Yunguyo/Copacabana Border Crossing, Bolivian side | Customs and Immigration

Direction - Bolivia to Peru on a motorcycle.

Smoothest border crossing of my trip so far. Arrived 0830 the day after Carnival. Bolivian immigracion and Aduana are in 2 separate buildings, both next to each other. Immigration stamped me out in 30 seconds. Popped over to aduana next door and found a lady with a baby in her arms. Took my passport, vehicle docs and TIP. Asked me to scan the QR code for an exit form (be sure to have phone data). Cancelled TIP and went outside (with baby) and checked the VIN of my motorcycle. After that she opened the gate to let me through to the Peruvian side. Peruvian immigracion and Aduana next! Whole process took 15 mins on the Bolivian side.

Report Check-In

US citizen entering Bolivia on a motorbike.

Based on all the other excellent information provided by others on this page, I spent the day before entry getting all my documents in order, filling out the online application for myself and my motorcycle, and printing everything out.

There was nobody else there when I arrived, but the crossing still took more than two hours. First they told me incorectly that I had to fill out a document at the copy office next door. The guy charged me Bs10. Later I was told that the form I filled out and printed online was the same form.

They would not accept credit card payment, but I didn't understand his explanation. I had to dig out my emergency stash of US bills and the immigration guy carefully inspected each bill, and rejected two that were in very good condition. He was not friendly, and I think deliberately made it difficult for me to understand his Spanish. It was a trying experience, and I don't usually get upset about this stuff.

For what it's worth, the $160 visa is good for multiple entries for ten years.

The aduana office was much faster and easier. Again, I didn't really need the form I'd filled out online and printed, but the lady took it and copied the information into her computer.

She came out to check out my bike. She only looked at the license plate and the VIN. She did not ask to open any of my luggage or ask about anything I was carrying.

Report Check-In

Peru to Bolivia

Leaving Peru was easy, start at migration to get your exit stamp then move on to the chain gate to cancel your TIP.

Bolivia side, we started with migration. We are US citizens, so quite the process to get the visa -- see steps detailed below. We didn't need yellow fever vaccine proof and having one reservation with just one name was fine, it didn't need to have my partners name too. Everything else is accurate. They accept credit card still as well. Once we had the paperwork printed, the process with the agent was super easy and they were friendly.

The copy shop man is still rude. We paid 160 Bol to get photos and print everything. He also exchanged money at a pretty decent rate, but only bills (no change).

Then we went on to import the vehicle -- pretty easy process, submit the QR code paperwork & give the lady out registration and passport. She did "inspect" the vehicle by checking the back, and having us open all cabinets, but she didn't take anything or ask any questions about what we had.

Also there was no one at this border so wait times were non existent.

Report Check-In

Enter Bolivia - 

Park on right side of road after going through stone arch. 

First go to migration and get stamped in (see below for VISA process for citizens of USA other countries needing it.) 

Then go to Aduana. You will need to fill out Form No 250 on your phone using a QR code (standard customs declaration). There is an open wifi network. If you have found Formulario No 249a on the Aduana website beforehand, completed the form and brought a printed copy, things will go very quickly. Officer just reprinted the form and stamped it. This is your TIP. There was zero check of the vehicle. Link to form: http://anbsw01.aduana.gob.bo:7401/sivetur/Parametro.jsp

Visa Process for USA and other countries: 

We used @roaminganalog's excellent write up and have re-copied it below with some additions. The infamous copy shop at the border crossing was closed today, so we were very glad we got all our paperwork done in Puno the day before. We already had passport photos, all the copies cost us only 5 soles at a shop in Puno. Paying for the Visa itself, we brought clean crisp USD, but we were able pay with a credit card. You must have a separate packet of paperwork for each person, even though you may share a bank account or hotel reservation as a couple, you need to have a copy for each person with their name on the document.

REQUIREMENTS:

1: Fill out the Visa Affidavit form - https://portalmre.rree.gob.bo/formvisas/  It will ask you at the end which consulate - we just entered Puno and brought it un-signed to the border. When you fill out the form you will have to upload a pdf copy of every document below, as well as a copy of your yellow fever vaccine card. 
2: Provide 2 copies of a 2 "x 2" passport size photograph. These must be high quality and the correct size - a traveler in front of us attempted to use ones printed on regular paper and was rejected. 
3: Present a Valid passport with at least 6 months of validity
4: Provide a printed copy of the hotel reservation (this MUST list the names of every person traveling. We made a booking in La Paz through booking.com, saved a PDF, and then immediately canceled the reservation. We put both our names on the reservation. You can’t just say you are sleeping in your van or tent somewhere.)
5: Round trip ticket or copy of the travel itinerary. (This can just be a list of dates and places you will visit, nothing special. We were asked for a plane or bus ticket leaving Bolivia, we explained we were travelling in our own vehicle and they took our word for it as we had not done the TIP yet.)
6: Economic solvency test. Bank statement showing you have money in the bank. Need this for all adults. Others have been asked for monthly income as well, but we were not. We have no idea what amount they are looking for, but the statements we showed had around $3000 USD in a joint account.
7: Pay for the Visa. $160 USD. You can pay in clean crisp USD, Bolivianos, or credit card. 
8: The border control officer will then place a large visa sticker in your passport.
9: The officer will then stamp your passport for entry (possibly at another window)

Report Check-In

Exiting Bolivia was extremely simple and took maybe ten minutes total, with almost all of that time being for the aduana lady to look at our plates and confirm the chasis number. There are a lot of shops around for changing money if needed.

Report Check-In

Everything is easy and correct. Juste one thing entering Bolivia. Just do the form online for the TIP. they will tell you to go do it at the guy of the photocopy shop but it is not necessary to have the doc printed so no need to go see him and pay. You just complete it online and go to Aduana. Also the guy at the shop is super aggressive for no reason so no need to go see him if not necessary.

Report Check-In

This was incredibly easy. We re-entered Peru. Neither aduana checked the vehicle. Friday afternoon it was nearly deserted, no queues at either side. SENASA lady was waiting to take away our fruits and veg in Peru. We ate basically everything anyway but left two sacrificial bananas as distraction. Asked if we had pets, we said no with the two cats stashed in the back. Didn’t search us at all, apologetically took our bananas. Bought SOAT online in advance but wasn’t asked for it.

Report Check-In

Exiting Bolivia, entering Peru. Bolivian side went fast, PDI and aduana in total within 5 minutes. It took longer because it was super crowded with vehicles, pedestrians from both sides.
Peruvian side took about 45min, mainly the paperwork for our vehicle.
Note: no fruit or vegetables are allowed entering Peru! There are no signs about it but they confiscated all our fruit and avocado.

Report Check-In

Peru to Bolivia (EU and US citizen):
Easiest border crossing so far.

In Peru: get your passport stamped at immigration in the left, then go across the street to get TIP cancelled. They don’t give you any proof, so we took a picture of the stamped paper.

Then drive through the arch at the top and park on your left. Immigration is 2 houses down on your left. For the German among us, it took 30 seconds and I got 90 days.

For the US CITIZEN VISA we followed the instructions by @roaminganalog below. Next to the immigration building is a little kiosk where you can take passport photos and print everything you need. They did not accept our crisp cash, but then allowed us to PAY THE 160$ WITH OUR CREDIT CARD. Visa process took about 10 minutes. Got 30 days in the country with option of extension.

