Copacabana & Isla del Sol

A lakeside town on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca, with boat trips to the Inca-mythology Island of the Sun and Island of the Moon, and stunning highland lake sunsets.

Copacabana is on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca's southern shore. The town sits on a peninsula jutting into the lake at about 3,840 m, around 8 km from the Peruvian border, and is the main base for exploring the lake from the Bolivian side. In the town center is the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, dedicated to Bolivia's patron saint, and Cerro Calvario and the Horca del Inca on either side overlook the bay; a boat ride to the north takes you to Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna, the Island of the Sun and the Island of the Moon, where Inca myth says the sun and the founding ancestors were born. The best season is the dry season, May–October, with clear skies and calm water, though day-to-night temperature swings are large and nights often drop close to freezing; November–March is the rainy season, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Getting there: from La Paz it takes about 3.5–4 hours by bus, crossing the lake by small boat at the Tiquina Strait on the way; to Puno in Peru takes about 3 hours (including the border crossing). We suggest 2–3 days: 1 day for the town and viewpoint hill, then 1–2 days on Isla del Sol with a night there, and a visit to Isla de la Luna. Altitude sickness is common, so rest after arriving and drink plenty of water. Each community on the island charges an entrance fee, so bring enough cash in small bills; check locally on whether the northern part of Isla del Sol is open.

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Where to eat

Itineraries