Plan on about 11 h 4 min of driving for the 437-mile (704 km) trip from Villa Tunari to San Rafael de Velasco, before any stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Bolivia: Chapare Province.
This route passes through or near an area the State Department rates Do Not Travel. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive: Bolivia. Advisory issued: Bolivia August 18, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Bolivia: “Most highways do not have shoulders, fences, or barriers, and there are few lane markings.”
| Distance | 437 mi (704 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 11 h 4 min |
| Main roads, in order | F4 → F17 |
| Departments on the route | Cochabamba, Santa Cruz |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
On the road from Villa Tunari to San Rafael de Velasco
F4 (343 mi) and F17 (78 mi) carry about 96% of the 437 miles. It runs through 2 departments: Cochabamba, Santa Cruz. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Villa Tunari to San Rafael de Velasco
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| F4 | 0–63 | 63 | Cochabamba |
| local roads | 63–66 | 3 | Cochabamba |
| F4 | 66–111 | 45 | Cochabamba, Santa Cruz |
| local roads | 111–114 | 3 | Santa Cruz |
| F4 | 114–185 | 71 | Santa Cruz |
| local roads | 185–195 | 10 | Santa Cruz |
| F4 | 195–359 | 164 | Santa Cruz |
| F17 | 359–437 | 78 | Santa Cruz |
- Mile 82 of this route: Cochabamba → Santa Cruz (department line)
Places worth a stop between Villa Tunari and San Rafael de Velasco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Jardín Botánico de Santa Cruz de la Sierra (mile 196)
- Nature and outdoors: Piraí River Ecological Protection Park (mile 190), Jardín Botánico de Santa Cruz de la Sierra (mile 196)
- Museums and history: Parque nacional Histórico Santa Cruz La Vieja (mile 357)
Piraí River Ecological Protection Park
Along the banks of the Piraí River, this protected park preserves natural areas and helps shield Santa Cruz de la Sierra from river floods.
Jardín Botánico de Santa Cruz de la Sierra
The municipal botanical garden of Santa Cruz de la Sierra covers 217 hectares within the city.
Parque nacional Histórico Santa Cruz La Vieja
About 3 km south of San José de Chiquitos, Santa Cruz la Vieja is a historic national park protecting archaeological, historical, and natural features.
More drives to San Rafael de Velasco
- Cochabamba to San Rafael de Velasco
- Quillacollo to San Rafael de Velasco
- Sucre to San Rafael de Velasco
From Villa Tunari to other places in Bolivia
- Villa Tunari to Llallagua
- Villa Tunari to Quime
- Villa Tunari to Challapata
- Villa Tunari to Tiwanaku
- Villa Tunari to Coroico
- Villa Tunari to Chulumani
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Villa Tunari to San Rafael de Velasco?
About 11 h 4 min of driving without stops, over 437 miles.
How far is San Rafael de Velasco from Villa Tunari by car?
About 437 miles (704 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Is it safe to drive from Villa Tunari to San Rafael de Velasco?
The U.S. State Department rates Bolivia Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Parts of this route are in or near areas rated Level 4: Do Not Travel (Bolivia: Chapare Province). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Villa Tunari to San Rafael de Velasco?
In order: F4 and F17. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Villa Tunari and San Rafael de Velasco?
Closest to the road: Piraí River Ecological Protection Park (protected area, mile 190, 5 mi from the route); Jardín Botánico de Santa Cruz de la Sierra (botanical garden, mile 196, 0.4 mi from the route); Parque nacional Histórico Santa Cruz La Vieja (archaeological site, mile 357, 3 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.