Bolivian Spanish word
la flota
Meaning: the intercity bus
How it is used in Bolivia
Choosing la flota over a car ride isn't a downgrade here, for a couple's day trip it reads as its own small romantic ritual, not a lack of options.
The big intercity buses that connect Santa Cruz with Cochabamba, La Paz and beyond. For a three-hour hop like Samaipata, not the usual choice.
For Samaipata the trufi won; for a 12-hour haul like Santa Cruz–Sucre the flota IS the option. Overnight flotas are how Bolivia crosses its long distances on a budget.
Learn it in a real situation
Your First Trip Together to Bolivia, Practical Spanish