How to get from Samaipata to Sucre

If you spend enough time in Samaipata (Is there such a thing?) and want to continue by bus to Sucre, you have multiple options: You can board one of the buses which are starting in Santa Cruz and pass through Samaipata on the way to Sucre, or you can take a bus from Mairana which is 20 minutes from Samaipata (the ride to Mairana is included in the ticket). In this article we will explain everything on going from Samaipata to Sucre by bus: How to buy the tickets, where to board the bus and how much it costs…

How long is the Ride from Samaipata to Sucre

According to Google-Maps the 360km should take about 7 hours, but depending on who you ask you get answers in a range up to 11 hours…So you should be prepared for a long ride, in the end it’s how things work in Bolivia… Our Bus took 7.5 hours (23:30 – 7:00)

Where to buy the ticket

There are a few options to buy tickets:

1. Restaurante El Nuevo Turista: 22:00, 120 BOB semi-cama, 140 BOB cama
   The lady working there will consult over WhatsApp with the bus companies and tell you the price. She offered us semi-cama for 120 BOB or full-cama for 140 BOB per person (non-negotiable, or at least we were not successful to get a lower price). We took the semi-cama option. The bus is coming from Santa Cruz and is supposed to pick you up from the restaurant at 22:00. We waited there from 22:00 to 23:30 till pickup, but at least the lady was in contact with the bus company, and therefore we were sure there is a bus on the way and aware he needs to stop in Samaipata. The bus itself was not super-modern, but the seats were comfortable and we could sleep almost the whole way till we arrived just before 7:00am in Sucre.
2. Lavanderia calle Campero: 19:00, 120 BOB cama
   There is a laundry-service in Samaipata which sells tickets for a night bus leaving at 19:00. We asked the price and they told us 120 BOB. We didn’t go for this option because we preferred to leave later and therefore arrive later in the morning and not in the middle of the night. Also the reviews on Google were not the best. You probably pay an substantial fees for their service, but you get the advantage of a contact that you can talk to and that checks with the bus company while you are waiting for the bus – giving you some peace of mind that the bus is on the way and did not leave without you.
3. Trans-Mairana: 15:00, 60-70 BOB
   This seems to be the cheapest option. Trans-Mairana does have an office in / next to Hostal Paola just on the Plaza Principal of Samaipata (here) where you can buy the tickets. Look for the sign above the door. The bus actually leaves from Mairana, but they also organize the transport there from Samaipata (not included, reported to cost 30-40 BOB more). The bus leaves at 15:00 and is therefore supposed to arrive in Sucre around midnight. The price is 60-70 BOB, not sure the due to bad Spanish 😀 It is an old bus without reclining seats, no toilets or wifi (they stop for a toilet break every few hours). (Thanks Grant for the updated info!)
4. Flota Capital: 19:00, 90-100 BOB, cama
   They also start in Santa Cruz and offer pickup in Samaipata.
   • Book direct with via whatsapp (90 BOB): We contacted them by WhatsApp (+59172371385) and they told us the price is 90 BOB but you need to pay upfront in order to reserve a seat. The only method of payment in via yape/qr-code which is complicated for travelers but might be possible with help from a local. Maybe your host is willing to help – ours was not…
   • Book online (100 BOB): Other backpackers told us later that it is also possible to order the tickets through https://www.ticketsbolivia.com/ with payment by credit card ending up around 100 BOB including fees.

Interested in more Backpacking Tips for Bolivia? Check out our post: Backpacking Bolivia: Our Tips

Summary on how to go from Samaipata to Sucre by bus

So, to recap, here’s how to get from Samaipata to Sucre:

Cheapest: Trans-Mairana (but you will arrive in Sucre in the middle of the night).
Best hour: bus leaving after 22:00, bought at el nuevo turista (but an expensive option).
Compromise: bus leaving at 19:00 for 90-100 BOB.

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