Then went to aduana building next door for our TIP. It took 5 minutes and the guy didn’t even look at our van.

Report Check-In

Just to add regrading fuel containers - you can bring them but not with fuel in. Peru aduana advised us to put it in the tank but that was full too so we hid it. They checked in the van and said they could smell fuel but then got distracted by our cats. Quite a thorough process but quick and efficient nonetheless. Entered with no paperwork for cats.

Report Check-In

Bolivia - Peru with 2 motorbikes

Fast and easy, no others waited.
The Aduana just checked the top bag of the motorbikes and frame number and we were ready to go.

All verry friendly and helpfull

Report Check-In

Bolivian side is simple to go through migration and close your tip. Peruvian side took forever to get a new tip. They asked if we had insurance we said no and they recommended a place in Puno. Very thorough check of chassis numbers etc on the vehicle.

Report Check-In

easiest entry on this continent. got passports stamped immediately no questions asked, got 90 days without asking. Took maybe 3 minutes. Tip maybe 20 min. free and no copies asked. friendly and relaxed and no mistakes in the paperwork. One person took a 3 sec look in our van without entering it. didn't ask for fruit or veg either only if we had new appliances like mobile phones with us, that was a first. We just showed her our own two phones and that was fine of course. Nobody asked about the sisemeg registration system either.. Friendly and relaxed. Clear where to go. still some cellphone reception with Bitel.

Report Check-In

They ask for your SOAT for Peru.

You can get it very easily via WhatsApp within an hour with La positiva which has office is in Puno Peru. Paying you do at the bank agent she will tell you in the first town in Peru after the border.
+51 900 550 748
No need to print it. Border police accepted our doc on our mobile

Report Check-In

open also peru side open. crossed without problems besides slow internet.

Report Check-In

Border is open right now both sides. We crossed from Bolivia without problems. More formalities on Bolivian side than peruan side.

Report Check-In

Border is now open again!

It's open and passable for all vehicles.* Peruvian immigration is now on site (you don't have to go to Puno anymore).

According to Peruvian border police, it will stay open every day for the foreseeable future (no more Tuesday and Wednesday closures or whatsoever).

Locals also said that things have calmed down now in Puno region and should remain calm now for some time 😊

Report Check-In

Bolivia to Perú: peruvian border is closed (burned caused by the riots), barriers are closed and nobody is working there. BUT, if you're driving a motorcycle or 4x4 there's a solution (legal). After leaving bolivian border (easy border, migration and customs buildings are physically really close, nice and friendly staff), there's a small stoned plaza - before the ark entrance - turn right and there's a small dirt path where you can reach around the peruvian village - I guess this is to step for motorhomes. Then you need to drive/ride for 1.30/2 hours to Puno. Migration stamp: there's a tiny office at the end of the port (Puerto de Puno, hard to see, ask to the locals) there's a chain blocking the way 300m before arriving, for motorcycle is okay (you can ride over pedestrians path, there's a small ramp), for cars you have to walk that distance. Easy, took me 5 minutes for a european passport, 90 days and getting the andino pass. After that go to Aduana/Customs (Intendencia de Aduana Puno) entering Puno by the main road,turn left, 4 streets up,big peruvian flag. Took me an 1 hour for the TIP (90 days). If you need a SOAT (insurance) there's one in the opposite side of this place (la Positiva). Note: I didn't find any police checkpoints from the border to Puno. The road condition is okay but carefull because is full of stones and dirt caused by the riots).

Bolivia to Perú: peruvian border is closed (burned caused by the riots), barriers are closed and nobody is working there. BUT, if you're driving a motorcycle or 4x4 there's a solution (legal). After leaving bolivian border (easy border, migration and customs buildings are physically really close, nice and friendly staff), there's a small stoned plaza - before the ark entrance - turn right and there's a small dirt path where you can reach around the peruvian village - I guess this is to step for motorhomes. Then you need to drive/ride for 1.30/2 hours to Puno. Migration stamp: there's a tiny office at the end of the port (Puerto de Puno, hard to see, ask to the locals) there's a chain blocking the way 300m before arriving, for motorcycle is okay (you can ride over pedestrians path, there's a small ramp), for cars you have to walk that distance. Easy, took me 5 minutes for a european passport, 90 days and getting the andino pass. After that go to Aduana/Customs (Intendencia de Aduana Puno) entering Puno by the main road,turn left, 4 streets up,big peruvian flag. Took me an 1 hour for the TIP (90 days). If you need a SOAT (insurance) there's one in the opposite side of this place (la Positiva). Note: I didn't find any police checkpoints from the border to Puno. The road condition is okay but carefull because is full of stones and dirt caused by the riots).

Report Check-In

The border to Peru is closed with no date scheduled for opening. The side from Bolivia os open but It is impossible crossing with motorhome.

A fronteira com o Peru está fechada sem data prevista para abertura. O lado da Bolívia está aberto, mas é impossível cruzar com motorhome.

Report Check-In

Easiest border crossing we ever had since Canada! 35mins for exiting Peru and entering Bolivia. No copies needed. Did not have to fill out any forms. Bolivian Aduana guy especially nice, told us no insurance needed if you stay under 30 days.

In front of the Bolivian immigration you can exchange money in the tienda (guy was wearing official uniform), rates were good.

Report Check-In

I just want to add a few things. we got what I thought was brand spanking new 20 dollar bills from an ATM in Arequipa. out of the 16 that I brought, for 2 American visas, the guy at the counter only accepted 5 as good enough. put us in a pickle for no reason. 1 had a small piece of tape on it, so I guess I understand that one, but thought the other 10 were in very good condition.

no dog paperwork required to enter Bolivia. so I guess that's nice.

Report Check-In

From Bolivia to Peru...leaving Bolivia took us 15 Minutes. Friendly staff. Outside the buildings are many opportunities to change your bolivian or other money (even euros) into peruvian soles.

Report Check-In

After leaving Peru, drive up and park on the right side of the street at the gate/cones outside the Aduana. Walk across to the Border Patrol office first.

For US citizens, like us, you may want to bring all the visa application requirements with you. We used and paid the guy at the copy shop that others have mentioned, and he was seemingly just annoyed with the process. Honestly, it’s a mess. They don’t take credit cards at this time at the border. They wanted crisp US dollars to pay for the VISA. $160 per person. Since we did not have the required funds to pay in efectivo, we spoke to the border officer at the desk and he said one of us could enter Bolivia and go to the bank in Copacabana to get the proper funds. It was either this or go back into Peru to an ATM, get Soles, and then exchange them for dollars, which had to be crisp. That seemed impossible. One of us took a taxi into Copacabana. Just bring the efectivo and avoid our pains. Also, be prepared for the officer to stop the process with your visa and stamp out travelers that are leaving Bolivia, as with us, a bus of 20 tourists. It interrupts the flow, but doesn’t take too long. There was only one officer working on this day.

9 countries require VISAs to enter Bolivia. Check your country.

