Copacabana is a small town on the shores of Lake Titicaca, Bolivia. This picturesque town perched above the lake has some interesting attractions of its own. It is also the departure point for ferries to the nearby islands of Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna. We spent three days on our trip to Copacabana, including travelling there and back. Here are my picks for the Top 10 Things to do in and around Copacabana.
How to get to Copacabana
Although only 96 miles from La Paz, the journey includes taking a ferry across Lake Titicaca (in addition to fighting your way out of La Paz through the crazy traffic), thus takes around 4 hours.
There are a variety of buses and tour options to Copacabana. We went on a shuttle organised by our hotel. The cost was $19 each way and included hotel pick up and stops en route. We also travelled with Vicuña Travel, which departs from La Paz Bus Terminal at 7.30 am. Buses terminate at Plaza Sucre at 11.30 am. This costs $5.11 each way and doesn’t do the touristy stops en route. The Vicuña Travel bus returns to La Paz daily at 1.30 pm.
We also travelled with Vicuña Travel which departs from La Paz Bus Terminal for Copacabana at 7.30 am. This costs $5.11 each way and doesn’t do the touristy stops en route. Buses terminate at Plaza Sucre and return to La Paz daily at 1.30 pm.
Upon reaching Tiquina, you must catch a ferry across the lake. It’s not how I imagine a ferry – basically it’s a raft. Loaded with two buses. It’s a bit of a Top Gear moment. The first time we visited, we remained on the raft with our vehicle. The second time, we had to disembark and take a passenger ferry.
Copacabana is very close to the Peruvian border, so another option is to continue on to Cuzco. We went with Transzela. The bus departs La Paz at 6 pm, arriving in Cuzco at 5.30 am (12.5 hours, including a stop at Puno) and costs $28.
Getting Around Copacabana
Copacabana is small enough to rely on walking everywhere. The elevation is 3800 metres, so (certainly in my case) walking needs to be at a sedate pace.
Where to Stay in Copacabana
We stayed at the Hostal las Olas. I have travelled to 80 countries – that’s a lot of hotels. Hostal las Olas rates as one of my all time favourites, with a whopping 9.7 rating on Booking.com. It’s quirky and unique. The rooms are lovely, the gardens are beautiful and the view is spectacular.
Each ‘room’ is a separate dwelling, in a beautifully landscaped garden on a hill overlooking the lake and town. We had La Tortuga; a turtle shaped apartment complete with round bed and a second floor with hammocks and view of the lake.
There are llamas roaming the hotel grounds. One even gave birth while we were there.
Copacabana: Top 10 Things to do
| 1 | Admire the beauty of Lake Titicaca |
| 2 | Climb to the Horca del Inca |
| 3 | Visit the Basilica Virgen de Copacabana |
| 4 | Shop for souvenirs at Plaza 2 de Febrero |
| 5 | Visit the Capilla del Señor de la Cruz de Colquepata |
| 6 | Hike the Cerro Calvario |
| 7 | Enjoy the view from Mirador de Usijata |
| 8 | Take a ferry to the Isla del Sol |
| 9 | Climb the Escalera del Inca |
| 10 | Learn about reed boat making at Huatajata |
No 1 – Admire the beauty of Lake Titicaca
At 3812 metres above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the highest (navigable) lake in the world. It also the largest lake in South America, with a total length of 190 kilometres. There is even a photo frame detailing the lakes dimensions for that all important selfie.
There is a walkway (Costañera), which runs along the lake shore for great views and great photos.
Although, to be honest, we got a pretty cool view of the lake from our hotel room.
No 2 – Climb to the Horca del Inca
The Horca del Inca is an ancient astronomical site on a hill just outside Copacabana. It is described by Google Maps as a 14 minute ‘mostly flat’ walk. It took us 45 minutes!
To reach the observatory requires climbing 389 steep stone steps (yes I counted). Quite a tough ascent at over 3800m altitude, but worth it for the views.
No 3 – Visit the Basilica Virgen de Copacabana
In the centre of Copacabana is the Basilica Virgen de Copacabana. It’s a beautiful 17th century building with white walls decorated with blue tiles and topped with domed bronze roofs.
The basilica houses an Incan black Virgen de Candelaria statue. It was closed when we visited.
No 4 – Shop for souvenirs at Plaza 2 de Febrero
The main square adjoining the basilica has a pleasant little park and various vendors selling souvenirs.
The rest of the area is bustling with traders and market stalls.
No 5 – Visit the Capilla del Señor de la Cruz de Colquepata
The quaint, orange coloured Capilla del Señor de la Cruz de Colquepata (a name which just rolls off the tongue) marks the start of the Cerro Calvario.
No 6 – Hike the Cerro Calvario
From the Capilla del Señor, you can follow the Cerro Calvario (Calvary Hill) trail which ascends a hill, via the 14 Stations of the Cross, to a viewpoint. It takes about 30 minutes to walk to the summit.
No 7 – Enjoy the view from Mirador de Usijata
On the outskirts of Copacabana, on the way into town is the Mirador de Usijata for that exciting first glimpse of Copacabana nestled by the side of the lake.
No 8 – Take a ferry to Isla del Sol
From the shores of Lake Titicaca, you can catch a ferry to Yumani on Isla del Sol, an island on the lake. The ferry, run by the Asociación Unión Marinos, departs at 8.30 am and 1.30 pm daily. (Returning at 10.30 am and 4 pm). The 90 minute journey costs 40 bolivianos return. It costs a further 10 bolivianos to land on the island.
No 9 – Climb the Escalera del Inca
Once on the Isla del Sol, you can the Escalera del Inca, a kilometre long stretch of steps lined with touristy stuff. Access to the Escalera costs 10 bolivianos.
No 10 – Huatajata
Not strictly in Copacabana, but across the lake on the way to/from La Paz. At Huatajata, they construct ships out of papyrus reed. It is here that the ship used by explorer Thor Heyerdal on his Kon-Tiki expedition was built. You can buy a replica if that sort of thing floats your boat, as it were.
I hope you found the above information useful. For more top picks from other destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full Top 10 Things To Do list here.
- Trip taken: April 2019
- Updated: February 2025
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