Online bus reservations from La Paz to Chili or Peru

Instead of a bus ticket, you can use a hotel reservation. I had the same problem with American as they would not let me board without two extra passport pictures. For hotel reservations, I used an email from hotel Sagarnaga, in La Paz. They will reserve a room and send you the email without you paying in advance.

If that doesn't work, email the hotel and their in house travel agency can get you a bus ticket.

I'm also wondering the same thing as Dustin_B. I have a one-way ticket to Lima, Peru and need a super cheap or refundable bus/plane ticket out of Peru. I also have been having a really difficult time trying to find buses online. Will the hotel idea really work? I'm flying Spirit.

Thanks,
Eliza

Thanks xinloi, but we actually need both a hotel reservation (which we have) and proof of onward or return travel. I talked to American and they confirmed this. (We also need $135 cash and passport pics). If I can't find a way to book a bus or train ticket online then I like your idea of contacting a travel agent. I hadn't thought of that. Thanks, and any other advice/suggestions greatly appreciated.

None of the bus companies in Bolivia have an online booking service and there is only one travel agency that has a full online booking service that you can pay for tours and transport online. I cant give you the name though as I own the company but its easy to find through google (hint - book bus online bolivia - should do the trick)

I had several tourist agencies in Bolivia get me bus tickets instead of me getting a taxi out to a bus station to buy tickets----but As I reported before they try to get you to buy expensive tickets on deluxe overnight buses and tell you day time buses are not available. I'm sure any travel agency in La Paz can get you the bus ticket you need.

Interesting side note--while in Sucre I tried to buy a airline ticket between La Paz and Rurre--local agencies could tell me if seats were available but could not sell me a ticket--I had to get a taxi to the Sucre Airport and actually had a baggage handler for the airline open up their computer and arrange for my ticket for a flight when I returned to La Paz by bus. Had to pay in cash. On bus to La Paz, I was with two French backpackers who were also headed to Rurre. After the bus ride to La Paz we all headed to the airport. I got on the flight but they were told there were no seats available and had to wait until the next day. There were at least 7 vacant seats on the plane!

Thanks tunabagel! This would be exactly what we are looking for except there doesn't appear to be any trips out of Bolivia. As far as I could tell on the website, this is only for online bookings entirely within Bolivia. Seems like a great website but I don't see any destinations outside of Bolivia. Am I missing something? If I could book a ticket to Arica, Chile from this website we would book it now.

We have to have proof to show our airline that we are leaving the country within 90 days or they will not let us board.

As of now its looking like we are going to have to book a fully refundable air ticket (which is going to tie up a lot of money until it gets refunded).

there are actually buses on there going to Cusco, Puno, Arequipa, Lima etc - as you said a bus to Peru would work aswell. But you might want to try searching for Arica one more time now ;-)

(ps - i know if says paper ticket only which is true but I could send you a voucher that you could use for your visa application that has the bus ticket information , dates, times etc. We often use vouchers with certain bus companies anyway)

Thanks tunabagel. This is exactly what we needed! very helpful and great looking site.