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Copacabana Bolivia
Copacabana Bolivia is a charming town that sits on a peninsula on the southern shores of Lake Titicaca. Copacabana is a popular place for travelers to stop over for a few days between the Puno, Peru and La Paz route. The town is a great hub for exploring the different Inca ruins around the lake. The town sits in between Mount Calvario and Mount Niño Calvario, where you'll find some excellent hiking trails to explore ruins. Between these two small mountains you'll find a quaint town, with a nice sandy beach. Though the water can be a bit chilly at times, you'll find that weather is usually pleasant and sunny. Copacabana is famous for its 16th century Cathedral, where local Bolivians come to receive blessing from the sacred Virgin of Mary statue. Also, the town is a great starting point for taking boat rides and exploring the many islands that contain sacred Inca ruins. Hotels are cheap and there are some great restaurants, where you can eat trout or sample the giant frog legs that are straight out of Lake Titicaca. Getting ThereBy BusBuses from La Paz to Copacabana leave from the Cementerio District. A one-way ticket costs about 15Bs ($2). The ride takes 3-4 hours, including a ferry ride through the Straits of Tiquina. When going back to La Paz, buses leave from Plaza Sucre in Copacabana or if your going to Peru, buses leave from Avenida 16 de Julio in Copacabana. By Guided Tour There are many tour companies in La Paz that offer a tour of Lake Titicaca. These guided tours begin in La Paz, where they pick you up at your hotel with their bus. You then drive to Lake Titicaca and get on a little cruise boat to check out the Inca ruins at the main Islands. The guided tours include a stop in Copacabana to see the church and other sites. Lunch and snacks are served on the cruise boat. Most these type of tours are a day trip around the lake. Getting AroundCopacabana is a small town that can be easily covered on foot to see the town's sights. If you're looking for a tour of the lake you can go to Avenida 9 de Agosto, where you'll find a line of tour agencies that offer different types of tours around the lake or you can go to the beach in Copacabana, where there are tour agencies and boat owners that go to and from different islands around the lake.Things to do & see
It was built in the early 1600's. Bolivians go there each weekend to visit the wood statue of the Virgin Mary, which was carved around the 1570's by an Inca. Locals believe the statue grants wishes and gives blessings for safe travel, healthy children and even automotive reliability. The cathedral also has a museum.
Hotels & AccommodationsHotel Rosario del Lago 3-star hotel. Hotel sits on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Property is on the corner of Rigoberto Paredes St. and Ave. Costanera. Hotel has a great view overlooking Lake Titicaca. Hotel has a restaurant and breakfast comes with your stay. Rooms are cozy with comfortable beds. Rooms cost about $23/person per night.HI-Brisas Del Titicaca is right on the beach, with great views over Lake Titicaca and near all the restaurants and bars. Hotel offers dorms and private rooms. Private rooms cost about $9/person per night. The hotel has a female and male dorms. Dorms are shared bedrooms that have 4 beds in each room and cost $6/person per night. Hotel Gloria is on 16 de Julio, near the lake. Rooms overlook the lake and are clean. Hotel has a cafe and restaurant. Rooms range from $30-$40/night. Places to EatCopacabana has a wide variety of restaurants. Most of the best restaurants are on Ave. 6 de Agosto. Here are some recommended places to eat:Sujma Wasi on Calle Jauregui. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. They offer a wide variety of food such as the local food and international food. The restaurant has great atmosphere. Kala Uta on Ave. 6 de Agosto. Has a great breakfast, where you can eat pancakes, fruits and drink coffee. A vegetarian set lunch or dinner. La Orilla on Av. 6 de Agosto. Place serves trout, pasta and wide variety of other foods. The place has an excellent view that overlooks the lake.
NightlifeMost of the bars and pubs are geared towards tourists and are located on Ave. 6 de Agosto. So, it is easy to go bar hopping. Here are some recommended places to spend a night out:Nimbo Café Restaurant and Bar on Ave. 6 de Agosto. Place has a great late night atmosphere, where you can listen to music, eat and have a few drinks. Tatu Carreta on Ave. 6 de Agosto. They play good music and sometimes have live bands. They serve up a wide variety of different drinks and stays open until 3 am. Cafe Sol y Luna is in Hotel Gloria. It is a popular place for tourists to hangout, listen to music and have a few drinks. They also serve lunch and have great coffee.
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Along the beach there are beach bars and restaurants, where you can sit and eat trout or have a few beers. You can also rent out a paddle boat or canoe to paddle around the lake.
The hiking trail starts near the catherdral and to reach the summit, you have to hike a half an hour. The hike is definitely worth it, where you'll see some amazing scenery over the town and the lake.