Copacabana, Bolivia: travel guide
Pilgrimage town on the shore of Lake Titicaca, home to the Virgin of Copacabana basilica and the launch point for boats to Isla del Sol, the Inca sun island.
- Country
- Bolivia
- Currency
- BOB
- Time zone
- America/La_Paz
Top places to visit in Copacabana
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Copacabana
Church · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h
A gleaming white Moorish-style basilica (1805) housing the revered Virgin of Copacabana, patroness of Bolivia.
Isla del Sol
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 6 h
The Inca "Island of the Sun" in Lake Titicaca, with Inca ruins, terraced trails and traditional Aymara villages. Reached by boat.
Horca del Inca
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · entry BOB 10
A pre-Inca astronomical observatory of standing stones on a hill above Copacabana, used to track solstices.
Cerro Calvario
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
A short steep pilgrimage hill above town with Stations of the Cross and superb sunset views over Lake Titicaca.
Things to do
- Isla del Sol Boat Day Trip Day Trip · 8 h · from BOB 120 per person
- Lake Titicaca Sunset Sail Cruise · 2.5 h · from BOB 150 per person
Day trips and tours
- Isla del Sol Lake Titicaca Day Trip 8 h · from BOB 180
Where to stay in Copacabana
- Centro / Lakefront about BOB 350 per night
The small grid between the basilica and the lake, steps from boats to Isla del Sol and sunset hill walks.
Hotels
- Hostal Sonia 2-star · BOB 160 to BOB 240 per night
- Hotel Rosario del Lago 3.5-star · BOB 520 to BOB 680 per night
Where to eat
- La Orilla Bolivian, International · about BOB 70 per person
- Comedor del Lago (Trout Row) Bolivian, Street Food · about BOB 30 per person
Getting around
- Boat main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Minibus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Boat & tour touts overcharging
Beach and boat dock
Touts quote inflated prices for Isla del Sol boats and tours to tourists.
How to avoid it: Check the standard fare (~30–40 BOB return) at the ticket kiosk and agree the price before boarding.