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Can someone help me figure out how to get from Puno to Copacabana, Bolivia? Cost isn't really a factor, and my S.O. won't take any chicken busses ;-)

Thanks!

No trouble with Chicken buses, I think Orosco goes that way and they are a pretty premium bus line. When you get to Puno, just check out the buses that are in the station before you book your fare. You should do this down there until you find a company you like in any case.

But you won't have trouble here - there are some pretty nice buses down there. Much nicer than in the US, in fact...

I don't think you really have TOO much selection by way of buses between Puno and Copacabana. I didn't for the reverse trip, anyway. But as Kwon says the buses are fine enough quality, nothing where you fear for your life anyway, and it's a pretty short trip with pleasant scenery so it should be a painless bus ride for you even if the bus isn't necessarily sparkling clean.

--Jessicah

Orosco Bus company? Are they are Peruvian or Bolivian company, I can't find any info on them.

You won't be able to book anything online. There are busses that run to the border constantly so you'll have no problem finding something once you're there. It's cheap and easy. I promise. And I swear that's the most beautiful and friendly border crossing I've ever been through.

Any guide book will have more specifics. Just make sure to leave Puno early enough to reach the border before it closes. I think they close around 7 or 8 pm, but some days at 5.

That's true - it's certainly the nicest Bolivian border crossing I'd seen. Puno wasn't much to speak of, in my opinion. All the interesting things are outside, like many cities...

There's very regular bus service out of there & Puno is kind of an exchange point where Bolivian companies swap out for Peruvian bus companies. When I took Orozco, the second leg was still Orozco, but a different bus.

Not that it matters here, but anybody going thru Puno should watch out for a bus and a class-of-bus change at this border exchange. As you're originating here, don't worry about it.

Chicken busses really aren't *that* bad

This may be not for you, but for reference for people on a budget...

I took a collectivo (minivan) from Puno (from the local bus station, not the long distance bus station) that took me to the border (Yunguyo) (service stopped there). Peruvian immigration is on the left hand side. Get your exit stamp. Walk down the road, go under an archway, and a bit down the road on the left hand side is the Bolivian immigration. Fill out your paperwork and get a stamp. Note that fake Bolivianos have been traded at the border by the change houses...Take another collectivo on the Bolivian side (right by immigration) to Copacabana.

Super easy, super cheap.

I had my fill of chicken buses in Guatemala....4 hours through the windy mountains from San Pedro la Laguna (Lake Atitlan) to Antigua. Short-distance chicken buses aren't so bad, but 4 hours without a bathroom on crazy roads (especially after a night of craziness) is NOT GOOD!

Yeah, the lack-of-bathroom thing was obnoxious, but I think that's true of any bus in Bolivia, even if it's a more upscale bus. They just don't have buses with bathrooms on board, for whatever reason. I remember from Oruro to La Paz there was a little kid making money by selling pails to people boarding the bus - so if you gotta go, you got yourself a nice little pail to do your business in. Loooooovely.

--Jessicah

just used bestways travel. 1 block from plza de armas on your right. on calle lima. 2nd floor. 25 soles you also may stay overnight in copacabana. hotel pick up 7 am arrive la paz 5pm bolivia time

What kind of transport was it? Private shuttle or bus or alpaca?

tourist class bus get a seat on the left side for good views quoted 50 soles for same service at other agencies