Bolivia, Copacabana

Copacabana is on the Bolivian side of beautiful Lake Titicaca.

There is no ATM in Copacabana so if coming from Peru withdraw enough soles in advance or have dollars to change. If coming from Bolivia, have enough cash or dollars to last. The money change rates at the border and in Copacabana were the same.

Internet access is very expensive, 14 bolivianos / hour.

We did a day tour to the Isla del Sol. We payed 20 Bolivianos for the boat transport which took us to the northern part of the island at Cha'llapampa. There is a 5 bolivianos entry fee for the museum and also allows you to see the ruins. We walked to the ruins and the Rock of the Puma and in total it was a pleasant 3.5 hour walk down to the southern part of the island at Yumani where the boat picks you up. This is where the Incas believed the sun was born so you definately need good suntan lotion and a hat as the sun is extremely strong at this altitude. There were no restaurants at the actual port of Yumani but some further up the hill so don't walk all the way down the steep hill to the bottom if you need some food.
There are only two companies who do the same trip so it doesn't matter who you book with. We went with Titicaca tours.

Copacabanas beach isn't the same as Rio's but great for sunset. The trucha (salmon trout) sold in the small eateries along the beach were great. 15 bolivianos for a fish enough for 2.

Restaurant Vegetariano Kala Uta which is raved about in guidebooks wasn't particularly good. The service was unbelievably slow and the pizza made on bread rather than pizza bases.

Our favorite place was Mankha Uta on Ave. 6 de Agosta, half a block from the lake.
They have a TV lounge where you can choose movies and watch only paying for food and drinks. The staff are very friendly and inside it is cosy and warm. Their breakfasts were good as were the salads.

For drinks, we had a good time at Waykys, a reggae style bar but with mixed good music on the corner of Ave 16 de Julio and Ave. Buchs

We travelled to La Paz with TransTurs 2 de February but Trans Manco Kapac is the same. They have various departures during the day and cost 15 bolivianos. The bus drives to Tiquina and then goes on a small ferry across the straight. Passengers must take the small passenger ferry boats for an extra 1.50 bolivianos which take 10 mins. Everyone gets back on the bus and you head off to La Paz. Collectur and other tour busses do the same trip and all leave at 13:30 and cost 25 bolivianos.