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City in La Paz Department, Bolivia
Photo: Photo by Paul Richter, (WT-en) Paul Richter at English Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Copacabana is a small town on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca.
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Completed in 1576, is one of the oldest churches in Bolivia and is a fine example of Moorish style architecture. (The current structure dates to 1805.) It houses the statue of La Virgen de la Candelaria (also called the "Dark Virgin"), reputed to have miraculous healing powers. The original statue was carved from cactus in 1583 by Francisco Tito Yupanqui, nephew of Inca emperor Huayna Capac. It has made the church Bolivia's most revered pilgrimage site, and its reputation travelled far and wide in its time, even leading someone to create a replica and build a chapel for it on a beach in Brazil.
The Museo del Poncho exhibits a broad variety of weavings and clothing from Andean communities; particular pieces that are part of the male attire. It shows how the poncho is more than just a piece of clothing, but a symbol of identity, social status, and authority.
This imposing hill overlooks the town from the north end of the beach, and it's a moderately strenuous 30-min climb. There are fourteen stations of the cross along the way, where you may want to stop and pray for stronger legs and lungs. The best time to go is around sunset, and hope the weather cooperates. There are tons of trash on the top of the hill, so take yours back down the hill!
The most expensive restaurant in town and dinner is under US$10.
Very tasty Bolivian-International fusion food. Amazing Thai Curry. Owned by the friendly Bolivian Fatima who speaks French, English and Spanish.
Cheap, but some showers are bad and lack hot water. Trucks and buses cruise by at all hours, always honking to make the turn around the hostel. Wi-Fi (20 Mbs) available in the rooms. You can negotiate the rates very easily.
A grand-looking terraced hotel with a wonderful view of the lake.
Every room has a beautiful view on the lake, but the matrimonial beds are a bit too small. Rooms are very big and clean, so is the bathroom. 1 min away from the main avenue. Wi-Fi is provided via 3G. The breakfast is continental with fruits, but may not be ready if you try to catch 08:30 boat. The staff could be more attentive. But with the price it is unbeatable."
Super friendly and helpful staff. Nice views directly west for sunset. Clean and modern rooms with cable TV.
Beautifully decorated hostel, inside and out. The rooms are charming in a rustic sort of way, but some may consider overpriced for their condition. Try to get a room on the second or third floors, as the views (especially sunsets) are great. Comes with a simple continental style breakfast.
La Cúpula is nestled on the hillside of lake Titicaca, a location, which overlooks both the lake and the Village of Copacabana. Calle Michel Perz 1-3. Singles from Bs. 75, heating, breakfast extra. Real hot showers.
Considered the best hotel in town. The modern hotel is designed in the local contemporary style and decorated in traditional Bolivian textiles. Every room has a view of the Lake and the hotel includes a small museum and the top restaurant, Kota Kauhaña.
From Sorata
It is possible to get to/from Sorata without going back to La Paz.
From Peru
As of 2019, at least five bus companies claim to deliver you to Copacabana without connection in Puno.
The town is quite small, so taxis are hardly needed. From 2 de Febrero, you can hire pedicabs to carry luggage to your hotel.
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La Paz / El Alto · International · LPB
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Articles and travel topics about Copacabana and Bolivia.
ItinerariesIf you find yourself in Buenos Aires and want to do some overland travel in South America, why not make your way north, through northern Argentina and Bolivia all the way to the ancient city of Machu Picchu.
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ItinerariesThe Gringo trail is a term for places in Latin America visited by gringos, that is, people from North America or Europe. It is the Western Hemisphere's equivalent of tropical Asia's Banana Pancake Trail.
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Culture & historyFortified locations, military constructions, or buildings, have been built from antiquity all the way to the present. At many archaeological sites and in some old towns they are the dominant structures.
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InspirationSome hotels have a heritage from the golden age of steam railways and ocean liners, before the Second World War, in the 19th or early 20th centuries. These hotels were where the rich and the famous of the day would stay.
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