Traveling From Peru To Bolivia With Bolivia Hop

One of the most frustrating aspects of travel in South America has to be border crossings. No matter how prepared you may be or how confident you are at arguing conversing in the local language, traveling between countries by bus is notoriously challenging, causing even the most tolerant of backpackers to lose their cool. To help make traveling from Peru to Bolivia as smooth as possible, a new European owned bus company called Bolivia Hop are now providing safe and secure transfers between the two countries. While public buses are definitely an option, the popular hop-on / hop-off bus service provides a more flexible, comfortable and not to mention fun, way of getting you from A to B.

The Bolivia Hop Experience

From day-trips to week-long stays, Bolivia Hop enables travelers to explore destinations at their own time and pace. Unbridled by tight schedules and prepaid tours, travelers can be spontaneous with their travel plans, jumping on a Bolivia Hop bus when they’re good and ready. For those that like a plan, Bolivia Hop also provide a recommended amount of time at each destination, so you can follow their schedule too, if you wish. The other great thing about using Bolivia Hop is that, unlike public transport, you don’t have to worry about where to store your bags, how to get to your hostel, which tour company you should use or where the best places are to eat. The friendly Bolivia Hop staff have all this covered, dishing out helpful tips and recommendations along the way. Border Crossings The border crossing from Peru to Bolivia can be notoriously stressful, especially if you’re not fluent Spanish. There are forms to be filled out, fees to be paid, and dodgy police officers looking to make a quick buck. That’s why all of Bolivia Hop’s buses come with following:

• Local Peruvian and Bolivian guides assisting you with any issues – fluent in English and Spanish.
• All immigration forms supplied on board the bus and assistance filling them out.
• Only passengers who provide copies of their passport are allowed on board.
• Buses will wait at border until all passengers have safely passed. You won’t be left behind.
• Guides will ensure that you do not pay any unnecessary fees or fines (and will help you to avoid scams)
• Opportunity to change currency at the border

As buses cannot travel directly across the Peru-Bolivia border, passengers are required to cross the border on foot. A Bolivia Hop bus will be waiting on either side of the border and your guide will be there to assist you at all times. With a dedicated team focused on safety, Bolivia Hop ensure you get from A to B safely, while at the same time taking all the stress away from crossing the Bolivia-Peru border! During The Trip From Peru To Bolivia

• Curl up under your complimentary duvet and watch a film…in English!
• Recline in your semi-cama seat and catch some shut eye
• Listen to your guide who will provide insider advice on the best places to eat and sleep at your next destination
• Need help with your accommodation booking? They can also do this!
• Enjoy complimentary mini excursions along the way (e.g. Floating Islands & Isla del Sol)
• If you like a particular city or town en route to your final destination, just hop off and let the guide know when you’re ready to hop back on again
• Get dropped off right outside your accommodation

Flexible Dates The great thing about using Bolivia Hop is that there are no fixed itineraries. One ticket covers all stops for 1 year, just hop on and hop off as you like! All that is required from you is the departure date of the first leg of your trip – you don’t have to lock in departure dates from locations in between. It’s only when you arrive at a destination that you’ll need to tell your guide when you’d like to hop-back on so they can reserve a seat for you (example: while on the bus from Puno to Copacabana you can tell the guide the exact date for the Copacabana to La Paz section). If you’re not sure exactly what date you will take the next bus, then you can simply log onto Bolivia Hop’s booking system using your unique booking code where you can book a seat on any of the next buses. The Guides All guides are proud natives (fluent in both English and Spanish) who know their country inside out. They know all the hidden gems, all the best (and cheapest) places to eat and drink, and they will teach you things about their country that you simply cannot read about in most guidebooks. Bolivia Hop’s guides are lovely, friendly people who are really proud to have the opportunity to show tourists around their country so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation during the trip! Journey Times

• Cusco to Puno – 8 hours (overnight trip)
• Puno to border – 2.5 hours
• Border to Copacabana – 30 minutes
• Copacabana to La Paz – 4.5 hours

Meeting New Travel Friends One of the best things about travel is the people you meet along the way. On Bolivia Hop’s buses, you’ll have the opportunity to meet many people from across the world, of all ages, and find yourself forming friendship bonds that will often lead to you travelling together for the next few weeks or even months.

Bolivia Hop’s Buses

Bolivia Hop operate a specific bus on either side of the Bolivia-Peru border: Buses on the Peruvian side of the border have:

• 40 semi-bed reclining seats with sponge foam pads for added comfort
• Modern and clean toilet
• High tech temperature controlled air system to ensure it is never too hot or too cold
• 3 LCD TVs on board to sit back and enjoy English speaking movies on longer journeys
• Highest quality brake and suspension system to ensure a smooth seamless journey
• Blankets for every passenger – snuggle up and get some sleep on longer trips
• 2 drivers on all long journeys swapping shifts every 4 hours to avoid tiredness
• GPS monitoring system allowing us to track our buses every step of the way and monitor driver velocity

Buses on the Bolivian side of the border have:

