Last Updated on February 15, 2025
Traveling by bus in Bolivia is considerably riskier than in other countries, and significantly more so than in developed nations. Thieves are constantly on the lookout for unsuspecting tourists traveling between cities and key destinations. Additionally, driver regulations aren’t stringent, leading to many poorly skilled drivers. Furthermore, buses are often old and in disrepair. However, some bus companies offer a slightly safer experience.
Three slightly safer bus companies in Bolivia are Bolivar, Trans Copacabana S.A., and Trans Copacabana M.E.M. 1. They have better buses, better drivers, lower accident rates, and are the preferred choice for both tourists and affluent Bolivians. However, they cannot protect you from theft.
In this article, we’ll discuss the safest bus companies in Bolivia, their actual level of safety, how to protect yourself while traveling by bus in the country (taking your own precautions), and the most significant dangers and threats you’ll face.
Reality Check: No Bus Company in Bolivia is Truly Safe
There isn’t a substantial difference in the safety provided by different bus companies in Bolivia. The main bus companies don’t vary significantly in terms of safety, and the security you experience *primarily depends on your own efforts* and precautions.
This is because the bus industry in Bolivia is heavily regulated, *even down to the prices they can charge*. These restrictions hinder fair competition in an open market, *making it challenging for a superior company to emerge and offer enhanced services*, including exceptional safety features.
Therefore, in general, safety when traveling on Bolivian buses depends largely on you and your own precautions.
You need to consider several aspects of security when traveling with different bus companies in Bolivia:

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- Risk of accidents. The best bus companies in Bolivia have more modern buses *and a generally lower accident rate*. They also employ better drivers. Therefore, choosing one of the top companies is advisable. In our opinion and based on our experience, the best three are Bolivar, Trans Copacabana S.A., and Trans Copacabana M.E.M. 1.
- Risk of assault. No bus company can eliminate the risk of being assaulted by a robber or pickpocket inside the bus. You must take your own precautions to prevent this. (We’ll discuss these precautions in more detail in a later section.)
- Risk of losing your belongings. If you’re carrying valuable items, you should never rely on bus companies to safeguard them. However, the best bus companies in the country may offer more reliable and secure luggage handling.
- Risk of poisoning. Thieves sometimes poison their victims to steal their possessions on Bolivian buses. Therefore, you must be extremely cautious about accepting anything from strangers on the bus, among other precautions.
In general, regarding safety, the best bus companies in Bolivia can offer fewer accidents, better drivers, and more modern buses. They also have more reliable baggage handling systems. However, they can’t truly prevent you from being assaulted, losing your belongings, or even being poisoned. Therefore, take all necessary precautions to avoid these situations.
The 3 Relatively Safer Bus Companies in Bolivia
Now, we’ll present the safest bus companies in Bolivia, although there isn’t a significant difference between them, and explain why they are considered safer.
A) Bolivar
This is by far the best and most reliable bus company in Bolivia. It also has the following safety advantages:
- It has the most modern buses of any company.
- It has demonstrated a significantly lower accident rate over the years.
- It employs better and more experienced bus drivers.
- It’s the preferred choice for tourists from developed countries.
- It’s the top choice for high-income and wealthy Bolivian travelers.

Despite these advantages, as we mentioned earlier, this bus company cannot prevent theft within the bus. Thieves may employ various strategies to steal your belongings, such as assaulting you while you’re sleeping, poisoning you to induce sleep, or switching your luggage. So take precautions
Therefore, to mitigate these risks, you must take all necessary precautions. We discuss these measures in detail in the final section of this guide.
B) Trans Copacabana S.A.
This bus company also has more modern buses than most, a better safety record, and covers more routes than any other company in Bolivia. However, beyond these factors, this company is similar to others in terms of safety.

Wealthy Bolivians and many tourists also choose this bus company, as it’s the largest and has a good reputation in the country.
Despite these minor advantages in safety, you should always take your own precautions to avoid any risks with this or any other Bolivian bus company.
C) Trans Copacabana M.E.M. 1
Many Bolivians also choose this company because it’s one of the most reliable and has reasonably good and modern buses. We haven’t heard of many serious accidents involving this company in recent years.

However, despite this, you must always take necessary precautions regarding other security aspects, such as being assaulted inside the bus.

