Lake Titicaca, Copacabana and Isla del Sol: a travel guide

From the deck of a launch leaving Copacabana, the water shifts from blue to an almost Caribbean turquoise while the island’s hills rise above 4,000 m. You are at 3,812 m, on a lake of more than 8,000 km² shared between Bolivia and Peru: 44% on the Bolivian side, 56% on the Peruvian.

Below: how to get there, how many days to book, what to see in Copacabana and on the Isla del Sol, how to cross into Peru and what precautions to take. One clarification first: we operate Lake Titicaca from La Paz, in one or two days. This guide also works if you prefer to organize it on your own. We write about it because almost every traveler passing through La Paz considers it, and because we would rather you had clear information before deciding. If you want to plan the rest of your route, start with our La Paz guide.

The lake in numbers

• Altitude: 3,812 m.
• Surface area: more than 8,000 km², shared with Peru.
• Maximum depth: 283 m (average of 107 m).
• Parts: the larger lake (Chucuito) and the smaller one (Huiñaymarca), joined by the Strait of Tiquina.
• Islands: more than 40; the best known on the Bolivian side is the Isla del Sol (14.3 km²).
• Temperature: annual mean of about 10 °C; the sun is strong and the night is cold.

From La Paz to Copacabana

It is about 155 km and the trip takes 3 h 30 to 4 h including the crossing of the Strait of Tiquina, a channel less than a kilometer wide. There, passengers get off the bus and cross on a small launch (about 10 minutes), while the bus crosses separately on a wooden barge. Allow a pause of 30 to 45 minutes.

1. La Paz3,640 mearly departure
2. Strait of Tiquinalakeshorelaunch crossing (10 min)
3. Copacabana3,841 marrival after 3 h 30 to 4 h

Three ways to go:

1. Public bus. Leaves from the Cementerio area in La Paz, from 6:00 until early afternoon. Prices usually run about 20 to 50 bolivianos (2 to 4 USD at 12.02 BOB per USD; 2025 and 2026 references).
2. Tourist bus with hotel pickup. Leaves around 7:00; about 80 to 100 bolivianos (7 to 8 USD) depending on the operator. Includes English-speaking assistance and sometimes stops.
3. Private transport. More flexible, more expensive.

Copacabana: what to see

Copacabana sits at 3,841 m on the lakeshore and has about 6,000 inhabitants in the urban area. It is a small town.

• Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana. Built between 1601 and 1619. The Virgin of Copacabana is the most important religious figure in Bolivia and draws pilgrimages, above all on 2 February and 5 and 6 August. On those days the town fills with dances and processions.
• Cerro Calvario. A path with 14 Stations of the Cross climbs to a viewpoint; sunset is the most recommended time, with a flashlight for the way down.
• Pier and lakeshore. The boats to the Isla del Sol leave from here.
• Markets and trout stalls. Lake trout is the local dish.

The Isla del Sol

The Isla del Sol (14.3 km², about 9.6 km long by 4.6 km wide) is where Inca mythology places the birth of the sun and of the first Incas, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo. It has three Aymara communities: Challapampa in the north, Challa in the center and Yumani in the south. No vehicles circulate: everything is done on foot or by donkey, along pre-Hispanic paths between agricultural terraces. The highest point is above 4,000 m.

The north-to-south trail. It is about 3 hours of actual walking, not counting stops, with climbs above 3,900 m. If you walk it north to south, you finish in Yumani, where there is more lodging and more services. With a night on the island you see both sunset and sunrise without hurrying.

Boats. According to local operators, they leave Copacabana at 08:30 and 13:30, with a round-trip ticket of 30 to 40 bolivianos per person (2.5 to 3.3 USD at 12.02 BOB per USD). Private launches also exist. Schedules change with the season and the weather.

Community fees. Each community charges a small fee (between 5 and 15 bolivianos per area, about 30 in total if you walk the whole route). Bring cash in coins and small notes.

Where to sleep. In Yumani there are family hostels at 8 to 12 USD and lodgings with a private bathroom at 25 to 40 USD (2025 sources). There are no ATMs on the island.

Isla de la Luna. Smaller, with archaeological remains, it is often included in launch excursions. Confirm whether it is open to tourism before counting on it.

How many days

• 1 day from La Paz: possible with a tourist bus, but it means about 8 hours of transport and 3 to 4 hours on the island.
• 2 nights (recommended): Copacabana one night, the island the other, then back to La Paz or across to Peru.
• 3 nights: adds Isla de la Luna, the town and rest; a good plan if you arrive very tired.

Crossing into Peru

The crossing from Copacabana into Peru is Kasani (Bolivia) and Yunguyo (Peru). You cross on foot between two posts a few hundred meters apart, and then there is transport to Puno, about 3 hours from Copacabana. The indicative hours are 08:30 to 19:00 on the Bolivian side and 07:30 to 18:00 on the Peruvian side, but they can change without notice.

• Bring a passport valid for at least six months. Peru replaced the paper Andean card with a digital registration (virtual TAM): ask at the post whether you need any document.
• Peru is one hour behind Bolivia: adjust your schedules.
• Change soles and bolivianos in town without rushing; avoid money changers who pressure you.
• There are combined Copacabana-Puno services that handle the paperwork with an assistant; on your own you have more freedom, but more paperwork.

When to go

• May to October: dry, with clear skies. Nights from June to August are cold.
• December to March: rain, fog and slipperier roads.
• Festivals: 2 February and 5 to 6 August; lots of color and a great many people, with higher lodging prices.

Altitude and health

The lake is at 3,812 m, about 170 m higher than La Paz. The climb up the Inca Staircase in Yumani or the island’s slopes tire even people in good shape. Spend at least one or two nights in La Paz before going up; if you feel unwell, go up more slowly. You will find the acclimatization plan in our guide to altitude sickness.

Before you go

• Cash: bolivianos in small notes; ATMs in town are few.
• Warm clothing and sunscreen: strong sun, cool air, cold nights.
• Flashlight: the trails have no lighting.
• Respect: ask permission before photographing people, and leave the terraces and walls as you found them.
• Plan B: if there are blockades, wait a day rather than force the trip.

Ideas for combining it

If you have more days in the region, Tiwanaku is less than two hours by car from the lake and tells the story of a civilization that flourished beside it: read our Tiwanaku guide. For an overall itinerary, we also have a guide to itineraries around Bolivia.

Recommended tour : Tiwanaku and Puma Punku tour from La Paz