Dear readers who love adventure and travel,
Let me tell you about our discovery of Bolivia! After our stay in Lima and then Cusco, we decided to cross the land border into Bolivia. We chose the Peru Hop – Bolivia Hop company to travel from Cusco to La Paz, and we were very happy with it! We stopped in Puno (Peru), then Copacabana (Bolivia), made a small detour to Isla del Sol, then La Paz, and finally the Salar de Uyuni and South Lípez.
📍3 stopover points
🏝️ 2 islands
🗓️11 days on site
🏜️3 days and 2 nights in the desert
🚍 1 day and 2 nights on the bus
🥾 19,306+ steps
🦙around ten different animal species
🤗 5 wonderful encounters
🎂 One more year older!
Stop 1: Border crossing in Copacabana and Isla del Sol
🚌The Peru/Bolivia Hop buses are very comfortable, and we especially liked being able to pause the trip at each stop for as long as we wanted. Crossing the land border was very easy: the bus dropped us at the Peruvian immigration office for our exit stamp. Then we walked for 5 minutes and went to the Bolivian immigration office, which stamped us in without asking any questions (how lucky to have a French passport!). The bus picked us up and then took us to Copacabana, a small Bolivian village on the shores of Lake Titicaca. We stayed at the Hotel Utama, which we recommend. The town is charming and the people are quite friendly—you’ll meet plenty of backpackers there! We also recommend visiting the church (free entry), which has very distinctive architecture!
🏝️ We visited Isla del Sol on our own, about an hour and a half by boat from Copacabana. Head straight to the pier to buy a round-trip ticket; departure is at 8:30 AM, and we chose the return at 4:00 PM. Many travelers spend a night on the island.
We really enjoyed the island—it offers an incredible view over Lake Titicaca, which feels as endless as the ocean. The island’s residents are very kind too, and we have great memories of this stop.
🎒After three days in Copacabana, we grabbed our backpacks again and headed to La Paz by bus!
Stop 2: La Paz, Bolivia’s economic capital
🚠 We only made a short stop in La Paz and didn’t really take the time to visit everything—especially since we both got quite sick and needed to rest… We did, however, get an aerial view of the city by taking the cable car. We rested for a few days at the Sagarnaga Hotel : it’s ideally located in the city center and is quite comfortable.
Stop 3: Three days in the world’s largest salt desert: Uyuni and South Lípez
🚎 From La Paz, we left at 9:00 PM by bus to Uyuni and arrived around 6:00 AM. We then headed to the RP Expeditions office—our guide for the adventure that follows! We were able to take a shower, and around 10:00 AM we set off for the world’s largest salt desert!
Our group of adventurers included 15 tourists from all over the world, 2 guides, and 3 Bolivian drivers, split across 3 jeeps. We spent three days and two nights in the desert. The accommodation was quite comfortable for this kind of expedition: we slept the first night in a salt lodge, and the second in a large lodge. Both had hot water!
Day 1: the Train Cemetery, the salt village of Colchani, the vast Salar de Uyuni and its hotel made entirely of salt, then Incahuasi Island (the island of giant cacti).
Day 2 : the Chiguana Desert, the Andean Lagoons and their hundreds of flamingos, the Siloli Desert—and the Red Lagoon. We loved watching the Milky Way from the hot springs. In the middle of the night, in the middle of the desert, with no light pollution, it was a magical experience!
Day 3: the Dalí Desert, the Green Lagoon and the White Lagoon, then back to Uyuni at the end of the day.
💤 We then took the night bus back to La Paz and left Bolivia for a destination with milder temperatures!
👍 A few highlights:
The Uyuni Desert was an experience like no other!
We also really loved the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol.
Emotional moment: I celebrated my 31st birthday during this Bolivian leg 🥲
Food moment: we recommend Café del Mundo in La Paz.
Nature moment: the three days in the Salar de Uyuni and South Lípez were unforgettable, and very well preserved.
Rest moment: the Sagarnaga Hotel was quite nice and well located.
The budget moment : Over the full length of our stay, the daily average for our time in Bolivia came to €16 per day per person, with the following breakdown by expense category:
See you soon for new adventures!
Bolivia Discovery FAQ: An Unforgettable Trip
Q: Which transport company do you recommend for traveling from Cusco to La Paz?
A: We highly recommend Peru Hop – Bolivia Hop. They offer a comfortable, flexible service, allowing you to pause the trip at each stop whenever you like.
Q: How does the land border crossing between Peru and Bolivia work?
A: It’s quite straightforward. The Peru/Bolivia Hop bus stops at the Peruvian immigration office for the exit stamp, then a short walk takes you to the Bolivian immigration office. We didn’t run into any major issues, especially with a French passport.
Q: Can you recommend accommodation in Copacabana, Bolivia?
A: Yes, the Hotel Utama in Copacabana is an excellent choice. It’s comfortable, well located, and the staff are welcoming.
Q: How do you visit Isla del Sol?
A: You can buy round-trip tickets directly at the pier in Copacabana. Boats usually leave around 8:30 AM, and the return is at 4:00 PM. Many travelers choose to spend a night on the island.
Q: What activities do you recommend in Copacabana and on Isla del Sol?
A: In Copacabana, visit the local church for its unique architecture. On Isla del Sol, enjoy the views over Lake Titicaca and meet the welcoming locals.
Q: What was your experience like in La Paz?
A: Our stay in La Paz was short and we were sick, so we didn’t explore much. We do recommend taking the cable car for an aerial view of the city and staying at the Sagarnaga Hotel for its comfort and central location.
Q: What are the main attractions of the Salar de Uyuni and South Lípez?
A: Highlights include the Train Cemetery, the salt village of Colchani, Incahuasi Island, the Andean Lagoons, the Siloli Desert, and the Red Lagoon. A special experience is watching the Milky Way from the hot springs in the middle of the night.
Q: What was your average daily budget in Bolivia?
A: On average, we spent about €16 per day per person. This includes all our costs, including transport, accommodation, food, and activities.
Q: Do you have any food recommendations for La Paz?
A: Absolutely—try Café del Mundo in La Paz. They offer excellent food in a pleasant setting.
Q: What was the most memorable moment of your trip to Bolivia?
A: Celebrating a birthday in Bolivia was an emotional moment. But the highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the Salar de Uyuni—an incredibly unique and unforgettable experience.
Book an activity in La Réunion
Compare the best excursions, boat trips, guided hikes, and activities in La Réunion before you book.
This post is also available in:
Français (French)