RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The new route connects Rio de Janeiro to Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Bolivia. The aircraft, which took off from the Bolivian city at 9:00 PM on Sunday, December 15th, was welcomed with the traditional ceremony when it arrived at RIOgaleão, at 1:10 AM.
The company’s flights between the Marvelous City and Santa Cruz de La Sierra will be three times a week. The Embraer 190 aircraft, used on the flights, holds 112 passengers.
Philipe Karat, RIOgaleão’s Route Development Manager, said the aviation market between Brazil and Bolivia has grown 50 percent over the past five years.
“This new operation contributes to our international strategy, mainly because it connects with other important cities and destinations in South America,” explained Philipe Karat.
Faster connection to Machu Picchu
Santa Cruz de La Sierra is currently the largest and most densely populated city in Bolivia, besides being considered the country’s economic driver. The city’s highways and airports easily connect to cities such as Potosí, Uyuni, Sucre and La Paz.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra may be the starting point for those who wish to visit the Salar de Uyuni, the famous salt desert in southwest Bolivia. In addition, the city is also chosen by Brazilians who wish to visit Cuzco and Machu Picchu in Peru, as the company provides the fastest alternative to get there.
Santa Cruz de La Sierra is composed of 12 neighborhoods connected by four main routes, which are called rings. The Historic Center and the surroundings of the Plaza 24 de Septiembre are home to the main public buildings, museums, and the Basilica Cathedral, as well as options for bars and restaurants.
For ecotourism enthusiasts, there are natural parks such as Biocentro Guembé, an ecological park with an aviary, butterfly garden, an orchid garden, lagoons, swimming pools, and a children’s playground.
The city also features La Rinconada, an eco-park with over 400 plant species for observation, and the Amboró National Park, a place with great diversity and biological treasures.