Being the fast-travel addict I am, I couldn’t possibly just go to Puno. I obviously had to travel from Puno to Copacabana. Crossing into Bolivia was a must. Because I was so close, and it would’ve been rude not to.
After a solid month in Arequipa studying Spanish, I desperately needed a change of scenery. I rarely stay in one country for an entire month, let alone a single city. So a long weekend trip to Puno, with a border crossing from Puno to Copacabana, was very much on the cards.
Even if you’re not as restless as I am, I’d genuinely recommend doing this. If you’ve made the effort to get to Puno, acclimatise to 3800m, and brave the cold, you might as well hop across the border. The scenery is extraordinary, comparing the Lake Titicaca from both sides is fascinating, and crucially, you can do the whole crossing and come back to Puno in a single day.
But first – if you’re looking for things to do on the Puno side – check out my Puno and Lake Titicaca guide, and my overview of the two-day Uros, Amantani, and Taquile tour!
How to get from Puno to Copacabana
The distance is around 142km and the journey takes roughly 3.5–4 hours driving, plus 30–60 minutes for the Kasani border crossing. There are a few ways to do it.
Option 1: Organised tour (what I did)
I booked a tour through Tripadvisor that handled everything – hotel pickup and drop-off, buses, lunch, a guided Copacabana tour, and a boat trip to Isla del Sol with a guide explaining the history. All in for about $100. There was only one company offering this as a full day trip and it was hard to find, but it does exist, it’s legitimate, and I even booked it last minute. If you want to combine the border crossing with Isla del Sol and get back again in time – without any logistical stress – this is the lazy-but-right option.
Option 2: Public bus
Several bus companies run the Puno to Copacabana route throughout the day — Trans Titicaca and Transzela are among the most used. You can check timings on Rome2Rio, some operators let you book online, or just go to Puno bus station the day before and sort it in person. Prices range from around $6–11 USD depending on the company and seat class.
Go first class if it’s available. Not all buses have it, but if they do, the seats are essentially lie-flat beds for a few extra dollars. Highly recommend.
Book your return in advance if you’re coming back to Puno the same day. The Copacabana side is chaotic – full of tourists competing for bus tickets back to Cusco and Puno in tiny booking offices on the street. You do not want to be sorting this in the moment, and they run out of space. There is a genuine chance you’ll get stuck there.
Option 3: Peru Hop
This hop-on, hop-off intercity tourist services offers hotel pickups, bilingual guides, and hosted border assistance at Kasani, meaning someone actually helps you through the immigration process rather than you working it out yourself. This is way more expensive than the public bus but significantly less stressful, especially for a first South American border crossing. Worth considering if you’re nervous about navigating the land border alone. But the trip is one way, so only do this if you’re planning onwards travel through Bolivia. You can either book from Cusco through to Puno and then onwards to Copacabana, or vice versa from La Paz/Copacabana to Puno and beyond.
The journey from Puno to the border
The ride from Puno to the Kasani border takes around 2 hours and the views of Lake Titicaca are genuinely stunning. Sit on the left-hand side of the bus to make the most of them.
There’s a pit stop about 15 minutes before the border. Use it. Bathroom, coffee, and money exchange are all available here. On currency: Bolivia currently operates an unofficial exchange rate. You’ll get a reasonable rate at the pit stop on the Peru side, but a better one once you’re in Bolivia. If you’re bringing USD, exchange after the crossing.
The Kasani border crossing: step by step
The Kasani crossing is small, manageable, and set against the backdrop of Lake Titicaca – not a bad immigration queue view, as these things go. Budget 30-60 minutes for the whole process, more on busy weekends or holidays. Note – the below assumes you have the correct visas, check your entry requirements in advance.
Step 1 – Stamp out of Peru
The bus stops near Peruvian immigration. Get off, join the queue, get your exit stamp. If you entered Peru by air you won’t have a Peru entry stamp in your passport — that’s fine, but you do get one stamped on the way out and you must make sure you have it. Usually takes under 10 minutes.
Step 2 – Walk to Bolivia
Once stamped, walk around 200 metres along the road to Bolivian immigration. It’s flat, easy, and there’s usually a dog or two hovering around. There are also stalls selling water and snacks if you need them. Nobody guides you through this, you’re just walking across no-man’s land on your own. Don’t panic, you can’t miss it. There’s a massive arch!
Step 3 – Stamp into Bolivia
This part catches people out. Walk past the first hut and go into the main immigration office to get your entry stamp. Then walk back slightly to a different office to scan a QR code and register your details. Officials then check you completed both steps. They often also check your name against the bus passenger list.
