You are here : Bolivia - La Paz, Copacabana and Lake Titicaca Destination Guide

Bolivia - La Paz, Copacabana and Lake Titicaca Destination Guide

La Paz:

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La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia as well as the world’s highest capital city. Surrounded by the triple-peaked Illimani Mountain, La Paz sits at a dizzying height of 3660 meters above sea level. You will not be hard pressed to find things to do in this cultural center as the city is home to hundreds of museums, cathedrals and the infamous Witches’ Market where llama fetuses and aphrodisiac formulas are sold to intrigued travelers.

Expect a cold and dry climate throughout the year as La Paz is nestled in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. An absolute must-see among foreign tourists is the Coca Museum where one can learn the history and importance of the coca plant and its effect on the U.S war on drugs. When it comes to dining out, there is no shortage in La Paz. One can find every flavor and culinary type in this sprawling city; from authentic Bolivian fare to Italian, French, Chinese and Thai cuisine. La Paz is also the perfect place to book day trips and trekking tours.

The most popular among these is the 70km long bike ride down “the world’s most dangerous road” or Death Road. The scenic ride takes you along a narrow road that drops suddenly on the side and takes you down to the town of Coroico. So whether it’s contemporary galleries, museums, international cuisine or a ride down the world’s most dangerous road, a visit to La Paz is the perfect way to kick start your Bolivian adventure.

Copacabana:

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Copacabana serves as the main town on Lake Titicaca where boats leave at regular intervals for Isla del Sol – a sanctified Inca island. The town also holds the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana which is a large 16th century shrine of the patron saint of Bolivia. The town, which is built between Mount Calvario and Mount Nino Calvario, is a popular resort destination and is famous for its exceptional trout and subdued atmosphere.

The town is home to numerous pre-Incan sacred sites and hosts numerous Catholic festivals each year. Copacabana is the original Copacabana and lent its name to both the beach in Rio and the Barry Manilow song! It’s the perfect destination to relax, explore Lake Titicaca and enjoy the excellent cuisine on offer.

Lake Titicaca:

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Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake on earth and sits at a staggering 3840m above sea level. The lake sits astride both the Peruvian and Bolivian borders and locals refer to it as “The Sacred Lake” as they believe that the first of the Incas rose from its watery depths and set out to found the Incan Empire.

The lake covers an area of 5000km² and is fed by the rainfall and melting snow of the Andes and is the largest lake in South America. There are five major river systems which feed into the lake and more than 20 smaller streams which empty into the lake.

There are over 40 islands on the lake, some of which are densely populated and include the sacred Isla del Sol (Sun’s Island). One can reach the island by boat and trek across the island from the north to the south or vice versa; this takes about three hours at a comfortable pace and the scenery is spectacular. A visit to the island is a must if you’re in Copacabana and one can stay at one of the many hostels located on the island at a cheap price.