Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side holidays
Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side holidays at a glance
Bolivia’s shore of Lake Titicaca has a different feel from the Peruvian side. It’s quieter and more devotional, centred on the pilgrimage town of Copacabana and the sacred island where, in Inca legend, the sun itself was born. At 3,812m the light is intense and the water impossibly blue, with the peaks of the Cordillera Real rising white beyond the far shore.
Copacabana is the heart of it. This small lakeside town is Bolivia’s most important place of pilgrimage, drawing the faithful to its white, Moorish-domed basilica and the dark wooden statue of the Virgin of Copacabana, the country’s patron saint. Every weekend the forecourt fills for the bendición de movilidades, when Bolivians drape their cars in flowers and ribbons and a priest blesses them for safe travel, a vivid blend of Catholic and Andean belief. Along the waterfront, stalls grill fresh trout while pilgrims climb Cerro Calvario for the view.
From the harbour, boats cross to Isla del Sol, the largest island on the lake and, in Andean tradition, the birthplace of the sun. Its terraced hillsides and stone paths make for gentle walking, with wide views over the water and the mountains beyond. Inland, the ruins of Tiwanaku, one of the Andes’ most important pre-Inca sites, combine well with the lake on the way to or from La Paz.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Stay a night in Copacabana rather than day-tripping from La Paz. Once the buses leave, the town calms, and you can take the first boat out to Isla del Sol in the morning.
When to visit Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side
The lake sits high and can feel cold whatever the season, even under a strong sun, so pack layers year-round. The main choice is between the drier and wetter halves of the year.
This is the best time to visit Lake Titicaca, as there is plenty of warm sunshine, low humidity and very little rain. You can expect mostly clear blue skies, perfect for taking in views of the Uros floating islands and shimmering sunsets over the lake. As these are the winter months, evenings and night times can be chilly so it is best to bring warm clothing. The most international visitors arrive in July – August, while May and September are generally quieter.
In the summer, temperatures are warmer and there is an increased chance of rainfall. You can still visit during these months but you may encounter muddier hiking paths due to the wet climate, and reduced visibility which means views over the lake are not as clear.
Top Things to do in Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side
This is a region for pilgrimage, legend and lakeside walks. Here’s what we recommend.
Visit the floating reed islands of the Uros Uruitos and the Islands of the Moon and Sun with their Inca ruins and fascinating cultures.
Accommodation in Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side
Accommodation here is simple but well-placed, and we hand-pick each one for setting and comfort. In Copacabana, lakeside hotels look out over the water and put you within walking distance of the basilica and the harbour. For a night on the sacred island itself, a handful of small lodges on Isla del Sol let you watch the sun set and rise over the lake, well worth the climb up from the jetty.
Charming and friendly guesthouse in a 17th-century hacienda on the idyllic Isla del Sol, with magnificent views over the cobalt waters of Lake Titicaca.
Stylish, small and charming hotel with a matchless location on the shores of Lake Titicaca and superb views from many rooms.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side
Group Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Andean Flamingo: Andes laid bare
Places visited: Lima · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · La Paz and the altiplano · Uyuni salt flats · Atacama Desert · Santiago and the vineyards
17 days from £5,636
Condor: Peru in depth
Places visited: Lima · Arequipa and Colca Canyon · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · La Paz and the altiplano · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · The Peruvian Amazon (south)
20 days from £3,851
Hummingbird: Ocean to ocean
Places visited: Rio de Janeiro · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Buenos Aires · Sucre and Potosi · La Paz and the altiplano · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Lima
21 days from £5,861
Jacana: Crossing the continent
Places visited: Lima · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · La Paz and the altiplano · Asuncion and the heartland · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Rio de Janeiro
19 days from £4,583
Pato Andino: Panorama of the Andes
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Salta · Atacama Desert · Uyuni salt flats · La Paz and the altiplano · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Lima
20 days from £5,222
Tailor-Made Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Signature Andes: Highlands of Peru, Bolivia and Chile
Places visited: Lima · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Cusco · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · La Paz and the altiplano · Uyuni salt flats · Atacama Desert · Santiago and the vineyards
16 days from £5,510
FAQs about visiting Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side
Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to visit Lake Titicaca?
Lake Titicaca is visited throughout the year, not least because it is on the main route between southern Peru and Bolivia. The dry season, when sunny days can be expected, runs May-Oct but in June and July it can be below freezing at night. Rain falls Jan-Mar and the lake becomes grey and choppy, but still atmospheric.
- What's the official language at Lake Titicaca?
The main language spoken in Lake Titicaca is Spanish.
- What's the official currency at Lake Titicaca?
Peru: Nuevo Sol; Bolivia: Peso Boliviano. Notes in local currency or US dollars can be withdrawn from banks in Puno using a UK credit or debit card. Money exchange offices exchange US dollars cash (few accept euros or sterling and the rate may be poor). In Copacabana, Bolivia, there’s a bank which offers advances on a Visa card and casas de cambio which exchange US dollars and Peruvian Soles. Commission rates are generally higher than in the major towns and cities.
- What's the time difference between Lake Titicaca and the UK?
The time difference between Lake Titicaca and the UK is GMT -5 hours (Peru); -4 (Bolivia).
- Which other countries combine well with Lake Titicaca?
Cusco, Peru 6-9 hours by road or 10 hours by train; La Paz, Bolivia (155km).
- How do I get to Lake Titicaca?
Travel to Puno (Peru), by train from Cusco (10 hours) or by road (6-9 hours). Fly to Juliaca from Lima or Arequipa, 1 hour and 30 mins respectively; from here it’s a 45 minute drive to Puno. It’s a couple of hour’s drive and short ferry ride to Copacabana from La Paz (3.5 hours).
- What are the festivals and cultural events on Lake Titcaca?
Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria: Puno and Copacabana, early Feb. Dance competitions, re-enactments of local Aymara legends, masked processions, much drinking and generalboisterousness.
Semana Santa (Easter): Candelight processions in Puno, pilgrims walking the stations of the cross in Copacabana.
Foundation of Puno: Puno, 5 Nov. Impressive pageant, and enactment of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo emerging from the waters of the lake.
Independencia: Copacabana, first week of August. Animated music, parades, fireworks, boozing.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.