# Andes altitude airports: leaving La Paz (LPB), Arequipa (AQP) and Cusco (CUZ)

> La Paz's airport is the highest international airport in the world. Here is what altitude does to your arrival — and how to leave without collapsing at the taxi rank.

- Published: 2026-07-16
- Updated: 2026-07-22
- Author: Airport Exit
- Canonical URL: https://www.airportexit.com/blog/altitude-airports-la-paz-arequipa-cusco

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The Andes have three airports where the altitude alone is a factor in your arrival: [El Alto (LPB, 4,061m)](/airports/lpb-la-paz), [Cusco (CUZ, 3,399m)](/airports/cusco-airport), and to a lesser extent [Arequipa (AQP, 2,559m)](/airports/aqp-arequipa). Move slowly. Drink water. Don't argue with the taxi driver.

## La Paz (LPB)

El Alto is a plateau above the city — you literally descend 400m by car to reach central La Paz. Radio taxi from the airport (booked at the desk inside) is BOB 90 (about $13). The Mi Teleférico cable car system connects El Alto to central La Paz for BOB 3 — but the airport is a 15-min bus/taxi ride from the cable car station. If you have altitude symptoms, take the radio taxi.

## Arequipa (AQP)

Airport is 8 km from the Plaza de Armas. Taxis are S/ 25–35 (about $7–10) — agree the fare before getting in, no meters. Uber works well and is S/ 15–25. Cerro Colorado buses run from just outside the airport for S/ 1 but you'll need to walk with bags.

## Cusco (CUZ)

The airport is 5 km from the Plaza de Armas. Official taxis (booked at desks inside) are S/ 30. Uber and inDrive are S/ 15–25. The "airport tourist taxis" outside quote S/ 60+ — walk past them to the departures level and book from there.

## Altitude arrival rules

- Do not try to lift your own luggage into the taxi at LPB or CUZ. Let the driver.

- Coca tea in the arrivals hall is not a myth — it genuinely helps.

- Alcohol on the first night at altitude is a bad idea. Save the pisco.

Money: [La Paz](/currency-at/lpb-la-paz), [Arequipa](/currency-at/aqp-arequipa).

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