peru hop tours

Peru Hop Reviews: Updated for 2024 Travel

Peru Hop Reviews : A complete and updated 2024 guide summarizing hundreds of Peru Hop Reviews by couples, backpackers, families and more.

Read below for the best summary of what people have said about Peru Hop in Tripadvisor, Reddit and more!

Here at How To Peru, we work to make sure that you are always getting the best value for your money, and of course, looking to make sure that you don’t miss out on anything incredible.

Travel has never been a ‘one size fits all’ style, and so it shouldn’t be! Research and careful thought to the type of thing that you like is crucial to everyone planning their adventures.

When it comes to planning your Peruvian trip, time and time again we have seen the company name ‘Peru Hop’ popping up. So we decided to compile a selection of reviews from around the web to showcase the best and the worst of Peru Hop, divided into categories- after all, just because a set of grandparents enjoyed their trip it doesn’t mean that a group of teenagers will love the same thing.

However, with Peru Hop boasting huge numbers of passengers ( 300,000 passengers in a little less than 10 years ), huge numbers of TripAdvisor reviews ( 5,300 reviews turning out a 96% rating – check them out for yourself!) it is seemingly difficult to argue with their numbers which is now wonder why they’re ranked as one of the best bus companies in Peru . In fact, their homepage proudly boasts that they have carried over 85 different nationalities … We had to explore for ourselves.

Table of Contents:

Solo travelers, solo female travelers, professionals, family travel, holidaymakers, backpackers, sustainable travelers.

• Thrill-seekers
• Cultural Enthusiasts

Local Travelers

• Photographers and Videographers

Budget-Conscious

When it comes to traveling alone, a place where you can be confident to find travel companions and a welcoming smile is never too far from the ideal list. Traveling alone has many benefits, but time and time again explorers talk of the feelings of loneliness.

A theme that seems consistent in these reviews is that with Peru Hop, you never travel alone. Many bloggers, travelers, and reviews talk about how the wristband was a calling card for other travelers, and the guides shared their wealth of knowledge all the way around the country. Check it out:

“I am so happy that I chose to book with Peru Hop to travel from Lima to Cusco! The experience completely exceeded my expectations . Our guide Jorge was knowledgeable and always ready to help whenever anyone needed anything. The free stops in between destinations were a great way to break up the trip, and Peru Hop does a fantastic job of organizing everything so that you don’t have to worry. The great thing about the bus route is it allows you to see all of the geographic diversity Peru has to offer – from deserts to mountains to coastlines – all of the stops are absolutely breathtaking! The guides are super accommodating with helping you book hostels and excursions at each stop, and you will most definitely make friends as a solo traveler . I would do it all over again if I could!”

“I have just finished a month-long trip using Peru/Bolivia Hop. It has been incredible!! The buses, staff, and tours have all been amazing. As a solo traveler, it was a great way to meet other solo travelers and I never spent a day alone thanks to this.

The Peru Hop staff really go above and beyond to help you . Diego was particularly helpful and always made sure everybody was happy. He was a lot of fun and made the long journeys more bearable If you get on a bus with him you’ll be very well taken care of and he will feel like a friend by the end of your trip!

Thank you, Peru Hop, it’s been unforgettable!

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Something that solo female travelers need to look out for is their personal safety. Time and time again accidents have happened that could have been avoided. Particularly in a place so far from home, and even more so if you are not fluent in Spanish, it’s important to look out for yourself. Check out this account of another solo female traveler who left her Peru Hop review in a blog post.

Sarah Fay – travelsofsarahfay.com

Are you trying to decide on an effortless, easy, and safe way to see the major tourist attractions in Peru? Maybe you were like me and it is your first time in South America. Overwhelmed by all the options of routes, timings, bus terminals, scams, safety concerns, and possible destinations that your head is about to explode? Well Peru Hop is the answer.

I wanted a safe, reliable, and affordable means of traveling around Peru, and Peru Hop was the answer for me.

Is Peru Hop Safe?

One of the top reasons I chose Peru Hop was the safety! From pick-ups and drop-offs to your hostel/hotel, or the fact the driver is always on the bus watching our things on shorter bus stops, there is always a level of security I would not have on a normal bus in South America.

The safety and peace of mind that comes with Peru Hop is something you cannot put a price on. Not having to deal with chaotic bus stations, the language barrier, and having random stops at night making it hard to sleep was the thing I loved most about Peru Hop. It reduces the chances significantly of having a bag stolen.

Is Peru Hop good for solo travelers?

I have traveled solo to many countries before, but this was my first time coming to South America. There is a lot of fear mongering about solo female travel in South America and I would be lying if I didn’t tell you I was a little nervous backpacking alone in South America.

When I found Peru Hop, I found an inclusive group of travelers. Originally created for backpackers, by backpackers, I was worried it would be a party bus. However, there was a range of people using Peru Hop from families, to couples, to other solo travelers like myself. They were not all getting bombed, throwing up on the bus, and you get my drift.

I give Peru Hop a big thumbs up for solo travelers looking to make friends on the road. Most people stay at the same Peru Hop partner hostels (since you get a discount at them), and you are bound to have a fun night out or go on tours with your new-found friends.

There were two groups I hung out with at different parts of my journey. One group I went on my first white water rafting trip with, that I would definitely have not done by myself. And the other I went on an overnight hiking trip to Colca Canyon. Traveling lets you meet people that push your expectations of yourself and be open to new experiences. I loved Peru Hop and the people I met along my journey.

Peru Hop: the best way to travel around Peru

Everything considering I found Peru Hop to be an amazing cultural experience that I met some amazing people and friends along the way. I went into traveling South America a little nervous, but Peru Hop alleviated all of my safety concerns and the hassle that goes into planning a great adventure.

Through both research and experience it is clear that professionals don’t really want to travel with 20 something backpacker party animals, and for good reason. If this applies to you, check out these reviews:

Solo Traveler – www.solotravel.org

“I must admit that my previous knowledge of these hop-on/off buses was of those in Australia and NZ. The OZ/Kiwi Experience makes no effort to hide that they are firmly geared at young backpackers who are very much looking to party. As someone in their 40s, I did not want this experience in Peru, so I popped over to their office with a little caution.

My fears were soon put to rest by a very helpful salesperson and then one of the owners! They were honest and said that the main age groups would be a little younger than me, but actually they cater for all ages, even well beyond retirement age!

This turned out to be true for the group on my bus out of Lima. I would say most were in their 20s with some in their 30s, but also there were people in their 40s, 50s and beyond . I certainly have no issue being around young people on these sorts of trips.

Age is just a number right? For me, it’s nice to have a mix of ages and nationalities, and that’s exactly how it was in Peruhop, just as they said.”

The Round the World Guys – thertwguys.com

“I’m almost 50. Halef is over 40. When we first considered a journey with Peru Hop, this was something we worried about. Initially, we were nervous that we would be on a Peru Hop tour surrounded by people we couldn’t relate to. We just made the assumption that services like this were built for younger travelers in their 20s and early 30s.

We were wrong .

Yes, the majority of people who use Peru Hop – at least the ones we saw during our trip in September – were under 30. But there were a significant number of people in their 40s, 50s and even a few much older than that.

If you’re a middle-aged or older traveler worrying about Peru Hop being right for you, don’t. We think you’ll feel completely comfortable on the trip.”

Family travel can be stressful, especially with young kids. Making sure that everyone has a snack and the right shoes on is hard enough, but factoring in getting to bus stations early in the morning, bathroom stops, and breaking up long journeys, you are left with a balancing act. It’s important that safety is considered as well as practicality. Check out this video Peru Hop review of a family who decided to travel with Peru Hop:

If you are in Peru for 1-3 weeks then you are probably on holiday. It can be difficult to decide whether it is best to focus on one city so that you can relax, or if you should grit your teeth and focus on seeing as much as possible (After all, how many times will you come to Peru?). It seems as though people widely believe that Peru Hop helps them enjoy their holiday and see the real Peru (it’s not just Cusco!)

Celine Deplazes

“Since I only had 2 weeks in Peru I wanted to make the best out of it. Peru Hop was perfect for me since you were picked up and dropped off at your hostel (and they were always on time to pick up and the taxis were ready when we arrived). And also that I could book tours directly with the guide on the bus was great so I didn‘t have to plan too much in advance. Moreover, the discounts for hostels and restaurants were amazing! I‘d definitely choose Peru Hop again!”

Let me start off by saying this trip was amazing. So I went to Peru with my girlfriend for 2 weeks and the last leg of our trip we decided to see more of the country. We got tired of flying from point to point so we booked the PeruHop bus to get from Cuzco back to Lima. We took the bus from Lima to Puno, Puno to Huacachina, Huacachina to Paracas and then Paracas back to Lima. This trip was incredible. We had an absolute blast and it was for many reasons. First, the buses are damn comfortable . They were always clean, always on time and they all had A/C and chargers for phones. They reclined and we even got lucky and had leather lazy boy chairs on one of the tours. We met amazing people along the way and made friendships and memories that will last many years to come. The second reason was our tour guides. We had the best and I mean best tour guides . These guys were awesome they were professional, funny, polite, caring and even partied with us at the Wild Rover in Huacachina!”

We were almost surprised by the overall star rating of the backpacker market. Many argue that Peru Hop is specifically designed for backpackers, and while the rating is high, it is higher for other groups. The truth is, Peru Hop is great for those who want to meet other people, see plenty of extra free stops and don’t want to bother with the hassle of taxis to hotels from distant bus stations in shady parts of town. Check out these reviews and decide for yourself!

“As two young female backpackers, we couldn’t thank Peruhop enough for our experience with them throughout Peru!!

Peru was our first stop in South America and although at first, we were worried about safety over here, Peruhop helped us out all the time and ensured we were always fine! The company is much more than just buses across the country because we have made many travel friends onboard who we have shared a lot of our memories of South America with!

When onboard the bus, the guides were always knowledgable and spoke brilliant English . They helped us with booking accommodation and tours and always assisted when there were issues with the bus timetables. They also have a list of recommended restaurants. All tours and restaurants were great quality and at reasonable prices!!

We can’t thank the guide enough for all his help and making our long bus journeys go so quick with his games and jokes on board. He’s an amazing guide and person and he’s made our time in Peru a lot better! A lot of the friends we made were down to Elvios stops where we played games which got everybody talking!

Overall, I would recommend Peruhop to everybody visiting Peru, it’s more than worth the money and great for people looking to experience the country and make friends! Thanks to all the guides for making our trip!!”

“ Traveling with Peru Hop was very easy, convenient and safe . The buses pick you up at the hostel and were always on time. It is a good opportunity to meet other backpackers on the bus. On the bus, they help you arrange the excursions.

We had a very nice guide. He was fun, enthusiastic and very helpful.”

Something that surprised us in this research was that we consistently found that Peru Hop was used for couples on their honeymoon… and they loved it! Check out these Peru Hop reviews for yourself:

Elizabeth P

“My husband and I wanted to explore Machu Picchu for our honeymoon and stumbled upon Peru hop during our research. I’m so glad we found it because we ended up extending our vacation to check out Huacachina and Paracas, which were both incredible .

Our Peru hop guide was Juan Diego and he was sweet, insightful and fun. He was very informative and made food, adventure and hostel/ hotel recommendations based on the traveler desires. Highly recommend Peru Hop for travel around this beautiful country.”

“Our first stop during our 6 weeks honeymoon was Peru , and thanks to the Peru Hop we experienced a safe, fun and friendly way of seeing the best this country has to offer! I can highly recommend Peru Hop for your trips, accommodation, and transport in this amazing country! Special shout out to Evelyn from the Peru Hop stand, who guided us during most of our travels for her enthusiasm, humor, and knowhow. It really made us feel amazed during our whole trip!”

When it comes to traveling sustainably, everyone knows that the bus is the best way. Peru Hop works to make sure that all of their buses are new (unlike many other Peruvian bus companies) and full. Check out this Peru Hop review from a traveler.

Drink Tea Travel – drinkteatravel.com

“If you are actively looking for a sustainable transportation option in Peru, then exploring Peru by bus and with Peru Hop is your best option. While the company is owned by foreigners, Peru Hop does have a very positive impact on the local communities.

They staff a great team of young local guides, who love their jobs and are incredibly grateful for an opportunity to show travelers their home. They also help provide employment opportunities to other members of the community.

They pay Peruvian taxes, helping grow the local economy

They often take passengers to small locally-owned restaurants en route so that more locals can benefit from travelers coming to visit their country

And, most importantly, Peru Hop encourages overland travel, which in an of itself is a much better alternative to flying! “

Thrill-Seekers

Those on the hunt for an adventure made the right choice coming to Peru, in order to get your adrenaline pumping and explore some of the great parts that you may have otherwise missed. Check out this video for a little snippet of what to expect on a Peru Hop adventure!

Cultural Enthusiast

While Peru Hop was not created by Peruvians, it is still very much a Peruvian company. With local Peruvian guides, on top of making Peru easily accessible all the way around, instead of just the tourist hub of Cusco. Check out this Peru Hop review about the guides:

World by Isa

“The Peru Hop Crew is very friendly and sociable and with them, you can have a good idea of what Latinos really are! They always keep the goodwill, up to help you with anything, never leaving the good sense of humor aside!

They make you feel so comfortable on your way through the country, that in the end, it doesn’t even feel like you are in a Travel Tour company, it feels more like a trip with friends.

Every guide we met was very enthusiastic and we can feel that they really love what they do.

They love their country and they feel good showing others their everyday life and landscape, learning about a country and culture from the locals themselves, from people who do that with so much passion, is something priceless!

Their good organization is also something remarkable, as I said, as Latin Americans, we feel proud to see such an organized company working in our areas “

Something that seems to be a great marker of value for money is if the locals use it. We tracked down this review from a local:

“If you already traveled through South America, especially by bus, you know very well how hard it is to find good quality services. Unfortunately, the lack of organization is real in some areas, delays are also something common.

For us South Americans, this is already part of the routine and we always take these things into consideration when traveling, for those from outside, this can be really annoying, but in both cases, it pisses anyone’s off anyway, especially if you are paying a good amount of money for the service.

This lack of organization and being on time gives mixed feelings regarding safety during the trips, and it’s understandable. Although South America is not a dangerous place to travel (of course you always need to pay attention around you, just like anywhere else) this disorganization makes us wonder if we can really trust a company.

That’s when Peru Hop steps in, it is the best option if you want to travel from Lima to Cusco by bus.

The idea of Peru Hop is to bring us to the best tourist and beautiful spots in the country, some of them, not so well known, giving us all the comfort and offering a security transport in Peru.

And I must say, as a South American, I’m very impressed and proud of the level of quality in their service. “

Foodies rejoice! With Peru’s diversity, the pallette can be teased all the way around the country. While Lima boasts 3 out of the top 50 restaurants worldwide (two of which are in the top 10), there is bountiful amounts of incredible food all around the South of Peru, which are perfectly accessible using Peru Hop. While this is technically a review (after-all it is a bus company), this blog does show exactly what kind of food to enjoy and where to find it.

https://www.peruhop.com/food-in-peru/

Photographers/Videographers

Peru is the perfect location for photographers and videographers . It’s a hugely diverse country that has three distinct regions for you to capture: the jungle, the highlands, and the coast. Peru Hop visits the coast and the highlands. The route includes the most beautiful cities- from Arequipa to Cusco. Take a look below, where we have included some of the best images we could find on the “#peruhop” hashtag on Instagram. Check out their page and the hashtags!

