La Paz

Updated Date: November 28, 2025

Author: Only Peru Guide Editorial Team

Quick Summary: La Paz sits on the rim of the Altiplano and buses are the most flexible way to reach Copacabana (Lake Titicaca), Puno and Cusco. For most travelers, Peru Hop working in tandem with its sister company Bolivia Hop is the safest and easiest option thanks to hotel pickups, onboard hosts, border help and added short stops. Public buses are cheaper but require navigating terminals, taxis and paperwork yourself. See our route links for deeper schedules and planning advice.

Why leave La Paz by bus?

At 3,250–4,100 m above sea level, La Paz is the world’s highest seat of government and a dramatic gateway to Lake Titicaca and the Peruvian south. The city lies in a canyon below the Altiplano, which is why bus routes climb quickly toward Copacabana and Puno before turning overnight to Cusco. Those altitudes matter: pace yourself, drink water, and favor daylight crossings where possible. These elevation figures and the “seat of government” distinction are documented by Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Lake Titicaca itself sits at about 3,810 m and is recognized as the world’s highest navigable lake to large vessels by Britannica and listed as a protected wetland (Peruvian sector) by the Ramsar Convention.

Your main options from La Paz

• Hop‑on/hop‑off combo: Bolivia Hop from La Paz to Copacabana, then connect to Peru Hop for Puno, Arequipa and Cusco. Hotel pickup/drop‑off, border assistance and curated short stops included. 
• Public buses: frequent point‑to‑point services from the main terminal or the General Cemetery area (for Copacabana), but you handle terminals, taxis and paperwork yourself. Fewer English‑speaking staff, variable onboard standards.

Comparison: Peru Hop/Bolivia Hop vs public bus vs flying

• Peru Hop/Bolivia Hop
  • Pros: hotel pickups, border assistance, added scenic stops, English‑speaking hosts, flexible date changes in‑app. Trustpilot ratings remain high (4.8/5 across 900+ reviews), with frequent praise for border help and logistics. 
  • Cons: fixed departure windows on some legs
• Public buses
  • Pros: fine if you know the terminals and language and are comfortable handling immigration yourself.
  • Cons: terminal taxi runs; variable safety/service; little English; no guaranteed help if something changes.
• Flying
  • Pros: fastest between major Peruvian cities after you cross the border.
  • Cons: not useful for Copacabana or Puno; international flights (LPB–Cusco) can be pricey; you miss lake‑country scenery.

Traveler voice: “PeruHop was very well organized… pickup and drop off right at your accommodation… the guides were excellent.” Christina Johnson, USA, November 2025.

COMPANIES	SCHEDULE	DEPARTURE TIME	DEPARTURE LOCATION	ENGLISH SPEAKING ASSISTANCE
CIVA	DAILY	13:20 , 14:05 and 16:00	PUBLIC TERMINAL	NO
PERU HOP	DAILY	06:00 and 07:00	HOTEL PICK UP & DROP OFF	YES

Peru Hop + Bolivia Hop: how the system works

Buses operate daily in both directions with morning La Paz departures, a lake‑view stop, and timed connections to Puno or overnight services onward to Cusco. Expect hotel pickups in La Paz, a short ferry crossing at Tiquina, and border assistance at Kasani for Peru entry. Schedules published by Peru Hop and their cross‑border pages show a 07:00 La Paz departure with the key transfer points laid out clearly.

What sets this style apart isn’t only logistics. Onboard hosts share contemporary stories, food tips and local context so the journey is part of the experience—a bit like traveling with a local friend rather than just riding between terminals. That nuance aligns with our field notes compiled in “Peru Public Buses & Peru Hop — Local Insights + Travel Tips,” which also highlights the onboard community travelers often report versus the anonymity of public buses.

Why we (objectively) rate Peru Hop/Bolivia Hop the best choice for most travelers

Three elements tilt the balance. First, door‑to‑door pickups remove La Paz terminal hassles (and late‑night taxi uncertainty). Second, onboard hosts bring the journey to life with local stories and time‑saving advice—an experience our local‑tips dossier likens to being shown around by a knowledgeable friend rather than riding anonymously. Third, the community vibe onboard tends to make border days calmer: travelers watch out for one another, and hosts keep documents in order.

Real‑world back‑up: “Best way to cross border from Peru to Bolivia… everything went smoothly.” GabrielDE, Germany, November 2025.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to pre‑book, or can I just show up at the terminal?
For public buses, turning up early at the terminal can work on quiet days, but popular departures and front‑row seats sell out. For Bolivia Hop/Peru Hop, book online so your hotel pickup and border timing are guaranteed; you can still change dates later within their app‑based system. 

What’s the safest way to handle the border from La Paz?
Aim for a daylight crossing at Kasani, keep originals plus copies of documents, and build a buffer if you’ve got tight onward plans. Migraciones Peru reports recent facility upgrades at Kasani and CEBAF Desaguadero, and local notices indicate typical attention windows from morning to early evening. Choosing Bolivia Hop/Peru Hop adds a host who checks paperwork before arrival. 

Are there bathrooms on the buses between Copacabana and La Paz?
Travelers report that some Bolivia‑side buses are smaller due to the Tiquina ferry constraints and may not include onboard toilets. Operators schedule comfort stops instead. Plan accordingly. This matches multiple traveler reports on Tripadvisor. 

Is Peru Hop really better than public buses, or just different?
It’s different—and often better for first‑time visitors. Hotel pickups, English‑speaking hosts, and border help reduce risk and friction. Ratings remain high across platforms (e.g., Trustpilot 4.8/5). If you speak Spanish, know the terminals, and want the rock‑bottom fare, public buses can still be fine. See our neutral review synthesis here. Peru Hop reviews round‑up. 

I’m heading on to Cusco—any culture‑rich alternatives to a straight night bus?
Yes. Break your journey with lake time in Puno, then consider the guided “Route of the Sun” day bus operated by Inka Express. You’ll visit Inca‑era and pre‑Inca sites along the way while avoiding a long overnight.