Peru Bolivia Border Crossing
Quick answer: The easiest Peru Bolivia border crossing is from Puno, and hundreds of travellers cross daily with no hassle. There are two crossing points: Yunguyo–Kasani, the scenic route to Copacabana on Lake Titicaca (about 4 hours 45 minutes, PEN 30), and Desaguadero, the cheapest route to La Paz (about 8 hours 30 minutes, PEN 17).
Keep yourself updated on Bolivian entry requirements and transport timings from Puno, Peru, before you set off.
Peru Bolivia border crossing points
| Crossing | Destination | Total time | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yunguyo–Kasani | Copacabana / La Paz | 4 hours 45 minutes | PEN 30 / BOB 63 |
| Desaguadero | La Paz | 8 hours 30 minutes | PEN 17 |
Time difference
There is a one-hour time difference between the two countries: Bolivia is an hour ahead of Peru.
Puno to Copacabana / La Paz (Yunguyo–Kasani)
Yunguyo–Kasani is easily and safely accessible from both countries, and the route offers a spectacular view of Lake Titicaca. If you’re planning on visiting the Sun and Moon Islands on the Bolivian side of the lake, this is the ideal option.
The Bolivian immigration office in Kasani is open from 0830 to 1930.
Bus companies
Tour Peru, Tur Bus and Trans Titicaca Bus are among the reliable bus companies operating on this route.
- Trans Titicaca Bus: leaves Puno at 0730 and 1400.
- Tour Peru: departs once a day at 0730. You can only buy Tour Peru tickets online through redbus.pe.
Puno to Yunguyo
Be at the bus terminal at least 30 minutes before departure. Pay the terminal tax (PEN 2.50) at a small counter in the centre of the terminal building. You’ll need to present the receipt along with your ticket and passport while boarding, when you’ll be given the immigration forms. Most buses have a guide on board who will help you fill them in.
There are three forms:
- Immigration form.
- Customs declaration form, with a copy attached.
- TAM – Tarjeta Andina de Migración (which you will be required to produce when exiting Bolivia).
The bus stops just before the immigration checkpoint, next to a shop where you can exchange currency. Know the exchange rate before exchanging US Dollars or Peruvian Soles for Bolivianos. There is also a small shop next to the Peruvian immigration office where you could get a better rate, and many shops in Copacabana give better rates than those in Peru.
Travel time: 3.5 hours
Yunguyo to Kasani
At the Peruvian immigration office, present your passport and the immigration card (if you arrived by land). Once you get the exit stamp, walk towards the arch that separates Peru and Bolivia; you’ll find the Bolivian immigration office on your left.
Make sure your forms are properly filled in and signed before you walk in. You can ask the bus guide or driver if you need help.
Travel time: 30 minutes
Kasani to Copacabana
The route from Kasani to Copacabana offers captivating views of Lake Titicaca. The bus terminates next to Plaza Sucre, a few blocks from the town’s major hostels.
Travel time: 45 minutes
Yunguyo–Kasani route overview
- Puno to Yunguyo: 3.5 hours
- Yunguyo to Kasani: 30 minutes
- Kasani to Copacabana: 45 minutes
- Total travel time: 4 hours and 45 minutes
- Total cost: PEN 30 / BOB 63
Puno to La Paz (Desaguadero)
This can be quite a challenging experience. The Desaguadero crossing is the cheapest option and is used by travellers on a visa run. It is also a busy commercial crossing, with most goods passing through this border.
Puno to Desaguadero
Minibuses called colectivos leave regularly from the corner of Bolívar street and 1 de Mayo, a couple of blocks from the bus terminal in Puno. It takes 4 hours from Puno to Desaguadero, and the colectivo stops in the centre of Desaguadero within view of the immigration office.
Travel time: 4 hours | Cost: PEN 8
Crossing the border
Immigration checkpoints are located at each end of the Desaguadero bridge. Once you’ve finished the exit formalities on the Peruvian side, just walk across the bridge into Bolivia, where your passport will be stamped and, depending on your nationality, you’ll be granted a 30-day permit and TAM.
The passport control in Desaguadero is open from 0830–1230 and 1400–2045.
Travel time: 20–30 minutes | Cost: nil
Desaguadero to La Paz
After leaving the immigration office, look for a colectivo to La Paz. They won’t leave until they are full, and it normally takes 4 hours to reach La Paz. The last colectivo leaves at 5 in the evening.
Journey time: 4 hours | Cost: BOB 18
Desaguadero route overview
- Puno to Desaguadero: 4 hours, PEN 8
- Crossing the border: 30 minutes, nil
- Desaguadero to La Paz: 4 hours, PEN 9 / BOB 18
- Total travel time: 8 hours and 30 minutes
- Total cost: PEN 17
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best Peru Bolivia border crossing?
Yunguyo–Kasani is the easiest and most scenic, and ideal if you’re heading to Copacabana and the Sun and Moon Islands. Desaguadero is cheaper but more challenging.
What are the border opening hours?
The Bolivian immigration office in Kasani is open 0830–1930. Passport control in Desaguadero is open 0830–1230 and 1400–2045.
What forms do I need to cross into Bolivia?
An immigration form, a customs declaration form with a copy, and the TAM (Tarjeta Andina de Migración), which you must show when leaving Bolivia.
Is Bolivia ahead of Peru?
Yes, Bolivia is one hour ahead of Peru.
Conclusion
Crossing from Puno into Bolivia is straightforward if you pick the right route and have your paperwork ready. Choose Yunguyo–Kasani for lake views and Copacabana, or Desaguadero for the cheapest trip to La Paz, and double-check entry requirements, fares and timings before you travel, as they can change.
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