Exploring Bolivia's Copacabana: Activities And Adventures

Copacabana, Bolivia, is a town on the shore of Lake Titicaca, the highest commercially navigable lake in the world. It is a popular destination for travellers due to its natural beauty, cultural significance, and proximity to other attractions. Here are some of the best things to do in Copacabana:

- Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, an important religious site for Bolivians and a unique example of Moorish-influenced architecture.

- Hike up to Cerro Calvario for panoramic views of the town and Lake Titicaca, especially at sunset.

- Explore the surrounding countryside and go hiking to nearby villages like Yampupata.

- Take a boat trip to Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna, two of Bolivia's most sacred islands on Lake Titicaca, to see Inca ruins and experience the local culture.

- Stroll along the boulevard and immerse yourself in local life, including boat-shaped boats and food stalls.

- Visit the Catedral Virgen de la Candelaria, an iconic white cathedral built in the Moorish style, which houses the Virgen de la Candelaria.

- Indulge in some local cuisine, including freshly caught trout from the floating islands near the town.

- Explore pre-Inca ruins and sites such as Horca del Inca, an astronomical observatory used to predict harvests.

Explore the islands

Copacabana, Bolivia, is located on the shore of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. The town is a popular tourist destination, known for its religious celebrations, cultural heritage, and traditional festivals. The town is also the main gateway to the sacred Inca islands of Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna. Here are some ideas for exploring these islands:

Isla del Sol

Isla del Sol is one of the largest islands on Lake Titicaca and is considered a sacred site by the Incas. The island is believed to be the birthplace of the sun god, Inti, and the Inca Empire. The island is home to several archaeological sites and ruins, including the Sun Temple. When visiting Isla del Sol, it is important to note that only the southern half of the island is currently open to visitors due to a dispute between the island communities. Day trips to the island can be easily organised from Copacabana, with boats leaving at 8:30 am or 1:30 pm. The trip includes a return journey and a stop at Isla de la Luna for 35 Bolivianos (around $5). It is also possible to spend the night on Isla del Sol, with hostels such as Jacha Inti being a popular choice.

Isla de la Luna

Isla de la Luna, or Moon Island, is a smaller island located close to Isla del Sol. This island is also considered sacred by the Incas and is home to several archaeological sites. Isla de la Luna can be visited as part of a day trip from Copacabana, which includes a stop at Isla del Sol. Visitors usually get about an hour to explore the island, which is enough time to see the ruins and take in the views. There are also restaurants and cafes on the island serving local specialities such as trucha (trout).

Visit the town's cathedral

The town's cathedral, the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, is a must-see when visiting Copacabana. This magnificent Spanish colonial structure, erected by the Spaniards in the 17th century, is the town's central attraction and a place of worship for both indigenous peoples and Catholics. The cathedral's central statue, the Virgin Mary, is said to grant wishes and give blessings for safe travel, healthy children, and automotive reliability. The Virgin Mary statue is also known as the Virgen de la Candelaria, the 'Dark Virgin', and La Morena.

The cathedral's exterior is just as impressive as its interior. The beautiful architecture and white painting make it stand out, with its domes reminiscent of the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul, Turkey. The Moorish-design cathedral has a large stone square surrounded by huge white pillars and domes decorated with tiny blue and rust-red tiles. The interior is just as impressive, with intricate carved, gold-covered altars and walls adorned with 200-year-old religious paintings. The cathedral usually opens daily and is free to enter, except on Sundays, when it is reserved for baptisms and weekly mass services.

The cathedral is also a site of religious importance, with people bringing their new cars to be blessed by the priest twice a day at 11 am and 2 pm. The ceremony includes spraying the vehicles with holy Coca-Cola and/or beer, depending on the occasion. The cathedral is also a popular site for local festivals, with Indian groups performing traditional dances accompanied by drums, flutes, and pipes.

Hike to the summit of Cerro Calvario

If you're looking for a challenging hike with a rewarding view, look no further than Cerro Calvario. This hill overlooks the town of Copacabana and offers a panoramic view of Lake Titicaca. The hike to the summit is well worth the effort, especially if you time it to arrive at the top for sunset.

To get to the starting point of the hike, you can walk from the town centre. The hike itself is challenging, so be sure to wear suitable footwear and bring plenty of water. The trail starts at either Calle Destacamento or Calles Jauregui and Costañera, and winds up past 14 crosses to the summit. The hike should take a few hours, so make sure you give yourself enough time to complete it comfortably and enjoy the views.

The Cerro Calvario hike is a great option if you're looking to get off the beaten track and explore the peaceful countryside around Copacabana. You'll be rewarded with rarely seen views of Lake Titicaca and the surrounding area.

If you're looking for other things to do in Copacabana, you can also visit the town's cathedral, explore pre-Inca ruins at Horca del Inca, or catch your own lunch on the floating islands just a 10-minute taxi ride from the town centre.

Enjoy the local food

Copacabana might not be known as a foodie destination, but there are plenty of great options for eating out in this Bolivian town.

Vegetarian and Vegan Food

If you're a vegetarian or vegan, Joshua's Vegetarian Cafe is a great option, as is the superbly named Baguette About It! The local market is also a good place to pick up fresh produce, and Pitstop, a cute little roadside joint, does some of the best vegan and vegetarian empanadas you'll find in Bolivia.

Pizza

There are tons of pizza restaurants lining the main streets. Trattoria Sapori d'Italia is a small family restaurant at the base of Las Olas that serves fresh pizza, polenta and pasta.

Local Specialities

Just a 10-minute taxi ride from the centre of town (or a leisurely one-hour walk), you'll find families living on a cluster of floating reed islands. They serve up freshly caught trout to visitors, and you can even choose and catch your own fish. The fishermen and women will then prepare and cook the trout for a reasonable 30 bolivianos (US$4).

Restaurants

La Cupula Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Copacabana, serving European and South American food. El Condor & The Eagle Cafe is another popular choice, serving Irish food and coffee. Terradentro Lago Titicaca is a hotel restaurant with excellent food, although it is a little more expensive.

Take a boat tour

One of the most popular things to do in Copacabana is to take a boat tour to Isla del Sol, a sacred site for the Incas, who believed it to be the birthplace of the Sun God, Inti. The island is also known as the birthplace of the Inca Empire, as it is said that Inti's children, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, travelled north from Isla del Sol to found Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire.

Boat trips to Isla del Sol depart from Copacabana at 8:30 am and 1:30 pm, with return trips from the island at 10 am, 3 pm, and 4 pm. The round trip costs 30 Bolivianos, and tickets can be purchased the day before, or even on the same day. The island entry fee is 10 Bolivianos, and it is recommended that you take cash with you, as there are no ATMs on the island.

The boats arrive at the southern port of Yumani, from where you can walk to the ancient sun temple of Pilkokaina, the Inca Stairway, and the Fountain of Youth. There are some excellent photo opportunities along the way, and it is recommended that you spend the whole day on the island to make the most of the hiking trails and incredible views.

If you would like to stay overnight, there are several homestays and restaurants on the island. However, it is worth noting that there is currently a dispute between the communities of the north and south of the island, which has led to the closure of the northern part. Therefore, it is best to check which region you are allowed to visit before your trip.

Bolivia Hop offers a private boat service to Isla del Sol, which is faster and more powerful than the public boats, giving you more time to explore the island. Their boats depart from the White Anchor in Copacabana at 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm, and return from Yumani at 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. The journey takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes each way, and the round trip costs $10.

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