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Despite being a landlocked country, Bolivia has one of the best islands that I have visited in South America. La Isla del Sol, or The Island of the Sun, is a small island in Lake Titicaca, but it has had a big impact on history. Today, it holds ruins of ancient civilizations, as well as small villages that make their living through fishing and farming. The amazing views from this island are reason enough to visit. Read on to learn more!
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History of La Isla del Sol
Ancient ruins and artifacts reveal that people have been living on this island for thousands of years. However, the majority of the 80 ruin sites on the island come from the 15th century, when the Inca ruled the region.
The Island of the Sun is a very significant part of Incan mythology, as it is where they believe the sun was created (hence the name, Island of the Sun). Also, while experts debate the exact origin of the word Titicaca, they agree that the name comes from a description of a sacred rock on the Island of the Sun in the Aymara language.
This island has played such an important role in history, that the largest lake in South America is named after a rock on it!
Where is La Isla del Sol?
La Isla del Sol is located in Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. This lake is split by the border of Peru and Bolivia, but La Isla del Sol is located on the Bolivian side. Copacabana is the largest town on the Bolivian mainland near the island.
How to Get to La Isla del Sol
Boats from the nearby Bolivian town of Copacabana leave every day. I paid 45 Bolivianos (about $6.50 USD) for a round-trip ticket plus a dinner of fresh trout. You shouldn’t pay more than 50 Bolivianos for the boat ride. Some travel agencies may try to charge you much more than this but just look around for other companies. The town of Copacabana relies on tourism, especially to La Isla del Sol, so there is plenty of competition for business. You will definitely find someone willing to take you there for 50 Bolivianos or less.
What to Do on La Isla del Sol
When you arrive on the island, you will either land near the small village of Yumani to the south or Challapampa to the north. I recommend finding a boat company that will drop you off in Challapampa and pick you up in Yumani a few hours later. This will give you plenty of time to walk across the island and experience the amazing scenery, landscapes, and ruins on different parts of the island.
Challapampa Village
Challapampa is a small traditional village located in the northern part of the island. There are a few restaurants and places to get food, but overall, this village isn’t catered to tourism. Visiting Challapampa gives an interesting perspective on what local life on La Isla del Sol is like. There are also beautiful beaches on this part of the island that are worth visiting.
Chincana Ruins
The Chincana Ruins are located north of Challapampa Village. As you climb the large hills, you’ll get some pretty amazing views of the surrounding countryside and water. After passing some souvenir vendors, you’ll reach the famous Sacred Rock (the one Titicaca is named after). Nearby, you’ll see the most impressive Chincana Ruins on the island.
Walking Across the Island
While most of the people from my boat decided to take the boat from Challapampa to Yumani, I decided to walk across the island. There is a single train running down the center of the island. This trail runs along the highest points on the island, so you will always have amazing panoramic views of the area. As I mentioned, there are no trees or shade on the trail, so protect yourself from the sun! This is a long hike, but fortunately, it’s difficult to get lost, as there is only one main trail across the island.
You’ll also be able to enjoy impressive views of the snow-capped mountain, Janq’u Uma!
Yumani Village
Yumani is a much bigger village and you will see more tourism. There are restaurants, small stores, and even hostels you can stay at. Climbing down the famous Inca Stairs will get you to the southern port. There are some impressive ruins down here for you to enjoy while you wait to sail back to Copacabana.
Best Time to Visit La Isla del Sol
The best time to visit La Isla del Sol is during the dry season from May to October. During this time, the sky is clear and makes for a better time to walk around the island. The only downside to visiting during this time is that it may dip into freezing temperatures at night. However, during the day, the temperatures will be about the same year-round.
What to Bring to La Isla del Sol
Even if you plan on staying on La Isla del Sol for just a few hours, it is important to take plenty of water. I was in Bolivia in April (when it is really cold!) and I’m glad I brought as much water as I did. The hike across the island takes a lot out of you. It took me a few hours, and I was moving quickly. You should also bring food and some extra money in case you need to buy refreshments while on the island. Bring something to cover your face from the sun too. While walking the trail, there is no shade. Plus, being at such a high elevation makes it easier to get sunburned.