@sofiapozuelo

There are always budget savvy people while traveling. If it’s a long term traveler who wants to make their money go further or a proud shoe-stringer, there are plenty of ways to get around Peru. However, it is worth remembering that particularly in South America, there is a trade-off in quality for the price. Bus hijackings and robberies are commonplace and sometimes organized by the staff of the bus. Check out this breakdown done by a traveler:

The Maths Of The Money:

Before doing the maths I was skeptical, I didn’t want to waste my money on something that seemed like a luxury. After doing the maths I was persuaded, here was my break down (this does not include discounts on hostels and hotels, which are available to every traveler):

Lima-Paracas: $15

Paracas-Huacachina: $17

Nazca-Arequipa: $26

Arequipa- Cusco: $40

Cusco-Puno: $32

Puno-Copacabana: $10

Copacabana-La Paz: $17

Ferry journey needed to La Paz: $1

Taxis to get to accommodation*: $49

Pisco Wine tour: $18

Paracas nature reserve: $5.75

Nazca viewing tower: $7 Note: Peru Hop includes buses to and from the lines, and a guide

Caballo del Paso show: $10 Note: based on tour from Lima

TOTAL: $250.50

*Taxi value is based on the prices I have experienced (around $3.50 for a taxi), considering there are 7 legs of this journey to and from accommodation meaning 14 journeys in total (14x$3.50=$49)

The cost of a Peru Hop ticket is $228. Peru Hop also includes GPS tracking systems, a bilingual guide and discounts in hotels and hostels, services that are not included with regular bus companies. If you consider the fact that Peru Hop includes all those things, then that puts the prices a little more in perspective. Shannon O’Donnell from the travel website ‘A Little Adrift’ gave me a few paragraphs of advice on solo female travel with the first sentence being ‘Always pay the extra few dollars for your safety’ . I got this advice the day before going to the Peru Hop office, so I knew in advance that I would opt for the safer and more luxury buses- when I realised that Peru Hop actually worked out cheaper, it was a no brainer. This also wasn’t considering the convenience, comfort and social aspects of it.

In Conclusion…

It seems as though Peru Hop has hit a sweet spot for nearly every kind of tourist and traveler. If you are unconvinced, then please, continue your own research, and however you travel, make sure to make the most of Peru!

Peru Hop Voted #1 Travel Company

Discover unbelievable destinations, experience unforgettable activities, meet other travelers, and do it all at your own pace with Peru Hop!

2018 to 2023 Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award

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Peru Hop review: my honest and personal experience

This post is a Peru hop review based on my experience travelling with the Peru Hop bus company from Lima to Machu Pichu. Stops included Paracas , Arequipa, Puno and Cusco. I hope this Peru hop review will help you decide whether Peru hop is something for you.

My Peru Hop review

“Please hopsters, do not use the toilet for big needs. Only small needs, so if you feel something bigger needs to come out. Please come to me and we will try to find a solution” said our Peru Hop guide while explaining the bus rules for us hopsters.

Yes, I was now being addressed as a hopster. I looked around me and the bus was full with young backpackers still sleeping out their hang-overs from last night’s hostel party. They were barely listening to the information that was thrown at us about our schedule.

My Peru Hop experience

As an independent backpacker with a more introvert personality, I have always preferred to go my own way. And yet, here I was in a bus, being told how my next days will look like. It sounded an awful lot like a tourbus to me and I wondered why I signed up for this.

I found Peru Hop online after booking a cheap ticket to Lima. It was my first trip to South America and I had only one month to prepare. The hop on hop off service from Lima to Machu Pichu seemed like a perfect solution for my tight schedule.

From Lima to Machu Picchu

The advantage of Peru Hop is that they make several stops on the way that public transport would pass by. As we drove out of Lima our guide explained how the slums, that we could now see from our windows, developed in the sixties and eighties. Migrants and refugees flocked to the city in search for a better life, most of them escaping the civil war with the Shining Path in the rural areas. They occupied the dry hills looking out over the sea and built their simple homes.

We make a quick stop at Cristo del Pacifico, a huge statue of Jesus overlooking the slums.

Next to the statue is also a memorial for the soldiers who died in the war between Peru and Chile. This is a desolate spot where Lima ends and the desert begins. It was misty and a strong sea breeze blew through my hair, but the view over the sea and Lima in the distance mesmerized me.

There is no other place where it is so visible that Lima is a desert city. It is in fact the second biggest desert city in some of the driest places in the world. Slowly my initial horror about being a hopster is dissipating. I would never have visited this interesting place on my own.

Exploring Ica with Peru Hop

The next stop was San José in Chinca. This hacienda was built-in the 18 th century for the production of sugar and cotton. African slaves were brought in for cheap labor. The slaves were smuggled in through an underground tunnel system connecting several hacienda’s to the port. San José is now an expensive resort hotel, but one with a dark past in the tunnels underneath. Another stop I would have missed without Peru Hop.

In the afternoon we arrived in the seaside town of Paracas. Our guide recommended several restaurants, but somehow most of us ended up in the same place. It had a special discount menu for hopsters and a view on the port of Paracas. The sun was setting and above the sea the sky changed from blue to pink. I talked with the other hopsters about our experiences travelling in South America and other places in the world . They all turned out to be interesting and nice travel companions for the days to come.

In the end, being a hopster wasn’t that bad. Peru Hop brought me to the desert Oasis Huacachina , the depths of the beautiful Colca Canyon and the blue waters of Lake Titicaca, the highest lake in the world. Along the way they made several stops, shared interesting information and delivered me safe and well at my hotel. I met a lot of great people who I would not have met otherwise.

The final Peru hop review: to hop or not

Let me start by saying that I was not offered any discounts or benefits for writing this Peru hop review. Peru Hop was not even aware that I was a travelblogger, because I wanted to write an objective article about this company.

So Peru Hop is a bus company with transport from Lima to Paracas, Arequipa, Puno and Cusco. Your bus ticket allows you to make stops on the way for any amount of days you like. For example you take a bus from Lima to Huacachina where you want to stay one day to go sandboarding and hop on the next day on their bus to Arequipa. There you want to go hiking in the Colca Canyon so you hop off and after 4 days take their bus to Lake Titicaca.

Flexible and well organized

I was genuinely impressed by this well organized and flexible company. All staff members are very friendly and answered all possible questions us travellers might have. There is a guide in every bus that can organize your accommodation and a variety of tours in Paracas, Huacachina, Arequipa, Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca.

Peru Hop works together with several hotels so in every place you can choose between different options. In most hotels and some restaurants you get a small discount for being a hopster. You are by the way free to organize your own accomodation and don’t need to stay with Peru Hops suggestions.

Cost effective

You are free to organize your own accommodation and tours if you wish so, but I found the prices for the tours very reasonable and in many cases cheaper than if I had to organize things by myself. The Colca Canyon hike and the Lake Titicaca homestay were all professional tours with good guides.

It is probably slightly cheaper if you travel by public transport. However, Peru Hop brings you to your hotel. This is not only convenient, but will also save you the costs of a taxi. The discounts you get in hotels and restaurants also add up. In the end, prices are more or less the same.

What I missed

What I did miss in Peru Hop compared to public transport is the interaction with the Peruvian people. Public transport for me is part of your journey and gives you a taste of the culture in a country. Peru Hop is not just offering you transport from A to B. It is something in between of a bus tour and independent travel.

Your other passengers are mostly young backpackers and most of my interaction was with them. I met a few older independent travellers using Peru Hop, but they were a minority. Once I was in Cusco, I was happy to explore the Sacred valley as an independent traveller using the local minibuses and talking with the friendly Peruvian people.

My Peru hop review Conclusion

Peru Hop is excellent if you have little time to prepare for your trip to Peru or want to see as much as possible in a short time. For a 2 week Peru itinerary including Arequipa, Puno and Cusco they are a perfect way to get around.

It is very well-organized and offers good value for your money. As an independent traveller it might sometimes feel a bit too much like a bus tour, but they will bring you to places that are difficult to get to by yourself.

The guides offer a lot of interesting background information and are always ready to help you with any problem you might have. Like I said before, in the end being a Hopster wasn’t that bad and I would not have seen so much of Peru without them.

8 thoughts on “Peru Hop review: my honest and personal experience”

Thank you for this candid review – I am also more of a public transport person so would have probably ignored Peru Hop. But it sounds like a good deal.

Thank you & happy continued travels! C

I didn’t even know that a service like Peru Hop existed! By the way, I can totally related on the whole introvert aspect. I think that a bus service like this for me personally would make the trip easier, because as while I like my personal space I do like people around me (even if I don’t know them!). I do love exploring on my own though… something like Peru Hop could be a nice medium.

I really want to visit Peru. I agree that when you don’t use public transportation, you lose some interactions with locals, but it sounds like a good trade-off for what you got to see. Pinning this for later!

• Pingback: Ica: Peru's best kept secret - Islas Ballestas & Huacachina - Backpack Adventures

Hey, i found your article at the exact time before planning our getaway to south america:) we’ll be traveling for a few months starting with Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile,Bolivia and finally Peru..so we’ll have to plan as we go:) very good tip, will keep it in mind! 🙂 Cheers!

Hey, i found your article at the exact time before planning our getaway to south america:) we’ll be traveling for a few months starting with Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile,Bolivia and finally Peru..so we’ll have to plan as we go:) very good tip, will keep it in mind! 🙂 Cheers!

Thanks for all the great info! This sounds like a good option.

Thanks for the article, very interesting. We are just at the end of 2 amazing weeks in Peru and I wish I had seen the article sooner. We’re back in Lima now and taking a Peru Hop day trip to Paracas and Huacachina tomorrow so looking forward to good things from them!

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25. Sacred Valley Vip 1 Day Tour

26. full day of Lima: Paracas and Huacachina ica in luxury mobility!

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Peru Hop Review – The Best Way to Get From Lima To Cusco

September 16, 2019 By //  by  Michael 3 Comments

Disclosure: We traveled with Peru Hop for free on the condition that we create an honest post about our journey. Our Peru Hop review is based on just over two weeks of travel from Lima to Cusco on the Peru Hop “Full South to Cusco” itinerary.

Most Peru tourists come to the country for a few reasons. Perhaps it’s to visit Machu Picchu, the iconic “lost” Inca citadel. They might love ceviche and want to get it right from the most authentic source. It may be that they want to visit the town of Nasca and fly over the mysterious Nasca Lines in a Cessna (totally worth it, by the way!).

Or they just want to see it all but have no idea how to get around. That’s where Peru Hop can make a trip to Peru easy.

That’s what we wanted – all of that and more. And we didn’t want to have to plan all of our transportation in Peru with various companies in advance. Dealing with transportation arrangements is one of the things I dislike most when I’m in a country where they speak a language I don’t know that well.

Peru Hop makes your travel to Peru simple. And in this Peru Hop review, we’re going to tell you why we honestly think you should choose Peru Hop for your trip.

Table of Contents

What is Peru Hop?

If you’ve ever visited a major city and seen the large tour buses where you pay a set fee to hop on and hop off the bus at any time, then this is similar. Except it’s over much longer distances and there’s a roof on this bus.

With Peru Hop, you select your route, pay the fare, and hop on or off at any of the stops along their route. You can stay at each destination as long as you wish, provided you use the ticket inside Peru Hop’s one-year time frame.

Peru Hop Itineraries

For our Peru vacation, we selected the most popular itinerary – Full South to Cusco . That itinerary costs $199 U.S. per person. It starts in Lima and has 5 stops in various cities and towns on the way to Cusco.

You can also do the trip in reverse if you so choose.

Peru Hop’s Most Popular Itineraries

• Full South to Cusco: Lima – Paracas – Huacachina – Nazca – Arequipa – Puno – Cusco
• Lima to Cusco without Lake Titicaca: Lima – Paracas – Huacachina – Nazca – Arequipa – Cusco
• Get to Cusco Quick: Lima – Paracas – Huacachina – Nazca – Cusco
• Lima – Cusco – La Paz: Lima – Paracas – Huacachina – Nazca – Arequipa – Cusco – Puno – Copacabana – La Paz – Cusco

Other Itineraries

Peru Hop has other itineraries as well – about 35 of them. Some of these depart from Cusco; others depart from La Paz, Bolivia. Many are day trips that are all-inclusive of everything except food.

Generally, Peru Hop has something for anyone who wants to explore the most popular things (and some not-so-popular things) in Peru.

What about Peru Hop buses?

Two words: Super comfortable. Peru Hop works with a company called Inka Express, which provides modern, safe Volvo or Scania buses for your trip. They are some of the most comfortable buses we’ve ever been on.

On longer trips, they’ll even play a movie in English. Though, I will note that on one of our trips, the movie was in Spanish with Spanish subtitles.

Seats on Peru Hop Buses

It’s very difficult to find something to complain about with the seats on Peru Hop buses! They do not include massage machines.

There. A complaint about Peru Hop seats!

I’m 6’1″ (185cm) and I was completely surprised to find that I had plenty of legroom – much more than I needed. Taller people likely will feel more comfortable than they’ve felt on other buses. Short people will feel like they’re in first class!

Each Peru Hop seat has a dedicated USB port, either above you or in the armrest, where you can keep your phone or other electronics charged.

Tip : Bring an adapter so you can charge multiple USB items at a time (like this one for USB 2.0 and this one for USB 3.0 .)

Sleeping on the bus

The chairs on each of the Peru Hop buses recline in a big way. Far more than on other buses I’ve been on. In addition, there was a leg and footrest on the buses we took, providing an even more comfortable experience for longer trips.

You’ll also get a warm Peru Hop blanket. One thing I noticed about the buses is that they are always kept at a comfortable temperature. Not too cool; not too warm. I only needed the blanket on the overnight trip from Nazca to Arequipa.

Toilets on Peru Hop Buses

Toilets are kept very clean throughout the trip. Keep in mind, they are for “#1 only!” If you have to do anything else, tell the guide. They assured us that they would discreetly stop anywhere along the way if anyone felt sick or needed to do a “number larger than #1.”

All Peru Hop buses are monitored for location and speed. On longer and overnight trips, the bus will carry two drivers, who’ll take turns driving to avoid a driver falling asleep or being otherwise distracted by tiredness.

Strange, but true : Peru Hop’s standby driver bunks in the storage compartment below the bus in an area they’ve custom-designed for that purpose. Clever!

Pick-ups and Drop-offs

For us, one of the best things about traveling with Peru Hop was that we really didn’t have to think too much about getting to and from the bus.

In Lima and Cusco, we stayed at Airbnbs. Peru Hop doesn’t do pick-ups from Airbnbs, but don’t worry – all you need to do is find the nearest hotel or hostel and they’ll pick you up from there. For us, the nearest hotel in Lima was a 10-minute walk away. In Cusco, they sent us in a taxi to Plaza Des Armas – close to our Airbnb.

It’s the same everywhere. The Peru Hop bus either drops you off or picks you up from your hotel or hostel. If the bus can’t get to your street because it is too big, they send a shuttle or a taxi.

It’s practically worry-free and seems completely designed so that transportation to and from the next destination is the last thing a passenger could legitimately complain about.

And they’ve pretty much nailed it if you ask me.

Meeting people on Peru Hop

One of the best things about Peru Hop was the whole social aspect of the trip. And it’s a complete surprise because you don’t even know about it until you do it, really.

In just over two weeks, we’ve met people from around the world who we won’t soon forget. Charlie and Woody, Chris, Zelda, Jeff, Jorge, and so many other people who made the trip unique.

And you don’t just see them on the bus. You also meet those same passengers wandering around in the various destinations sporting their red Peru Hop wrist bands. We’ve been pleasantly surprised at a market in Arequipa and a grocery store in Cusco to look across the aisle and see someone from the Peru Hop bus waving to us.

With Peru Hop, you have a group of ready-made friends for the entire trip.

What are the guides like?

Every Peru Hop bus we were on had at least one guide – and sometimes a guide-in-training. All of them are either from Peru or have lived in the country long enough to consider themselves locals.

From answering questions about our destinations to booking hotels and hostels in Peru, they seem to never get stumped by passenger questions. We booked our accommodations in Arequipa separately. When we had a slight change in itinerary, our Peru Hop guide happily called the hostel for us to speak with the Spanish-speaking front desk rep and make sure there wasn’t any confusion on our arrival time.

Not only are they knowledgeable, but they are also enthusiastic about it all. Joking, smiling, and being positive in every respect. If you weren’t awake or having fun before you got on a Peru Hop bus, you would be within minutes!

Most of our guides sat at the front of the buses and gave information about where we were and what the significance was. There was only one occasion on our trip where we thought the guides under-performed. They sat in the back of the bus and barely said a word on the entire trip to Puno.

But they were the exception to the rule. Generally, we loved our Peru Hop guides.

Can older travelers use Peru Hop?

I’m almost 50. Halef is over 40. When we first considered a journey with Peru Hop, this was something we worried about. Initially, we were nervous that we would be on a Peru Hop tour surrounded by people we couldn’t relate to. We just made the assumption that services like this were built for younger travelers in their 20s and early 30s.

We were wrong.

Yes, the majority of people who use Peru Hop – at least the ones we saw during our trip in September – were under 30. But there were a significant number of people in their 40s, 50s and even a few much older than that.

