Cusco to La Paz is ideal for those who want to discover Puno before crossing into Bolivia.
If you're traveling from Peru to Bolivia, you'll likely be traveling from Cusco to La Paz. The easiest and cheapest way to do so is by bus. But there's another reason to choose the bus instead of the plane for this itinerary. The trip from Cusco to La Paz by bus passes by Lake Titicaca, where you can make a stop on your journey to visit Puno or Copacabana. After Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca is one of the most famous and popular tourist destinations in South America. It's the highest navigable lake in the world and offers some of the most beautiful sunsets and views imaginable.
How to get directly from Cusco to La Paz by bus?
The trip from Cusco to La Paz by bus takes approximately 11 hours. Below, you'll find more detailed information about the best bus company. From its security system and other benefits you should consider if you want to travel to La Paz from Cusco.
Direct buses from Cusco to La Paz depart at night, after 10:00 PM, to arrive at the Desaguadero border in the morning when it opens, thus avoiding lines.
Buses depart from Cusco's main terminal. The trip takes between 14 and 16 hours, depending on the time it takes to cross the border. The bus passes through Puno, where it makes a brief stop.
Direct Bus Schedule from Cusco to La Paz
Bus Company Seat Class Departure Time Arrival Time (Estimated) Price in US$ Additional Information
Trans Salvador 3 reclining rows 10:00 PM - 1:00 PM (+1 day) $24.09 Direct service. Immigration in Desaguadero
Peru Tour Semi-recumbent 10:00 PM - 3:00 PM (+1 day) $29.00 Direct service. Immigration in Desaguadero New Continent International Lie flat 10:30 PM 2:00 PM (+1 day) $26.28 Direct service. Immigration in Desaguadero
How to get directly from Cusco to La Paz by plane?
Flights to Uyuni, undoubtedly the most expensive option, usually cost more than $400 and can be a bit cumbersome due to the number of stopovers. Both the Cusco and Uyuni airports are very small, with only a few flights departing and arriving at each one daily. Just checking a couple of flight comparison sites is enough to realize that a flight to the salt flat is a bit more tedious than you imagined.
The standard flight from Cusco to Uyuni usually includes stopovers in Lima and La Paz, which means that a flight that is supposedly short can quickly become longer, even more than 12 hours in many cases. Passengers have the option of taking a bus for part of the trip to reduce the overall cost. An overnight bus from Cusco to La Paz, followed by a flight to Uyuni from the Bolivian capital, can slightly reduce costs and, from a geographical standpoint, seems more logical than flying to Lima.
Although it may be a bit more comfortable and hassle-free than some bus trips in South America, few people enjoy taking three flights to travel from one country to another. From an economic and environmental standpoint, this mode of transportation doesn't seem like a good investment.
How to get directly from Cusco to La Paz by train?
Peru's rail infrastructure is very poor, so traveling by train from Cusco to La Paz is not an option. For this leg of the trip, you'll need to take a bus to La Paz.
The train to Uyuni departs from Oruro, which means we'll need to find a way to get to the train station from La Paz. To do this, take—you guessed it!—another bus! This time, the trip to Oruro only takes 3 hours on average, with buses departing frequently.
Which is the best option?
The best option for getting from Cusco to Uyuni depends on each person. We believe that a flight to the Salar is too tedious and expensive to be a viable option. A train ride can be a pleasant change from a long bus ride to the capital—it's up to you!
Puno or Copacabana: Which is better?
A common decision made by travelers wishing to visit Lake Titicaca is to choose between Puno, on the Peruvian side, or Copacabana, on the Bolivian side. Both options are worthwhile, but sometimes, due to lack of time, one or the other is chosen.
Why Puno?
Puno is a good-sized city on the lakeshore with nearby archaeological sites, where you can learn about colonial history and stay in the homes of the locals.
Visit Puno Cathedral, an 18th-century Baroque cathedral that towers over the city center.
Carlos Dryer Municipal Museum: The museum has a solid selection of regional artifacts and textiles, including a collection of mummies with deformed skulls.
Uros Floating Islands: Founded by the Uros people, the islands were artificially constructed from totora reeds, the island's native species. The Uros meticulously maintain their traditional homes and welcome visitors.
Amantani Island: Further out than the Uros Islands, Amantani Island offers a fascinating and authentic insight into the local indigenous culture. Tourists can choose to spend a night there thanks to community initiatives that allow them to stay in a family home.
Another island worth visiting is Taquile. Smaller but more developed, the island is famous throughout Peru for its textiles. You can also visit archaeological sites and enjoy stunning views of the lake.
Back on the mainland, Sillustani is a fascinating pre-Incan burial ground. The tombs, built above ground in funerary towers called chullpas, are vestiges of the Qulla people, conquered by the Inca Empire in the 15th century.
Why Copacabana?
Copacabana is known for its mystique and beauty, and for the best trout you've ever tasted. It's smaller and quieter than Puno, but has a unique charm and allows for short hikes around the lake.
If you don't have much time and want to make the most of your visit, you can choose one or more of these options:
Climb Cerro El Calvario: Hike 30 minutes uphill to enjoy panoramic views of the lake. It's a popular spot for sunset viewing.
Spend a night on Isla del Sol: One of the most popular activities in Copacabana is to visit Isla del Sol. Boats leave from the dock at 8:00 AM and 1:30 PM daily. The journey to the island takes approximately an hour and a half. There you can see Inca ruins and experience the peace and energy of one of the most sacred sites of the Inca Empire. It is a very picturesque place where you can enjoy panoramic views of the lake, views of the Cordillera Real, and hikes through ancient terraces and pre-Columbian ruins.
Isla de la Luna (Moon Island): Legend has it that this is where Viracocha (the Inca creator deity) commanded the rising of the moon. It is a small island located near Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) in Lake Titicaca, where the ruins of the Temple of the Virgins are located. Touring the entire island takes approximately one hour.
Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana (Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana): A 16th-century Spanish colonial church that houses the image of the Virgin of Copacabana.
