Bolivia's Legendary Death Train Resumes Operation

The iconic Death Train, which connects Puerto Quijarro on the border with Brazil to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, has resumed operations after a six year hiatus caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. Operated by Ferroviaria Oriental, the train earned its nickname in the past due to a high number of accidents, such as derailments, and its use as a route for transporting patients with diseases like yellow fever. The journey covers 618 kilometers and can take up to 20 hours depending on conditions. Tickets cost approximately 160 Brazilian Reais and can be purchased online or at the station.

Departures from Puerto Quijarro occur on Sundays at 1 p.m. with stops in El Carmen, Roboré, and San José before reaching Santa Cruz, the largest city in Bolivia. Return trips depart on Fridays at 1 p.m. While passengers report that the train still shakes considerably, the route is now equipped with modern locomotives, wagons, air conditioning, and televisions. The train passes through the Chiquitania region, which is known for its natural landscapes and is popular among Brazilian backpackers.

Historically, a Brazilian train connecting Bauru to Corumbá also shared the Death Train moniker starting in the 1960s due to a lack of investment and increased accidents. Puerto Quijarro borders Corumbá, allowing passengers to transition between the two systems. While Ferroviaria Oriental manages 1,244 kilometers of track in Bolivia, the Brazilian equivalent, the Estrada de Ferro Noroeste do Brasil, has seen a decline in passenger service. Of the 122 stations built between Bauru and Corumbá, at least 80 have been demolished or are in advanced stages of deterioration.

Brazilian tourists do not need a visa to enter Bolivia but must pass through immigration control between Corumbá and Puerto Quijarro. Requirements include a passport and proof of vaccination against yellow fever.