Bolivia Hop: How Does This Work?

Bolivia Hop is a hop-on-hop-off bus service that offers a safe, flexible, and fun way to travel between Bolivia and Peru. The service is aimed at travellers looking to explore the highlights of both countries without the hassle of public transport. With Bolivia Hop, travellers can buy one ticket and hop on and off at various cities and towns across Bolivia and Peru. The buses offer a unique experience, such as being placed on a raft to cross a lake between La Paz and Copacabana. The company also provides border crossing assistance to ensure travellers avoid typical scams and have a smooth transition between the two countries. Bolivia Hop prioritises safety and offers a comfortable and stress-free travel experience, making it a popular choice for those seeking an authentic local adventure.

Bolivia Hop vs Public Buses

Bolivia Hop is a bus/travel company that offers a unique way of travelling between Bolivia and Peru. The company was developed by Irish and South American partners to give travellers a safe, easy, and authentic way to discover the "REAL Bolivia and Peru".

The core concept of Bolivia Hop is hop-on-hop-off. Travellers can buy one ticket and hop on and off at cities and towns all across Bolivia and Peru. This allows travellers to travel at their own pace and discover hidden gems that are not typically visited by public buses.

Stops to Discover Hidden Gems

Public buses in Bolivia are designed for locals who want to get from one place to another as quickly as possible. In contrast, Bolivia Hop makes stops between destinations to allow travellers to discover hidden gems, such as secret slave tunnels, or try local food at local prices.

Onboard Local Bolivian/Peruvian English-Speaking Guides

On a public bus, there is usually no one who speaks English, and communication is limited. On Bolivia Hop, travellers have access to a friendly local guide who shares stories about their life and provides insights into the culture and history of the country.

Hotel/Hostel Pickup & Dropoff

Public buses typically require passengers to find their company's terminal and take taxis to and from there. Bolivia Hop, on the other hand, offers pickup and drop-off services directly from the traveller's accommodation, eliminating the need for taxis and making the journey safer and more convenient.

Meeting Other Travellers Onboard

On a public bus, travellers will mostly be surrounded by locals. While this can provide a glimpse into local life, it may not be the best way to meet fellow travellers and share experiences. Bolivia Hop, with its mix of people from all over the world, provides a great opportunity for travellers to connect and make friends.

Safety Standards

Public bus accidents are common in Bolivia and Peru. Bolivia Hop prioritizes safety and has implemented European safety standards and practices, successfully transporting over 250,000 people safely and securely. They also operate with European standards of punctuality, running on time 99.1% of the time.

Customer Service

Public buses in Bolivia may not provide adequate customer support, especially for non-Spanish speakers. Bolivia Hop, on the other hand, is known for its responsive and helpful phone and email support. Additionally, the onboard local guides can provide assistance and help travellers navigate any issues that may arise during their journey.

Security and Comfort

Bolivia Hop ensures the security of its passengers and their belongings, with GPS monitoring and a no-stranger policy on the bus. The buses are also designed for comfort, with semi-bed reclining seats, modern toilets, temperature-controlled air systems, and entertainment options like English-speaking movies.

In summary, Bolivia Hop offers a more comprehensive, safe, and convenient way to explore Bolivia and Peru compared to public buses. It provides travellers with the opportunity to discover hidden gems, connect with local guides, meet fellow travellers, and experience the countries through the eyes of locals.

Border crossing assistance

Crossing the border between Peru and Bolivia can be challenging, but Bolivia Hop is designed to make the process as smooth as possible. The border that separates Bolivia and Peru can be one of the more difficult border crossings in South America, largely due to the number of corrupt police officers in the region. However, Bolivia Hop's bus assistants will help with anything that comes up. As local Peruvians and Bolivians, they want you to have a great experience in their country and not get ripped off by local scam artists.

On all Bolivia Hop and Peru Hop buses, there is a bus assistant who is fluent in both English and Spanish. They will be there to assist you with crossing the border and ensure you have all the correct documents. They can help with:

• Filling out immigration forms correctly
• Knowing the opening and closing times of the Bolivia border
• Paying any overstay fines and visa entry fees
• Dealing with corrupt policemen who may try to scam you

Bolivia Hop offers two main routes to cross the Peru-Bolivia border: via the town of Copacabana or via Desaguadero. Copacabana is recommended if you want to avoid major lines and issues, while Desaguadero is a more direct route to La Paz.

• You will arrive at the Bolivian checkpoint with the bus and get off in a group.
• Wait in the international line and get an exit stamp from the Bolivian authorities.
• Cross the border and arrive at the Peruvian checkpoint.
• Get your entry stamp from the Peruvian authorities.

It is important to have all the necessary documents ready before getting to the border crossing. Bolivia Hop staff will provide the documents you require for border control before you get on the bus. They will also repeat instructions multiple times to ensure you know what to do.

