Major city · Bolivia
Copacabana
Give Copacabana 2 nights: one for the town and Cerro El Calvario, one for Isla del Sol. Skip it only if you have no interest in Lake Titicaca.
Copacabana is a small pilgrimage and resort town on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca, 3.5 h by bus from La Paz. Almost everyone passes through for Isla del Sol, but the town itself — the basilica, the hill climb, the fried trout on the beach — is worth a full day. Two nights is the standard; three if you walk to Yampupata.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BOB
- Best months
- May–Oct (dry, clear)
- avoid Jan–Mar (rain, cold nights)
- Airport
- LPB
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Bolivia ↗Visa rules depend on your passport (some nationalities need a visa in advance): check with Bolivia's migration authority or a Bolivian consulate.
- Bolivia ↗Most of the tourist route is above 3,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on arrival, and see a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Bolivia ↗Protests and road blockades (bloqueos) are frequent and can close routes and cities for days; watch local news and keep plans flexible.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Copacabana110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Copacabana, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the boliviano (BOB, Bs).Bolivia-wide
- SIM or eSIMEntel, Tigo and Viva sell SIMs with passport registration in their own shops.Bolivia-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Bolivia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up; about 10% in tourist restaurants.Bolivia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Bolivia-wide
- SafetyCopacabana is calm and walkable; the real risks are altitude sickness, cold nights and the money-changing scam at the Peru border.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPay a boliviano or two; bring paper.Bolivia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 118 ambulance · 119 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBlockades and strikes close shops and roads; Sunday is quiet.Bolivia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLPB El Alto International, La Paz (No airport at Copacabana; bus from La Paz, about 3.5 h).
- Getting aroundThe town is tiny — walk everywhere.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or breakfastBs 10–25
- BeerBeer at a lakeside barBs 15–25
- Museum or sight ticketMuseo del Poncho entrycheckBs 15
- Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per personBOB 30
- Mid-range bedDouble room with private bathroom, a night, per roomBOB 150
- High-end bedDouble room with private bathroom, a night, per roomBOB 350
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BOB 150 · Mid BOB 300 · High BOB 600
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LPB El Alto International, La Paz (No airport at Copacabana; bus from La Paz, about 3.5 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Feb
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jul
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Aug
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Sep (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)), coolest Jun (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Copacabana: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
18 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
4 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
2 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
2 rd
Aug
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
3 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
5 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Dec
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is tiny — walk everywhere. Pedicabs at Plaza 2 de Febrero carry luggage to hotels. Vans and shared cabs to the Peruvian border leave from Plaza Sucre when full.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Isla del Sol
goDoor to door: Full day
Boat from the beach, about 08:30 for the full-day north-and-south tour; half-day afternoon boats usually reach only the southBoat from the beach, about 8:30 AM for the full-day north-and-south tour; half-day afternoon boats usually reach only the south
The reason most people come. Buy the return boat and confirm the departure time before you walk inland.
Yampupata
goDoor to door: Half to full day
Walk the dirt road, about 17 km (11 mi) / 4–5 h one way; or take a car/bus/truck out and walk backWalk the dirt road, about 11 mi (17 km) / 4–5 h one way; or take a car/bus/truck out and walk back
Little traffic, so returning on foot is easier than finding a ride back.
Puno, Peru
goDoor to door: About 4 h
Bus from Plaza Sucre, about 3.5 h including the border stop
Three daily buses; the border is 7.5 km (4.7 mi) south of town.Three daily buses; the border is 4.7 mi (7.5 km) south of town.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Av. 6 de Agosto
The tourist strip from Plaza 2 de Febrero down to the lake: hostels, restaurants, tour agencies.
Plaza Sucre side
Quieter, one block off the lake; buses leave from here.
Lakeside / Costanera
Mid-range and splurge hotels with lake views, 2 blocks south of Av. 6 de Agosto.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Bs 120–200 excl. bed
- Mid
- Bs 250–400 excl. bed
- High
- Bs 500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room with private bathroom1 × 2 nights × BOB 150 | BOB 300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × BOB 300 | BOB 1,200 |
| Isla del Sol return boat2 × BOB 50 · check | BOB 100 |
| La Paz → Copacabana bus, one way2 × BOB 25 · check | BOB 50 |
| Tiquina Strait ferry crossing2 × BOB 2 · check | BOB 4 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BOB 165 |
| Trip total≈ BOB 455 per person per day, bed included | BOB 1,819 |
2026 estimate in bolivianos; long-distance buses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Trucha (lake trout) with rice and potatoesBeach stalls and restaurants; the market stall from 18:00 is cheaper.Beach stalls and restaurants; the market stall from 6:00 PM is cheaper. | Bs 20–25 |
| Coffee or breakfast | Bs 10–25 |
| Beer at a lakeside bar | Bs 15–25 |
| Museo del Poncho entrycheck | Bs 15 |
| Internet café, per hourcheck | Bs 4–8 |
| Hostel bed | Bs 30–60 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: 3,841 m. Arrive from La Paz slowly, drink water, skip alcohol the first night.
- Money changers at the Peru border crossing quote bad rates: change in town instead.
- Some hostels advertise Wi-Fi but switch the router on only when asked.
- Nights are cold year-round; many budget rooms have no heating.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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CopacabanaCopacabana
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire119
Embassy
No embassies in Copacabana; most are in La Paz. The US embassy is in La Paz (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- La Paz → Copacabana bus: about Bs 20–25, 3.5 h (check)
- Tiquina Strait ferry: Bs 2, a few minutes (check)
- Copacabana → Puno bus: about Bs 30, 3.5 h (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- ¿Dónde sale el barco a la Isla del Sol? — Where is the boat to Isla del Sol? (DON-de SA-le el BAR-ko)
- Necesito una habitación por dos noches — I need a room for two nights (ne-se-SI-to u-na a-bi-ta-SION)
- ¿Hay agua caliente? — Is there hot water? (ai A-gwa ka-LYEN-te)
- Ayuda — Help (a-YU-da)
Altitude 3,841 m. Take the first day slowly and drink water.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Copacabana. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (dry, clear) · avoid Jan–Mar (rain, cold nights) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LPB: last bus from La Paz field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Plaza 2 de Febrero, Av. 6 de Agosto, the lakeside and Cerro El Calvario.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (basilica, Museo del Poncho, El Calvario) and eat pages with last orders.
- Boat-departure fixtures for Isla del Sol so gates A–D can go green.