After nearly 3 weeks in Peru, it was time to go from my last stop in Puno and across the border by motorbike into La Paz, Bolivia.
The trip would take me following across mostly on paved roads and swept along high altitude valleys for most of the way through a variety of weather conditions.
Thankfully there was little to no traffic on this road as it is the northernmost border town from Peru to Bolivia.
There were also only a smattering of towns along the way, Chucuito, Acora, Ilave District, Juli, Pomata, Zepita, Desaguadero (Border Town) and onto my final destination in La Paz, Bolivia
I enjoyed my time immensely in Peru, the diversifying cultures, the food, the people were all fantastic and the riding, spectacular. Sad to leave such a wonderful country, but happy to go onward to another country. Bolivia!
Although the trip total was only 160 miles (260 kilometers), it still took me over 6 hours including border time. It was a little exhausting, and I was looking forward to a nice ride into La Paz, Bolivia.
I would also first encounter issues in Bolivia with fuel. Basically, any tourist is charged up to double the normal fuel rate. There were no gas stations on my way to the border, which caused concerns and then in Bolivia many gas stations were empty.
Leaving Peru
- As you approach the border, you will be deep in the town of Desaguadero, and it springs up on you quite quickly.
- You should stop right outside yellow boom gates and park your bike on the right.
- Immediately to the left will be immigration building. Go inside and get stamped out and hand in your tourist card. Although this was a busy crossing, there were only a few people in immigration, and it only took 10 minutes.
- Next, go to Aduana building (to left of immigration) with a gate out front and security guard manning it. There will be a security guy there, and he will ask a few questions (Spanish only), and you will wait in line until he calls you to go inside the gate and into the building. (I had to leave my helmet and tank bag on desk out front).
- I sat on one of the seats inside and waited and waited for one of the Aduana officials to ask me (leaving or coming). After 15 minutes they took my papers and asked a few simple questions, gave me a stamped copy of import permit, and I was good to go.
- Drive around gates and over the bridge, and I was off to Bolivia!
- Total Time was 40 minutes and $0
Entering Bolivia
- As you drive across the bridge, there will be blue building in the middle of the road at the end of the bridge. Right at the front is Aduana. However, you have to go around far side to get to immigration. Park your bike in front of Aduana.
- Now go around far side.
- In the middle of the blue building, you need to get a ticket for entry and a green tourist card to fill in (no fee for Australian citizens – $160 Reciprocity Fee for US Citizens) and then join the line for immigration. I had two buses in front of me, so about 80 people were in the line.
- Once you get inside you will get stamped into the country. They were very helpful and made it easy. They asked for a copy of a receipt for the hotel I was staying and also my completed green tourist card – which they stamp also.
- Now go back around to the front of the building marked Aduana where you parked the bike, give all pertinent papers and copies (passport photo page, title, registration, and drivers license, tourist card).
- The guy enters all data into the computer, asks how long you are staying.
- After about another 10 minutes I got my import papers for 30 days
- Now to get to La Paz, Bolivia!
- Total Time was 90 minutes and $0
Notes: You have to get insurance, which can be purchased online for Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. You just need to send her all your vehicle details and which countries you want. Here are the details (send her an email ) she will require.
Insurance for Motorbike Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil
I can do an insurance of civil liability for the vehicle. It covers Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. To pass the insurance price, I need if you can send me a photo of the
vehicle
To get insurance, she needs the following information:
- First and Last Name
- Passport Number
- Date of Birth
- Period you need to be covered (days)
- Vehicle information: Brand, Model, Year, VIN Number, Registration number.
Gisela María Speiser
Av. Roque S. Peña 651 3*”56″
(1035) Capital Federal
Tel/Fax 0054 11 4326-3647/2611
Celular 11 15 4176-9382
gisela@speiserseguros.com.ar
www.speiserseguros.com.ar
La Paz, Bolivia
La Paz, in Bolivia, is the highest administrative capital in the world, resting on the Andes’ Altiplano plateau at more than 3,500m above sea level. It stretches to El Alto city in the highlands, with snow-capped, 6,438m-high Mt. Illimani as its backdrop. The city’s dramatic setting can be taken in during rides on Mi Teleférico, the aerial cable car system.. From Wikipedia
Oberland Hotel, La Paz, Bolivia
Oberland Hotel was where I would stay for two nights in La Paz. Check in was a little rough as no one spoke English and they only wanted cash in USD, even though I could clearly see a credit card machine. You need to fill in a guest form (always annoying) and then are taken to your room.
