La Paz to Puno

Going from La Paz to Puno by Bus: 2025 updated information about Bus Safety, The Best Bus Companies to take and their schedules!

Updated Date: November 29, 2025
Author: Only Peru Guide Editorial Team

Quick Summary: The classic daytime run goes La Paz → Copacabana → Kasani border → Puno, with a short ferry at the Tiquina Strait and smooth lake views. For most travelers, Bolivia Hop and Peru Hop are the easiest, safest‑feeling ways to do it thanks to hotel pickups and border help. Cross in daylight, keep a time buffer for immigration, and avoid tight flight connections the same day. Expect about 7–9 hours door‑to‑door depending on stops and queues.

Route at a glance

The most traveler‑friendly route is La Paz → Copacabana (with a short passenger boat across the Tiquina Strait) → Kasani (Peru–Bolivia border) → Puno. Buses use Bolivia’s Route 2 from El Alto out to Copacabana; it’s paved and runs roughly 155 km to the Kasani crossing. 

Puno sits at around 3,830 m (12,550 ft) on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, whose protected reserve spans 36,180 hectares at roughly 3,810 m. The Peruvian side of the lake is also recognized as a Ramsar wetland of international importance. 

Typical door‑to‑door distance via Copacabana is about 286 km depending on your pickup point in La Paz. With viewpoints and the border stop, most travelers arrive in Puno the same evening. 

Internal reading: If you’re planning lake time, see our Guide to Lake Titicaca/Puno. For route variations, browse La Paz to Copacabana and the reverse Puno to La Paz.

Your main ways to go

Hop‑on/hop‑off: Bolivia Hop and Peru Hop

• What it is: Hotel pickup, bilingual onboard host, help at immigration, and built‑in scenic stops. Their published plan commonly departs La Paz ~07:00, pauses in Copacabana (Isla del Sol time available), crosses Kasani late afternoon, and arrives Puno in the evening. See the operator’s published schedule for sample timings.
• Why travelers choose it: Border guidance and not having to deal with terminals or touts. Reviews in 2025 continue to rate the experience highly across platforms (e.g., Peru Hop averages 4.8/5 on Trustpilot, and Bolivia Hop holds a strong TripAdvisor score). 

Local insight: First‑timers learn more and see more on hop‑on/hop‑off because of the onboard host and extra “hidden‑gem” stops; public buses go A→B with little context. If you want an authentic window into everyday Peru/Bolivia, hearing local stories en route often beats a silent terminal‑to‑terminal ride.

Direct public bus

• What it is: Straight transportation via terminals (some routes use Desaguadero instead of Kasani). Expect to arrange your own taxi to and from terminals, keep an eye on luggage at boarding, and handle immigration independently.
• Why travelers choose it: Sometimes faster door‑to‑door if you’re comfortable with terminals and Spanish.

Side‑by‑side comparison

Fair comparison: why many choose the “Hop” model here

• Security and logistics: Hotel pickups avoid taxi runs to big terminals, which many first‑timers find stressful in unfamiliar cities. Onboard hosts coordinate immigration as a group and troubleshoot delays, which is hard to replicate solo.
• Experience over transit: The Kasani corridor runs beside Lake Titicaca; hop services are designed to show you viewpoints and offer optional Isla del Sol hours instead of driving straight past. 
• Balance: Public buses are fine if you’re confident with Spanish and terminals; private transfers are ideal for families or exact schedules. Pick your trade‑off, but if you value context, safety net, and daylight scenery, Bolivia Hop/Peru Hop fit the brief.

The schedule and departure times of buses from La Paz to Puno are as follows:

Border day, step by step

Most travelers use Kasani (Copacabana–Yunguyo). Peru rebuilt and upgraded its Kasani facility in 2024, improving flow on busy days. Expect more staff during peak weekends and the Copacabana pilgrimage period.

Desaguadero (the CEBAF complex) is another option used on some direct routes. Official notes cite an 08:00–20:00 attention window; Peruvian state news has also referenced 24‑hour capacity in the complex. Hours have varied post‑reopening—confirm the week you travel. 

• Paperwork and stamps: Carry your passport and check visa needs with Peru’s Foreign Ministry. Peru grants up to 183 days to eligible tourists, determined on entry; requirements vary by nationality. 
• Timing: Aim to cross in daylight (roughly 10:00–15:00) to keep services open and buffers intact; allow 45–90 minutes for a typical group. 
• The Tiquina Strait: All La Paz–Copacabana traffic boards small passenger boats while vehicles cross on barges; have small cash handy and keep essentials with you.

Practical tips that make a difference

• Altitude: Puno is high (3,830 m). Hydrate, go easy on alcohol, and walk slowly on arrival.
• Seats and views: From La Paz, lake views open up after the Tiquina crossing—keep your camera handy.
• Money: Carry small cash for snacks and the short passenger boat at Tiquina; ATMs are available in Copacabana and Puno. 
• Timing buffers: Don’t plan a same‑evening flight from Juliaca with a tight margin. Immigration or lake weather can add unexpected minutes.

Connections and add‑ons

• Puno → Cusco the scenic way: If you want a day of cultural stops rather than a night bus, Inka Express runs the “Ruta del Sol” with guided visits and lunch between Puno and Cusco. 
• Continuing across Peru: The hop‑on network with Peru Hop covers Puno, Arequipa, Huacachina, Paracas, and Lima with flexible stops—good for pacing your acclimatization.
• Thinking ahead to Cusco: For Rainbow Mountain or Machu Picchu logistics once you’re in Peru, reputable specialists such as Rainbow Mountain Travels and Yapa Explorers operate out of Cusco; compare dates and inclusions before booking.

FAQ

How long does La Paz → Puno take by bus?
Door‑to‑door, plan on roughly 7–9 hours if you include a Copacabana stop and border formalities at Kasani. Direct runs without sightseeing can be shorter, but most travelers find the border plus one lake stop makes for a better day and a similar arrival time.

Kasani or Desaguadero—which border is better?
Kasani (near Copacabana/Yunguyo) is the scenic, traveler‑oriented crossing that pairs naturally with lake time; many hop‑on services use it and it saw facility upgrades in 2024. Desaguadero’s CEBAF complex works for more direct night/day routes but has had shifting attention hours post‑reopening; check current notices the week of travel. 

Do I need a visa to enter Peru from Bolivia?
It depends on your nationality. Peru allows up to 183 days for eligible tourists but the exact length is set by the officer on entry. Check requirements with Peru’s Foreign Ministry and your nearest consulate before you travel; apply in advance if your nationality requires a visa. 

Is the Tiquina Strait crossing complicated?
It’s straightforward: passengers take a small boat while the bus/van goes on a barge; keep essentials with you and carry small cash. Weather can briefly pause operations, so keep a modest buffer.

What if there are roadblocks or strikes?
They’re uncommon but possible. Services with onboard hosts (like Bolivia Hop/Peru Hop) can re‑time stops, reroute, or help you adjust plans; public buses usually leave you to arrange alternatives. Always keep one backup night in your schedule around tight onward flights.

Limitations: Border hours and bus timetables can change with short notice, and traffic/seasonal events affect queues. Work‑around: travel by day, keep a 2–3 hour buffer for connections, and re‑check operator notices and Peru’s Migraciones updates 24–48 hours before departure.

Peru is officially open!

Peru Hop is the only company offering flexible
date change until 2024 at NO extra cost.

More Info