For the Visa:

REQUIREMENTS:

1: Fill out the Visa Affidavit form - https://portalmre.rree.gob.bo/formvisas/
2: Provide a 2 "x 2" passport size photograph (we gave them two because the guy at the copy shop gave us two)
3: Present a Valid passport with at least 6 months of validity
4: Provide a printed copy of the hotel reservation (this MUST list the names of every person traveling on it, we had to cancel and make a new reservation with all 4 traveling family members listed on the printout) or letter from friends or family indicating the address. (If the invitation is from a family member or friend, it must be personal, the institutional invitation is for a specific object visa). You can’t just say you are sleeping in your van or tent somewhere.
5: Round trip ticket or copy of the travel itinerary. ( This can just be a list of dates and places you will visit, nothing special.)
6: Economic solvency test. Bank statement showing you have money in the bank. (They also asked for our monthly estimated income). You need to show this for all adults, even when you are married and one person might hold the funds in their account. We showed a printout of a joint account with both names on it. In the case of Minors, the requirement of Economic Solvency will be the corresponding one by the parents or guardians.
7: Pay for the Visa. You can pay in Dollars or Bolivianos, but they really wanted crisp, perfect US Dollars. They do not accept credit cards as of this date. They said this was temporary, but not for how long. We paid in Bolivianos as stated above.
8: The border control officer will then place a large visa sticker in your passport.
9: The officer will stamp your passport.

Once you’ve handled the Visa and the Passport stamp just walk next door to get your TIP. Provide your vehicle registration or Title and your license plate number. They walk out and check your vehicle and plates. They did not search our vehicle or ask about fruits or vegetables, etc.

Report Check-In

Very easy boarder, took us about 30 minutes to leave Peru and enter Bolivia with our Camper. No need to show any proof of vaccinacion or a pcr test. We arrived at 09.00 am Peruvian time. Check the TIP for errors.

Report Check-In

Easiest border ever! Didn’t need to fill in the form at the store next door, could fill it in on paper at adouana. 30min and we left Peru and entered Bolivia. All borders should be like this!

Report Check-In

Easy easy easy border cross. We did the cross with 2 overlanders. Took us in total 1 hour 15 minutes. No copies needed with our dutch passport. For a US passport you need some documents. Aduana in Bolivia was super friendly and fast (didn’t checked any fruit or vegetables). You can’t buy a soat here. You have to buy it in La Paz. But for the first 30 days you dont need it (thats what they told us). We asked the police guy next to the migraccion, but he was a strange guy and gave us a weird feeling. So better don’t go there. (Spend some days in Copacabana, its a amazing town)

Report Check-In

Entering Bolivia

US citizens: Visa needs to be paid for with a VISA. Mastercard not accepted. Cost is 1096 BS. Get ready for a big ugly full page sticker in your passport :)

Guy at photocopy place next door to immigration will get you set up with all of the paperwork you need.
-a passport copy
-a bank statement
-2 passport photos which he will take for you
-proof of a hotel reservation (we just booked one night)
-proof of leaving Bolivia (car title works)
-a printed itinerary of your time in Bolivia (he has a premade one that you just add your name on)
He charges 50BS for all paperwork and passport photos for one person and 20BS for all Aduana paperwork.

No one asked for proof of yellow fever vax or Covid vax.

Also, they saw our dog and did not ask for any of his paperwork!

Report Check-In

Easy to go out of Bolivia but not to enter in Peru. Nice agent. Peru agent is in burnout. He didn't want to let us enter because we didn't have the padron. Finally, with the list of the owner and our kindness and patience, we gone in Peru.

C'est facile de sortir de Bolivie mais moins de rentrer au Perou. Les agents sont très sympa. Attention, l'agent Péruvien est en burnout. Il ne voulait pas nous laisser entrer car nous n'avions pas le padron. Finalement, avec la liste des propriétaires du van, notre patience et notre gentillesse, il a fini par nous laisser entrer.

Report Check-In

Piece of cake leaving Peru. Bolivia was a bit of a different matter - it’s easier if you do not require a visa. Very nice people working here!

IMPORTANT: USA citizens are still required to pay $160 for a Bolivian visa. My Danish boyfriend did not need to pay & other EU countries do not need to pay. VISA & Mastercard are accepted here. You do not need copies or forms of any kind if you do not require a visa! Just bring yourself, your passport, and typical vehicle paperwork.

USA requirements for a visa: you will need a photocopy of your passport, small passport size photo of yourself, itinerary, hotel reservation, bus or plane ticket out of Bolivia, bank statement of sufficient funds, and a completed Bolivian visa form (available at the photocopy shop next to immigration, possibly available online). Best to bring your own photocopies of these documents/statements, but you can obtain copies of all these forms and have a photo of yourself taken at the photocopy shop if you do not have. Internet is available here. Soles or Bol only.

Report Check-In

Easy entry but… since August 1st 2022 citizen from group 1 countries (you can find out who you are by going online) should be given 90 days on entry… we didn’t know that and clearly the immigration guy didn’t either (or he was being difficult?!) so we only got 30 days resulting in the extension of visa + TIP B.S.
Anyway, when going for the extension we found out we actually had 90 days… but of course our TIP was only for 30 days.
So, know that if you are of a group 1 nation you should (and automatically will)get 90 days regardless of what the guy tells you! Of yeah they didn’t put a validity date in the passport either, just to add to the confusion!

Report Check-In

If, like me, you are a US citizen then the price is now $160. This is also for Chinese, Korean, Israeli, and Taiwanese (I am told). The visa is good for 90 days per year and for 10 years. So you can revisit many times if you like :)

Lots of info to be provided like itinerary and passport photos. However the man next door to the Migracion offices (the copia guy) will do EVERYTHING for you. Literally. He’s super on top of it. Maybe one of the most efficient Latinos we’ve ever met.

Report Check-In

From peru to bolivia:

Exit peru is really easy. There were a lot of peruvian cars in a line but then we asked and as they were going to bolivia just because of virgin mary if copacabana fest they had different conditions. So we went straight foward. We stamped out our passport and gave our tip (the officer told us they would cancel the tip in the system at night as they were full of work...so we asked him to stamp it at least and we took a photo).

Bolivian side: Just as the last post explains.
Only difference is that bolivian police asked for: extintor, triangle and a botiquin (medicine...not sure which one). As our back door was crashed and impossible to open to check, they sent us to talk to an officer who understood our situation and let us go.

If is possible ask here for a PIN for being able to fill gas in bolivia (we are not sure what is it about but all the gas stations told us that to be able to fill gas with foreign plate you need a pin that you could receive in aduana)

Report Check-In

Peru to Bolivia
Peru side :stamp out +cancel tip
Bolivia side : no pcr, did not have to show vaccination, people next to me did.
Check your stamp, mine was unreadable and they had to do it again, 'entrada' and date should be clear.
Nobody saw my dog so no papers were asked.
For the TIP you need copy of passport and car registration (copy shop is there)
Total of 1 hour, super easy

Report Check-In

The authorities were all very friendly, although the aduana of Peru could initially not find our camper in the system, so he had to call Cusco (where we had parked our camper during the covid years) to find out about it. In Bolivia we first received a small note with all the copies and paperwork we needed, then we were sent to the copy place next door, who did all the work for us (copies, and scans, even creating the Declaration Jurada) this cost us 7soles per person - a small price to pay. All the paperwork was accepted by immigration, we received a stamp in our passport, and we could go to the aduana, where the TIP was filled in (we did not manage to do that online ahead of time)

Report Check-In

Corrupt Aduana Officers! Avoid this border. The Aduana officer told us that our paperwork was "insufficient to prove we legally own our vehicle"?!?!
There were many long pauses and stares after he told us that he can't accept these documents. Basically he wanted us to bribe him....it was so obvious. But we weren't going to stoop to his corruption. After half an hour of awkward silence we left, stamped back into Perú and drove to the other border down the road to try again.
We have not had a single problem with any of our documents in Colombia, Ecuador or Perú until this one corrupt officer.