Do not skip any part of this. People regularly miss one of the steps because nobody explains the process. Travellers can be turned away at hotel check-in, fined at departure, or not be permitted to leave the country because they were missing a stamp. Do everything, in order.
Step 4 – Wait for the bus
You’ll probably finish before the bus catches up. Expect to wait 10-15 minutes. Grab water, snacks, or use the bathroom (a few soles).
Time zone reminder: Bolivia is one hour ahead of Peru. Your phone will probably confuse itself in the border area. Adjust manually and factor this into any bus or tour schedules, especially if you’re returning to Puno the same day.
The return crossing
I did the whole thing as a day trip – four passport stamps in 12 hours. My passport was tired. I was even more tired.
On the return journey at night, Peruvian immigration officers waited by the bus to check everyone’s stamps before anyone was allowed to board. People who had accidentally skipped part of the process on the way in were stuck. Don’t skip anything.
Arriving in Copacabana
The ride from the border to Copacabana takes 10–15 minutes, and you’ll be dropped in the town centre. Copacabana is compact and easy to walk around, with plenty of places to eat, sleep, and book boat trips.
Best things to do:
Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana – worth visiting. No photos inside, but the paintings and ornate decorations are beautiful. Right in front is the main plaza with a Copacabana sign — you know the drill.
Market nearby – useful if you forgot hat, scarf, or altitude medication. Also good for local snacks.
Menu del día – restaurants all around town offer a set lunch for a very low cost. Sit down, decompress, eat something substantial before the return crossing.
You don’t need more than 45 minutes to an hour for Copacabana itself unless you’re staying overnight.
Isla del Sol – don’t skip it
As part of my tour I visited Isla del Sol, the sacred Inca island in the Bolivian part of Lake Titicaca. It’s a one-hour boat trip each way with stunning lake views the whole time. Take layers if you want to sit on the boat’s top deck, it’s cold out there on the water.
You make two stops on the island: one at a temple where you learn about the Inca relationship to the lake, the Sun God, and the significance of this specific location; and a second stop involving a steep uphill walk with bird’s eye views of the lake at the top. The altitude makes every set of stairs feel considerably longer than it is. There’s a beer stall at the bottom of the walk. I’m not saying that’s the main draw, but I’m not not saying it.
If you’ve done the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca – the Uros islands, Amantani, Taquile – then Isla del Sol is a genuinely interesting contrast. The Peruvian side is about living culture and community. The Bolivian side is much more focused on Inca history and archaeology. Both are worth doing. More on the Peru side in my Lake Titicaca two-day tour post here.
Practical tips for the Puno to Copacabana crossing
Book your return bus in advance – especially if you’re doing a day trip. The Copacabana side is chaotic and tickets sell out.
Sit on the left of the bus for the Lake Titicaca views on the way there.
Bring small bills in both soles and bolivianos for bathrooms, snacks, and legitimate money changing at the border.
Adjust your clock at the border – Bolivia is one hour ahead of Peru.
Do every immigration step – both the stamp and the QR code on the Bolivian side. Missing either will cause problems when you leave.
Check visa requirements for your nationality before you travel.
Best time to cross: Early morning is best, with fewer queues – aim for 8am. Also go when there is daylight, ideally between 10am and 3pm. Border crossing is easier when you can clearly see the signs, offices, and queues.
FAQ: Puno to Copacabana border crossing
How long does it take to get from Puno to Copacabana? Around 3.5-4 hours total, including the Kasani border crossing. Budget 30–60 minutes for immigration depending on how busy it is.
How much does the bus from Puno to Copacabana cost? Public buses cost around $6–11 USD. Organised tours with guide, Isla del Sol boat trip and lunch included run around $100.
Can you do Puno to Copacabana and back as a day trip? Yes – I did it. Leave early, cross in the morning, spend a few hours in Copacabana and on Isla del Sol, and cross back to Puno in the afternoon/evening. Book your return bus in advance.
What currency do you need at the Kasani border? Peruvian soles for anything on the Peru side. Bolivianos once you’re in Bolivia. USD is widely accepted for exchange. Get a better rate in Bolivia than at the Peru pit stop if you can wait.
Is the Kasani border crossing safe? Yes. It’s a small, tourist-friendly crossing and one of the more relaxed border experiences I’ve had anywhere. Standard precautions apply: watch your bags and ignore anyone offering unsolicited help.
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