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These Three Bus Companies Compared to Others
Unlike other Bolivian bus companies, such as:
- El Dorado
- Bolivar (Not to be confused with the recommended “Bolivar” company)
- Cosmos
- Naser
- And others
The three safer companies mentioned – Bolivar, Trans Copacabana S.A., and Trans Copacabana M.E.M 1 – are less frequently involved in serious accidents, offering a) a lower accident rate, b) better buses, and c) better drivers.
We have a comprehensive guide on the best bus companies available in Bolivia and why we consider them the best, not only in terms of safety but also in various other aspects of their services: Best bus companies of Bolivia: All you need to know.
How to Stay Safe When Taking a Bus in Bolivia
Now that you know that Bolivian bus companies can’t offer extensive safety measures beyond fewer accidents, better buses, and better drivers, *you must take responsibility for your own safety when traveling within Bolivia*.
Here are some important safety precautions you can take:
- Travel during the day.
- Carry your valuable items with you.
- Travel with a group.
- Never accept anything from anyone on the bus or at the bus station.
- Choose the best bus companies for your travels.
- Purchase a seat on the left side in the middle of the bus.
1) Travel During the Day
Whenever possible, travel only during daylight hours in Bolivia, and avoid falling asleep while on the bus. *Thieves often exploit this situation at night* to steal luggage and valuable items or even assault passengers, particularly if they are alone.
This is especially concerning if the person sitting next to you is a thief. They will take advantage of the situation, and when you’re sleeping, they may steal your belongings without you noticing.
Other individuals, not necessarily sitting next to you, can also take advantage of you being alone and asleep, grabbing your possessions without your awareness. *Therefore, whenever feasible, travel only during daylight hours.*
Most inter-city routes don’t exceed 10 hours, so you can usually complete a full route between two cities during the day in Bolivia.
2) Carry Your Valuable Items with You
Generally, Bolivian bus companies offer you the choice of:
- Allowing them to manage your luggage and place it in the bus’s luggage compartment.
- Keeping your belongings with you inside the bus and placing them near your seat.
We recommend that you always carry your valuable items with you, inside and above the bus seats. Don’t allow bus companies to place these valuable items in the bus’s luggage compartment when traveling.
For example, if you have a laptop, expensive clothing, jewelry, a cell phone, or other valuable items in your luggage, don’t let bus companies in Bolivia handle it in the luggage compartment. Often, *they’ll handle it carelessly, and in some cases, it might be stolen or lost*.

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Only use the bus’s luggage compartment for items that are not crucial, such as ordinary clothing, common travel essentials, etc.
3) Travel as Part of a Group
Whenever possible, you should travel with a group of people on Bolivian buses, along with your fellow tourists, your tour guides, friends, or family. Or in private vehicles where you have more control over the situation.
Robbers and scammers often target tourists who are alone on Bolivian buses. *You’ll be at a significantly higher risk of being assaulted by these individuals if you are traveling alone*.
Therefore, avoid this mistake and always travel in groups, at least with one other person, or if possible, with several people. *You can look out for each other and significantly reduce the risks of being assaulted* or scammed on a bus in Bolivia.
When you are alone, you *should always be wary of the person sitting next to you*. Some thieves even track you to sit next to you on the bus and exploit the situation when you’re distracted or fall asleep.
4) Never Accept Anything from Anyone on the Bus or at the Bus Station
When traveling on Bolivian buses, you are at high risk of encountering the following situations:
- Strangers may replace your luggage with their own, *potentially placing drugs* or stolen items inside the substituted luggage.
- They may ask for your assistance in looking after their luggage, which in some cases may contain dangerous items.
- They may offer you food, ask you to smell something, etc., which could be used to poison you and induce sleep, allowing them to steal your valuables.
To avoid these dangerous threats and protect your freedom (because if the police discover drugs in your luggage, they will arrest you, and you risk imprisonment and facing very stressful situations), *never, under any circumstances, accept anything from strangers*. Also, avoid helping them at the bus station or on the bus unless it’s absolutely necessary.
You should always keep a close eye on your luggage and belongings when on a bus in Bolivia, and be particularly cautious of anyone approaching it, attempting to move it, etc.
5) Choose the Best Bus Companies for Your Travels
As we mentioned earlier, three bus companies:
- Bolivar
- Trans Copacabana S.A.
- Trans Copacabana M.E.M. 1
have more modern buses, lower accident rates, better drivers, and a more reliable baggage handling system. Therefore, you should prioritize these companies over others offering transportation services whenever possible.
However, as we also emphasized, these companies can do little to protect you from other safety concerns, such as assaults, scams, etc.

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6) Purchase a Seat on the Left Side in the Middle of the Bus
When buses are involved in accidents in Bolivia, they tend to sustain significant impact on their right sides. They also tend to receive the brunt of the impact at the front of the bus, and to a lesser extent, at the rear (when another bus rear-ends them).
Therefore, whenever you travel on a Bolivian bus, *you should always purchase a ticket for a seat on the left side of the bus, and in the middle section*. With this precaution, if the bus is involved in an accident, you’ll have a lower risk of injury and a higher chance of survival.
Conclusions:
In this article about the safest bus companies available in Bolivia, you’ve learned that there isn’t a single, significantly safer bus company in the country. The safest ones offer better and more modern buses, better drivers, and lower accident rates. However, beyond these aspects, they are similar to other bus companies. These three somewhat safer bus companies in Bolivia are Bolivar, Trans Copacabana S.A., and Trans Copacabana M.E.M. 1.
You’ve also seen that robbers, thieves, and scammers in Bolivia may attempt to assault you on a bus while you’re sleeping at night, when you’re alone, when you’re not paying attention to your luggage, when you leave your valuable possessions in the bus’s luggage compartment, or when you naively accept something from them or agree to help them, potentially exposing you to drugs or stolen items. In some cases, they may even try to poison you to induce sleep.
You’ve also learned some tips to avoid these threats to your safety, or worse, which include, but are not limited to, always traveling during the day, traveling with a group of people, never accepting anything from strangers, never offering assistance unless absolutely necessary, carrying your valuable items with you, choosing one of the three best bus companies in Bolivia, and finally, purchasing a ticket for a seat on the right side and in the middle of the bus.
We hope this information has been helpful. If you’d like to learn more about the costs of traveling in Bolivia, including bus tickets, airplane tickets, or traveling with your own rented car, please visit our dedicated guide here: The costs of traveling in Bolivia: All the numbers and details.
CasasenBolivia.com, information on living, working, investing, and traveling in Bolivia.