If you’re a middle-aged or older traveler worrying about Peru Hop being right for you, don’t. We think you’ll feel completely comfortable on the trip.

Peru Hop’s recommended itinerary

As I mentioned earlier, we chose the Full South to Cusco route. We did that route over a period of just over two weeks and we did not follow the Peru Hop guidelines on how long to stay in each place. Peru Hop recommends 5 nights to complete this route – which many travelers do follow.

It seems that the goal is to get people to Cusco quickly, which, to be fair, is the destination for most visitors to Peru anyway. But we think it doesn’t give the other cities along the route the attention they deserve.

Peru Hop recommends spending the following amount of time in each destination:

• Paracas – 1 night
• Huacachina – 1 night
• Nazca – 0 nights
• Arequipa – 2 nights
• Puno – 1 night

Our recommendation – travel slower in Peru

Because we were not on a set schedule (i.e., we didn’t need to be back at an office on a set date), we decided to do the itinerary at a slower pace.

• Paracas – 2 nights
• Huacachina – 2 nights
• Nazca – 1 nights
• Arequipa – 7 nights
• Puno – 3 nights

This would ensure that we didn’t feel rushed along the way. Not only that, but it would give us time to relax in each destination in Peru and potentially do things that might not even be on the Peru Hop recommended agenda.

And, now that we’ve finished our journey to Cusco, we feel like we mostly did the right thing.

The only thing we wish we’d done differently was to spend a couple more nights in Nazca. This is a beautiful city with nice restaurants and more to do than just see the Nazca Lines.

Peru Hop doesn’t even recommend you stay here unless you are taking a Nazca Lines flight. We think that’s a miss. Stay in Nazca for a couple of nights.

From Chauchilla Cemetery, where you can see mummies of ancient settlers, to Los Paredones, the Aqueducts, people-watching on the Plaza de Armas in Nazca, and yes, the flights over the Nazca Lines, this city deserves at least a couple of days.

Benefits of using Peru Hop

There are a couple of benefits of using Peru Hop that we can’t overstate. These benefits can save you a good deal of money and time:

Booking hotels and hostels

The benefit that can save you the most money with Peru Hop is booking your hotels through them. A couple of examples:

• In Paracas, we booked a double room at the Los Frayles hotel. The normal price for this room is 260 Soles ($75) per night. The Peru Hop price is 100 ($29).
• In Puno, our room was only 65 Soles ($19) per night. The regular price is 90 ($26).

Everywhere we went, we met people traveling with Peru Hop. So we sort of assume that Peru Hop has a lot of sway here and that’s why they get prices like these.

Unbeatable hotel prices are a great benefit to traveling with Peru Hop.

Peru Hop activities and excursions

Peru Hop also gets you decent prices with their partners at each destination for the most popular activities. But, for us, the prices weren’t the biggest benefit. For us, it was about the ease of booking everything on one site.

From dune buggies and sandboarding in Huacachina to a flight over the Nazca Lines, it was easy to book these activities with Peru Hop.

Peru Hop even offers a few free excursions, like the Slave Tunnels at Hacienda San Jose, the Paracas National Reserve, a tour of El Catador vineyard (with, er, lots of free samples), and the Nazca Lines tower.

Zero Pressure to book

Whether you want to book your hotel or excursion with Peru Hop or not, there is no pressure to do so. They always told us what was available, but never made anyone feel any type of pressure to buy through them.

We thought that was quite professional of them

Would we use Peru Hop again?

In this Peru Hop review, we’ve tried to give you as much honest information as possible. We think the Peru Hop mostly gets it right.

• Their buses are top-notch
• Their guides are knowledgeable
• The Peruvian destinations along the road from Lima to Cusco are the right places to hop on and hop off
• Their recommended tours are good quality – even the free ones.
• Peru Hop never pressures you to buy anything through them.

We think choosing Peru Hop is the right way to go if you want to see western Peru. We’d love to see Peru Hop expand into the east and offer Peruvian Amazon trips. That’s an itinerary we’d hop on immediately!

So the answer is, “Yes. We’d use Peru Hop again.”

With Peru Hop, we never encountered anything but positivity. Not once did a Peru Hop guide fail to address an issue or answer a question. Everything was very organized and seamless on their part.

The Peru Hop Web site was extremely easy to use to plan your itinerary. In fact, just for the planning aspect alone, we would use Peru Hop again. We now know a lot more about Peru than we did before we came here. And even though we would probably be comfortable planning individual trips with other private bus companies, taxis, and colectivos, we think Peru Hop’s buses are so comfortable and hassle-free that we wouldn’t want to take a chance on something else.

Finally, the price is definitely right. $200 to get from Lima to Cusco with stops and free tours in between? I don’t think you can really beat that kind of convenience.

Planning on spending time in Cusco?

We’ve written a guide to the Cusco transit system . It’s a great way to save money – especially if you’re staying for a week or more in the city! We also suggest making the most of your time in Cusco by taking a few day trips outside the city while you’re there.

Want more like this? Subscribe to our newsletter below (mobile) or in the sidebar (desktop) to get our posts delivered to your mailbox! And like our Facebook page and Instagram feed . We’re also on YouTube. Watch our Travel vlogs right here .

Michael is originally from Canada but now resides in Atlanta, GA with his husband, Halef, who also writes here. He is a Couchsurfing expert. Michael has traveled to over 50 countries learning how to experience more for less as he travels.

Reader Interactions

March 16, 2022 at 9:49 am

Hi guys. Why did you spend so much time in Arequipa?

March 16, 2022 at 10:15 am

We think it is a beautiful place. The sunsets here are fantastic. There are lots of restaurants and the city square is always interesting at night.

April 13, 2022 at 10:50 am

We have quite a few hours from our nazca flight until the bus arrives to continue onward to Arequipa- how far/ how long was the trip to see the aqueducts or the cemetery? Also name one favorite restaurant in Arequipa or activity “you can’t miss” (already trekking the canyon). Thanks loved the honest review we travel with Peru hop the beginning of may and are very excited.

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• Why hop with us
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• Nazca Lines Viewing Tower

Paracas National Reserve

• Pisco Vineyard
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• Day Trips from Lima
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• Paracas Day Trips
• Huacachina Day Tours
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• Rainbow Mountain

Ballestas Islands

• Quad Bike ATV
• Paragliding in Paracas
• Buggy and Sandboarding
• Nazca Lines Flight
• Full Day Tour
• Ruta del Sillar Tour
• Lake Titicaca
• 2 Hour Tour
• Isla del Sol

3 Day Tour (Night in Paracas & Huacachina)

Price from: $149

Lima - Paracas - Huacachina - Lima

What this tour offers:

• 3 unforgettable destinations
• Paracas - Pacific beach town famed for its scenic coastline and wildlife
• Huacachina - Idyllic natural oasis in the middle of the desert. Seen to be believed!
• Ica - Home to some of Peru's best Pisco
• 5 incredible activities
• Secret Slave Tunnels - discover the dark history behind Colonial slavery at this original plantation estate
• Ballestas Islands - boat out to Peru's very own Mini-Galapagos
• Paracas National Reserve - Where desert meets ocean. Some of the most breathtaking landscapes Peru's Pacific coast has to offer
• Dunebuggy & Sandboarding - Buggy up and sandboard down the biggest dunes in South America
• Pisco Vineyard - learn and taste Peru's national drink Pisco Important note: Peru Hop includes an exclusive extended 2 HOUR buggy tour - all other companies operate just a 1 hour tour!
• Night in Paracas
• Night in Huacachina
• Daily departures
• Hotel/hostel pickups & dropoffs
• Airbnb's have close meeting points

Private tour available!

Personalized service with private transport and guide. Contact us for more info!

This is a 3 day short tour from Lima to the Pacific beach town of Paracas and the stunning desert oasis of Huacachina. In Paracas, boat out to Peru’s “Mini-Galapagos” and visit the stunning coastal National Reserve. In Huacachina combine Sandboarding/Dunebuggying with a visit to a local Pisco Vineyard trip.  A great 3-day escape from Lima.

Highlights:

• Exclusive guided tour of the Secret Slave Tunnels. 17km of underground tunnels used to smuggle slaves in the XVII century – Chincha
• Take a speedboat out to the Ballestas Islands off the coast of Paracas to see hundreds of penguins and sea lions in their natural habitat. Known as the Mini-Galapagos (tours to the Galapagos cost a LOT more!) this tour gets you up close and personal with the friendly sealions and penguins. –  Paracas
• Visit one of the biggest protected deserts in the Americas. Incredible views of desert meeting the ocean –  Paracas National Reserve
• In your free time, get stunning views from the highest viewpoint in Paracas of this boutique little coastal town, and/or sample ceviche and other Peruvian cuisine in this increasingly popular foodie destination. –  Paracas
• Dune Buggy up and Sandboard down the biggest sand dunes in South America at the only desert oasis in South America. This is Peru’s fastest growing tourist attraction and a must for everybody who wants a once in a lifetime adrenalin rush. –  Huacachina
• Watch what is considered one of the most beautiful sunsets in Peru, right on top of the incredible sand dunes that overlook the natural Oasis. Please see photos of Huacachina… it needs to be seen to be believed! –  Huacachina
• Discover how Peru’s national liquor is made from grape to bottle, learn everything about it, andtaste free samples of some of Peru’s finest Pisco –  Pisco Vineyard
• Luxury spacious bus with huge reclining seats, classic movies (e.g. Mrs. Doubtfire), toilet onboard, and more!
• All tours included with no hidden fees

More of what you’ll experience on this tour

Click the arrows to scroll through.

Secret Slave Tunnels

Huacachina Oasis

Tour Itinerary & What's Included

6:30am - 7:00am

Depart Lima - We pick up directly from hostels and hotels for safety and comfort. If staying in an Airbnb just email us. Your booking confirmation (ticket) will show you your exact pick-up time (depends on where you are staying!)

Breakfast Stop - We stop for the chance to try a unique breakfast straight from the bread ovens of Mirasur – Enjoy some of the freshest baked bread in Peru! (breakfast not included)

INCLUDED ACTIVITY

Secret Slave Tunnels – Visit Hacienda San Jose and discover the jaw-dropping secret tunnels. Once used to smuggle slaves, these tunnels can be found below the hacienda, where you will also learn about a darker side to Peruvian history.

Luxury bus arrives to Paracas, a beautiful small town by the sea.

1:30pm until the next day

Night in Paracas. Relax by the calm, beach or have some of Peru's tastiest seafood! You can book accommodation with any of our partners mentioned in our accommodation section below at the time of your booking or you're free to book your own accommodation.

OPTIONAL EXTRA

Golden Shadows Trek – Tour to the heart of the Paracas National Reserve to experience an unforgettable sunset at Kori-Apu, the Golden mountain (la montaña dorada). As the sun sets, the rocks along the cliffs light up a golden color, and where even the shadows are aglow, lending to the name of the tour. Your guide can help you book this optional extra.

We start our day! Meeting point is Los Frayles Residencial Hotel.

7:30am - 9:30am

Ballestas Islands – 2 hour boat tour of the islands. The Ballestas are a smaller version of the Galapagos, and just as great. You’ll see sea lions, penguins and lots of birds all in there natural habitat. If you’re lucky, you may even see a dolphin or three!

10:00am - 12:00pm

For the adventurous, spice up your visit to the National Reserve with one of the following adrenaline-fuelled upgrades mentioned in OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Paracas National Reserve – Guided tour of one of South America’s biggest protected desert reserves. Stunning Pacific coastline where desert meets ocean.

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Paragliding – The National Reserve is famed for its breathtaking Pacific coastline, so you can imagine the birds-eye views. THE place to fly in Peru! Your guide can help you book this optional extra or book in advance to secure a spot. For more info click here .

Quad biking tour – Switch up your passenger seat on the bus, for the driver’s seat of an ATV/quad bike! Exhilarating self-drive guided tour of the reserve. Your guide can help you book this optional extra or book in advance to secure a spot. For more info click here .

Depart from Paracas

Pisco Vineyard Tour – see how Pisco, Peru’s national drink, is made from the grape to the bottle and try lots of free samples.

Arrive to Huacachina.

4:00pm - 6:00pm

Dunebuggy and sandboarding – 2 hours full of adrenaline. Ride the dune buggies up and sandboard down the biggest dunes in South America. A once in a lifetime experience in the only natural desert oasis in South America.

Important note: Peru Hop includes an exclusive extended 2 HOUR buggy tour – all other companies operate just a 1 hour tour!

6:00pm until the next day

Night in Huacachina. Enjoy some food or drinks around one of the many restaurants/bars around the oasis! You can book accommodation with any of our partners mentioned in our accommodation section below at the time of your booking or you're free to book your own accommodation.

Free time in Huacachina

Relax by the pool in all year long sunshine or enjoy the stunning views atop the dunes while catching the beautiful sunset.

7:00pm - 11:45pm

Luxury bus back to Lima. Meeting point is Wild Rover Hostel. Sit back and relax on the comfortable seats while you enjoy a movie onboard (e.g Mrs. Doubtfire / Forrest Gump / etc.). Or lay back and have a relaxing nap! You will be dropped off directly to your hotel/hostel upon arrival to Lima.

What’s Included

• Private luxury touristic bus transport
• Hotel pick ups and drop offs
• Onboard bilingual Hop guide
• Exclusive Secret Slave Tunnels Tour in Chincha
• Ballestas Islands Tour in Paracas
• Paracas National Reserve Tour in Paracas
• Extended 2-hour Dune Buggy and Sandboarding Tour in Huacachina
• Pisco Vineyard Tour in Pisco
• ALL taxes and entry fees - UNLIKE other companies

Not Included

• Accommodation can be added-on when purchasing your ticket

Important Info & Notes

Important info.

Departure Days

Time of Departure

Pick-up Location

We pick up passengers from all major hostels & hotels in Lima. If you are staying at an Airbnb then email us and we will specify your nearest pick up location.

If staying outside of these areas or at a residential address, then please select our central meeting point: MC DONALDS, PARQUE KENNEDY - MIRAFLORES as your pick-up location.

Minimum Time Needed

3 Days / 2 Nights

$149 Includes transport, tours and guide on board. Accommodation add-ons available. *Does not included food.

Important Notes

Travelling between any of the dates mentioned below? Click the tab for the corresponding important information.

SECRET SLAVE TUNNELS - PRIVATE EVENTS

The Haciendo San Jose (Secret Slave Tunnels) will be closed to the public to the following dates due to private events:

• April 27th, 2024
• May 18th, 2024
• September 21st, 2024
• November 9th, 2024
• November 23rd, 2024

27, 28, 29 & 30 JULY 2024 - INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS (PERU)

Due to the heavy traffic, we will depart Lima at an earlier time on July 28th & 29th (6:00am).

Due to high demand, we will not be able to assist with booking any rooms during this period. We recommend you to book in advance directly with the hotel/hostel.

NOTE: For Independence Day (Fiestas Patrias) week, the Ballestas Islands Tour (Paracas) on these dates will last only one and a half hours in duration . This is the same for ALL tour operators.

NOTE: For Independence Day (Fiestas Patrias) week, the Dunebuggy & Sandboarding Tour (Huacachina) on these dates will last only one hour in duration . This is the same for ALL tour operators.

Road access to Huacachina Oasis may be limited. It might be necessary to walk a short distance in and out of the oasis. Please consult your guide regarding your luggage.

Book With Confidence

You are able to change your departure dates at no extra cost if you were to change your plans.

Accommodation Information

Los frayles 3-star hotel great value.

Excellent for:

• Solo Travelers

Why guests love it:

Shared room

Traveling alone or on a budget? Or just looking to meet other travelers? Choose the shared room option for your trip and connect with other like-minded hopsters.

6-bed shared room

From $10 per person

Towels are NOT included in SHARED rooms. Optional hire.

Private room

Traveling as a couple or group? Or do you just want your own room for the tour? Select a private room with bathroom when booking to add that little bit of privacy to your trip.

Single, double and family rooms available

From $17 per person

Wild Rover Hostel GREAT VALUE

• Backpackers

Range of pod-style shared rooms from 4 to 14 beds.

Curasi 3-Star Hostel With Oasis View GREAT VALUE

• Older travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

You might have some questions about our service and of course Peru itself. Our FAQs are aimed at helping you with any questions you may have.

Just click on any question and get the answer straight away!

What type of travelers take this tour?

Our 3 day tour is perfect for ALL types of travelers who are looking to maximize their time in Lima and see some of the most amazing sights in Peru in a short period of time.