Report Check-In

Perú —> Bolivia
Arrived just after 2 tour busses at 18:00 (19:00 Bolivian time). Took us 40 min on Peruvian side, because of wait, processing at migration and Aduana together 5 min. Bolivian side was empty and processing of migration and aduana took about 10 min (without preregistration in Internet) - very friendly and helpful border staff even just before closing. Before entering Bolivia, police wanted copy of TIP and registration in book. Police man wanted money for it. We didn‘t have Bs yet and thus asked if this is obligatory. No, it‘s not. So after 10 min of forth and back we got license and papers back without paying. Incredible corruption scam right at border - don’t pay anything!

Report Check-In

Perú -> Bolivia: 1) Confirmed that the $160 visa is no longer required for U.S. citizens. 2) You can fill out the TIP right at aduana. It is pretty fast and simple, but double-check EVERYTHING! 3) Bolivia, like Mexico, does not allow importation of two vehicles in one person's name. We have a motorcycle with us, but the agent allowed us to put it in the other person's name on a second TIP (we wrote in the other name on the "title" as the buyer.)

Report Check-In

Entering Bolivia from Peru: EASY as well. Got our passport stamp, did the paperwork for the van, and were on our way. No need for insurance if you're staying 30 days or less. And did NOT have to obtain or pay for the US Visa; for now, they are waiving it. Easy border crossing, early in the morning (8:00am).

Report Check-In

Peru -> Bolivia

DOG OWNERS, cross here! Easiest border of the trip, starting in Canada. Out of Peru in 10min, in Bolivia in 20min. No one cared for our dog. Both Peru and Bolivia side wanted to see in our van, they both pet our dog and said feliz viaje. They didn’t care about our vegetables and fruits either, even if they were on the counter. The tourist card is a thing of the past, it doesn’t exist anymore. For the Bolivian TIP, fill it online before coming, you’ll save 30min.

If only they were all this easy and fast!

Report Check-In

The border pense ta 5am in the peruvian side and at 8:30am in the Bolivian side. At this date no problem to enter to Bolivia. The policemen said that right now it is safe traveling in Bolivia

Report Check-In

Bolivia -> Peru
Very easy border crossing. Park your van in front of the green house on left side (past the pawns) Get your stamps at migration and hand in your tip at the aduana. Then head to the Peruvian side, park in front of the gate. Go to migrations. Please not that they ask How long you want to stay and that this period is also the period for the TIP. Then go to the other side and here you do the process for Peru tip. No forms needed just a small check on the van and plates. They did not ask us for insurance. In total process of 30 minutes. Good luck to you all!

Report Check-In

WARNING ⚠️ leaving Bolivia
PLEASE check the stamp you receive at this border. We always do but forgot this time and they stamped us with an entry stamp instead of an exit one. The Peruvian side also made a mistake and we’re now stuck in Tacna at the migration office trying to resolve the problem as they won’t let us into Chile. We asked multiple times at this border if we’d completed everything correctly and they just waved us through- Please stay alert here - it’s such a hassle if they do it wrong.

Report Check-In

Bolivia —> Peru

Bit of a crazy border as many tourist buses pass through here. There was also some sort of parade on, which blocked the whole highway through town for 40 minutes. The wait in line took a while but they stamped our passports and exported the car very quickly. No fees at all except for some reason the Bolivian police wanted a copy of our TIP which we’ve never been asked for (cost: 2BOL).

Report Check-In

We needed 44 min to get the entry stamp for us and the TIP for our camper.
At the Migration we were told to go to the police after we got the TIP.
There is, next to the police, a shop where they do the paperwork on the website of aduana and print it for you - 10 Bs.
This paper you give to the aduana. After a really quick look (only from the door in our camper) we got the TIP.
Fast and friendly.

Report Check-In

Today was the wrong day to cross the border: there was a huge annual fiesta going on, with a market that basically blocked all traffic. We spent 1 hour crawling through pedestrian traffic just to reach this checkpoint.

From there, it's easy: have your document prepared in the little tienda (8 bilivianos) and proceed to aduana. Immigration painless as well.

For those who are traveling without insurance: Google search "Klaus and Claudia" and "abgefahren". You'll find a couple of world travelers near El Bolson (Argentina), that will arrange insurance for the whole of Mercosur online (takes a few days and several emails). That way, you won't have to worry about it again for the better part of South America.

Report Check-In

From Bolivia to Perú..
Bolivian side, easy peace, stamp stamp and have a nice trip, even though the ID of muy husband in the papers was totally wrong..
Peruvian side more paper work but no problems, the guy look the van from the outside and let us go..
Dogs owners--- they didnt had the senasa people that makes the control so they sent us to Desaguadero Border ..

Report Check-In

Getting out of Bolivia was really easy. Done in a few minutes.

Report Check-In

From Bolivia to Peru / French passeports / Chilean campervan :
We asked to the Bolivian police officers how to proceed, they told us we first had to register at the Bolivian police, just near the migration. The officer wrote our informations on a white paper then told us it costs 20Bol to be registered. We told him we were sincerely sorry but we had used all our bolivianos in Copacabana, and we had only 5. He just said 5Bol is ok, and we understood it’s more like a “tip” than an official fee... The police officers were extremely nice and friendly but they literally stole us our 5 last bolivianos...
Anyway after this comedy we went to Bolivian migration and aduana and it was super fast and easy. The same police officers opened us the way and we went to the Peruvian side, first migration than aduana, and it was very easy because the Peruvian staff was very friendly and relaxed. They asked for our insurance but they didn’t check the vehicle (they just asked if we had fruits)

Report Check-In

most frustrating border crossing in 12 months. we are american passports, canadian residency, canadian vehicle/plates/license. if from USA may be best to get your visa at embassy in Puno instead of border...
we got through peru easy and quickly, stamp on passport and canceled TIP in about 10mins total. no other people there at 11:35am.
got to bolivia border at 11:50am (12:50pm bolivia time). aduana guy said to get our passports done first before vehicle (we suspected he was going to lunch?)
office was open, no other people in line. we skimped on a couple bits of the “required paperwork” others mentioned as it sounded ridiculous. turns out that’s what they wanted... back and forth to the expensive copy shop and some fake reservations later we were on our way...

here’s what you need for USA passport — this list is per person:
1. passport
2. color copy of passport
3. passport sized color photo (got in puno)
4. confirmation of one night accommodation in bolivia (we used booking.com and canceled — make sure you book one you can cancel for free or not give your credit card info).
5. bank statement (black out account info — the worker showed us two previous travelers info to show us what we needed, so don’t expect them to respect your privacy)
6. proof of a return flight (we have a flight booked from buenos aires in a couple months and that worked fine. or make a reservation print then cancel.)
7. itinerary for your time in bolivia (we typed cities and days we planned on spending in each and that was fine).
8. $160 USD per person. we read you had to use cash. he deeply inspected each bill and rejected 4 — slight writing on it, small rip, stained, anything not perfect. he recommended using card to pay and we had to pay with card for the second person as he rejected too much of our cash. so i would say best to just use credit card.

the TIP for the van took about 5 minutes, asked guy for the info about insurance and he highlighted the bit about not needing it for less that 30 days but the cop was not around to bother us about insurance or stamp our paper or ask for money, so didn’t need it.