Another important thing to bring is a watch (or phone). You need to be cognizant of the time. The boats are pretty punctual, and they will leave you if you are not on time. My boat left three people who tried to walk across the island but did not make it to the southern port in time. If you already are paying for a place to stay in Copacabana, you do not want to get stuck on the island and have to pay for an additional place to stay there.
Where to Stay in La Isla del Sol
There are a few different options to choose from when deciding where to stay, both on La Isla del Sol and in the nearby town of Copacabana. What you choose will depend on your budget, desired level of luxury, and what kind of experiences you wish to have.
Low Budget
You can choose to either stay at Copacabana or the La Isla del Sol. There are a lot more accommodation options in Copacabana than on the island, so you will have more flexibility in prices.
If you stay in Copacabana, I recommend staying at Suma Uta. This hotel is located near the center of town, and you can get a double room with a private bathroom for about $10 USD! That’s the same price (or cheaper!) as most hostels in the area, so you might as well get your own room!
If you are staying on La Isla del Sol, I recommend staying at Hostal Inti Wayra. This is one of the highest-rated hotels on the island, and offers a private room, garden, and mountain views.
Medium Budget
If you want a hotel on the beach in Copacabana, check out Hotel Onkel Inn Torres de Copacabana. This hotel offers panoramic beach views, luxury rooms, and a buffet breakfast. Rooms here go for about $50 USD.
If you are staying on La Isla del Sol, I recommend staying at Inti Illimani Lodge. This hotel is conveniently located where boats arrive from and depart to Copacabana. This hotel also offers à la carte breakfast and stunning views of the lake from the rooms. You can enjoy waking up and seeing the sunrise over the lake right from your room!
High Budget
If you want a truly luxurious experience in Copacabana, I recommend staying at the Hotel Rosario Lago Titicaca. This beachfront hotel is one of the highest-rated hotels in Copacabana. It has a restaurant where you can try trucha, a traditional dish consisting of trout from Lake Titicaca.
If you are staying on La Isla del Sol, I recommend staying at Ecolodge La Estancia. Here, you can stay in cottages with private bathrooms overlooking the lake. Guests can take part in various tours and ceremonies offered on the island. Breakfast and dinner are also included.
Check out the map below for available accommodations.
Tips for Visiting
Before your trip to La Isla del Sol, here are 5 tips to ensure your visit goes smoothly.
1. Figure out how much time you have on the island
Once you arrive at La Isla del Sol, verify with your boat captain both the time and port of departure. If you only have a couple of hours before departure, and the departure is on the other side of the island, you won’t have enough time to walk across the island. Don’t get stuck here if you don’t need to!
2. Take plenty of water and snacks
Even if you visit La Isla del Sol during the colder months, you will still need to bring plenty of water and snacks. The high elevation of the island will force your body to burn energy more quickly. If you decide to walk across the island, you may walk for hours without seeing any stores or vendors.
3. Download a map of La Isla del Sol offline
It’s very important to have an offline map of La Isla del Sol before you get there. There is only WiFi available at certain hostels or stores in the villages. In addition, you likely won’t get any kind of cell service at La Isla del Sol. Having a downloaded map before you arrive will ensure that you can navigate the area with ease, or accidentally wander on the wrong trail.
4. Bring good walking shoes
Regardless of whether or not you choose to walk across the whole island, you need to bring good walking shoes for Yumani Village. Right next to where the boats drop you off, there are several steep staircases that you will need to climb to reach the village. You don’t want to try to climb these in flimsy footwear, because slipping on these steps will be extremely painful!
5. Learn a couple of phrases in Aymara
If you can say “thank you” in Aymara, you will leave a good impression on the people of La Isla del Sol. Try saying Yuspagara (yu-spa-GAR-ah) or Yuspagaratam (yu-spa-Gar-ah-tam), depending on the dialect.
