Is Peru Hop (Bus Hop) the best way to explore Peru or just an overpriced tourist trap?
That’s exactly what we wanted to find out.
We traveled with Peru Hop ourselves, paying for everything out of pocket, and in this article I’ll break down how Peru Hop works, our real experience, the pros and cons, and who it’s actually worth it for.
By the end, you’ll know if Peru Hop is a top… or a flop for your travel style.
Table of Contents
What Is Peru Hop Bus?
For those not familiar with it, Peru Hop is a hop-on, hop-off bus service designed specifically for travelers. Instead of navigating local buses, night buses, taxis, and tours on your own, you buy one pass and travel along set routes with Peru Hop.
The buses run mainly between Lima and Cusco, stopping at popular destinations such as:
- Paracas
- Huacachina
- Arequipa
- Puno
- and even La Paz, Bolivia
There are multiple routes and ticket options available. We personally used a 10-stop ticket from Cusco to Lima via Bolivia, which allowed us to travel at our own pace and stay as long as we wanted at each stop.
Trip Report of Our Experience Traveling with Peru Hop Bus
This review is not sponsored — we paid for everything ourselves.
Puno & Lake Titicaca
Our first stop coming from Cusco was Puno, where we chose to spend a night with the local Uros people on their floating islands on Lake Titicaca. It was a unique cultural experience and one of the highlights of our trip.
We also have a full in-depth video about this experience which you can watch here.
Copacabana & La Paz (Bolivia)
Next, we had a short stop in Copacabana, which happened to coincide with a Christian holiday — and it was packed.
Later that day, we arrived in La Paz, the highest capital city in the world at 3,650 meters (12,000 feet). The city completely surprised us: gondolas as public transport, incredible scenery, and amazing hiking just outside the city. One of the most breathtaking hikes of our entire trip happened here.
Arequipa & Colca Canyon
After Bolivia, we continued to Arequipa, the “White City,” surrounded by volcanoes. Our main goal here was to see the Andean condors — and we were lucky enough to see several during our Colca Canyon tour, along with lots of wildlife and stunning landscapes.
Nazca Lines Viewpoint
On the long drive from Arequipa to Huacachina, Peru Hop included a stop at a viewing tower overlooking the Nazca Lines, something we probably wouldn’t have been able to do on a regular bus. And our guides even explained us about the history and showed us the lines and what they mean.
Huacachina
In Huacachina, we went on a dune buggy tour and tried sandboarding. The buggy ride was a full-on adventure — definitely not for the faint of heart. We chose the sunset tour and watched the sun set over the dunes in a quieter area away from the main oasis. Here we also participated in the free tour of the Pisco Vineyard and tasting experience.
Paracas & Ballestas Islands
Our last major stop before Lima was Paracas, where we joined the Ballestas Islands tour. We saw sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, red crabs, and even the Paracas Candelabra.
On our final day, Peru Hop also included 2 free tours:
- A tour of the Paracas National Reserve
- A visit to Chincha, exploring an old hacienda with the slave tunnels
How Does Peru Hop Bus Work in Practice?
Once you book your ticket, you receive login details for the Peru Hop app. In the app, you select:
- Travel dates
- Pick-up locations
- Drop-off points (usually your accommodation)
If you don’t know your hotel in advance, that’s not a problem. The guide on the bus will usually confirm all details with you before arrival.
At first, we were a bit nervous about pick-up times, but most guides create a WhatsApp group where they share live updates and pickup information. Not every guide did this, so sometimes we simply waited until the bus arrived. If you want extra peace of mind, you can message Peru Hop and ask for your guide’s contact number — we did that a few times.
Buses & Toilets
The buses are comfortable and equipped with toilets.
Important to know: toilets are for liquids only. If you need a proper bathroom break, just tell the guide and they’ll stop at a rest area.
The Positives of Peru Hop Bus
Convenience
You avoid chaotic bus stations, confusing schedules, and negotiating with taxi drivers. You simply get on the bus and go. Extra tours at each stop can also be booked directly through the app of Peru Hop.
Luggage Storage
Peru Hop works with partner hotels at every stop. This allowed us to store our main luggage for free when we went on overnight or side trips.
Guides & Discounts
Most guides were excellent — informative, helpful, and organized. They also offer discounts on hostels and activities and give tips on what to eat and what to do in each destination.
Flexibility
Your pass is valid for one full year, and you can stay as long as you want at each stop before continuing. You can even leave Peru and come back later (within the 365 days of validity) and continue where you left off before.
Safety & Comfort
For first-time travelers in Peru, this is a big plus. The buses felt safe, clean, and comfortable, with spacious seating.
Social Aspect
Peru Hop is very social. If you’re traveling solo, it’s easy to meet people. We met other travelers we still keep in touch with today.
Free Stops & Tours
Some stops and tours are included and genuinely worthwhile — things you might otherwise miss if traveling independently with regular busses.
The Negatives of Peru Hop Bus
Price
Peru Hop is not the cheapest option. Local buses are more affordable if you’re on a tight budget.
Fixed Schedule
While flexible in theory, you still need to plan around Peru Hop’s timetable. At each stop there is only 1 departure time per day. The bus departs every single day at every single stop but only at that one time. While the set departure times make sense, they can be limiting if you like full control.
Guide Quality Can Vary
Most guides were great, but not all were equally engaged or helpful.
No Lay-Flat Sleeper Seats
Seats recline to about 140 degrees (some lower decks slightly more), but there are no fully flat sleeper seats, unlike some local night buses.
Tours Are Expensive
Peru Hop tours are convenient but often overpriced. For cheaper options, book tours locally in person whenever possible.
Peru Hop Bus vs DIY Bus Travel
So, should you choose Peru Hop or travel independently?
Peru Hop is great if you:
- Want a stress-free experience
- Are traveling solo
- Have limited time
- Prefer comfort and social travel
DIY travel is better if you:
- Want to save money
- Need maximum flexibility
- Prefer sleeper buses
- Enjoy organizing everything yourself
Verdict: Is Peru Hop Bus a Top or a Flop?
For us, Peru Hop was TOP.
We loved the convenience, safety, and social side, the luggage storage and since we booked all the tours independently (and therefore much cheaper) we think we got a great deal by choosing Peru Hop.
👉 Peru Hop is a TOP if you want an easy, fun, low-stress way to see Peru.
👉 It’s a FLOP if you’re on a strict budget or want to travel fully local and need flexible departure times.
Final Thoughts about Peru Hop Bus
So — is Peru Hop Bus worth it?
That depends entirely on your travel style.
Would you take Peru Hop, or would you rather travel independently? Let us know in the comments below — we’re happy to answer questions. And if you prefer video, make sure to watch our full Peru Hop review here.
Not conviced if Peru is the right fit for your next trip? How about Indonesia? Check out my blog post about exploring Java here.