Report Check-In

As others have noted - you do not need insurance for your vehicle if you are in Bolivia for less than 30 days. The customs officer gave us a piece of paper stating this and let us make a few copies of it at the copy shop next door so we have it to present if needed.

Report Check-In

Filled out the tourist card. Got my stamp with 30 days. Nothing else needed with bicycle. Fast and straight forward.

Report Check-In

No bribes or anything requested, very professional seeming. We asked about insurance and the TIP guy pulled out a sheet and highlighted the line saying stays of less than 30 days don't require seguro. No police though we did just drive around a line of cones across the road ... didn't see anyone trying to stop us.

Report Check-In

This was very simple and luckily we turned up just before the places closed (we forgot about the 1 hour difference). It took about 10 minutes to do the TIP paperwork with the nice guy in the aduana office. He told us you only need insurance if in Bolivia over 30 days, and we had already purchased this online. We did not do the TIP paperwork online because I wasn't sure of some of the Spanish translations. This was no problem. We also did not have to pay for print outs etc. He gave us 180 days for the vehicle.

Next we were pointed just down the hill a few metres to Migracion where I sorted the paperwork for the visa's. You get this off the police guy, fill it in outside on the tables then return to one of the people in the booth's who then stamp you in and give you 30 days. He explained that you can get an extension stamp for 30 days, and then a subsequent 30 days. He would not give me more than 30 days to start with despite the vehicle having 180 days. Our friends have already extended in Bolivia (Sucre) and said it was very easy. We changed money at the shop next to migration for a rate equal to XE money.

Highly recommended border crossing for ease!

Report Check-In

Please dont bribe the last policeman at Bolivia side. He will insist that you need a SOAT but the regulations next door in Aduana clearly state that you dont need one for less than 30 days. He always extracts money with one way or the other. Dont give him anything. Border crossing is fairly easy. No copies, no delays. Check the photo with the no SOAT regulation.

Report Check-In

when entering Bolivia the police officer who needs to stamp the TIP said we would need to get seguro as police more inland don't know about the rule that you don't need one if you are in the country for less than 30 days.
so we went back to adana and took a picture of the rules. might come in handy.
police officer also asked for a tip to put the stamp on the paper. didn't get one

Report Check-In

Update on Bolivia border crossings:

To fast-track your TIP process (saved me two hours yesterday), you can fill in your car and owner details on this website:

http://www.aduana.gob.bo/aduana7/content/viajero

Choose option: Registro de vehiculos turisticos Form 249 (SIVETUR)

NO NEED TO PRINT OUT. Just give them the number that the website will show you.

For some reason they prefer if you have already done it and your process miraculously only takes 5-10 min.

Report Check-In

This is the Aduana office to register your vehicle, after you visit immigration.

Report Check-In

After 2,5 years on the road, this was the quickest and nicest border grossing! Friday at 17:00 we where on Peru border going to Bolivia. Nobody else here and after 10 minutes we had the exit stamp to our passports and aduana guy just stamped our TIP. Efficient. On Bolivian side again nobody else. Immigration asked us to fill the small paper form and stamped our passports. Next the Aduana guy was super nice and quickly filled all the info to the computer. As there is no such country like Estonia in their system, we are now Bolivianos :) Filled the “feel free to write anything” box for info about lacking the correct country and we where driving in Bolivia at 17:35 Nobody looked the vehicle or what’s in it on both sides.

Report Check-In

Easy border crossing after all visa formalities in puno. (Crossing Peru to Bolivia). Aduana super nice.

Things to know:
When the police stop you they will ask for the security - you do not need one for less than 30 days. We pulled together some of our random papers in English from other places to show as needed. They will ask where your first aid kit is and where the triangular road markers are (different than the cones). They will tell you you need to pay them some blush it's for them to stamp the tip- you don't have to pay them anything!!!!! We paid the first time then remembered a friend had warned us of this. The. Ext time we said we were on our way to the ministerio de tourism in the next city for an appointment to talk about the illegal police charges on car travelers and the police didn't ask us for any money and didn't stamp the copy of the tip....so do what you want...

Report Check-In

Peru to Bolivia:
Peru Side - Parked in front of vendors on the road. Immigration building on left. Presented tourist cards and passport to receive exit stamp. Aduana on right side of road. Presented TIP, official cancelled in computer, stamped TIP and gave us part of cancelled TIP to present for exit. 10 minutes on a Sunday @2 pm.

Bolivia - Parked on right in front of tiendas near cones. Immigration down steps on left near police office. Filled out simple form and presented passports w/visa. (U.S. Citizens - Received our Visa in Puno). Asked for 60 days, received 30 and advised to renew for 30 more in La Paz. Aduana on same side of street up the concrete stairs. Presented vehicle title and passport. Official filled out all info in his computer and printed two copies, signed & stamped. Advised to get additional copy at shop nearby (1 Bol) to present to police at gate/cones. Police never checked, just waved us on. 20 minutes. Easiest border crossing yet..since we already had our Visa.

Report Check-In

We traveled Bolivia to Peru, took us more than 1 hour.
At about 10-11am there were just a long cue which are passengers of 3 big buses. So someone came out to check everyone's papers, and didn't have problems or advices to our papers. But the guy behind the foreigner window asked one of us to hand on copies of his passport and stamped sites, then we needed to cue again. Second time, he asked copy of the small entry paper, then we needed to cue again. And the copyshop directly next door charge 1 bo/site (double than else where), and tried to cheat you with change money, better avoid!
Another of us had not more luck: The guy gave back passport without a leaving stamp. For the reason he didn't explain just said rudely "listo!" Later she got sent back from Peru immigration... Luckily the whole cue are gone. After some "por favor", they checked the taiwanese passport one after another, stamped on it finally.

Report Check-In

The VISA process is a bit cumbersome and time consuming but straightforward. The copy shop next store will help you print plane tickets and or hotel itineraries for La Paz... and the cancels them just as soon as they print ;) We ended up spending a few bucks in the copy shop but received everything we needed. They wanted passport, itinerary, passport photos and $160USD, they didn't ask for vaccination. The aduana for the vehicles was easy in and out in 5-10 minutes, no cost.

Report Check-In

Entering Bolivia. Park on the right in front of Aduana and immigration that's on the left. Head to immigration first. Get a paper slip first and fill it all out. Hand it over and get your passport stamped. Go to Aduana. He sent me to a woman's shop to use the computer to fill out an online Aduana form. She will help you as it's all in Spanish. Takes 5 minutes and costs 10bol to print out a copy. Take the copy back to Aduana. He will check it over with your docs and then give you the final paperwork. Head back to immigration, next door is an office for police. He will stamp your paperwork. You're free to go.

