Copacabana

On the Bay of Lake Titicaca

Copacabana sits at 3,810 meters above sea level, on a bay between Mount Calvario and Mount Niño Calvario, and has a population of approximately 6,000.

The Ancient Civilizations of Titicaca

Before the Inca Empire, the two main civilizations in the Titicaca region were the Tiahuanaco and the Aymara. The name Copacabana comes from the Aymara word “kotakawana”, meaning “view of the lake” – another interpretation holds that, in ancient Andean mythology, Kotakawana was the god of fertility who still resides in Lake Titicaca. The sun, the moon and the earth were the gods worshipped by these two civilizations.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana

The Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana is the most important cultural site in the region, completed in 1619: it is one of the oldest churches in Bolivia, built above the temple of Kotakawana, and houses the statue of the Virgen de la Candelaria.

From the top of Cerro Calvario hill, which overlooks the entire town, you get the best view, perfect for postcard-worthy photographs. Copacabana also offers countless souvenir shops, hostels and restaurants.

Isla del Sol (Sun Island)

Situated in the southern part of Lake Titicaca, Isla del Sol (Sun Island) is a rocky, hilly island covered in eucalyptus trees. During the Inca Empire, it was believed that the sun god was born here: the island is home to over 80 ruins, including the notable Sacred Rock, a labyrinth-like building called Chincana, as well as Kasa Pata and Pilco Kaina. Today the economy runs mainly on tourism, although subsistence farming and fishing are still widely practiced.

The Moon Island

The Moon Island is one of the most sacred sites in Andean culture, where the so-called Palace of the Sun Virgins still stands. The natural beauty of these islands, together with the breathtaking views of the Andes between Bolivia and Peru and the Copacabana peninsula, is impossible to describe: it has to be experienced firsthand.