• 37 semi-bed reclining seats (other companies try to cram 41 seats on these smaller Bolivian buses).
• Big duvet blankets… snuggle up on cold days to La Paz.
• LCD TVs on board to sit back and enjoy English speaking movies
• Highly qualified Bolivian driver who navigates the roads well and gets plenty of rest
• Purpose built for lake crossing between Copacabana and La Paz (don’t worry, passengers cross on a different boat… some companies put passengers on the bus as it floats across the Lake to save money… this is dangerous!)
• A company dedicated to safety, Bolivia hop uses only the best buses to get passengers from Peru to Bolivia in a safe and secure way. Along with safety, Bolivia Hop also pride themselves in having the most comfortable buses around

Bus Passes

Bolivia Hop and their partner Peru Hop offer the following hop-on / hop-off routes from Peru to Bolivia: Remember you can stay wherever you want and how long you want, it all just depends on your personal budget and time constraints

Cusco – La Paz Departs from: Cusco at 10pm every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday Stops in: Puno and Copacabana Arrives in: La Paz at 10:30pm Minimum Travel Time: 2 days / 1 night Destination Highlights: Uros Floating Islands, Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol Price: $59 US

Cusco – La Paz (via Arequipa) Departs from: Cusco at 7pm every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday Stops in: Arequipa, Puno and Copacabana Arrives in: La Paz at 10:30pm Minimum Travel Time: 5 days / 4 nights Destination Highlights: Colca Canyon, Uros Floating Islands, Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol Price: $99 US

Arequipa – La Paz (via Lake Titicaca) Departs from: Arequipa at 5:45am every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday Stops in: Puno and Copacabana Arrives in: La Paz at 10:30pm Minimum Travel Time: 2 days Destination Highlights: Colca Canyon, Uros Floating Islands, Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol Price: $79 US

Lima – La Paz (via Cusco) Departs from: Lima at 7am on Monday Wednesday Friday & Sunday; 6am on Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday Stops in: Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa, Cusco, Puno and Copacabana Arrives in: La Paz at 10:30pm Minimum Travel Time: 10 days/9 nights (includes 4 days/4 nights in Cusco) Destination Highlights: Ballestas Islands, Huacachina sandunes, Nazca Lines, Colca Canyon, Machu Picchu, Uros Floating Islands, Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol Price: $228 US

Lima – La Paz Departs from: Lima at 7am on Monday Wednesday Friday & Sunday; 6am on Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday Stops in: Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno and Copacabana Arrives in: La Paz at 10:30pm Minimum Travel Time: 6 days / 5 nights Destination Highlights: Ballestas Islands, Huacachina sandunes, Nazca Lines, Colca Canyon, Uros Floating Islands, Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol Price: $219 US

Puno – La Paz (via Copacabana) Departs from: Puno at 8.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thrusday Friday & Sunday Stops in: Copacabana Arrives in: La Paz at 10:30pm Minimum Travel Time: 1 day Destination Highlights: Uros Floating Islands, Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol Price: $49 US

Pass Inclusions

All Bolivia Hop bus passes include the following:

• Hop on/hop off bus transport
• Drop-off at your accommodation
• Comfortable buses with seat belts for every passenger
• Professional drivers
• Border crossing assistance
• Ferry crossing fee near Copacabana
• Bilingual staff who can assist passengers with any questions
• On-board movies in English and large duvet-style blankets
• Complimentary mini excursions (e.g. Floating Islands tour, Isla del Sol private boat transfer, Pisco Vineyard tour, Nazca Lines viewing tower, etc.)

Not included in the price:

• Food and beverages
• Accommodation

Note: hop on/hop off bus passes are valid for 1 year

Suitable For

The great thing about Bolivia Hop is that it’s open to people of all ages, genders and nationalities. From backpackers and senior travelers to family groups and solo travelers, Bolivia Hop offers up a number of different passes to suit a variety of travel styles and budgets. Before traveling to Bolivia, it’s important that passengers familiarize themselves with Bolivia’s entry requirements. Depending on your nationality, you may need to provide documents and/or obtain a visa before being allowed into the country. Fortunately, Bolivia Hop also provides assistance with this process prior to and during the trip.

Why Choose Bolivia Hop?

• Bolivia Hop offer a free hostel pick-up and drop-off service
• All buses come with an English speaking assistant who will help answer any questions and provide insider tips on what to do in the area
• Passengers travel in comfort – semi-bed seats, duvet style blankets, on board movies in English, toilet, advanced temperature air control and brake suspension systems
• Great value for money especially when you account for comfortable overnight travel (no need to book a hostel), free tours, local guide and border crossing assistance
• Bus trips are very well organised and focused on safety; drivers won’t risk passengers safety by driving excessively or recklessly
• Buses are equipped with seat belts for every passenger and a speedometer alert system
• Fun social atmosphere on rides
• Discounts on accommodation, food and tours at a number of destinations throughout Bolivia and Peru
• The company is European owned and locally operated – local adventure with European levels of safety and service.
• Available 24/7 via email, phone or in person should you need them in case of emergency

For more info, check out 5 Reasons To Cross The Peru – Bolivia Border With Bolivia Hop