Copacabana is a must for anybody travelling through Bolivia, situated on the beautiful LakeTiticaca it offers a tranquil resting place either en route to or to recover from the pains of the Inca Trail! It is ideally situated between La Paz and Puno in Peru to break up an otherwise 8 hourbus trip. Anyone with experience of Bolivian bus travel will appreciate the desirability of this!!
It is a small town but it offers a lovely beach with plenty of accommodation and eateries to warrant a stay of a few days. Bolivia is a relatively harsh environment to travel in and we used Copacabana as a place to recover from the perils of eating Lama steaks!! The blazing sunshine along with the cheap food and drink you come to expect from the continent really adds a touch of relaxation to the trip and the obligatory day trip to the Isla del Sol offers great views and kodak moments!
The beach itself is relatively clean and spacious with many boats for hire. There is a cheap boat ride over to the Islands where you can take in a day walking round the whole or alternatively for the really daring stay in one of the primitive hotels overnight! Be warned though the temperatures can drop dramatically once the sun goes in so always be prepared!! Whatever you do do not miss the last boat home!!
The lake itself is immense measuring 233km from northwest to southeast and 97km from northeast to southwest. On the trip to the Islas you begin to get an appreciation of these dimensions and the sheer bastness which surrounds you.
A particularly striking attraction here is the 17th century cathedral, home to Bolivia’s patron saint the 16th century Virgen de Candelaria, who is attributed to working many miracles. The cathedral provides first hand evidence of how religious the people of South America are. Should you visit in the first week of February the people take the statue and parade it around the town amidst a typically carnival atmosphere. The sight of vehicles draped in flowers made us think there was a carnival on but we have since discovered that this is a common occurrence as they are blessed by the priest before embarking on the infamous Bolivian “roads”!!
The cathedral square is home to the majority of shops in the town with the usual tourist offers aplenty but also a few local shops where slightly less commercialised goods can be sought. The street sellers of local foods are as always available, as is a fresh fruit and meat market (not a sight for the vegetarians!!). As throughout the continent haggling is both expected and taken in good heart!
Another magnificent attraction is the hill of Cerro Calvario which, although it entails a gruelling climb to the top, offers magnificent views across Lake Titicaca and yet more evidence of the religious nature of the locals. As you are sweating and clinging to the boulders the locals will rush up and down past you fully laden with traditional clothing and children to pray.
One huge downside to the town is the lack of an ATM which has become an essential facility for all travellers. Whatever you do do not get caught out with no money! There is a bank which cashes travellers checks. Alternatively your only options would be to get a cash advance on a credit card or buy a panpipe from a souvenir shop and start busking!!
There are internet facilities available although they did prove to be one of the most expensive we encountered through our travels.
So all in all I warmly recommend this as a resting place for anyone travelling this area -- however please please please do not persist in singing # down at the copa, copacabana # as my girlfriend did throughout out stay!!
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Advantages: Relaxing town with plenty of accomodation/dining, stunning Islands and Lake. Disadvantages: High altitude makes exertion taxing, unremakable ruins.
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