During my two times to Latin America review trip, I had a roughly seven hour layover at Viru Viru International Airport (VVI) in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (that’s a mouthful, eh?). I was arriving in Boliviana de Aviacion’s A330 business class, and was connecting to GOL’s 737 MAX premium economy.
Continue reading: Review: The Lounge VIP Santa Cruz De La Sierra Airport (VVI)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Bolivia is the second-poorest country in South America, behind only Venezuela. What did you expect: Krug champagne? Yes, I agree that the offering doesn't match the relatively nice curb appeal and decor. But the overall offering is certainly no worse than what I've seen in Mexico. The Priority Pass lounges in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cancun are as bad.
Will there ever be a function for filtering through trip reports on airlines, class of travel, airplane, etc. ?
"I also can’t say that the lounge staff were terribly friendly or motivated when it came to greeting guests, or keeping the lounge clean. Based on the welcome I received at the lounge, I might as well have been dealing with a tenured employee at Cairo Airport. "
Seriously? What a rude thing to say.
I don't see a single crumb anywhere. It looks remarkably clean and there isn't even a lounge attendant in the toilet asking for a tip after you use the clean facilities.
The lounge looks cleaner than domestic lounges.
@ FNT Delta Diamond -- No, I didn't expect Krug champagne, and the lounge was roughly in line with my expectations. I don't think I indicated otherwise?
@ FNT Delta Diamond -- It was intended to be humorous/tongue in cheek, hence the emoji. In all honesty, the staff finally came around to clear things after the Air Europa passengers left, which was at the end of my visit (and when I took the pictures -- and I always try to post the best pictures possible). During the two previous hours, I didn't see them once walk through the lounge to clear plates or bottles.
@ E39 -- It's something on my wish list for the blog, though the technology is surprisingly complicated for that (based on how the site is set up). So realistically, it's more of a long term goal.
This seems much like the Priority Lounge in Liberia (LIR), Costa Rica. I used it many times as a Priority Pass member and cancelled my membership after less than a year because every time I used that lounge, I was charged with bringing in a guest when I never did (seemed obviously a scam). I reported it to Priority Pass but never got any answer.
"Based on the welcome I received at the lounge, I might as well have been dealing with a tenured employee at Cairo Airport. "
Great line Ben.
In my experience lounges in Latin America tend to be pretty basic so this isn't surprising. But on the plus side most airports have pp lounges as opposed to US.
After recently touring Ecuador, I was very surprised at the high quality of the priority pass lounges in several of country’s airports. Currently it’s the only country I’ve visited in Central and South America, but again the quantity was excellent.
The lounges in Rio (GIG) are pretty nice. Star Alliance in particular was lovely for a Business Class lounge.
Which type of PP membership did you have? If you had the standard membership, there would be a charge for the lounge use.
The Swissport has $11 wine. Doesn't look like any wine here. Food wise, it's the same. Furnishings and decor wise, it's better.