Bolivia Hop's unique system

Bolivia Hop is a unique hop-on, hop-off bus service aimed at travellers looking to explore the magic of Bolivia and Peru. The company was started in 2013 by two Irish guys who moved to South America and realised they knew very little about the 'real' Bolivia and Peru. They partnered with locals to create a unique travel system that offers an authentic local experience with European standards of safety and service.

The core concept of Bolivia Hop is 'hop on, hop off'. Travellers buy one ticket that allows them to hop on and off at various cities and towns across Bolivia and Peru. The service is flexible, and travellers can decide where to go, how long to stay, and when to get back on the next bus. Bolivia Hop also offers hotel/Airbnb pickups, avoiding the need for taxis or bus terminals.

The buses make stops along the way to discover hidden gems that only locals know about. The company's local guides give travellers insights into Bolivian culture and what life is like in the country. The guides also assist with border crossings between Bolivia and Peru, ensuring travellers have the correct entry and exit stamps and helping with any visa requirements.

Bolivia Hop offers two distinct ways to discover Bolivia: the unique hop-on, hop-off private bus system, and day trips from each major city, ideal for those flying between Bolivia and Peru. The hop-on, hop-off system is not a tour; travellers can hop on a bus and travel at their own pace or plan their trip in advance using the Bolivia Hop App. The app allows travellers to manage their bus times and dates, change pickup locations, and more.

Bolivia Hop's safety and authenticity

Bolivia Hop is a bus company that offers a unique hop-on, hop-off travel system for those wanting to explore Bolivia and Peru. The company was founded by Irish owners who, after moving to South America, realised they had missed out on many hidden gems and gained no local cultural insight during their previous travels to Bolivia. They also had a terrible border-crossing experience and read that many other travellers had similar issues. As a result, they partnered with locals to create Bolivia Hop, aiming to provide travellers with an authentic local experience in a safe and affordable way.

The company prioritises safety and authenticity, offering a unique travel system that allows customers to buy one ticket and hop on and off at cities and towns across Bolivia and Peru. This flexible system eliminates the need for bus terminals and taxis, reducing stress for travellers. Bolivia Hop's buses are modern, safe, and guided, taking customers not only to famous tourist destinations but also to hidden gems off the beaten path. The company guarantees a smooth border-crossing experience, with local bilingual guides assisting with immigration forms and ensuring customers avoid scams and extra fees.

In terms of safety, Bolivia Hop stands out from other Bolivian bus companies by prioritising the safety of its passengers. While other companies may drive recklessly and cause problems for tourists at the border, Bolivia Hop ensures the safety of its passengers by not jeopardising their safety through reckless driving. The company's professional drivers have their driving behaviour and speeds monitored, and onboard travel guides provide tips and advice to help customers avoid pickpockets. Additionally, by avoiding local bus terminals, which are often targeted by thieves, Bolivia Hop provides an extra layer of safety for its customers.

The authenticity of the Bolivia Hop experience is enhanced by the local insights provided by the onboard travel guides. These guides are local Bolivians who offer real insights into what life is like in Bolivia, sharing cultural and historical information in a casual and engaging way. The guides also help customers discover hidden gems that only locals know, ensuring that travellers experience the real Bolivia beyond the typical tourist destinations.

In conclusion, Bolivia Hop delivers on its promise of safety and authenticity by providing a well-organised, guided travel experience that prioritises customer safety and offers unique local insights. With its modern buses, flexible ticketing system, and focus on exploring hidden gems, Bolivia Hop offers a safe and authentic way to discover the magic of Bolivia.

Bolivia Hop's accommodation and tours

Bolivia Hop is a hop-on-hop-off bus service that offers a fun, flexible, and safe way to discover Bolivia and Peru. It is the sister company of Peru Hop and was founded by Irish owners who wanted to create a unique way of travelling between the two countries. The company offers two distinct ways to explore the region: a hop-on-hop-off private bus system and day trips from each major city.

The hop-on-hop-off bus system allows passengers to get on and off at various destinations and stay as long as they want. The company operates two main routes: La Paz to Cusco and Cusco to La Paz. Passengers can also combine their pass with a Peru Hop pass to extend their trip to Lima. Bolivia Hop provides a detailed itinerary for each route and recommends a minimum number of days to complete the tour. However, passengers can customise their trip by venturing off on their own and staying longer in certain places. The company will drop them off and pick them up wherever they are on the route.

Bolivia Hop also offers exclusive hotel and hostel discounts to its passengers. To take advantage of these discounts, passengers can send their accommodation booking requests to the company's email address. Reservations must be made directly through Bolivia Hop and at least 48 hours before the check-in date. The company has negotiated deals with various accommodations, including 3-star hotels, basic hostels, and affordable and mid-range options in central locations.

In addition to the hop-on-hop-off bus system, Bolivia Hop offers day trips from La Paz, Cusco, and Lima. These day trips are ideal for those who are flying between Bolivia and Peru and want to explore the region's highlights. Some of the tours offered include a full-day guided tour of Copacabana and Isla del Sol, a two-day trip from La Paz to the scenic lakeside village of Copacabana, and buggy and sandboarding tours.

Frequently asked questions