The computer process was a strange for me and still not convinced about it. 26 countries and I've never had to do that. However, it's real easy and no money apart from The printing. The border is super quiet and relaxed. No problems.

Oh and you can collect your Bolivia sticker here from the same lady who does the computer work for you.

Report Check-In

going from Peru to Bolivia. border closed for lunch at 12:20 instead of the posted 13:00. so I had to wait 1.5 hours. immigration was still open and quick. no way to get more than 30 days here. the guy asked me how many I wanted. I said 60 he said nobody gets more than 30 here. need to extend in la Paz. I could also already fill in the digital customs form for my van at the little kiosk on the right side of immigration, next to the police office on the same side of the street. form costs 4 soles or 6 Bob. aduana opened exactly on time at 2. form there took 2 min. police needs to stamp to and wants a copy of the second aduana form. police did not ask for bribes.
actual time at offices 15 minutes. time waiting for lunch break 1.5h.
costs: 6 Bob for form, 2 Bob for copy. shops take not soles and Bob.

Report Check-In

We had no Problem at all. 2
Person and one Big Rig and 1 Motocylye

We went to the Town for Insurance with Taxi. Easy work, back and no Problem at the Border.

Report Check-In

Easy border to cross the workers not very gently but who cares, anyways at the end when the police man has stamped the paper he asked openly some " tip" and we said we didn't have money he told us he would accept even in another currency. we kept saying no and he stops and let us go.

Report Check-In

Stop paying bribes at this border. It was an easy crossing. Nice and quiet. Very straight forward. STOP PAYING BRIBES. It makes it hard for the next traveller coming through.

Report Check-In

We arrived late afternoon around 4pm on a thursday, very quiet except one or two buses but we were just in front so had migracion and aduana offices to ourselves. Migracion was easy and took 1 min, aduana was a tough cookie this time mostly because our paperwork was maybe not perfect. we had extended our TIP whilst leaving our van at Quinta Lala in Cusco where Mili had helped us thouroughly with every step. But the first thing this latino version of Schwarzenegger said was that we needed the original TIP not the copy. The aduana in Cusco had the original so make sure you keep this, it's just another thing for them to ask for a bribe. After we had settled that, he told is our license plate was not in the system as the Aduana in Tumbes (where we entered Peru) had not put it in the system. He told us to go to the internet shop opposite and call the aduana in Tumbes or go to the other border crossing at Aguadero. When we refused both and told them we had all correct documents and it was their responsibility to call Tumbes he told us to wait. But it could take until tomorrow he warned. When he noticed we didn't stress out and had time, he called us back into the office after 30 mins and said all was OK and that Tumbes had given us the clear to go. All in all a bit strange...but we've had worse. Bolivian side was very easy, correct and clear. Be warned: both our vehicle and ourselves only got 30 days, we asked for more but were told we have to apply for this in La Paz aduana (for us) or any other aduana office for the vehicle. We were also explicitly told to not loose the original TIP document, then your car will be conviscated when you next enter Bolivia. Last thing; we did get our Bolivian TIP stamped at the kind police station next to migracion.
In the end the whole process took us 2 hours.

Report Check-In

crossing from Bolivia to Peru;
for both directions border opening: 8:00-13:00 + 14:00-20:00 bolivian time; peruvian time is -1h;
money exchange at both sides;

Leaving Bolivia:
1. Bol. Migration: drive until the traffic cones and park there; in the migration office on the right side handover your persons entry form and your passport to the rightmost counter for "Foreigners";
you'll get the exit stamp from Bolivia;
2. Bol. Aduana: drive around the cones some meter ahead until the rope barrier; on the right side is the aduana office; handover the aduana form of the car from the entry border, the officer checks the license plate number and opens the rope...

Entering Peru:
1. Peru Migration: drive ahead to the peruvian street barrier and park there; on the right side just behind the barrier in the control office or from an officer at the door you'll get a form for the persons entry; fill out the form with 90 days staying and give it with your passport to the counter clerk; you'll get the entry stamp in the passport and the stamped second part of the form;
2. Peru Aduana: buildung on the left side of the street; handover the car license, driver license, the owner passport and the insurance policy valid for Peru; you'll get then a document for the car and the officer fills out a SUNAT sticker "Certificado de Internacion Temporal" with the expire date, owners name, license plate number,..; he comes to your car and puts the sticker at the inside of the windshield; he opens the barrier and you can enter Peru...

Report Check-In

From Peru to Bolivia, two European Union citizens, car registered in Chile, still having only authorisation (poder), not padron: If you somehow get to Peru having the authorisation only, which seem to be unlikely to us, then expect troubles, even though you actually leave the country. We clearly got the authorisation to enter Peru a week ago by a huge luck so now the guy decided to push us. He asked us 30 minutes how much did we have to pay, how did we do it to get Audana permision and he threatened us that our car has to stay in Peru, called to many other offices, but finally as usually playing a role of little-stupid-but-still-polite-and-never-bribing-anyone-foreigner worked well and we got exit papers. Immigration for both Peru and Bolivia very simple as usually, they do not care very much. Bolivian Aduana friendly, not happy from poder, but still accepted without problems. They checked our VIN number, but did not really looked inside the car. Finally we went to police office, where really friendly guy asked for first aid kit (but did not check it), cigarettes and alcohol and then asked for some 20Bs as a community support. After hell time on Peruvian side we gave him 20Bs with a smile because we did not come here to heal and end the corruption problem as this is a target for their government and not for us...and then we finally left the border once forever.

Report Check-In

As per other reviews, wasted an hour in Puno looking for Bolivian car insurance (didn't find in Puno)
Made it to the border JUST in time for closing (7pm Bolivian time, not 8pm) and found out that automobile insurance is optional, not mandatory! Got our passports stamped (long lineup) and got the car from Peru to Bolivia in the nick of time! Very friendly people at the border, was a good crossing experience. One person highly recommended going back to Peru to buy/stock up on gasoline as tourist gas rates are very high in Bolivia!

Report Check-In

Easy border crossing from Peru to Bolivia. We wanted to be very clever and buy the insurance in Desaguadero before crossing in Yunguyo. Crossing the bridge in Desaguadero by foot without immigration process was no problem but then no one could tell us if and where it is possible to buy SOAT there. So we also ended up without insurance at this border post. And found out that you don't need an insurance if you are staying less than 30 days with a foreign license plate. Problem solved, at least for our duration of stay. By the way: there was no police checkpoint on a Sunday!

Report Check-In

It looks like the customs document you get from the Aduana Nacional de Bolivia depends on where you enter the country — and there are subtle differences that you should be aware of:
- In Yacuiba (May 2016) entering from Argentina, we received a document titled "Acuerdo Boliviano-Argentino" that was divided into sections titled "Datos *Personales*", "Datos del Vehiculo", etc. It was valid for 6 months.
- In Puerto Quijarro (July 2016) entering from Brazil, we received a document titled "Ingreso y Salida de Vehiculos Turisticos" that was divided into sections titled "Datos del *Conductor* (=driver)", "Datos del Vehiculo", etc. It was valid for 1 month only.
In Santa Cruz the police hassled us for infringing the law because I was listed as the Conductor (see second case, above) while my partner was driving. If they issue the second type of document to you and you are several people driving the car, you may want to insist they list the additional drivers on that form before you sign it.