65% of our passengers are female, the average passenger age is 31, and we have had people as old as 83, with plenty of families too!

Please note that children under 5 or pregnant women are not permitted on the Dune Buggy’s in Huacachina.

Why is Peru Hop better than trying to do it myself?

Simply put, it is very hard to do this itinerary by yourself without Peru Hop. Public buses do NOT go to Huacachina, they only go as far as Ica, so you would have to then arrange separate transport to and from Ica. As well as this, you would also have to coordinate getting to the bus terminals and from the bus terminals on your late return to Lima.

As well as all of this, Peru Hop offers a local onboard Travel Assistant fluent in English who you will simply love (read reviews about our fun and friendly guides all over the internet!) and Peru Hop is a great way to meet people from all over the world.

Finally, when you factor in everything included in our prices, you will see we offer great value for money, something which again is often commented on by passengers after their trip!

What should I bring on this tour?

Both Huacachina and Paracas are sunny towns. The following list of items are recommended:

• Wind jacket/rain proof jacket (may get a little wet due to winds in the ocean)
• Extra t-shirt
• Sunscreen & sunglasses
• Comfortable clothes and shoe wear
• Lightweight pants

Where can I leave my luggage when doing tours?

Our onboard travel assistants will let you know where you can store your luggage for FREE! Another benefit of traveling with Peru Hop.

Of course valuables like cash and passports should always stay with you at all times, like with any bus or flight service!

Is advanced booking recommended?

Yes! Due to Peru Hop’s growing reputation as the best way to travel around Peru (which we are very proud of after 10 hard years), our trips can often fill up in advance, so advance booking is recommended. Check the availability using the green button above!

Can I change my ticket to another one after booking?

Sure, if you want to change your ticket for one that better suits your travel plans, please send us an email to proceed. Depending on the new ticket price and the timing of your request, the team will provide you with the available options.

Does traveling on Peru Hop help the local communities?

Yes, 100% it does.

Peru Hop was founded by Irish guys who moved to Peru and realized they had missed so much of this country when they were travelers, and so partnered with local Peruvians to develop a system to allow people discover the Real Peru.

By taking you to places most tourists don’t know about, you are helping local communities who often live below the poverty line to have a source of income. Simply buying some breakfast snacks or a water here or there really helps these communities.

As well as this, 95% of our staff are young Peruvians and we pay more than other travel and bus companies. They often use their salaries to help their families (here in Peru it is common kids, parents and grandparents to all live in the same small house).

Remember, most tourists either fly with billion dollar airlines or go on public buses owned by millionaires and make no stops between stops and don’t benefit local communities.

Don’t be a Typical Tourist, Discover the REAL Peru, and make this a win-win for you and for local Peruvians.

Info About Our Luxury Buses

Peru hop – #1 bus company in peru.

As well as an unbeatable safety record, Peru Hop is also famous for its punctuality and comfort. In South America, where things often run later than scheduled, we are very proud to say we achieve a 98.5% on-time arrival for each trip.

If comparing Peru Hop to other bus companies, make sure you check their safety record, past accidents, as well as their Tripadvisor page (if they even bother to have one) as often you will find there is a reason why some bus companies have “cheaper” prices than Peru Hop.

Features Of Our Buses

• 40 semi-bed reclining seats: All with sponge foam pads for added comfort.
• Modern and clean toilet: Unlike public buses that often smell bad and are not cleaned regularly.
• High-tech temperature controlled air system: We ensure it is never too hot or too cold.
• 3 LCD TVs on board: Just sit back and enjoy English-speaking movies on longer journeys.
• Highest quality brake and suspension system: To ensure that every passenger has a smooth and seamless journey.
• Blankets for every passenger: Snuggle up and get some sleep on longer trips.
• GPS monitoring system: Allows us to track our buses every step of the way and monitor driver velocity.
• USB ports on every seat: Charge your phone or any device throughout your whole trip.

Bus Safety Controls

• Large team of drivers: Our drivers are not overworked/tired as is often the case on other buses.
• Tour guide onboard: Our tour guide does regular checks on the drivers.
• Seatbelts: We have a seatbelt for every passenger and ask our passengers to wear them at all times.
• 24 hour GPS monitoring: Every bus is monitored from a secure point via GPS…we always know where the bus is and if it is taking any unscheduled stops.
• Constant contact: The drivers and the guide communicate continuously by telephone with the Peru Hop office.
• No tight deadlines: Our drivers are under NO pressure to arrive at a certain time, no need for increased speed or unnecessary risks.

View similar day trips

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2 Day Tour from Lima (Stay 1 night in Paracas)

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Destination Guides , Peru , South America

An honest peru hop review of peru’s hop on hop off bus.

Disclosure : I received a complimentary Peru Hop bus pass in exchange for this review, but all opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. 

When I decided to hike the Inca Trail with Intrepid Travel , I impulsively added ten days to my trip to explore the rest of the country. However, when I started researching how to visit all the best places in Peru, I started doubting my decision. There are lots of horror stories online about the local buses, and the trains are expensive. Thankfully, a friend of mine recommended Peru Hop .

I was looking for an easy way to get around Peru that was both safe and affordable and Peru Hop offered all of that and more. This Peru Hop review includes exactly how Peru Hop works, who it’s good for, and what I loved (and didn’t) about Peru’s hop on hop off bus service.

Table of Contents

Peru Hop Review: Traveling Peru on a hop on hop off bus

What is peru hop.

Peru Hop is a hop-on, hop-off bus service that takes you from Lima to Cusco (or vice-versa), stopping in various cities along the way. You also have the option of adding on a side trip to Bolivia via Bolivia Hop as well!

How does Peru Hop work?

Peru Hop offers flexible solutions to get you from one destination in Peru to the other. You can choose from a large variety of bus passes , depending on how much time you have to travel, which city you want to start your journey, and whether you want to visit Peru, Bolivia, or both. Each pass indicates the minimum amount of time you’ll need to complete the route, but all passes are valid for a year, so you can theoretically take one year to complete your route.

What’s the Peru Hop itinerary / route?

The full Peru Hop itinerary includes Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, Naza, Arequipa, Cusco and Puno. If you’d like to add a bit of Bolivia onto your tour, you can also Bolivia Hop over to Copacabana and La Paz. The shortest time commitment is 24 hours and the longest is 10 days, but again, all the passes are valid for one year.

I wanted to see everything in Peru but didn’t have time to visit Bolivia, so I chose the Full South to Lima Pass , which took me from Cusco, stopped in all of the above-mentioned cities and ended in Lima. I had initially flown to Cusco to do the Inca Trail before doing Peru Hop. However, the route going in the other direction, the Full South to Cusco, is more popular amongst travelers who land in Lima and want to end in Cusco.

I personally did the hop without spending any extra time in any city (it took me 7 days / 6 nights) as I was short on time. If you have a few extra days, I recommend adding an extra night in Arequipa and another in Paracas.

Pssst: Before you head to Peru, check out all these Peru travel tips you should know before you go!

What are the Peru Hop buses like?

I’ve been on my fair share of buses around the world and in South America, and I’ve got to say, I was really impressed by the bus quality – especially the overnight buses. All of the buses are equipped with air-conditioning, semi-reclining chairs, comforters, USB plugs, and a bathroom (that’s strictly for number one).

Overall, they’re about as comfortable as planes, except with slightly wider seats and more movement (turbulence?), of course.

How does accommodation work?

Peru Hop has exclusive discounts with hotels and hostels in every city (except for Lima and Cusco) that Peru Hop passengers can take advantage of. You just have to email the accommodation in order to get the discount (and book direct). If you’d like to book different accommodation outside of the Peru Hop network, you’re free to do so as well. I’m a fan of both Hostelworld and Booking.com .

Many Peru Hop passengers choose to book their hostel / hotel last-minute, especially if they’re flexible with their travel time. I preferred to book ahead so I could compare prices. No matter where you stay in each city, you’ll get picked up and dropped off at your accommodation , which is awesome . With Peru Hop, you don’t have to constantly worry about getting to and from your accommodation to a central bus station early in the morning or late at night.

I was traveling with a friend and we opted to stay in twin rooms the whole time. We didn’t stay in any of the recommended Peru Hop accommodation options except in Paracas (we stayed at Kokopelli Paracas and loved it) because we found better deals elsewhere. If socializing is particularly important to you or if you’re staying in shared rooms, definitely consider the Peru Hop partner accommodation.

Note: If you’re planning on staying in hostels, be sure to read the descriptions. Peru is a popular backpacker and partying destination, and a lot of the hostels cater to partying travelers. I’ve included my personal recommendations for the people that want chill accommodation at the end of this post.

How does booking tours work?

One of the coolest things about Peru Hop is that most of the bus departures and arrivals are timed with tours in mind. For example, we arrived to Puno at 5 am, had breakfast at our hotel drop-off point and were ready for an all-day Lake Titicaca tour that started at 7 am. We arrived back to Puno with plenty of time to have dinner and explore the town, then hopped on the next Peru Hop bus at 10 pm. You can book your tours ahead of time online or on the bus. I booked ahead so I could use my credit card.

Peru Hop does not run most of the tours. Instead, they recommend specific tours through their partners at Find Local Trips . I booked all my day tours through them and thought they were great! The only tour I’d book through an alternate company is the sandboarding tour due to less-than-ideal safety standards. This is the tour I recommend booking instead. Everything else (Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, and Ballestas Islands) was awesome!

As part of your bus ticket, there are a few optional, free tours that are included such as a Pisco vineyard visit in Huacachina (we skipped this as we were both sick and don’t drink), a Nazca Tower ticket to see the Nazca Lines, a visit to the Paracas National Reserve , and a stop at the Incan ruins at Tambo Colorado enroute to Lima. The Tambo Colorado stop isn’t optional if you’re coming from Paracas but can be skipped if you’re departing from Lima. You don’t need to book these tours ahead by the way – you’ll get asked on the bus ride if you’d like to participate and you can opt in or out. These free tours are a really awesome perk that make Peru Hop stand out compared to its competitors.

Is Peru Hop safe?

One of the biggest reasons I decided to travel with Peru Hop was for safety. Public buses in Peru, albeit slightly cheaper, are notorious for pickpocketing. Peru Hop is the complete opposite of that. There’s a sense of camaraderie amongst the travelers, so you don’t have to worry that someone is going to swipe your stuff (of course, take necessary precautions).

Plus, you aren’t allowed to even board the bus unless your name is on the check-in list, so the guide on the bus knows who is on it at all times. Oh yes – and there’s a guide on the bus, along with two bus drivers so there’s no worry that one will fall asleep or drive like a maniac or something.

Lastly, the bus doesn’t stop to pick up and drop off people along the way except for twice on the route: once in Nazca and once between Puno and Arequipa, when half the group was going to Bolivia and the other half was continuing to Arequipa. This lessens the likelihood of someone stealing something at an opportune moment, since you know exactly when the bus will stop.

Can Peru Hop save you money?

Yes, Peru Hop is actually very budget friendly and saves you money. Here’s how:

• The bus ticket includes hotel pick-ups and drop-offs: not only is this incredibly convenient due to the odd arrival and pick-up times, but it also saves you the money and hassle of haggling with taxi drivers at odd hours or walking long distances from the bus station to your accommodation.
• The cost of booking tickets separately is actually not that much cheaper. You can use Rome2Rio to check out all your transportation options.
• Two of the buses are overnight buses, saving you money on two nights of accommodation.
• Three additional tours – plus the Nazca Viewing Tower – are included in your ticket: the Paracas National Reserve, a Pisco Sour tasting tour, and a visit to Tambo Colorado.

Note: If you’re on a very tight budget and would prefer to book local buses, that is indeed the cheapest option. However, it’s not the safest option and it involves multiple transfers (especially for places like Nazca and Tambo Colorado). Plus, you miss out on all the other perks that come with the Peru Hop bus like the free tours, the hotel pick-up and drop-off, the guides, and the sense of community.

What I loved about Peru Hop

The tour guides.

Each bus has a guide who is an expert on specific parts of Peru. Not only is it nice to have someone on the bus in case you have questions or issues, but they’re also amazing sources of information in general. I always got the best restaurant recommendations from the guides and they were all incredibly friendly and fun. I could tell that they all loved their jobs – special shout out to Alex, who always made sure we were having a good time.

The Peru Hop ticket includes free tours to the Paracas National Reserve, the Inca ruins at Tambo Colorado, the Nazca Lines Tower, and a Pisco Sour vineyard tour (which I skipped). Are the tours the best ones I’ve ever done? No. But it was really cool that they had all these additions. I particularly liked seeing the Paracas National Reserve.

Flexibility and online booking

One of the coolest parts about Peru Hop is the flexibility you get with your ticket. You have an entire year to use it, so you can stay in each city for as long as you’d like and you don’t pay any additional fees to do so. All you have to do is book your spot on the bus online at least 12 hours before you want to leave and voilà! You’re good to go.

Ease of booking tours

Peru Hop doesn’t run additional tours but they have recommended partners that run tours in each destination for very reasonable prices (I price-shopped, naturally). All of our bus stops were timed so we had plenty of time to do almost all the tours we wanted and get back on the bus without missing a beat. There wasn’t a single instance where we had to stay an extra night in a city *just* so we could do a tour. Win!

Hotel / hostel pickup and drop off

I’ve done my fair share of bus travel and let me tell you – the last thing I want to do after a long bus journey is figure out how to get to my accommodation. Walking with a large backpack is about as fun as haggling with a taxi driver at 6 am. The fact that Peru Hop drops you off and picks you up is a serious lifesaver. Note: There’s no pick-up / drop-off in Cusco due to city bus regulations.

Comfortable buses

Despite traveling frequently, I still haven’t mastered the art of sleeping on buses. Peru Hop was no exception, but that isn’t their fault. In fact, quite the opposite: the buses are equipped with everything you need to be comfortable : bathrooms (for number one only), duvets to keep you warm (a lifesaver since I’m always cold), USB ports to charge your phone, and movies during daytime rides (democratically chosen by voting).

Note: the buses were also very reliable! We took multiple buses on this trip and only experienced one 30 minute delay. That’s  amazing for South America.

Lunch stops and snacks

The day we traveled between Arequipa and Huacachina started really early – too early for hotel breakfast. When we got on the bus, our guide, Alex, handed each of us a bag of snacks and juice and water – SO thoughtful! Plus, he took all of our orders down for lunch and called the restaurant ahead so we wouldn’t have to wait forever for our food upon arrival. Win! I was pretty happy with the lunch stops overall: the food was always reasonably priced and delicious.

City guides

Peru Hop emailed us mini-guides to each city before our trip. It was super handy to have them so we could quickly and easily figure out where to go and what to eat in each city.

Discounts with partners

Although I only took advantage of the partner accommodation in Paracas, I admit it’s a really nice perk. Not only can you save money but it’s also especially great for solo travelers who want to stay where most travelers are staying (a lot of passengers do actually stay in the recommended accommodation in each city).

As an added bonus, tours booked with select Find Local Trips operators allow date changes right up until the day before your tour begins at no extra cost – an exclusive Peru Hop perk!

Free T-shirt

You get a free t-shirt in Lima with a llama on it! SO cute. I’m a sucker for that stuff.

Things I didn’t love about Peru Hop

Overnight trips.

Don’t get me wrong, the Peru Hop bus is as comfortable as a bus with semi-reclining chairs can be, but I still had a really hard time sleeping on the bus. The trip also calls for two overnight trips in a row if you don’t spend the night in Puno, which was rough. This wasn’t Peru Hop’s fault but if you have a really hard time sleeping on buses, it might be worth spending a night in Puno to break up the two overnight buses.

The Puno stop

Most of my major qualms about Peru Hop were related to Puno and that stop. Basically, if you aren’t spending the night in a city, you get dropped off and picked up at a partner hotel. In Puno, that hotel is Suites Independencia, which was the worst waiting place in my opinion. It has a small lobby and just one somewhat dirty bathroom. It was also incredibly full of Peru Hop passengers, especially in the evening, since passengers going in either direction board at the same time and on the same bus. Thankfully, all the other stops are much more organized but Puno was a struggle.

