The bay
Colourful boats.
Maxim — Public domain · Karenrek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gaviota de lago — CC BY-SA 4.0
A small town on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca, set in a crescent bay between two hills near the Peruvian border, and the gateway to Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna. Its waterfront has a long pier, cafés and small restaurants, and colourful swan-shaped pedal boats for trips around the bay. The dish visitors come for is trucha, rainbow trout from the lake, grilled or fried, at beach kiosks overlooking the water and boats. Many climb the big hill above town before sunset on a steep stone path, and from the top see the whole town, the bay and the vast blue lake, with the sun setting behind the mountains of Peru. The climb is tiring at this altitude, so go slowly. It is about four hours by bus from La Paz, crossing the Strait of Tiquina on a small ferry. The lake sits at about 3,800 metres, with a scorching sun and cold nights, so bring sunscreen and a jacket. Bolivia is under a state of emergency with protests and road blockades, so check road conditions and your government's travel advice before the trip.
Colourful boats.
Lake trout.
Sunset over the lake.
Copacabana town waterfront, on a peninsula between two hills
By bus in about four hours, crossing the Strait of Tiquina by small ferry; island boats leave Copacabana in the morning.