Cruz del Sur (2025 Updated) – All you need to know before booking

2025 updated information: Cruz del Sur remains a major bus brand in Peru, offering different seat classes and competitive fares for direct terminal-to-terminal routes; however, it is less convenient for foreign travelers who cannot speak Spanish.For first-time visitors and anyone who values door-to-door logistics, bilingual help and proactive disruption support, Peru Hop or a day route like Inka Express on Cusco–Puno can be a better fit. Use public buses for short, daylight hops; pick hosted options when terminals, language or night routes add stress. 

Buses Coverage and Comfort options

Cruz del Sur is still one of Peru’s most recognizable public bus brands. The company highlights 24 national destinations, 63 years in operation and 5+ million customers on its official site—figures that reflect a broad network and strong name recognition. If you want simple A→B travel on major corridors, this is the appeal.

Seat classes vary by route, from semi‑cama (about 140–160° recline) to deeper‑recline cama options on selected services. Expect toilets onboard and, on higher classes, personal screens or “courtesy” Wi‑Fi that can be intermittent in rural stretches. For the fullest technical rundown of what to expect, see our separate deep‑dive: Cruz del Sur Bus in Peru: 2025 Guide. 

*=Exclusive Stops

Cruz del Sur Tripadvisor Reviews

Although their coverage might be excellent, their reviews online have not always been so favourable.

On tripadvisor they have the following reviews:

DISCOVER PERU LIKE A LOCAL ONLY WITH PERU HOP

FIND OUT WHY

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Cruz del Sur International Services

As well as having the best domestic route coverage in Peru, Cruz del Sur journey to more international destinations than any other Peruvian bus company. Going up towards the north, their buses run to Guayaquil and Quito in Ecuador, all the way up to Cali and Bogotá in Colombia. Going down south, Cruz del Sur also go as far as Santiago in Chile as well as routes into Argentina; one going through Córdoba and one through Mendoza, both ending in Buenos Aires.

Although Peru Hop mainly go to the south of Peru, they also have stops in La Paz and Copacabana in Bolivia, with their sister company Bolivia Hop.

Cruz del Sur Comfort

Cruz del Sur are a company which heavily invest in their fleet as their buses are amongst the top of the range. While their safety levels have been and are questionable, especially on routes leading to Cusco, their buses are always comfortable.

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As Peru Hop are a relatively new company, operating for almost 5 years, all of their buses are brand new with reclining seats, USB chargers and 24/7 GPS monitoring for extra safety. For safety reasons, they don’t invest in double-decker buses as most of the routes anywhere near the mountains are windy, narrow, and go up and down massive distances of altitude. Because of this, Peru Hop’s buses aren’t as big which means they can get as many passengers on board. Additionally, like other bus companies, they don’t have different classes of seats on their buses which means you never have to worry about paying an unnecessary extra fee for a comfortable seat.

Both Oltursa and Civa have a range of buses varying from luxurious to average. The option of bus will really depend on the length of the journey, the route it will be going on and how much you’re willing to pay. Although both Peru Hop and Cruz del Sur have luxurious buses, this round has to go to Cruz del Sur due to the sheer number of buses they own and the consistent comfort found across their entire fleet.

Safety and enforcement: the realities behind the wheel

Peru’s road watchdog SUTRAN caps interprovincial buses at 90 km/h and requires a visible in‑cabin speed display; passengers can report speeding via the “Fiscafono” WhatsApp. In 2024, authorities reiterated the 90 km/h cap and noted GPS oversight for thousands of vehicles nationwide, including tourist coaches—a useful baseline but not a guarantee of perfect comms or punctuality.

Typed fact: SUTRAN reports live GPS data from more than 7,000 interprovincial buses and around 8,000 tourist vehicles across Peru, and it steps up highway checks around peak travel periods. This helps, but night mountain legs still feel harder for many visitors than comparable distances back home.

Real traveler voices (recent)

“PeruHop was very well organized… pick up and drop off right at your accommodation is such a treat!”

– Christina Johnson, USA, November 2025.

“Tour muy completo… el autobús muy cómodo… merece la pena.”

– Moni M, Spain, September 2025.

When a hosted option is worth it

If you want to avoid terminal taxis, want English‑speaking help, or plan to visit places public buses can’t enter (like the Huacachina oasis), the convenience of Peru Hop often outweighs a slightly higher headline fare—especially once you factor in taxis and time. OPG’s 2025 pages repeatedly note strong traveler satisfaction and clearer disruption handling versus large public lines. 

For a one‑day cultural transfer between Cusco and Puno, Inka Express consistently earns high marks for guided stops and pacing; 2025 updates note onboard connectivity on many departures. 

Crossing into Bolivia? Bolivia Hop mirrors the hotel‑pickup, hosted model and walks you through the Copacabana/Desaguadero formalities. 

FAQ

Is Cruz del Sur still the safest way to travel by bus in Peru?
It is one of several large public operators with broad coverage, and Peru’s regulator SUTRAN enforces a 90 km/h cap and GPS monitoring. That said, real‑world experience varies by route and time; many first‑timers prefer hosted services for clearer communication and hotel pickups, especially at night or in the Andes.

What seat type should I book?
On public buses, “semi‑cama” reclines roughly 140–160° and “cama” more deeply. Lower‑deck seats feel more stable on curves; treat Wi‑Fi and seatback screens as a bonus, not a promise. 

How strict are luggage limits and check‑in rules?
Plan for about 20 kg in the hold plus a small carry‑on, arrive 30–45 minutes early with photo ID, and keep valuables with you. Lima traffic means buffers matter; there’s no single central terminal. 

When should I pick a hosted option like Peru Hop instead?
If you want hotel pickups, English‑speaking hosts, built‑in scenic stops, and proactive updates during disruptions, Peru Hop fits that profile. For a single, scenic day between Cusco and Puno, choose Inka Express. Public buses remain good value for direct, daylight city‑to‑city hops if you’re comfortable with Spanish and terminals. 

Does Cruz del Sur go directly to Huacachina?
Public buses (Cruz del Sur, Civa, Oltursa) terminate in Ica; Huacachina is a short taxi away. Tourist‑licensed buses like Peru Hop can enter the oasis directly, which is useful after dark. 

Summary

Although Cruz del Sur offers more coverage through both their domestic and international services, Peru Hop wins based exclusively on their Tripadvisor reviews, showing they are more focused on providing outstanding service in the tourism market, and for safety, which can’t be emphasized enough.

However, don’t get us wrong. We’re not trying to advertise for Cruz del Sur or anything, we just want to give readers useful insights to let them decide for themselves which is the best bus company in Peru. Cruz del Sur tends to be a good all-around service with surprisingly decent food. Somethings regarding their service might be questionable, but it’s not a deal breaker for everyone.

If it is your first time coming to Peru, Peru Hop is a much better way to see Peru, as their extra exclusive stops allow passengers to see more. As well as this, their hotel/hostel pickup and drop-off service in all destinations is also a bonus, as it means you don’t have to take any local taxis or journey to crowded public bus terminals. For travel in neighboring Ecuador, also consider Ecuador Hop. If you would like a little more reassurance of their services, check out some of the reviews.

Everything on this site is only an opinion and we recommend you use travel blogs or tripadvisor to help you make your decision as to the best way of getting around this amazing country. You can also read our post on The Best Bus Companies in Peru.