Bus from Puno to Arequipa

The bus from Puno to Arequipa was our second overnight journey, which I was mentally prepared for. What I wasn’t prepared for was learning that everyone in Puno would be boarding the same bus for a few hours and then the group heading to Arequipa (us) would have to switch buses in the middle of the night, while those headed back to Cusco would remain on the bus. Not cool. It’s one thing to have to switch buses in the middle of the day but it’s an entirely different scenario to have to do it in the middle of the night (read: it was miserable). We were incredibly lucky that our Arequipa hotel let us check in at 5 am so we could get some extra sleep!

Other things to note

Hostel partners

Peru Hop typically recommends 2-3 accommodation options in each city. Be sure to read the descriptions carefully, since a lot of the hostel partners are party hostels. This was no big deal for me as I did my research beforehand but if you want a good night’s sleep, be sure to plan your accommodation ahead. Note: I’ve included my accommodation recommendations in the section below.

No pickup in Cusco

This is more of a mild inconvenience than a complaint, but due to city regulations, the Peru Hop bus can’t pick up in Cusco. It’s easy to get a cab to the bus stop (which is different than the central bus station) but just a friendly heads up.

Cusco to Lima vs Lima to Cusco

The most popular route takes travelers from Lima to Cusco. I’m guessing it’s because most people land in Lima and want to end up in Cusco for The Inca Trail , but I actually did the route in reverse. It worked out in my favor because there was only one bus ride that was full the entire time we did our Hop. If you take the more popular Lima to Cusco route, however, your bus is more likely to be full. Keep this in mind both when planning your trip and when booking your spot on the bus (book ahead, especially during busy season).

Be sure to pack…

Stay comfortable on the bus! Be sure to keep the following handy on the bus: a USB charger, a neck pillow , socks, toilet paper , a Kindle (for the long rides) snacks, a  eSIM , and water. Also – get travel insurance ! You never know what can go wrong and it’s a must-have for every trip (trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way).  Pssst: If you’re hiking the Inca Trail, check out my comprehensive  packing list .

Is Peru Hop good for solo travelers?

I admit that I was a tad worried that Peru Hop was going to be a giant backpacker party bus, which is so not my vibe. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that although the majority of travelers are in their 20s and 30s, Peru Hop caters to every kind of traveler : solo travelers young and old, couples, backpackers, and more. I didn’t see any families on the bus when I was traveling but families can join as well.

And yes – Peru Hop is excellent for solo travelers. It’s safe and it’s easy to make friends, as you tend to see the same people on the bus, on the tours, and at your accommodation.

Peru accommodation: where to stay in Peru

If party hostels and hotels aren’t your vibe, these are my top picks (including places that I stayed on my trip) for where to stay in Peru for every budget!

• Backpack:  Milhouse Hostel  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Save:  Illa Hotel  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Splurge:  Belmond Palacio Nazarenas  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Backpack:  Pariwana Hostel  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Save:  Ife Boutique Hotel  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Splurge:  Belmond Miraflores Park  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Backpack:  Econunay  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Save:  La Hosteria  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Splurge:  Casa Andina Premium Arequipa  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Backpack:  Wild Olive Guesthouse  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Save:  Hotel El Huacachinero  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Backpack:  Kokopelli Hostel  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Save:  Casa Paracas  |   Book a Stay
• Splurge:  Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay

Puno / Lake Titicaca 

• Backpack:  Kantaya Hostel  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Save:  Uros Qhota Uta Lodge  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay
• Splurge:  Titicaca Lodge Peru  |  Read Tripadvisor  reviews   |   Book a Stay

Which cities to spend extra time in

Unfortunately, due to limited time, I had to follow the Peru Hop itinerary exactly and wasn’t able to spend any extra time in any of the cities except in Cusco, where I started and Lima, where I ended. If you happen to have extra travel days and are wondering where you should spend them, I recommend:

The town is small but it’s a great place to relax, swim, and eat good seafood. If that’s your vibe, definitely consider an extra day or two here.

This is hands-down my favorite city in Peru (Cusco is a close second). It’s the perfect medium-sized city with plenty to do. We spent two nights here and did the one-day Colca Canyon trek. I would recommend adding another day or two here as well, especially if you’d like to do a 2-day Colca Canyon trek or if you’d like to see more of Arequipa.

There isn’t much to do in Puno as a city, if I’m being honest. However, if you want a break between the two overnight buses, consider spending a night in Puno. If you’re fine with overnight buses, then no need.

Whether you start or end in Lima, there’s plenty to do in Peru’s vibrant capital city! Check out my 2-day Lima itinerary to plan your time there.

Peru Hop: the best way to travel around Peru

All in all, Peru Hop exceeded my expectations. It is the best way to travel around Peru if you want flexibility or are short on time. A Peru Hop ticket allows you the flexibility to stay in cities as long as you’d like, while offering the perks and comforts of an organized tour. If a safe and budget-friendly mode of transportation is what you’re after, then I definitely recommend Peru Hop.

More Peru Resources

• Peru Travel Guide
• Peru Travel Tips: 28 Things to Know When Traveling to Peru
• The Complete Inca Trail Packing List: What to Pack for Trekking Machu Picchu
• The Perfect Lima Itinerary: 2 Days in Lima
• An Honest Peru Hop Review of Peru's Hop On Hop Off Bus
• Exploring and Hiking in Peru with Intrepid Travel: A Review

Tell me: would you consider using Peru Hop to travel around Peru or would you prefer an organized tour instead? Share in the comments below!

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2 thoughts on “ An Honest Peru Hop Review of Peru’s Hop On Hop Off Bus ”

Hi, I am interested to book tours with findlocaltrips but they don’t have reviews (+ every day they have available spots) and I am wondering whether it’s safe to book there. Could you give some advice here? Best, YD

Hello. I have personally booked some of the tours in associate with Peru Hop – those I mentioned in the post. Most of them were a great experience but I can’t speak to the rest of the tours. Happy travels!

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Peru Hop - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Visiting Tips (2024)

Peru & Bolivia By Bus With Peru Hop

by Asdghik Ashley Melkonian

Table of Contents

Why I chose to travel by bus on Peru Hop

Day 1: lima, day 2-3: paracas, day 4-5: huacachina, day 6-7: nazca & arequipa (overnight bus), day 8-9: puno & uros islands, day 10-11: copacabana (peru to bolivia border crossing), day 12-13: la paz, bolivia, how to get from la paz to uyuni, day 18-19: la paz – copacabana – cusco (24 hr journey), top trips from cusco, important information about machu picchu.

Peru is one of those unique countries that has something of interest for everyone. This stunning country has everything to offer from vast landscapes like Rainbow Mountain , deserts, amazing food, and the most impressive historic sites in the world. Peru was my dream destination for so long. When I started planning my trip, I wanted to make sure I visit every beautiful corner in the county.

Another major item on my bucket list was visiting Salar De Uyuni in Bolivia (the largest salt flats in the world). Visiting Peru and Bolivia in one trip is quite convenient because you can cross the border easily without flying. After spending 3 weeks traveling in Colombia , I started my journey in Lima, Peru.

I decided that the best way to explore Peru and Bolivia is by bus with Peru Hop. I’ve put together the ultimate 3-week Peru Bolivia itinerary.

Peru Hop Review

PeruHop offers several hop-on-hop-off bus journeys that you can customize depending on the duration of your trip. The concept is that you can hop off the bus in any of the locations on your journey and stay as many nights as you want in each city. There are daily buses that pass through each city every day, so you can choose to hop back on a bus whenever you want to move to your next destination.

Check out the different Peru Hop bus routes here: Peru Hop Routes

1. I found the perfect itinerary I was looking for on Peru Hop. My journey started in Lima with several stops all the way down to Puno. I then crossed the border into Bolivia with Bolivia Hop. After my trip to Salar De Uyuni, I crossed the border again back to Peru and ended my trip in Cusco to visit Machu Picchu.

2. Comfortable buses: In my 3-week journey I spent over 100 hours on buses. The Peru Hop bus seats are very comfortable with reclining chairs, USB ports to charge your phone, TVs, AC, and large windows to enjoy the beautiful views. The overnight buses are even more comfortable because the chairs recline even further, blankets are provided and they even play movies on-board. I was able to fall asleep so easily and all of the rides were very smooth.

3. Online booking system to personalize your own trip: As soon as you book your trip, you are given a username and password to log in and customize your journey. You can change the dates and pick up locations as you please. This is very convenient if you have multiple stops and want to have control of your trip. Changes can be made even when you are on your trip.

4. The tour guides: All of the tour guides we had were so friendly, helpful, and spoke great English.

5. Affordable day tours : Every morning our tour guide would announce the day tours available in the city we’re visiting. All of the tours were so affordable (between $10 to $20) and I ended up visiting amazing places that were not originally in my travel plans.

6. Accommodation : The tour guides can help you book affordable accommodation in each city. They go around asking every passenger if they need help with bookings and offer several discounted options in each city.

3-Week Peru & Bolivia Bus Tour With Peru Hop

Most international flights fly into the capital city of Lima, which is a great starting point for your Peru trip. The most popular area to stay in is Miraflores. My time in Lima was quite short, but I would recommend staying for 1 or 2 nights. Check out the best places to stay in Lima .

Top things to do in Lima: Plaza Mayor,  Free Walking Tour ,  Water Fountain Park (Circuito Magico del Agua), paragliding on the coast,  Palomino Islands Cruise and Swimming with Sea Lions , visit the Barranco district, see the pre-Incan ruins of Huaca Pucllana.

Where to stay in Lima:  The Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast  starting $30/night

Paracas is a tiny city 4 hours from Lima. You can actually walk all over town in about 5 minutes. One night is more than enough to visit the 2 main attractions there.

My favorite tour there was the boat trip to the Ballestas Islands where you can spot hundreds of sea lions and pelicans. If you’re lucky you can also see some penguins and dolphins. The Ballestas Islands tours start at 10 AM and last 2 hours. Arrive in Paracas and go straight out to the Ballestas Tour. After that, you can get on a tour of the Paracas National Reserve to see incredible desert landscapes and beaches.

Both of these can be done in one day, so there’s no need to stay in Paracas for more than 1 night.

Top things to do in Paracas: Boat tour to the Ballestas Islands , Paracas National Reserve Tour

Where to stay in Paracas:   Aquamarine Paracas Beach Hostal  starting $30/night

Lima to Paracas bus: 4 hours

Peru Hop timings: Depart Lima at 6 AM and arrive in Paracas at 10 AM (you can go straight to the boat tour)

Peru Hop tip: The Paracas National Reserve Tour is included for free with your Peru Hop pass

Related article: Playa Blanca – Colombia’s Beach Paradise

Huacachina is a very small desert oasis only a short 1-hour drive away from Paracas. The whole town is made for tourists, so expect to see lots of hotels, hostels, and restaurants.

It’s best to stay there for 1 night because there’s only 1 tour to do: Dune buggies and sandboarding in Huacachina . I must warn you, this is a little scary at first. The tour starts with a crazy ride in a 4×4 dune buggy (with a driver). They drive really fast and you will go down some really steep dunes. After about a 15-minute ride, they will stop at one of the highest points in the desert and hand you snowboards. You will then sit face down on the snowboard and slide down the dunes.

I was extremely scared to try sandboarding in Huacachina, but I am so glad I did. It was one of my favorite activities during my Peru trip. It is really so much fun, so even if you’re scared you should definitely give it a shot.

Top things to do in Huacachina:   Dune buggies and sandboarding in Huacachina

Where to stay in Huacachina:   Hotel El Huacachinero starting $55/night

Paracas to Huacachina bus: 1 hour & 15 minutes

Peru Hop timings: Depart Paracas at 1 PM and arrive in Huacachina at 2:15 PM

The Peru Hop buses leave Huacachina at 1 PM with a long journey ahead to Arequipa in an overnight bus. What makes this journey exciting is the stop at Nazca to view the mysterious Nazca Lines . These lines are giant geoglyphs in the middle of the Naza Desert. Legend has it that aliens or giants created them because scientists still haven’t figured out how they were created.

Arequipa is the second-largest city in Peru. It’s a great place to get lost in the beautiful streets of the old town. Massive volcanoes can be seen from all around the city. It is also the starting point of the Colca Canyon Tours . The canyon is one of the deepest in the world, where you can spot giant Andean condors. There are several types of tours available, depending on your fitness level: Colca Canyon tour options .

Top things to do in Nazca: Nazca Flights

Top things to do in Arequipa: Visit the Alpaca Farm , Santa Catalina Monastery, Plaza de Armas Arequipa,  Colca Canyon Tours

Where to stay in Arequipa:   Casa Andina Select Arequipa Plaza  starting $119/night

Huacachina to Arequipa bus: 15 hours (overnight bus)

Peru Hop timings: Depart Huacachina 1 PM and arrive in Arequipa at 5:30 AM (the next day)

Peru Hop recommendations: if you want to do a day tour to Colca Canyon, make sure to stay at least 2 nights in Arequipa.

Puno is situated in the South of Peru on Lake Titicaca, which is the highest navigable lake in the world. If you’re looking to visit Lake Titicaca (which I highly recommend), then Puno is the best stop. I didn’t go with high expectations to Lake Titicaca, but my tour to the Uros Islands was really impressive.

The Uros Islands are actually man-made islands by the indigenous people of Peru and Bolivia (called Uru). There are now over 120 of these small islands. It was so interesting to visit these tribes and learn about their traditional lifestyle. The locals opened up their homes to us and showed us how they construct the islands with dried totora reeds. Some of the larger islands have 10 families living together, but the smaller ones have only 2 to 3 families.

Altitude warning: Puno is the highest altitude you will be visiting on this trip: 12,500 feet or 3,800 meters high. If you’re on a bus journey, the altitude sickness will be less severe because you will be driving up slowly vs. just flying in from a much lower altitude. It’s also quite cold and depending on the season it could be rainy. Make sure to have a thick sweater and raincoat.

Altitude sickness tips: Coca leaves are very helpful and they can be found everywhere in the markets. The most effective way to use them is to put around 10 leaves in your mouth, chew them a little bit, then keep them in your cheek for at least 30 min. If you feel your cheek is getting numb, then it’s working! A simpler way is to drink Coca Tea. There are also so many different kinds of candy and chewing gums sold in supermarkets, but I found those to be less effective than the actual leaves.

Top things to do in Puno: Lake Titicaca Tour (Uros Islands) , Catedral de Puno, Taquile Island, visit the captivating Sillustani burial towers, kayak on Lake Titicaca

Where to stay in Puno:   Casa Andina Premium Puno (amazing views of Lake Titicaca) starting $128

Arequipa to Puno bus: 7 hours

Peru Hop timings: Depart Arequipa at 5:45 AM and arrive at Puno at 1 PM

Peru Hop tips: If you’re feeling adventurous and you don’t mind the cold, you can stay with the Uros tribes on one of their islands. You can book this directly on the bus with one of the Peru Hop tour guides.

Copacabana is a small town right next to the Peru/Bolivia border on the Bolivian side. If you are on the same journey as mine, you will be passing through Copacabana twice, so you can skip staying there overnight. I decided to stay for 1 night mainly to relax before my adventures in Bolivia.

Border Crossing: It was quite simple to cross the border between Peru and Bolivia. Our Peru Hop bus stopped at the border and we all had to get off, take our luggage and walk across to the Bolivian side.

There is a small passport control office and we all waiting in line to get our passports stamped. If you need a visa to Bolivia, there’s a small office right next door where you can print your documents. Check the Bolivia Visa Requirement here .

After everyone got their passports stamped, we all hopped on a new bus on the Bolivian side to head to Copacabana.

Top things to do in Copacabana:  Climb El Calvario hill at sunset for panoramic views of Lake Titicaca, visit Isla del Sol (it’s best to book this tour on the bus if you want to do a short and quick day trip).

Where to stay in Copacabana:   Hostal Piedra Andina (great value for money – exceptional sunset views and the kindest staff) starting $25/night

Puno to Copacabana bus: 5 hours

Peru Hop timings: Depart Puno at 8:30 AM and arrive at Copacabana at 1:30 PM

Peru Hop tips: Crossing the border with Peru Hop was very convenient. I needed a visa with my US passport and the guide made sure to stay with me until I printed all my documents and got my visa.

La Paz is the highest capital city in the world at an altitude of 12,000 feet or 3,600 meters. It’s quite a large city with lots of areas to walk around and explore the local culture. I felt that La Paz was much less touristy than most of the places I visited in Peru.

