La Paz to Copacabana & Isla del Sol: Full Day Tour with Boat

Summary

Lake Titicaca’s shifting light, Copacabana’s quiet streets and the old Inca sun temple

You’ll start early from La Paz with hotel pickup, cross Lake Titicaca by ferry with a local guide sharing stories, wander Copacabana’s lakeside streets for lunch, then take a slow boat to Isla del Sol to explore ancient temples and coastlines before heading back as dusk falls over the water.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really expect the cold. We left La Paz before sunrise — still a bit groggy, clutching coffee from the hostel — and by the time our bus wound out of the city, everything was blue-grey and hushed. Our guide, Martín, pointed at distant peaks and told us stories about Lake Titicaca that sounded half-mythical. I kept watching the lake flicker between clouds as we bumped along; it’s hard to describe that color. Somewhere near Tiquina Mirador we stopped for a minute, just long enough for the wind to bite through my jacket. The air smelled sharp, almost metallic — maybe it was just altitude.

The ferry crossing at Tiquina was a bit chaotic but kind of fun — people laughing nervously as we shuffled onto this wooden raft with cars and chickens (yes, actual chickens). On the other side, Copacabana felt sleepy at first: little shops opening late, women in bowler hats selling snacks I couldn’t name. We had time for lunch (I ordered trout because everyone said you should), then Martín rounded us up for the boat to Isla del Sol. The ride was slow in that good way where you can just watch sunlight move across water and forget your phone exists.

Arriving at Yumani on Isla del Sol felt like stepping into another story. There’s this quietness on the island — not silence exactly, more like everything is softer: footsteps on dusty paths, voices echoing off stone walls near Pilkokaina sun temple. Martín explained how this place fits into Inca legends (I’m still not sure I understood it all), but I remember touching one of the old stones and feeling how cold it was even in afternoon sun. We wandered along the coast for a while; at some point I lost track of time completely.

The way back was quieter — everyone seemed tired but happy, eating snacks from Copacabana or just watching dusk settle over the lake. There’s something about seeing those mountains reflected in Titicaca that sticks with you longer than you expect. Anyway, we got dropped off back in La Paz after dark and I realized my shoes were full of dust from Yumani’s paths. Still haven’t cleaned them.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day tour to Copacabana and Isla del Sol

• Depart La Paz at 7:00 am
• Arrive Tiquina Mirador viewpoint
• Cross Tiquina by ferry
• Arrive Copacabana at 11:30 am
• Free time for lunch in Copacabana
• Board boat to Isla del Sol at 12:30 pm
• Arrive Yumani on Isla del Sol at 1:40 pm
• Walk around Pilkokaina temple and Yumani coast
• Boat back to Copacabana at 3:20 pm
• Free time for snacks in Copacabana
• Depart Copacabana for La Paz at 5:45 pm
• Cross Tiquina at 7:00 pm
• Arrive La Paz around 10:30 pm

Top questions

How long is the day trip from La Paz to Isla del Sol?

The tour lasts a full day, departing around 7:00 am from La Paz and returning around 10:30 pm.

Is hotel pickup included in this Copacabana & Isla del Sol tour?

Yes, hotel or hostel pickups within the designated area in La Paz are included.

Do you get free time in Copacabana during this day trip?

Yes, there is free time for lunch in Copacabana before boarding the boat to Isla del Sol.

What do you visit on Isla del Sol?

You visit Yumani at the south end of Isla del Sol and walk around Pilkokaina sun temple and coastal paths.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

No set lunch is included; you have free time in Copacabana to buy your own meal.

Are there any physical requirements for this trip?

The tour involves walking on uneven paths; not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Does this tour include a guide?

Yes, a Bolivian guide accompanies your group throughout the day trip.

What transport is used between La Paz and Copacabana?

A guided bus is used between La Paz and Copacabana; there is also a ferry crossing at Tiquina.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or hostel pickup within central La Paz, guided bus transport all the way to Copacabana with stops like Tiquina Mirador viewpoint along Lake Titicaca’s edge, roundtrip boat tickets out to Isla del Sol’s Yumani port and back again, plus drop-off when you return late at night.