Also the police hassled us for not carrying an "Orden de Traslado", a specific permit issued by local police stations that authorizes a given foreign vehicle to drive from A to B. (N.B. This document is not a phantom, I've see Brazilian drivers carrying it!). We got away by claiming that the customs officer (aduanero) explicitly stated we were free to travel around the country and didn't need any other documents other than what he issued us with — and by standing our grounds for up to 20 minutes. Don't pay tips, bribes or fines if hassled. Be polite and show that you have infinite time to ride this one out. Never admit any law infringement unless they point you to the relevant paragraph and you understand that paragraph and you actually did do something wrong.

Report Check-In

Two Dutch citizens and a Dutch vehicle crossing from Peru to Bolivia. Peru straightforward, 15 min. Bolivia also straightforward, 30 min. Customs briefly checked car and checked VIN. Immigration gave us only 30 days although we requested 90 (we got 90 days at an earlier border crossing, but showing the stamp didn't help). Customs gave us 90 days for the car. We didn't fill out anything on the Internet before. Police asked for the insurance. We have an insurance covering Chile, Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Bolivia, so this was no issue.

Report Check-In

To confirm, no insurance agency for either country here, 2 ladies selling currency, 1 staff at Aduana. crossing open until 8pm. No hostel at the crossing.

Report Check-In

Very easy border crossing. For entering Bolivia: Park on the road and walk to the migration first. You need to fill in a tourists-form and then go to one of the counters with the form and your passport. Leave the building and turn left to the copy shop. Ask there to fill in the vehicle import form online (costs Bs 10), the owner will help you. Don't forget to print it out! Make a copy of your passport and one of the vehicle title. Next go to the Aduana with the printout and the copies. They maybe will check the VIN or look in your car before doing the paperwork. At the end you will receive a temporary import allowance. Take it and bring it to the police station next to the immigration. They will check your vehicle insurance and your international drivers license. If everything is fine, you will get another stamp and you're free to enter Bolivia!

Report Check-In

Note Bolivian time is 1 hour ahead of Peru (so closed 1200 to 1300 Peru time). Exiting Peru very quick, no cost. Vehicle import application for Bolivia has to be filled out on internet. Cost 10b +1b per photo copy (they wanted 2 of the immigration form). Make sure you tell them if you want more than 30 days! They guy that issued our permit was very friendly but took 3 times as long to amend permit after entering 30 days. Finally the police asked for SOAT and International driving licence (and pointed to a sign on the wall). We had neither and they first asked for 20sol, we had already changed our sol so he asked for 20 Bol instead, I didn't argue!

Report Check-In

Border Crossing: Peru / Bolivia on December 19th, 2013 | Posted at  http://www.vangabonds.com/border-crossing-peru-bolivia/

We cross borders by land in a CR-V with US passports and our two dogs. We do not carry drugs or weapons or disallowed fruit (usually). 

When, Where, and Which Direction: December 7, 2013 – Yunguyo, Peru > Copacabana, Bolivia

What We Needed:
Passports (and 1 copy of passenger’s passport and 2 copies of driver’s passport),Peruvian Tourist Cards,Peruvian Auto Import Permit, Bolivian Visa Application Form http://bolivia.usembassy.gov/media/pdfs/consacs/d75.pdf ,A 2″ x 2″ color passport photo each,$270 in immaculate USD bills,Vehicle Title (and 1 copy),Vehicle Registration (and 1 copy), andDriver’s License (and 1 copy).There were also a number of additional items that we had read we might need and did not, but had with us anyway. Even though we didn’t use them, it still seems worth it in retrospect to have spent a few cents for copies as insurance in case we were asked to produce such items. They were:Confirmation of our lodging while in Bolivia,An “ itinerary http://www.vangabonds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Bolivia-Itinerary.pdf ” for our time in the country,Yellow Fever Vaccination Records (and a copy of each), andA credit card with one of our names on it to show economic solvency.The Process: The border is marked by a stone archway that can be seen from a fair distance. A chain across the road on the Peruvian side marks their border area. Park along the side of the road or in the gravel lot behind the buildings on the left side of the road which can be accessed immediately before the chain. Go to green building on the left side of the road where a policeman will stamp your tourist card. Then go to the yellow building next door that says “Control Migratorio Kasani Peru” to turn in your tourist card and receive your exit stamp in your passport. Next, cross the street to the white aduana building where an agent will process the cancellation of your temporary vehicle import permit. We were asked only for the permit despite having read that we may need our SOAT (Peruvian insurance) and were given a portion of the permit paper with a cancellation stamp to take with us.

Drive over the chain, up the hill, and through the stone archway. Park in the gravel lot directly to your left before the gate across the road. Walk down the hill, past the aduana building and the restroom to the migración building, all of which are on the left side of the road. Request a tourist form and fill it out. An agent may come by to check paperwork. Once the form is completed (or whenever they ask), supply the agent at the window on the far left with your passport, photocopy of passport, visa application form, tourist form, 2″ x 2″ passport photo, newly finished tourist form, and $135 in immaculate US dollar bills. He will organize everything on his end and then supply you with a tourist card. Take your passport and tourist card to the next window over (to the right) for an entrance stamp.

Next, head back up the hill towards the aduana office. Once inside, look into the first door on the right and let the agent working there know that you need a temporary auto import permit. He will need a copy of your title, a copy of your registration (if your plates aren’t listed on your title as ours aren’t), a copy of the driver’s passport, and possibly a copy of the driver’s license. Wait for five minutes while he kindly and efficiently creates and prints your permit. Sign by the x and then be sent on your way. After passing through the gate, an officer will request to see the auto import permit (and perhaps other documents, but that was not the case for us) before setting you free in Bolivia.

Note 1: The visa fee and paperwork apply to US citizens, but not to citizens of all countries. If you are not a US citizen, do further research.
Note 2: Vehicles from a handful of nearby countries can complete the process for the temporary auto import permit online prior to arrival at aduana.gov.bo. We read a poster all about it.
Costs: The only cost on either side of the border is the $135 USD per person reciprocity fee charged for entrance to Bolivia.

Dogs: The closest that anyone ever got to our car was when we were driving into Bolivia with documents in tow. An officer approached the vehicle, and Ian stretched his arm out as far as he could. The officer seemed fine not having to walk further, refused our passports when we offered them, and sent us on our way. Since crossing the Darien and having purchased enclosed kennels (and also having to rearrange the way we pack to make room for them), we’ve left one kennel accessible on travel days. When we near a border, we put the top half on and toss some items around it so that it’s not quite as obvious that we have pets. If asked, we would tell the agent immediately that we had two dogs and offer up the paperwork that we always carry, prepared to pay whatever fee they’d ask, but it’s just nice when we don’t have to deal with that.

Our Experience: Due to character limits, this section is available at  http://www.vangabonds.com/border-crossing-peru-bolivia/ .