The most unique area to walk around is the Witch Market . Apart from the typical souvenirs shops, you can find the strangest things you’ll see in your life. Witches wearing big hats sell dried llama fetuses for good luck (yes they are real llamas!!). They are said to bring good luck and prosperity and are buried under most new buildings as an offering to the goddess Pachamama.

That’s not the only strange thing you will see in the witch market. There are dried frogs, snakes, turtles, and loads of “special remedies” that can be used as aphrodisiacs or even to find love! You can spot the witch doctors all over the market and they offer different services like magic spells and fortune-telling.

Top things to do in La Paz: Witch Market, Coca Museum, ride to new cable cars for spectacular views of the city (Teleferico), cycle the famous Death Road (considered one of the most dangerous in the world)

Where to stay in La Paz:   Loki Boutique La Paz (huge rooms and central location) starting $33/night

Copacabana to La Paz bus: 4.5 hours

Peru Hop timings: Depart Copacabana at 6 PM and arrive to La Paz at 10:30 PM

Day 14-17: Salar De Uyuni – Bolivia

Salar De Uyuni are the largest salt flats in the world. This was one of my favorite travel experiences of all time. I saw landscapes, colors, and stunning views that I have never seen in my life. It is definitely a must if you are visiting Bolivia. You will need to dedicate 4 nights to visit the salt flats (including 2 nights for overnight buses).

There are several tour options for Salar De Uyuni: a) Day Trips (this is not enough to truly see everything it has to offer) b) One-night trip c) 2 night, 3-day trip which is the most popular one (and the one I chose to take) which is around $200 depending on which company you book with. This includes tours, all meals, and accommodation.

Top things to see in Salar De Uyuni: salt flats, train cemetery, Laguna Colorada, Laguna Verde, Termas de Polques

Essential tips: This tour is not for the faint-hearted. You will spend 80% of the time in buses and jeeps. The most challenging part of it all is the sleeping conditions. Temperatures are freezing cold at night and you will be spending 1 night in a salt hotel and 1 night in a very basic shared dorm room. Both of these have no heat and on the second night, there will be no electricity after 10 pm (and no hot water!).

I can’t begin to explain how cold it was to sleep at night. Bring lots of warm clothes (layers are key!), long socks and a sleeping bag (just to throw over the blankets to stay warmer).

If you have the budget for it, there are more high-end hotels you can stay in Salar De Uyuni. This will add at least $200 to $300 to your tour prices, so it’s up to you if you want to spend more and sleep in a more comfortable setting.

The best way is to take an overnight bus from La Paz to Uyuni. It’s 10 hours but most of the VIP buses have fully reclining chairs and meals served onboard. They leave La Paz around 8 PM and arrive at Uyuni at 6 AM. All the Salar De Uyuni tours start at around 9 AM, so this gives you enough time to freshen up and buy some groceries.

The bus company I used was Todo Tourismo . It’s the most expensive option (around $35 each way), but it’s very safe and really comfortable. You want to make sure to choose a good option, so you arrive at Uyuni fresh and ready for the adventures.

This is the longest bus journey in the whole trip. The Peru Hop buses leave La Paz at 7:30 AM and arrive to Copacabana at 11:30 AM. You will have to wait in Copacabana for 5.5 hours. The next bus leaves Copacabana at 5 PM to cross the border back into Peru and continue the journey in an overnight bus. You will arrive in Cusco at 6 AM.

If you want to break up this journey into 2, you can choose to stay 1 night in Copacabana. I personally felt extremely tired after this part of the trip, so if you want to arrive in Cusco relaxed, it’s best to stay in Copacabana for a night.

Day 20 – 22: Cusco & Machu Picchu

Cusco is the most beautiful and charming city I visited during this trip. It’s also the starting point for the most exciting sites in Peru: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain . The main square is called Plaza De Armas and you’ll find everything there from shops, cafes, restaurants, tour companies to bars and clubs.

Top things to do in Cusco: Plaza De Armas, San Pedro Market,  Koricancha (The Golden Temple of the Sun), San Blas, Enjoy panoramic views of Cusco from  Limbus Resto Bar

Where to stay in Cusco:   Wake Up Cusco (great value for money, good location, and a very kind owner) starting $25/night (if it gets cold at night you can rent a heater from the reception for a very small fee)

Here’s another great itinerary for 10 days in Peru . 

1) Machu Picchu:

Machu Picchu is one of the most impressive historical sites in the world. It’s a 15th century Inca citadel that was discovered internationally not too long ago in 1911.

Cusco is the starting point for most Mach Picchu trips. It’s important to know that no matter how you choose to get to Machu Picchu, it will be expensive. Be prepared to spend at least $200 to $250 even if you are just going on a day trip. It is definitely worth it though!

Where to stay in Machu Picchu:   Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu (amazing location facing the train station and bus stop) starting $122/night

a) Machu Picchu Tickets:

You will need to pre-purchase your Machu Picchu entrance tickets online. There’s a limited number of people that can enter the site per day, so depending on the season, tickets might get sold out. Tickets cost around $45 per person. When you’re booking your ticket, you have to choose a visiting time (starting 6 AM which is the earliest). You cannot enter the site before the time stated on your ticket. Make sure to print them before you go.

This is the official booking site for your tickets.  Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Your passport is required to enter and they will check the names on the tickets at the entrance.

b) How to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco:

By train – this is the most expensive but the fastest and most comfortable way. Ticket prices start at around $65 to $100 each way. The train journey from Cusco to Aguas Calientes takes around 3.5 hours. Even the cheapest trains are still great with large glass panoramic windows where you can enjoy the beautiful views on the way.

After getting to Aguas Calientes, you will need to purchase bus tickets to take you from the city center to Machu Picchu ($12 each way). The earliest buses leave at 5:30 AM and Machu Picchu opens at 6 AM. To enter at that time, you will need to purchase a 6 AM ticket.

Trekking/Hiking: this is the most challenging yet gratifying way to get to Machu Picchu. There are different trek options all with stunning views along the way:

1) Inca Trail (moderate difficulty) Prices range from $500 to $700 – the most popular option which takes 3 nights and 4 days. Only 500 permits are issued per day, so you have to book well in advance. 2) Salkantay Trek (challenging) Prices range from $200 to $350 – this is considered the most beautiful trek but also much more difficult. The good news is there are no limits to the number of permits per day, so you can book only a few days in advance. 3) Inca Jungle Trek (easy) Prices range from $120 to $300 – this is not a typical trek. It actually combines cycling, rafting, and even ziplining.

By bus/minivan – this could be the cheapest way to get there but also the least convenient. You will have to take a bus to Santa Maria and trek from there. I don’t recommend this route at all unless you are really on a tight budget.

2) Rainbow Mountain

During my trip to Peru, I discovered that there are actually 2 different Rainbow mountain locations. There’s the famous one which is overpacked with tourists and there’s another one called Tres Rainbows that actually has 3 different rainbow mountains you can see from the same viewpoint. If you want to skip the crowds and enjoy even nicer views, I would highly recommend Tres Rainbows.

The trek for the normal rainbow mountain is 2 hours uphill, whereas it’s only 20 minutes for Tres Rainbows. With the high altitude (above 3,000 meters) trekking is way more difficult, so keep that in mind when you’re deciding which one to choose.

Peru Hopping from Lima to Cusco

I had just two short weeks to spend in Peru, but SO much I wanted to do and see. I tried to make the most of my time (and money!) by using the Peru Hop bus from Lima to Cusco.

What the heck is Peru Hop?

Peru Hop is a hop-on, hop-off style bus that goes throughout the southern half of Peru from Lima to Cusco, hitting the major tourist attractions along the way. The main selling points of the Peru Hop bus tour are the social aspects of the experience, major discounts on accommodation and activities, superior bus safety, and the convenience of being picked up and dropped off directly from your hotel or hostel (no need to take a taxi to the bus terminal).

Peru Hop – Is it Worth It?

Well, that depends.

YES! Peru Hop is worth it:

If you’re after convenience.

It doesn’t get more convenient than Peru Hop in terms of bus travel. With almost every other bus service, you’d need to take a taxi to and from the bus terminal after every single journey. Not so with Peru Hop. Included in the price of the pass is hostel/hotel drop off and pick up at every single stop EXCEPT for Paracas and Huacachina, which are so small you could walk to the furthest hotel in less than 10 minutes.

While this might not seem like a big deal, if you’re well-versed in Latin American travel, you know how obnoxious it can be to deal with taxi drivers, especially after a somewhat sleepless overnight on a bus. You either end up haggling for way too long and wasting your time, or you take an overpriced fare and waste your money, especially late at night and early in the morning . Either way, no bueno.

Peru Hop is also super convenient in that they’ve already done all your necessary research for you.

The Peru Hop guides suggest the best activities at each location (usually with a few varied length and price options), with pricing at a group discount. Peru Hop even has free activities arranged at certain stops along the route, including viewing of the Nazca lines, a Pisco distiller, and historic slavery tunnels. If finding a delicious, authentic (and inexpensive) place to eat is among your concerns, Peru Hop also has it handled with pre-planned food stops. There’s even always a vegetarian option that can be veganized.

Peru Hop has also worked out special deals with recommended hotels and hostels, so you get the best price without needing to spend hours on Agoda . At each overnight stop, Peru Hop provides a selection of accommodation options, ranging from super budget friendly dorm rooms to luxurious private rooms at resorts with pools. If you’d rather go with your own choice of hotel, that’s fine too! In most cases, I booked the hotel myself because I wanted to use up Agoda points, and it was no problem.

If you’re short on time

The Peru Hop “Full South” bus tour was created to maximize a traveler’s experience in a short period of time. You only need SIX days minimum to visit Lima , Paracas , Huacachina , Nazca, Arequipa , Puno , and Cusco  (with a few extra free stops for free tours thrown in). Seriously!

I had two weeks, which I felt like was the perfect amount of time, especially if you want to work in a trip to Machu Picchu and a few overnight stays in some of the other cities.

If you’re into socializing

Peru Hop was a VERY social trip. At each stop, the Peru Hop guide organizes group dinners, activities, and bar nights to make it easier for people to socialize and meet one another. The hostels they recommend also usually have a strong party, social vibe.

Even if you don’t go out of your way to make friends, you won’t be able to help it. You’ll run into the same people multiple times throughout your trip, maybe meeting up at later stops, or when you’re on the same organized group activity.

This is an awesome option for a solo traveler who worries about making friends and having fun. It’s also great for friends or couples who want to meet new people on their trip but don’t get approached as often because they’re not solo.

If safety is a priority

My husband is an international security consultant, so safety is always on my mind, maybe too much. Peru Hop deserves an A+ in terms of security.

Anytime I take a bus, I worry about two forms of robbery: within the bus, and bus hold-ups. Within the bus, I didn’t worry about stealing at all. There’s a sense of community with travelers, and I felt my possessions were totally safe. I even left my laptop in the seat back when I went on the Pisco tour and to the Nazca lines. Southern Peru has been struck by a string of bus hold ups, especially in remote areas. The Peru Hop buses are equipped with 24 hour GPS monitoring, which would instantly inform the guys at HQ if the bus was taking an unplanned stop (i.e. a hijacking or armed robbery).

Another concern when taking buses around the world is the safety of the drivers. I’d been subjected to drunk drivers in Cambodia, sleepy drivers in Thailand, and speeding drivers all over the world more times than I’d like to count. With Peru Hop, every long bus ride is manned by two drivers, so no one gets too tired. The bus has an internal speed limit system, which sets off an alarm if the driver goes too fast.

As a usually solo female traveler, I haven’t always felt safe on overnight buses. I have been in a few sketchy situations with very creepy bus drivers and fellow passengers that were behaving oddly with no one to turn to. That’s not an issue with Peru Hop. There is always a guide present, and anyone who feels uncomfortable can always tell the guide who will help you find a more suitable seat.

When the bus has arrived, as mentioned above, you don’t have to worry about being in a taxi at 4am alone, as Peru Hop drops you off, safe and sound, directly to your accommodation.

If you’re worried about reliability

Choosing a reliable transportation option is a valid concern, especially in Latin America, and especially if you’re on a strict time frame.

Peru Hop was extremely reliable. We always arrived to our destination on time, if not early. The pickup times provided were also always on time, more or less, with the longest wait being 30 minutes which is VERY good especially in South America where timeliness isn’t always a priority.

I didn’t worry about the bus being canceled, or breaking down, or being left stranded somewhere on the side of the road and missing my tour. The buses themselves looked pretty new and in good condition.

If something did happen, I wouldn’t worry, as the customer service at Peru Hop were responsive, quick, and English-speaking. The presence of the guide on the bus at all times also meant there was someone on top of thins.

The company is run by a few Irish guys, which also set my mind at ease. No offense, South America, I love ya, but you’re not quite known for top-notch service standards.

NO! Peru Hop is NOT worth it:

If you’re a penny pincher.

You can book local buses for each stretch of the journey for cheaper than the Peru Hop ticket, that’s true. But you’ll also be foregoing the free activities, losing the savings of being dropped to your accommodation (and not needing a taxi), not getting Peru Hop hotel and activity discounts, and spending time researching which accommodation and activities to book. If you are on a super strict budget, though, Peru Hop is probably not your best choice.

If you’re looking for super luxury

In general, buses in Latin America are not the most luxurious choice. Peru Hop is no exception. One of the buses I was on was quite comfortable, with big wide seats and a generous recline, but the others looked and smelled old, had cramped leg space and narrow seats (and I’m 5’2″, so I can’t imagine how tall guys felt). While it says online that seats come with USB ports, none of the buses I was on had this amenity. If you’re looking for luxury, it’d be better to fly or rent a private car.

The bus company Cruz del Sur is also much more comfortable and luxurious, with individual TVs, almost fully reclining seats, and even a “hostess” (but you will need to taxi to and from the bus station, arrange your own accommodation and activities, and miss out on the social aspect of Peru Hop).

Was Peru Hop worth it for me?

Yes, definitely.

I enjoyed the convenience, safety, sociability, and reliability of Peru Hop . The provided tours were awesome, and the optional (paid) tours were excellent as well.

In the future, I’d love to see bus upgrades. I, for one, would be willing to pay more for a PeruHop experience combined with Cruz del Sur-style bus comfort.

Pin Peru Hop Review: Exploring the Pros and Cons for the “Full South” Bus from Lima to Cusco

While I was a complimentary guest of Peru Hop , all of my opinions and advice remain my own.

Would you do a hop-on hop-off bus? Why or why not?

A short vacation in Thailand turned into a life abroad with a canceled ticket home. Nearly a decade later and after living in Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro, Puebla, and Puerto Vallarta, Steph is on to her next adventure and living back in beautiful, cosmopolitan Mexico City. She is living, traveling, and working (both as an expat therapist and an international health insurance representative ) around the world to find the beautiful, inspirational, and interesting while sharing it with you!

Find me on: Web | Instagram | Facebook

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8 photos that will make you want to visit colca canyon …, exploring lake titicaca and the floating islands controversy, the perfect peru hop itinerary, i want to be hotel b in barranco, lima, 10 comments.

Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!

Thank so much, Lara!

Awesome article, thanks for the tips! Indeed, Peru has a great mix of different sceneries and attractions such as the majestic Machu Picchu, the expansive Atacama Desert and the snake like Amazon River that cleaves through the heart of primary rainforests.

However, there are tourist-targeting scammers and petty crime to be wary of. Do be wary of the ‘bird poo’ / mustard scam, the poor student scam, airport fake taxis, carjacking, ATM fraud, sob story scam and many more!

Thanks for sharing!

I am traveling with my 13 year old son to Peru in June. We are considering Peru Hop but the restrictive bus times might not work as we have 10 days and want to spend 4 in Cusco (including an overnight to Machu Picchu). We will have to fly back to Lima from Cusco. Have you done this? I’m wondering about the altitude change on the flight back, I know it is not recommended to fly TO Cusco from Lima. Also, is Peru Hop more 20-30 year olds, party scene? I wonder if it is not the best for my son and I, although we are very sociable. Thanks!

Hi Lisa – this was my itinerary and I wouldn’t really make it any shorter. With only 10 days and spending 4 in Cusco, I don’t know that bus would be the best option unless you skip some stops (and then that would be a LOT of time on a bus in one stretch). Going from high altitude to low altitude isn’t a problem, it’s only the reverse. PeruHop is almost exclusively 20-30 year olds, and the hostels that they arrange at each stop do have a party atmosphere. However, they also suggest (and provide discounts for) quieter options, which is what I personally took advantage of or booked my own. I didn’t partake in the partying (I’m not a big drinker and I’m on the “30s” end of the spectrum) and I still found it really worthwhile.

