My Honest Review of Peru Hop: An Affordable Way to See the Country
Peru Hop is a popular hop-on-hop-off bus service that offers travelers a convenient and flexible way to explore Peru’s top destinations, including Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Huacachina, and Puno, among others. The company operates modern and comfortable buses equipped with amenities such as Wi-Fi, reclining seats, onboard entertainment, and bilingual guides. One of the key features of Peru Hop is its flexibility, allowing passengers to customize their itineraries and travel at their own pace. Travelers can choose from a variety of passes and routes, depending on their preferences and interests. Whether you’re interested in exploring ancient ruins, hiking through the Andes, or relaxing on sandy beaches, Peru Hop offers a range of options to suit every traveler’s needs.
Photo Credit: Peru Hop Website
In May of 2022, we booked the “Full South to Cusco” route that began in Lima. The cost for this specific trip is $219 and runs from Lima - Paracas - Huacachina - Arequipa - Puno - Cusco. The minimum time required to take this route is 6 days, but you are able to stay in any of the stops for as long as you’d like. We ended up taking 9 days to get from Lima to Cusco, with additional nights spent in Huacachina and Puno along the way.
In addition to transportation, Peru Hop provides a range of additional services and benefits, including guided tours, accommodation bookings, and assistance with activities and excursions. The company also prides itself on its commitment to safety and sustainability, with trained drivers, modern vehicles, and initiatives to minimize its environmental impact. Our trip included a boat tour to the Paracas National Reserve, a tasting and tour of a pisco vineyard which was so fun, as well as a stop at the Nazca Lines viewing tower between Huacachina and Arequipa. We also did the add-on tours for sandboarding in Huacachina and a visit to Rainbow Mountain after we arrived in Cusco. Booking each of these tours was so easy, and the guides on the bus gave honest recommendations for how we should spend our time in Peru. If we would have had more time, I would have loved to book the trip to the Colca Canyon from Arequipa or Isla del Sol from Puno.
Note: This tour also now includes a free tour of the Secret Slave Tunnels in Hacienda San Jose, south of Lima. This attraction was still closed in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, not allowing Peru Hop to include it on their trips.
Photo Credit: Peru Hop Website
My favorite thing about Peru Hope is the flexibility it provides to travel Peru. The ability to hop on and off the bus at any of the scheduled stops along the way allowed us to customize our itinerary and see as much of the country as our tight schedule allowed. I also really enjoyed the social aspect of using this service, as it provided many opportunities to meet and connect with other like-minded travelers from around the world, creating a beautiful social and communal atmosphere on board the buses and during guided tours. We ended up sharing a room in a hostel in Huacachina with one of the guys we met on the bus ride there, and are still in contact to this day!
Peru Hop also provides additional services and benefits, such as airport transfers, luggage storage, and assistance with activities and excursions. Passengers can also access discounts and special offers at partner establishments, including restaurants, shops, and attractions. They are also able to help with booking accommodation in each stop, often getting a discount with hotels and hostels they partner with.
The bilingual guides employed by Peru Hop are knowledgeable about the destinations along the routes, providing valuable insights into the culture, history, and attractions of each place visited. On the bus between each stop, our guides would share interesting and helpful tips and tricks about the history of the location and how to make the most of our time there.
The buses are comfortable and recline slightly to allow for a better night’s sleep during overnight journeys. There is an extendable footrest for added comfort as well. Small pillows and light travel blankets are provided for the overnight trips, but I would recommend a travel neck pillow for the most comfort. Make sure to bring a USB charger for your electronics, as there is a port available for each seat on the bus. I also recommend bringing toilet paper with you, as there was not always enough available on the bus or at the stops we made along the journey.
Photo Credit: Peru Hop Website
While Peru Hop offers many benefits and conveniences for travelers, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. The top aspects I considered before booking this service were:
Limited Routes
Peru Hop operates on set routes with scheduled stops, which may not align perfectly with every traveler's itinerary or desired destinations. While Peru Hop covers many of Peru's top destinations, there are some off-the-beaten-path locations that may not be included in their routes, limiting opportunities for more immersive and authentic experiences.
Fixed Schedule
The buses operate on fixed schedules, so travelers must adhere to specific departure times and may not have the flexibility to linger longer in certain destinations if they wish. I would have liked to have a few more hours in Paracas to explore before continuing to Huacachina, but I felt we were rushed back on the bus after our tour of the Paracas National Reserve. This could have been solved by staying a night in Paracas, but unfortunately that was not an option with our tight schedule and not at all the fault of the company.
Group Tours
Some travelers may prefer the freedom of exploring on their own rather than being part of a guided group tour, which is the format of Peru Hop's service. We were at the liberty of the other passengers, and in one case, ended up having to wait for a while before leaving one of our stops due to a group of travelers being late to the bus.
Overnight Buses
In order to get from Huacachina to Arequipa and Puno to Cusco, you will have to take the bus overnight. This is not ideal, but due to the vast space between cities and mountainous/desert terrains, it does take longer to travel overland. It’s not for everyone and certainly isn’t the most comfortable night sleep I’ve ever had, but it is still the best way to keep costs low!
While Peru Hop can be a convenient and enjoyable way to explore Peru, it may not be the best fit for every traveler depending on their preferences, budget, and travel style. It's essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully and consider alternative transportation options before making a decision.
Overall, the flexibility, price, and convenience of Peru Hop made it the best choice for our trip. I was also very impressed with the level of service we received from the company. On our way to Peru, our flight was delayed, which resulted in arriving in the country 24 hours later than we planned. On short notice, they were able to put us on the bus for the following day at no extra charge, as well as helped us get caught up to our original itinerary with missing as few activities as possible. They truly went above and beyond to accommodate our situation, and it speaks to the quality of the staff at this company. Later in our trip, I got my passport stolen (along with the paper copies I had brought… Rookie mistake, I know). The police requested a copy to fill out the police report, and thankfully my boyfriend remembered that the company had scanned our passports during our first day on the bus. Even though it was late at night, we were able to email them and they got me a copy of my passport right away! I was so thankful that they helped make filing the police report easier, several days after we ended our route with them.
I am so glad we found this service, and would gladly recommend it to any traveler visiting Peru! It was an enjoyable, reliable, and hassle-free way to explore Peru’s diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and iconic attractions. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a group of friends, or a family, Peru Hop offers a convenient and enjoyable travel experience that allows you to make the most of your time in Peru.
This company also operates similar hop on hop off tours in both Ecuador and Bolivia. You can also include a trip to La Paz, Bolivia with your Peru trip. At the end of our Peru Hop tour, they gave us a discount code to book either of their other country tours. I will absolutely be going back one day to visit both Ecuador and Bolivia!