Copacabana (Lake Titicaca)

La Paz Department · Altiplano, lakes and salt flats

Copacabana is a small pilgrimage town on the shore of Lake Titicaca, with a big white basilica topped by Moorish domes. You eat lake trout on the beach and watch the sunset from Calvario hill. It's the gateway to the Isla del Sol.

3,841 maltitude

1 to 2 daysto spend there

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High altitude. Above 3,500 m, altitude sickness (soroche) is common. Arrive gradually, drink plenty and take it slow on the first day.

Things to do

Basilica of the Virgen de Copacabana
Sunset from Cerro Calvario
Lake trout on the beach

What to eat

TroutTrout from Lake Titicaca or the Cordillera rivers, fried or grilled, with rice, fries and salad. Eaten on the beach in Copacabana and in the small restaurants of mountain villages.
Ispi and pejerreySmall lake fish, fried and crispy, eaten whole with a squeeze of lime.
Api con pastelA thick hot drink of purple corn and cinnamon, with a cheese pastry dusted with sugar. The market breakfast.

Tip. You cross the Tiquina strait by boat (the bus crosses on a barge).

Also here

Festivals Holy Week in CopacabanaThousands of pilgrims walk through the night from La Paz, about 150 km, to reach the sanctuary of the Virgin of Copacabana on Good Friday.
Festivals Virgin of CopacabanaBolivia's patron saint is celebrated with processions, dances and car blessings in front of the basilica. Another big festival on 2 February, Candlemas.
Border Kasani – Yunguyo (via Copacabana)Ten minutes from Copacabana, the most pleasant crossing into Peru, by the lake. Buses link Copacabana and Puno in about 3 h.

How to get to Copacabana

Isla de la Luna Boat · 1 h
Combined Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna boat tour.
Isla del Sol Boat · 1 h 30 to 2 h
Boats from Copacabana beach, leaving in the morning and early afternoon.
La Paz Road (bus, car) · 3 h 30 to 4 h
Tourist buses and minibuses from the cemetery area (Av. Baptista) or through an agency.
Keep your documents with you: you get off the bus at Tiquina.