The rooms are spacious and pretty cool actually. The bedding is nice and with views of the courtyard and restaurant. I was able to park my motorbike securely around the back and through remote controlled gates that they operate from inside (if someone was at desk)
The manager was nice, but their processes for checkout were painful. There were some other people there, but the hotel was mostly empty.
Facilities were ok, BBQ area, and they have a restaurant and bar with food reasonably priced.
Rooms are good and quite spacious. With Air-conditioning. Wi-Fi was poor with 1.8 Mbps download and 0.5 Mbps upload. Shop at the complex on the ground floor had basic groceries and staff very nice.
I was able to park my bike securely. I was tired and so did all of my chores and fell asleep around 11 pm.
Motorcycle Tours, La Paz, Bolivia
Whilst I was staying at the Oberland Hotel in La Paz, I noticed below there was a Motorbike Tour Company. I went downstairs and talked to the manager about getting a personal tour guide to take us to Death Road by Motorbike.
We had our own bikes and the manager got on the phone and spoke to a few people. The total cost was $120 plus a tip ($50) for the rider whose name was Tito (a legend)
The tour started at 8 am and went all the way through to 6 pm at night. It was absolutely sensational. Tito took us on roads that you would never know about and we went up some crazy mountains. In fact, some of the roads getting to Death Road were scarier than death road, but it was amazing. I have written about the experience on my blog at www.soloworldtraveler.com and I want to thank all of the people, particularly Tito on what was a memorable experience and one I will never forget.
- I have a USA Registered Motorcycle
- 100% Owned by Myself (No Loan)
- 3 Copies Australian Passport (+Original)
- 3 Copies Title (+Original – If you do not own, get letter from owner)
- 3 Copies Registration (+Original)
- 3 Copies Drivers Licence (+Original)
- Vehicle Import Permit + Copy
Leaving Peru
- As you approach the border, you will be deep in the town of Desaguadero, and it springs up on you quite quickly.
- You should stop right outside yellow boom gates and park your bike on the right.
- Immediately to your left will be immigration building. Go inside and get stamped out and hand in your tourist card. Although this was a busy crossing, there were only a few people in immigration, and it only took 10 minutes.
- Next, go to Aduana building (to left of immigration) with a gate out front and security guard manning it. There will be a security guy there, and he will ask a few questions (Spanish only), and you will wait in line until he calls you to go inside the gate and into the building. (I had to leave my helmet and tank bag on desk out front).
- I sat on one of the seats inside and waited and waited for one of the Aduana officials to ask me (leaving or coming). After 15 minutes they took my papers and asked a few simple questions, gave me a stamped copy of import permit, and I was good to go.
- Drive around gates and over the bridge, and I was off to Bolivia!
- Total Time was 40 minutes and $0
Entering Bolivia
- As you drive across the bridge, there will be blue building in the middle of the road at the end of the bridge. Right at the front is Aduana. However, you have to go around far side to get to immigration. Park your bike in front of Aduana.
- Now go around far side.
- In the middle of the blue building, you need to get a ticket for entry and a green tourist card to fill in (no fee for Australian citizens – $160 Reciprocity Fee for US Citizens) and then join the line for immigration. I had two buses in front of me, so about 80 people were in the line.
- Once you get inside you will get stamped into the country. They were very helpful and made it easy. They asked for a copy of a receipt for the hotel I was staying and also my completed green tourist card – which they stamp also.
- Now go back around to the front of the building marked Aduana where you parked the bike, give all pertinent papers and copies (passport photo page, title, registration, and drivers license, tourist card).
- The guy enters all data into the computer, asks how long you are staying.
- After about another 10 minutes I got my import papers for 30 days
- Now to get to La Paz, Bolivia!
- Total Time was 90 minutes and $0
Notes: You have to get insurance, which can be purchased online for Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. You just need to send her all your vehicle details and which countries you want. Here are the details (send her an email ) she will require.
Insurance for Motorbike Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil
I can do an insurance of civil liability for the vehicle. It covers Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. To pass the insurance price, I need if you can send me a photo of the
vehicle
To get insurance, she needs the following information:
- First and Last Name
- Passport Number
- Date of Birth
- Period you need to be covered (days)
- Vehicle information: Brand, Model, Year, VIN Number, Registration number.
Gisela María Speiser
Av. Roque S. Peña 651 3*”56″
(1035) Capital Federal
Tel/Fax 0054 11 4326-3647/2611
Celular 11 15 4176-9382
gisela@speiserseguros.com.ar
www.speiserseguros.com.ar
Total Cost Both Borders: $0 USD (I am Australian Citizen) US Citizens pay $160 Reciprocity Fee for Bolivia