We were in Peru in May of this year 2019, I had not be able to write until now. We want to make sure you know how great your employees are and how they take their jobs seriously. We spent 2 weeks traveling throughout Peru and also included a day in Bolivia. When we got to Bolivia we did not have visas ready and they were right there the entire time until we were all cleared. Their Personality and energy throughout the 2 weeks was energetic, positive and informative. Your staff were always aware and concerned for everyone’s safety as well as knowledgeable for recommendations at each location. Unfortunately I don’t remember the names of all those that journeyed with us to the various locations. Our dates of travel were April 29 through May 13.

I’m glad you had a great time with Peru Hop!

You had mentioned in your itinerary that you would have used a different provider in Machu Picchu, is there any that you would recommend?

Hi Diane! I would definitely go with Viator .

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Borders Of Adventure

Leading Culture and Adventure Travel Blog by Becki Enright. Looking at the world with a different angle to change perceptions of misunderstood places, for the best in travel.

Adventure Travel , Peru

Peru Hop Bus Review – Is this the Best Way to Travel Around Peru?

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to handpicked partners, including tours, gear and booking sites. If you click through or buy something via one of them, I may receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and allows this site to keep running.

Want to travel between Lima and Cusco easily? This Peru Hop Bus review shows the fun and flexibility of this multi-stop bus service for Peru travel.

Travelling with Peru Hop became an answer to the considerable stress when planning my trip in this country of vast landscapes and long overland journeys. Furiously researching how I would travel in and around Peru from Lima to Cisco and see everything from the sand dunes, colonial cities and the humanmade habitable lake islands in between, I mostly came across stories of dodgy local bus trips and rip-off taxi drivers.

Then, through those targeted adverts that seem to read our minds, I came across a relatively new hop-on hop-off bus service called Peru Hop. It was set up by a couple of Irish guys who wanted to make travel in Peru fun, informative and hassle-free after their own experiences traversing the country.

After I asked them a few questions about how it all worked, I got my Peru Hop pass and set about my two-week journey across Peru so that I can help you out with your Peru trip transport planning.

Peru Hop gave me a pass to honestly relay my experiences of their service. 

What is Peru Hop?

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Peru Hop offers a multi-stop flexible ticket to travel across Peru in either direction between Lima and Cusco, also stopping at Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa and Puno and with the help of an on-board local guide who speaks English and Spanish. 

There’s also a bus (the Bolivia Hop) that also takes you to La Paz, Bolivia as an extra loop in between Puno and Cusco.

Peru hop passes and ticket, from Lima to Cusco. Also available in the other direction. Image © peruhop.com

The point of the Peru Hop offering is laid out to be more than just a standard bus transport service and more like an adaptable tour experience. In their own words, they cite it as a means to “travel independently but never alone”, which is true.

The flexible service and everything from accommodation to tour bookings on the ground is designed for the curious traveller and those looking to see a lot of Peru without the difficulties and safety issues associated with South America travel. It’s neither a rowdy tour bus nor are you forced to be with people in the same accommodation or a set itinerary.

Need help deciding where to visit in Peru?

READ MORE: How to Travel to Peru – All You Need to Know Guide

Safe and ultra-comfortable buses in Peru are now a thing!

How Much is a Peru Hop Pass?

A Peru Hop passes costs from $179 USD for a three-day pass to $248 USD for a seven-day pass.

This means there is flexibility in where you want to start your Peru trip, using it to traverse the full route, pick it up halfway, or even use it in Arequipa to travel onwards to La Paz, Bolivia. Think of it as a mix and match bus pass, which you tailor to your needs and timeframe. 

Upon purchase, the Peru Hop pass is valid for a year from the starting date you choose. This flexibility is great for travellers with no particular timescale where you can stay as long as you like in each destination hub, as well as people like me who had to travel to a specific time frame.

During your first trip, you are given a helpful booklet about each destination and a daily bus schedule so you can plan. You are also sent a PDF guide via e-mail before the trip.

Staff members also act as tour guides, providing insights and useful information along the way. They are available at any point along the journey to solve any queries, help you book your hostel, hotel and tours and ensure everyone gets from A and B with minimal issues.

Peru Hop bus schedules for quick planning.

Cost of Local Buses Compared to Peru Hop?

One of my first questions when looking to use Peru Hop was: isn’t the local bus system in Peru cheaper? I started to add up a few journeys, especially between the larger cities.

While I could have possibly saved $50 or so, I knew I was paying for comfort, better organisation, door-to-door pickup and drop-offs in unfamiliar cities and more importantly, safety (especially overnight).

Those are priceless elements when it comes to limiting stress and not having to deal with dodgy taxis, middle of the night arrivals at out-of-town bus stations and scam ticket touts.

The buses are new, modern, spacious and comfy. The overnight buses have pullout leg rests and blankets, ensuring maximum comfort for lengthy rides – an extra touch I appreciated.

Peru Hop means having one ticket, one easy to use online booking system, maximum flexibility and not having to deal with rogue travel agents or the hassle of local bus stations.

I was able to roughly map out my journey and pre-book all of my buses in advance, ensuring I would get to Cusco in good time. You can change your plans at any time providing you book your seat on the bus by midday the day before departure. However, some buses do book out fast, so this can also be risky.

Peru Hop’s reservation system is easy to use and you get confirmations of bookings and changes via e-mail.

Safety is another reason Peru Hop was the right choice, especially as I was a solo female traveller in a country that attracts couple travellers and friendship groups.

Everyone who gets on the bus has to have a valid ticket and seat booking, which then corresponds to the passport details the guides have logged in the system and on a printed list. This limits the issues that have come from bus hijackings, where usually an unknown accomplice is on board.

While I didn’t meet as many solo travellers as I hoped on the Peru Hop bus (although this often comes down to luck and timing), I did appreciate the ease of being dropped off and picked up at my hostel or one nearby, where a lot of other Peru Hop travellers ended up hanging out.

Another bonus is that the bus attracts all kinds of travellers of all ages, so it is not a young, crazy party tour bus. However, it did veer more on the younger, 20’s traveller side, which made it a little harder being in my 30’s!

The hostel and hotel pick-up and drop off service also limits the need for unsafe taxis and having to deal with unfamiliar city locations at night or in the early hours.

You also get exclusive discounts at a ton of hostels that have partnered with Peru Hop, or you can book your own. The choice is always yours, although if you source your accommodation, it’s still helpful to choose somewhere close to the one designated for the bus pick up / drop off (as stated in the booklet).

Peru Hop Review – The Bonus Perks

Aside from the practicalities of getting from one Peru destination to another wise ease, there’s a whole host of other traveller benefits that come with having a Peru Hop pass.

While the Peru Hop has its set stops between Lima and Cusco (Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa and Puno), and which you are not obliged to stop and get off at all of them, I was able to stay in each place with ample time in my 15-day timeframe.

You have the flexibility to do as you choose – the direction, the timescale and the destination (you don’t have to get off at each stop if you don’t want to). Peru Hop’s other offering is both in providing extra stops on the way to a destination, not just in the organisation of tours in the ground.

Extra stops include the slave tunnels on the way to Paracas and the natural beauty of Paracas National Park as it leaves the town towards Huacachina, plus a Pisco vineyard tour on the way to Nazca.

As the Peru Hop Pass is about reserving your seat on a bus, you are not inclined to stay in any particular accommodation or be forced to get off at any specific stopping point. Therefore where you stay and what you do at the destination is entirely up to you.

However, Peru Hop does have affiliations with local hostels and hotels in each place, where Peru Hop passengers get discounts. How it usually works is that you show your Peru Hop wristband at check-in, which also works with some restaurant and store discounts they have set up along the way.

The tour staff on the bus also can book a hostel or hotel for you there and then, as you made your way to the destination.

I was often on limited time, spending only one night in a couple of destinations. But Peru Hop made that easy for me to sample the highlights since they also organise some on-the-ground activities.

Like next day speedboat tours to the Ballestas Islands on arrival in Paracas and same-day sandboarding was organised upon arrival at Huacachina (great for those like me only staying one night). Even the Nazca lines flight was booked, including transportation to the Nazca airport, which a drop-off at a designated café afterwards where the Peru Hop bus would pick me up in the evening.

In places where Peru Hop couldn’t organise tours, we were recommended ‘Find Local Trips’, one of South America’s largest and most trusted tour booking platforms for day trips and experiences .

Joining other travellers on the speedboat tours to the Ballestas Islands – organised via Peru Hop.

Sandboarding in Huacachina. The timeline of the bus arrival can be coordinated with local activity bookings.

Peru Hop currently doesn’t offer any bus service in the north of the country, which is a shame and is a service I hope comes in time. Many travellers I met who were making their way to northern Peru for grand treks such as Laguna 69 used local buses. They booked them via the hostel or online (with many citing enough gringos were riding them not to feel too sketchy and isolated).

The same company also operates the Airport Express Lima Bus that has multiple stops in the city centre. This bus is cheaper than the taxi pick-ups organised by many hostels, although I much preferred the pre-organised (via a hostel) taxi option late at night.

This honest review was in exchange for one Peru Hop pass, and I would absolutely recommend this service and use it again if I return to Peru. More so the Bolivia Hop element as I didn’t have time to make use of the means to hop into a neighbouring country.

What stands out is that Peru Hop was set up by foreign travellers looking to overcome the difficulties many people face when travelling in Peru. The hop-on-hop-off service combines flexibility and safety with some extra fun elements thrown in, and that immediately marks it out as a preferred choice to constant local bus travel.

It’s no wonder you see everyone from backpackers, older travellers and families using this bus – making travel in Peru and around more open and attractive to visitors than it was before.

Are you looking to book the Peru Hop service? Please leave any questions you have about it below. 

Have you used Peru Hop? Share your experiences with others! 

About Becki

Becki Enright is a British Travel Press Award-winning writer whose work focuses on changing perceptions about misunderstood aspects of destinations. Her writing combines storytelling with insight into the social, historical, political and economic factors that shape the country or place in relation to tourism. Becki has appeared live on Sky News and CNN and has contributed to high profile media including National Geographic, Time.com, Guardian online, New York Times, Grazia and Buzzfeed.

Grimsa says

9 August 2018 at 7:33 am

Along with fun, comfort is also really important which looks nice about Peru hop bus..Thanks for sharing!!

9 August 2018 at 4:23 am

I really love this idea! I was in Peru last year and had an amazing time, but there’s definitely a lot to see and limited ways to see them.

Thanks for sharing!

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Kate Abroad

Brutally Honest 2024 Peru Hop Review (+ Bolivia Hop)

Despite the title, this Peru Hop review isn’t intended to trash the company. We travelled with them for nearly a month and had a fantastic trip, sometimes in spite of Peru Hop sometimes because of Peru Hop.

However, there are many parts if the Peru Hop experience that are not as advertised and are different to what you can read online that mean that Peru Hop is not as good as expected and, for many travellers, may not be worth it.

In this review of Peru hop, which also includes a Bolivia Hop review, I’ll cover everything from the buses to the guide and the exclusive discounts” to help you decide if Peru Hop is worth it or not.

This review is based on our experience from travelling with Peru Hop in May/June 2023 on the Lima to La Paz tickets which we paid for ourselves.

Everything is factual as far as our experience but other people travelling with the company may have different experiences.

Peru Hop Booking

The process of booking your ticket on Peru Hop’s website is super easy. They have tons of information on their website and it’s easy to find the right ticket and add-ons for you. 

This was probably the easiest and best part of the experience to be honest.

The booking system works well in that whenever we were scheduled to board a bus, the guide had our names and knew where we were going.

You avoid any confusion that might happen trying to buy and use regional bus tickets, especially if you don’t speak good Spanish.

My only annoyance was that the booking system only allows you to add tours and accommodation when you first buy your ticket so if you haven’t yet decided on those you have to wait till you’re actually on the relevant bus leg and carry cash in USD. 

Getting enough cash can be a nuisance (especially if USD is not our home currency) and carrying it across South America isn’t great for safety.

The Peru Hop tickets do include all of the places most people will want to visit in Peru, so they are very well designed in that respect. 

However, the Bolivia Hop service is completely inadequate because it only goes as far as La Paz even though nearly everybody travelling to Bolivia wants to go to the Salt Flats and Peru/Bolivia Hop even advertises Salt Flat tours. 

I don’t know why they don’t extend the tickets, but it seems like an easy add that would improve the offering a lot.

The Lima to Cusco ticket is also a great alternative for those short on time, so points to Peru Hop for offering some variations to suit different traveller needs.

Peru Hop Itinerary

We also found that the recommended itinerary on the Peru Hop website are very accurate in terms of the amount of time you need in each destination. 

We planned extra days in some spots and ended up changing our bookings because the extra time definitely wasn’t needed.

Peru Hop only offers one service between each stop per day which means you have way less flexibility than if you’d taken regional buses, which run more frequently.

For example, if you’d rather take a night bus to Cusco than lose a whole day on the drive, you don’t have that option. 

Some of the scheduling can be quite strange, such as the 7am departure from Lima which gets you to Paracas at midday even though almost all the Paracas activities are in the morning so many people don’t do much in the afternoon and could have just slept in and left Lima later. 

Likewise, when leaving Huacachina , the Nazca bus stops off at a pisco vineyard then returns to Huacachina before proceeding to Nazca, adding to the travel time.

It can also be irritating when you miss out on free breakfasts at your hostel/hotel due to early departures and there is no breakfast stop as happens in Arequipa. 

While some reviews say Peru Hop gives you a packed meal this seems to have been stopped as it wasn’t offered to us.

Overall, the guides on Peru Hop are decent, they are all reasonably friendly and all manage to get the right people on and off the bus and give you some basic information on your destination.

Peru Hop isn’t a guided tour, you’re not paying for that, and so you can expect that basically every time you get on a Peru Hop bus, you’ll have a different guide.

Each guide will give you quite a different experience. Some just do the basics of checking bookings and selling activity tickets. Others will give lots of background about each destination and be hype-men/women trying to build a group dynamic. 

For example, our guide from Huacachina to Nazca ran quizzes and gave out pisco shots on the bus which made it feel like we were on a Contiki.

Some guides go above and beyond and will give you their phone number to contact for help with bookings or any other issues while others basically wipe their hands of you on arrival. 

Again, it’s not a guided tour, so you can’t expect this level of support but if that’s something you want then Peru Hop might not be the best option for you.

We also found that on the Lima-Paracas-Huacachina legs of the trip where Peru Hoppers are combined with day trippers, the guides seemed overwhelmed and struggled to organise the full buses which meant a worse experience for us.

If you’ve googled Peru Hop you’ve probably seen photos of the cute, brightly painted llama buses. Yeah, well don’t expect to actually see or ride on one of those. We only ever had standard unbranded buses.

Likewise, the big leather seats you see in the photos with leg rests are a rarity. We only had that type of seat on one leg out of the total eight.

The Peru Hop pamphlets and site will tell you that they have 40 seater buses when in fact almost all of them are 50 seaters. This might not seem like a big deal but 25% more seats means significantly less space per person which makes a real difference on the 12 hour rides.

Peru Hop are already less comfortable and spacious than the cama and ecjutivo seats on many regional buses so the fact that they’re even more crowded than advertised makes the higher price of Peru Hop hard to justify on comfort grounds.

That said, we found we slept just as well on Peru Hop buses compared to standard public buses because although the seats are worse, people are more cooperative with pulling the curtains, moving around quietly, and there were no weird smells or mid-trip interruptions.

One of Peru Hop’s main features is that they say they pick you up and drop you off from your accommodation so that you don’t have to deal with sketchy bus stations, pay for taxis or walk heavy bags across town.

Unfortunately, the pick-up service is actually available at less than half the stops on the trip. And at no point can you expect to be dropped exactly outside our door, so if you have big bags, like we did, beware, you will have to carry them some distance.

In Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca Peru Hop has meeting points that the bus dops everyone at. These may or may not be close to your accommodation.

For example, in Nazca, despite staying at one of Peru Hop’s recommended hostels, we had to trek our bags nearly 2km across town late at night, it was a pretty scary and not fun experience. Others in our group had to pay for taxis.

In Cusco you get dropped at the bus depot and have to get taxis from there (Peru Hop pays for a one-way taxi only).

