45 min); Uber / InDrive (limited) (BOB 50-90, 25-45 min); Hotel transfers ($15-30, 30-60 min).
Is Uber safer than a taxi at El Alto International Airport?
App-based ride-share (Uber, Grab, Careem, Bolt or similar depending on region) is generally the safest option for tourists at El Alto International Airport — pricing is locked before pickup, no negotiation, driver + vehicle details are recorded. If ride-share is unavailable, use the OFFICIAL prepaid taxi counter inside arrivals (not lobby touts).
Should I pre-book a transfer from El Alto International Airport?
Pre-booking a fixed-price airport transfer eliminates all scam risk: no queues, no negotiation, driver meets you inside arrivals with your name. Price is locked before you fly. This is the most tourist-friendly option, especially for first-time visitors to La Paz.