For photos, view the post at:  http://www.vangabonds.com/border-crossing-peru-bolivia/

Report Check-In

This post is from Logan and Brianna Pribbeno of  PanAm Notes http://www.panamnotes.com . To read their full experience and see photos, see the detailed article at:  http://panamnotes.com/2011/09/bolivia-border-crossing-specifics-for-us-residents/

We crossed from Peru into Bolivia at the Yunguyo border town on a Sunday afternoon. This is a relaxed border mainly used for travel to Copacabana. There is a one hour time change between the two countries. We arrived at the Peruvian immigration office at 1PM (Peru time) and finished six minutes later. The Bolivian entry process was similarly quick, we were in and out in less than thirty minutes.
Peruvian Immigration and Police Office

Drive all the way up to the chain barrier on the Peru side, park on the right. Get your tourist cards stamped at the police office (green building) across the street (left). Go next door to give up your tourist cards and obtain your exit stamps in the immigration office (yellow building). Go back across the street (right) to the white aduana building to give up your vehicle permit. We were not asked to produce any originals or copies at this point. You are now checked out of Peru.

Drive under the cement overhang and up to the iron gate, park on the right. Go to immigration for your entry stamps and visa. This step requires the following:
$135 cash in US dollars per person (each bill will be inspected rigorously, no rips or tears)2 color passport photos (2 inches x 2 inches)Bolivian Visa  Form [LINK: http://www.boliviawdc.com/index.php?option=com_smartformer&formid=18] Bolivian tourist form obtained at immigrationBolivia Immigration and Money Exchange

It is possible to show up at the border with just $135 US cash. You can complete all the necessary paperwork on the spot. Completing the visa form in advance online saves you some time. If you don’t have a picture for your visa they appear to have a large stash of leftover photos and will try to match you up as best they can with a stranger.
The above was all we needed, but the following additional items may be required depending on the border official’s mood:

Hotel reservationCountry itinerary (both can be created in your email)Yellow Fever vaccination cardBank statement or copy of credit card proving economic solvencyWe did not have exact change for our visa fee which we heard was necessary but the officials provided change to us. Results may vary. We found that anticipating every step really speeds the process along and eliminates areas where a border official may require a bribe. We received a 90 day visa with no problems.

The white aduana building is up the hill to the left of the immigration office. In order to import your vehicle into Bolivia you will need to show your original title, a copy of your title, and a copy of your passport. We received 90 days on the import permit without issue. Our official stamped the form, opened the gate, and we were officially in Bolivia.

Bolivia Aduana
Most people we’ve spoken with have had to find a police officer to provide a second stamp on the import permit and to open the gate. No such instruction was given to us!
At no point were we asked to pay anything other than the $135 visa fee. Nearly all of our border crossings have been on a Sunday afternoon. We feel this has played a role in our good luck with borders. On Fridays, border agents are thinking about funding their imminent bar tab. While on Sundays, they’re fresh from repentance in church.

Copacabana is a quick eight km drive from the border where you can dine on trout and camp on the beach for free. We’ve heard there is one ATM in town but we never found it. The exchange rate on the Bolivian side is much better than on the Peruvian side.

Report Check-In

From my early 2010 border crossing - blog at A Few More Miles http://afewmoremiles.com/2010/03/08/bolivia/
The border crossing via Yunguyo, Peru was simple. The only hitch upon entering Bolivia for US citizens is the $135 USD visa fee. Their government does this because the USA charges Bolivians a similar rate to apply for a US visa.

The map shows a road that crosses over the isthmus of Lake Titicaca. I assume there’s a bridge. Nope, instead there’s a “ferry” service. Here I am with my sweet Colombian rain jacket riding across the choppy lake in the pouring rain.

Report Check-In

This post is from Life Remotely. To read their full experience and see photos, see the detailed article at  http://liferemotely.com/trip-shenanigans/bolivia/257-peru-to-bolivia-border-crossing

Border name: Yunguyo
Closest major cities: Puno, Peru and Copacabana, Bolivia
Cost for Visas: USD$135 for US citizens, Bs360 (USD$51) for South Africans
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 1 hour
Date crossed: Friday October 5, 2012

The StepsDrive up to the chain across the road, park on the right or left.Go to the police office just to the right of the immigration building. An official here will stamp your tourist card.Go to the immigration building and hand over your passport and tourist card. The official will stamp both and keep your tourist card.Go to the white aduana building across the street and hand in your vehicle permit.Go to the other police office next to the aduana building. The officer may ask some basic questions and ask to see your insurance for Peru.Drive across to Bolivia, under the arch, park just before the gate on the right or left.Go to the immigration building and fill out necessary paper work, hand in documents and pay fees.

US citizens: Need one passport photo, a completed tourist card, a completed visa form (both available at immigration), a copy of your passport photo page and a whopping $135 in USD.
South African citizens need: A completed tourist card and Bs360 (USD$51).The official will place a visa sticker in your passport and take all your money.Go to the aduana building up the hill (to the left of immigration), hand in the driver’s passport, vehicle title and a copy of each. The official will issue a vehicle permit.Go to the transito office on the opposite side of immigration. Someone will enter the driver’s information and vehicle information into a ledger and will stamp the back of your vehicle permit paper.Find a police officer to open the gate.Note: The Bolivian aduana office closes between 1:00–2:00pm Bolivia time, this is 12:00-1:00 Peru time. Plan accordingly.

Report Check-In

This is a guest post from  2 For The Road http://www.2fortheroad.co.uk/index.php/2012/09/18/info-kasani-border-crossing-bolivia-to-peru  for a September 2012 Crossing.

RouteCopacabana, Bolivia – Puno, Peru (RN2, RN3S)Distance143KmTravel Time3 hoursRoad ConditionsMostly asphalt, roadworks exiting Copacabana, dogs!WeatherSunnyTerrainHilly, Lakeside, BouldersFood and PetrolFrequentAccommodation Hostal Tumi, PunoWe knew there was a border crossing to Peru via Copacabana. Finding it was not as easy as we had imagined.

Leaving Copacabana to the SouthWest, first we tried to fill up our tanks with some of that poor quality -cheap Bolivian petrol to give us a “soft landing” in Peru. However the petrol station would not sell to us at the reduced local rate, and even a private petrol seller refused us after a bit of negotiation on price. This upset us a bit at first, but looking back, it was probably the best scenario because the border customs guy, though friendly, did ask us whether we have any petrol in our tanks and I expect that he may have confiscated it were they to have been full.

The route to the border was as follows:
Leave the town on the main road (Av 16 Julio) SouthWest, which crosses with the main tourist strip (Calle Jauregui) in town. Turn right at the T-junction on to the Ruta Nacional 2 (the road with the petrol station if you had gone left).
This coastal route turns to sand shortly after leaving town and after less than 1Km there’s a steep looking dirt track heading up the hill to your left – take this turn off up the track. (You may have to ask around a bit if this description isn’t clear enough but I recommend asking a few sources and comparing results before you move on.) The road alternates between dirt and asphalt for at least 2Km and then eventually becomes an asphalted road which leads to the border crossing at Kasani.
The Bolivian side of the border crossing is of course closed from 13:00 to 14:00 so be sure to time it right or be prepared to wait – we lost time finding this route so we waited. Border exit formalities were quick and painless. The Bolivian aduana officer looked a bit miserable but didn’t give us any hassles luckily.

The Peruvian guys were all quite friendly – they came and stood with Ebru at the bike and chatted away while I went to sort out paperwork. Peruvian customs was computerized and straight forward. The only thing I had to do was get some photocopies of documents, but there were facilities right next door, including money changers aplenty at both the Bolivian and Peruvian sides.
The road to Puno continues on good tarmack.

Report Check-In