Bolivia : Buses

Buses in Bolivia:

1. Never place anything you wish to continue owning in the rack above your seat. Never. This is by far the most common way for  travelers to lose things.  Keep all your valuables on your person or in bags that can fit between your legs/feet in your own seat.

2.  Never leave your carry-on unattended, even for a quick bathroom stop. Never.  It´s great if you become friends with someone in the seat next to you but still be cautious with your belongings.

3. If you sleep on the bus keep the access zippers and straps of your carry-on firmly fastened to you in a way that would wake you up if someone tried to open or steal them.

4. If you travel with a large backpack or suitcases that must be stowed below or above the bus, there´s nothing you can do to protect them so don´t keep any valuables there.

5. Bring lots of warm layers because buses (especially night buses) often have windows that do not close and in some cases interior temperatures can approach freezing. Always bring a hat, gloves, extra layers, and optionally a blanket or sleeping bag.  Be sure to inspect any blanket offered by the bus line as they are sometimes filthy beyond belief.

6. We recommend using the following national bus lines: Sindicato Trans Copacabana or Bolivar. While not luxurious or more comfortable necessarily, they have a better safety record.  We strongly advize against using Dorado as in 2007 their drivers have repeatedly been drunk and killed over 60 passengers. Cosmos is also not known for its responsibility.

7. Be suspicious of extremely low bus fare prices. They may be skimping on vehicle maintainance, sanitation, paying their drivers and helpers less. Bus Camas are generally more comfortable and clean than others.

8. We do no recommend descending the old road to Coroico in an automobile (bike is safer), especially not in the Rainy season Nov-March. Hundreds of people have died needlessly on this route and more die every year.