jonnymelon contributor

3 Best Things To Do In Copacabana

South America / Bolivia

When a fellow backpacker I had met at a hostel in Peru recommended I should visit Copocabana Bolivia, I did a quick google image search to check it out and I was sold instantly!

Copacabana Bolivia is a small yet exciting town that resides on the southeastern end of Lake Titicaca

HOW TO GET TO COPACABANA

The only way to reach this lakeside town is by bus. The most reputable bus company in Peru and Bolivia that I discovered to be the most comfortable and reliable is Peru Hop. They offer many different bus routes and itineraries throughout Peru and Bolivia and I highly recommend travelling with them.

Puno to Copacabana bus:

  • If you are travelling from Puno to Copacabana, the Peru Hop bus leaves at 8:30am and arrives in Copacabana around 1:30pm, stopping at the Peru/Bolivia border crossing along the way.

La Paz to Copacabana bus:

  • For travellers departing from La Paz to Copacabana, the bus leaves at 7:00am and arrives in Copocabana Bolivia at 11:30am.

Peru/Bolivia Hop Bus Peru/Bolivia Hop Bus

colorful streets of Copocabana colorful streets of Copocabana

3 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN COPOCABANA BOLIVIA

#1 VISIT LAKE TITICACA

The first adventure you’ll want to tick off your list of things to do in Copacabana is visiting Lake Titicaca which happens to be the largest lake in South America and the highest lake in the world!

From the centre of town, it’s no more than a five to ten minute walk to get down to Titicaca. On the lake, there are many different water sports and activities to enjoy including paddle boarding, zorbing, banana boats and more!

lake titcaca lake titcaca

#2 HIKE TO CERRO CALVARIO

My favourite spot in Copacabana is the viewpoint at the top of Cerro Calvario. My friends and I hiked up to the summit of Cerro Calvario for sunset which offers extensive panoramic views over Lake Titicaca, Copacabana and nearby islands.

From the centre of town, the hike to Cerro Calvario takes around forty minutes and there are two ways of reaching the top.

One trail begins at the northern end of Copacabana Bay, next to Flores Del Lago Hostal, and this rocky path leads up the front face of the mountain, emerging at the summit of Cerro Calvario. This is the trail that I hiked to the top and I found some awesome rock formations along the way that made for a great photo!

The second trail is a much easier option of reaching Cerro Calvario. The trail begins at the end of Sendero al Cerro del Calvario Road and it is a moderate incline up the stone steps until you reach the topmost viewpoint.

At the summit of Cerro Calvario, you can find local vendors selling beers, soft drinks, water and snacks to enjoy while watching an unforgettable sunset over Lake Titicaca.

cerro calvario hike cerro calvario hike

drone shot of cero calvario drone shot of cero calvario

 viewpoint at cerro calvario viewpoint at cerro calvario

#3 DAY TRIP TO ISLA DEL SOL (ISLAND OF THE SUN)

According to legend, it is said that Isla Del Sol was the birthplace of the first Incas and more than 80 ruins can be found scattered across the island. During a day trip to Isla Del Sol, you can discover postcard landscapes, important archaeological sites and Quechua and Aymara communities that to this day still maintain their ancestral traditions.

Isla Del Sol is the largest island on Lake Titicaca and there are no motor vehicles or paved roads, giving you that sense of feeling of being disconnected from modern civilisation.

copacabana bolivia copacabana bolivia

Thanks for reading this article and if you have any questions at all about What To Do In Copacabana,  please leave me a comment.

Safe Travels!

#hiking, #bolivia, #explore, #backpacker, #copacabana, #laketiticaca, #islandhop, #watersports