By air
El Alto International (LPB), ~3.5 h by road
South America · Bolivia
Copacabana, Bolivia
A pilgrimage town on the shore of Lake Titicaca
Getting there
Best time to visit
May to October — dry and clear
Don't miss
The Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana
Cerro Calvario
Isla del Sol
Horca del Inca
Things to do
Boat trips to Isla del Sol
Climbing Cerro Calvario
Watching the blessing of cars
Where to eat
What to pack
Warm layers, sunscreen, hat
A quieter corner
The quiet walk to the Yampupata peninsula
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Copacabana?
May to October — dry and clear. What to pack: Warm layers, sunscreen, hat.
How do I get to Copacabana?
Fly into El Alto International (LPB), ~3.5 h by road.
What is there to do in Copacabana?
Boat trips to Isla del Sol, climbing Cerro Calvario, watching the blessing of cars. A quieter find: The quiet walk to the Yampupata peninsula.
What should I eat in Copacabana?
Lake trout fried or grilled at the lakeside stalls.
About Copacabana
- Lakeside
Where it is
Copacabana is a small town on the shore of Lake Titicaca in western Bolivia, on a peninsula close to the border with Peru.
History
The area was sacred long before the Spanish arrived, and Isla del Sol was revered by the Inca as the birthplace of the sun. In the 16th century an Indigenous sculptor carved the image of the Virgin of Copacabana, and the town became one of the main pilgrimage sites in the Andes.
People
Copacabana's people speak Aymara and Spanish, and pilgrims arrive for the big religious festivals, when the streets fill with processions and dancing.
Known for
- The Virgin of Copacabana
- Boat trips to Isla del Sol
- Sunsets over Lake Titicaca
- The blessing of cars outside the basilica
Did you know?
Outside the basilica, priests bless newly bought cars and trucks, which are decorated with flowers for the occasion.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.