How to get to Copacabana

Quick summary

• Travel time: 3 to 4 hours from La Paz.
• Distance: 145 km. Pontoon crossing over the Strait of Tiquina.
• Approximate bus fare: Bs. 30 to 35 per person (varies by company and season).
• Best option for groups: taxi or hired private transport.
• Documents: ID or passport. If continuing to Peru, bring a valid passport and up-to-date migration stamps.

Option 1: From El Alto Airport

If you just landed at El Alto, take these precautions before leaving the airport:

• Bundle up. The airport is over 4,000 metres above sea level. The temperature change is sharp. Have warm clothing ready before stepping outside.
• Acclimatize. Wait 20 to 30 minutes inside the terminal before leaving. Drink water. Avoid physical exertion in the first few hours.
• Altitude sickness (soroche). If you have never been at this elevation, you may feel dizziness, headache, or nausea. Walk slowly, eat light, avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours. Coca tea helps.

Once ready:

1. Take a taxi or public transport to Avenida 6 de Marzo, street 3.
2. Opposite the stop to Viacha, take a minibus marked "Extranca".
3. Ask the driver to drop you at the El Alto Interprovincial Terminal.
4. Walk to your right; the terminal is visible.

If you take a private taxi from the airport, ask the driver to go straight to the Interprovincial Terminal (around Bs. 30 to 50 depending on negotiation).

Option 2: From La Paz (Interdepartmental Terminal or General Cemetery)

If you arrive by long-distance bus at the La Paz Interdepartmental Terminal, your options are:

Via the General Cemetery

This is the most common route for independent travellers:

1. Leaving the terminal, take a minibus to Avenida 6 de Agosto. Ask to be dropped at the minibus stop for the General Cemetery.
2. Take a minibus to the General Cemetery. Ask the driver to drop you at the main entrance.
3. Opposite the cemetery you will find the stops of the companies that go to Copacabana. The main ones are:
   • Transporte 6 de Junio
   • Manko Kapac
   • 2 de Febrero

Pick the one departing soonest or with the most comfortable bus. Departures work by rotation: when the bus fills, it leaves.

If you are in El Alto instead of La Paz

The route is the same as Option 1: go to street 3 of Avenida 6 de Marzo, take a minibus to "Extranca", and get off at the El Alto Interprovincial Terminal. From there, buses and minibuses depart directly to Copacabana.

Option 3: By private vehicle

From La Paz, take the La Paz – El Alto Highway, then the route towards Tiquina. At the Strait of Tiquina there is a pontoon crossing: your vehicle boards a flat boat that is motored to the other side. It costs between Bs. 15 and 30 per vehicle and Bs. 2 to 3 per passenger. The crossing takes 10 minutes.

On the other side, continue on the route to Copacabana, passing through San Pablo de Tiquina, San Pedro and other villages.

Advantages of driving yourself:

• Free stops at viewpoints and villages.
• Option to visit the Tiquina Viewpoint or the local zip line.
• Flexible schedule.

Drawbacks:

• Driving above 3,800 m can tire you faster.
• Some sections have no mobile coverage.

Continuing to Peru

Copacabana is 8 km from the Kasani border crossing. If you are heading to Puno or Cusco, direct transport from Copacabana crosses the border. Bring a valid passport and — for some nationalities — Bolivian exit + Peruvian entry stamps processed at the crossing.

General recommendations

• Carry cash in bolivianos. In small towns card payments don't always work.
• During religious festival season (February, August) transport is saturated. Leave early.
• Avoid travelling at night on rural roads unless necessary.
• If you are staying on Isla del Sol or Isla de la Luna, get to Copacabana before noon to catch the last boat.