Money at Viru Viru International (Santa Cruz) (VVI)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra uses the BOB (Bs). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly Bs 70–100. Cash only for most taxis; small BOB notes.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Viru Viru International (Santa Cruz) (VVI)?
Bolivia uses the BOB (Bs). Airport ATMs dispense BOB directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from VVI to the city cost?
Expected fare on the VVI → Santa Cruz centro/Equipetrol route is roughly Bs 70–100. Around Bs 150+ is already high, and Bs 300 'tourist rate' is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at VVI?
Not expected. Drivers in Bolivia don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at VVI?
Cash only for most taxis; small BOB notes. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of BOB notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at VVI?
Only if you need $10–20 of BOB to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
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