Some of this is clear when you book, i.e. the single meeting point in Nazca, while for others you are asked to enter pick up spots while booking but when you receive the passenger guide after booking, the detail of the meeting points is buried in small font at the bottom of a page.

In short, it is useful to have the drop offs in bigger cities like Lima and La Paz where accommodation is more spread out but given this service isn’t consistent, you’re not saving as much time or money as you might think.

Free activities

The free activities included in our trip were: horse show between Lima and Paracas and the pisco tasting and Nazca Lines Viewing Tower between Huacachina and Nazca. 

We didn’t get to go to the viewing tower though because our bus was held up in traffic and it was closed by the time we arrived. Weirdly, Peru Hop offered us a different free excursion in exchange rather than just arranging to take us to the viewing tower the next day.

The horse show was a pretty weird experience, there was just one horse and nobody else there. We certainly would not have paid for it but as a freebie it did no harm.

The pisco tasting was ok, but it was a bit of a weird vibe with a promo person from the vineyard trying to get everyone to yell Peruvian drinking chants.

Basically, the free activities aren’t saving you any money, except for the viewing tower (if you get to do it) but are a nice enough extra.

Recommended activities

Peru Hop also has one or more recommended activities in each stop and we found that these were really good.

They’re typically the top thing to do in each place that you could have found on Google, rather than any hidden gems.

However, Peru Hop recommends which operator to go with which is super helpful in South America when some companies have terrible safety records. 

Their recommendations are always reasonably priced, you could find a cheaper company for sure but it potentially isn’t that reliable or the effort involved isn’t worth it to save a couple of dollars.

Plus if you book on the bus with cash you save on booking fees which isn’t much but can add up.

“Exclusive” discounts

Peru Hop offers supposedly exclusive discounts at a bunch of hostels and hotels along the route as well as at some restaurants.

We found that the accommodation discounts were mostly fake, as you could get a lower price just by booking ahead using Booking.com.

With the restaurant discounts, it really depended, we did go to some of the places and sometimes the staff gave us the discount without us having to ask and in others they seemed to have never heard of Peru Hop so we paid full price.

Basically, don’t expect any major savings to offset the cost of your Peru Hop ticket.

Peru Hop buses are very safe. We never felt any concern over our belongings even when sleeping on the night buses which is a big plus.

The designated meeting points in each place also mean you have somewhere safe to wait for the bus and store your bags which is a big help when doing back to back overnight buses or in the downtime between hotel checkout and bus departures.

If safety is a big concern for you then Peru Hop has a definite advantage over local/regional buses.

Group vibes

Peru Hop isn’t a guided tour so the chances of having the same people on the bus with you for your whole trip are low, even if you do their exact recommended itinerary.

That said, you do get some repeat co-travellers which gives you the chance to make some connections as you go without the pressure of a tour group and compulsory bonding.

This is a great benefit if you are doing a longer trip, as many people are, and want to hang out with someone other than your partner/family/friend(s) for a few days.

We had one guide, between Huacachina and Nazca who tried to get some bus activities going and was handing out shots, making it feel like a Contiki, but other than that the guides were very hands-off when it came to group bonding.

In short: Is Peru Hop worth it?

Overall, Peru Hop is worth it for most people. You do pay a premium, but you are getting a lot more safety and some more convenience than public buses.

If you speak Spanish or are generally experienced at travelling in South America, then I’d still say do it yourself and save some money. Especially if you’re doing a longer trip and don’t need some of the convenience that’s helpful when you’re short on time. 

More South America Guides

If you’re planning to travel around Peru or Bolivia, then check out these guides for inspiration:

• 3 week Peru Itinerary
• How many days to spend in Huacachina
• Things to do in Sucre

Happy travelling!

South America Travel Resources

• Find the best prices on hotels with flexible cancellation at Booking.com
• Find awesome day tours on Get Your Guide
• Compare prices for bus tickets and book with Bus Bud
• Sort your pesos, soles, reals and other currencies with a Wise multi-currency card

Kate is the founder of Kate Abroad. She has travelled to nearly 40 countries from Austria to Vanuatu, and lived in 3. She's on a mission to empower other Gen Zs and Millenials travel affordably by sharing helpful travel guides, stories and tips to over 200,000 readers.

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Honest Peru Hop Review: We Made The Mistakes So You Don’t Have To!

Posted on Last updated: December 15, 2023

Categories Peru , Bolivia

Expert travel storyteller Jordan Adkins, founder of InspiredByMaps.com, brings a decade of adventures across 101 countries and 450+ UNESCO sites into rich, off-the-beaten-path narratives, melding ecological expertise with genuine, seasoned travel insights. His full bio can be found here.

Trying to decide on the easiest way to get around the main tourist attractions in Peru and Bolivia? Overwhelmed by all the options of bus terminals, routes, timings, scams, and possible destinations that your head is spinning and you just want to give up entirely!?

About to give up and just buy a Peru Bus Tour which doesn’t really work for you but seems like less hassle?

Don’t worry – You are not alone!

I was the exact same, stressing for weeks about what was going to be the best option, but then I heard about  Peru Hop / Bolivia Hop from another traveler, and I was quickly put at ease! A quick look-over their website, and I had all of my questions answered; my stress was relieved!

I booked right then and there and felt like I was immediately in safe hands! And now, after traveling around Peru, I want to share my experience in a Peru Hop review so other travelers can find out about this unique option which might be suited to them! 

In saying this – you want a more flexible route or not to follow the same path you could also try  Bookaway – a travel search engine for ground transportation, which enables travelers to find, compare and book tickets online easily.

Boasting an outstanding user experience and a 24/7 support team that works closely with local suppliers, you can easily simplify the travel planning process in Peru and make travel ticket booking easy.

Huaraz . Paracas. Ica. Cusco. Arequipa . Nazca . Lima … You name it and  Bookaway has a straightforward solution for you. 

Peru Hop / Bolivia Hop Review: Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Travel

Page Contents

What Is Peru Hop / Bolivia Hop?

Bolivia hop / peru hop route and destinations a.k.a where to go in peru, things we loved about peru hop / bolivia hop, things we didn’t quite love about peru hop / bolivia hop, peru hop / bolivia hop review: is it worth it.

Peru Hop is the first hop-on, hop-off bus service operating in between cities in Peru – starting in Lima and ending in Cuzco, or vice-versa! Bolivia Hop then runs a Hop-on, Hop-off route from Cusco to La Paz (or, again, vice versa).

Their passes are available in a variety of different combinations, and they operate as one company. Hence, we booked La Paz all the way through to Lima and took every stop possible, making getting around Peru as easy as possible. 

I’ll discuss this later and where to go in Peru, but you can find the Peru Bus route map just below this. Peru Hop Bus is different from every other bus company in Peru and Bolivia in that they are explicitly orientated towards travelers.

Offering fast, convenient travel between significant tourist destination with local onboard guides to help with anything and everything, and there are even local pick up’s and drop off’s at your accommodation to avoid the dodgy Bolivian bus stations.

Or even worse – in Peru, most cities don’t have central stations, and if they do, they are spread out in far-flung reaches of the town!

Trust me; they are a total nightmare to find even if you do hablo español…

Our Peru Hop Bus Route. Couldn’t have planned it any better myself (and I would have missed Paracas – a hidden gem! This route is called La Paz to Cusco to Lima and is recommended for those who want to do and see it all – sounds like me!

Covered all the major places that come up when you think of where to go in Peru! You can check out all their other passes to find your perfect fit here .

So because I am utterly obsessed with Peru, we decided on the full-monty pass that covered the entire Peru Hop route, including the eight major tourist destinations you are going to want to visit! They have shorter passes for people with less time, but honestly, this worked perfectly for us.

The minimum time needed to complete the full Peru Hop was 11 days, including four nights in Cuzco ( where you should plan on making a side trip to Machu Pichu!) , but we spent three weeks doing the pass. This included many changes along the way, and yes, they were very flexible!

Peru Hop Bus offered all the destinations I wanted and then some – I had never considered stopping at Paracas or Huacachina but was pleasantly surprised on both accounts!

The sand dune riding and sand-boarding in Huacachina (a desert oasis town) were one of the most thrilling things I’ve ever done. Paracas was also an unexpected highlight with its nearby islands had animal abundance that rivals the Galapagos!   Not to mention all the extra stops you get along the way – A slave tunnel excursion, exploring the Paracas National Park, Nazca Viewing Towers , and a view over Copacabana that will blow your mind! It was refreshing to enjoy the journey and not just be excited about the destination.

For further reading to get your excited about these destinations and where to go in Peru, check out these posts: 

• La Paz Cable Car in Bolivia: Worlds Coolest Public Transportation?
• Hiking Isla del Sol: Birthplace of the Inca Empire
• Exploring Lake Titicaca and Taquile Island Peru
• An Honest Guide to Machu Picchu by Car on the Cheap!
• Epicurean Escapades: Gluttonous, Gourmet Arequipa
• Nazca Lines Flight Review: Ancient Desert Drawings From Above
• Alternative Lima Tour: Exploring Peru’s Capital Off-The-Beaten Track
• Swimming with Sea Lions in Lima (Peru)

 To help you decide if Peru Bus is right for you, I have separated out our experience into some ‘loves’ and … well, ‘not so loves.’

No service is ever perfect, and of course, these are my own personal opinions from my experience, but I am fairly confident they will apply to you too!

• First of all, we just loved the comfortable duvets provided on every bus. Night buses are normally horrible, but with Peru Hop, we managed an amazing sleep all comfortable and warm!
• Free Neck Pillows (that you get to keep!!) Between these and the duvets, it’s practically like you’re in a hostel bed. And they made the day portions super easy when we were too lazy to raise our head to watch the films!
• Free Lunch Packs on our 5 am bus! Knowing you miss the free hostel breakfast, we had a free lunch pack waiting for us on our early bus out of Arequipa. A nice touch that really makes your experience better.
• The amazing discounts on activities and hotels. And these aren’t some faux discounts that you can actually find cheaper online. We paid $80 USD for a perfect Nazca lines flight with a reputable operator when the cheapest we could find around town (or hear of!) was $110. And we regularly got significant hotel and hostel discounts well below the rack room rate like at Hotel Alegria!
• The local guides make everything a breeze. Great off-the-tourist-path restaurant recommendations that never miss a beat. Worried about how to get to a weird sight as a day trip – they will know or find out! We even needed to find an iPhone cable in the middle of nowhere, and our guide came through. Use them. They are your greatest resource!
• The free included stops: a killer view over Copacabana, Pisco sampling tour, off-the-beaten-track slave tunnels, Nazca lines viewing tower. Helps break up the bus trips and see somewhere almost all other travelers on the public buses haven’t!

• Great selection of movies. Always something new to watch (in English!!). They just need to add The Emperors New Groove for the trip to Cusco!
• It was the only time in South America anyone bothered to ask if the temperature was nice! And it stayed constant at all times, so you didn’t wake up! Trust me; if you haven’t yet traveled South America by bus, you have no idea how big a deal this is! Usually, the bus temperature only comes in the extremes of iceberg cold or meltingly hot.
• The border crossing was made far, far easier. It felt like we cheated.  Our guide also explained the best ways and rates to change cash, making sure everyone got a good deal. No problems at all and made sure all paperwork was complete not to cause issues later when we left Peru. I was so thankful for this when I caught the public bus from Peru to Ecuador and was stuck in immigration for 2 hours with no idea what was going on!

• Door-to-door service. No expensive taxis to far off bus stations. No last-minute stress of walking around finding your accommodation. Just wait in the lobby at pick up time, and when you are super tired after the bus – no worries, get dropped right at your hostel with your new friends.
• Which reminds me…FRIENDS. One of the coolest things is this is a social experience. Travel with like-minded globetrotters and have a pre-made click on arrival at your destination. We all had in-jokes and seriously good banter when we arrived out each hostel that I think we scared everyone else! And you automatically have new friends to explore with so perfect if you are an independent traveler or social bunny!
• Flexible, online booking. It’s so easy to book these buses online; you will wonder why no one else has done this. And to be triple sure the guides check when you get off when you are next leaving … if you have a change of mind, just update your schedule online. It’s that easy! And it actually works, the buses turn up on time – a miracle in Bolivia let me tell you!

Let me introduce the view from stunning Katari Hotel on the Arequipa Plaza de Armas! …

On the flip-side, there a few things about Peru Hop / Bolivia Hop that we didn’t quite understand or like. In general, none of these would have been a deal-breaker for us before we booked, but it’s important to note so that you know what to expect. And who knows, maybe Peru Hop will see this and take a few of my suggestions!

• Sometimes things don’t work as they should. The main issue we had here was with their discount system for hostels and the hostel not playing ball. Three groups, including us, had a problem with the Wild Rover Arequipa discount in that we were supposed to get any dorm bed for a set price. Still, the hostel said, first, there were no beds available, then it only applied to 8 beds dorms and up and then that it needed to be booked in advance. We all ended up just paying full price, and I blame the hostel, not Peru Hop, but at 5 am, these things stick out!
• Pick-Ups at your hostel are not available in Cusco. Just annoying as they are available everywhere else and we had an issue with our taxi telling us Peru Hop departed at the main terminal. FYI They do not – they have a separate office. You will get the address onboard and in an email, but taxi drivers are the same worldwide!. I think this is due to a local law that Peru Hop cannot directly pick you up, and with the crazy one-way streets, you can see why the city might forbid it. Just be prepared and get your hostel to explain in Spanish exactly where you are going, and you will be fine.

• The ‘cheat sheet’ system of food and activity recommendations needs to be expanded. We got an amazing guide for Copacabana, to begin with – listing fantastic food and drink recommendations with special discounts and including a map! But then we didn’t get anything like this for any other city. It’s not a big deal, but the first guide was seriously amazing, and we used it as a Bible, so it would be cool to have this consistent across all destinations!
• You only get the aforementioned Neck Pillows in Cuzco. It would have been awesome if we had from La Paz at the beginning (or Lima going the other way).
• That they stop in Lima ! Yes, my biggest complaint would be that their network doesn’t go further and allow you to use Peru Hop to cover entire South America by bus. They are just so easy and convenient that when it ends, you won’t be happily slumming it in regular buses, trudging all over town to find random bus stations, and getting stuck with over-crowded buses and crying babies. But they are still only a few years old, so maybe we will see an expansion in the future!

Overall considering the entire experience, I can wholeheartedly recommend Peru Hop / Bolivia Hop. It was my favorite way to travel in South America by bus (or any other transportation for that matter!), and they really lived up to their motto of ‘safe, flexible and fun!’. If only they have more Hop on Hop off buses in South America!

It offered me exactly what I wanted and then some – all the destinations I planned to visit, a new group of friends to explore with and a simple and convenient system of booking and travel that was safe, and actually worked.

In fact, all the discounts and Peru Hop exclusive deals were just a bonus, and in our case, we saved around 40% of the passes value overall. I think the passes are on offer at an incredibly competitive price already, especially considering the cost of taxies to and from bus stations and additional booking fees we always meet with public bus tickets. E.g., the ‘Gringo Tax.’

Having done a guided Peru Bus tour last year – which I found rushed and restrictive – and traveling independently on public buses both before and after Peru Hop I think this bus pass hits the ‘Goldilocks’ zone. You get freedom and flexibility, but with friends, local knowledge, and a safety net in case anything goes wrong.

You’re not going to get your bag stolen on these buses, make random stops on the highway at night, have strangers come into the bus while you are sleeping, or have to deal with hectic bus stations where anything can happen if you’re not paying attention.

And this is something to me you can’t put a price on – safety and peace of mind. Of course, you can’t discount traveling with like-minded people who want to have a chat and a laugh and possibly a meal or excursion with you at your next stop. On the local bus, all we ever got was a kick in the back of our seats and crying children!

 The hop on hop off concept pioneered by Peru Hop is a fantastic and well-executed idea for getting around Peru and Bolivia. Peru Hop is ideal for any type of traveler who wants to see and experience Peru with the best local knowledge, safe, convenient bus transfers, and a new group of friends!

What do you think of the  hop on hop off Peru bus idea? Would it meet your needs for  traveling around Peru on an upcoming trip? Let me know your thoughts or questions in the comments below and feel free to take a closer look at Peru Hop and Bolivia Hop’s websites for more information.

Now … let’s explore early-bird hotel deals along your route in  Cusco , Lima , Arequipa , Puno  and  Nazca  …