Complete Guide to Visit Titicaca Lake and Sun Island

In this complete guide to visit Lake Titicaca, we want to tell you when is the best time to visit it, how to get there from different cities, what activities you can do and much more information that will help you plan your next trip.

Titicaca is one of the highest navigable lakes in the world and is also the largest freshwater lake in South America.

The combination of the light blue sky and the blue of the lake is unique, worthy of becoming a postcard.

I don’t want to delve too much into this introduction, because throughout this post, I will be giving you important information about this incredible place.

So, if you want to know a little more, read on to learn about Lake Titicaca and all its characteristics.

Where is Lake Titicaca located?

Lake Titicaca is located in the Andean altiplano in the central Andes, right on the border that divides Bolivia and Peru.

It extends from the Bay of Puno to the Capachica Peninsula and the Chuicuito Peninsula.

This enormous body of water is divided into two parts; the Great Lake and the Lesser Lake.

Lake Maggiore is characterized by its mountain scenery and blue waters. The Sun and Moon Islands are located in this part of the lake.

Lago Menor is characterized by its panoramic views of the islands inhabited by the Aymaras and by the abundance of native flora and fauna.

Lake Titicaca has been declared a natural reserve in order to conserve and preserve its natural resources.

What is the best time of the year to visit Lake Titicaca?

Lake Titicaca is a beautiful place at any time of the year.

But it is true that in certain seasons, the weather can be a little more pleasant in terms of temperatures and rain.

The rainy season occurs during the summer, that is, from January to March.

This is a point to take into account, since the water makes the roads a bit difficult to cross the islands and it is important to be prepared for this, especially if you wish to camp.

On the other hand, in the winter season, temperatures drop dramatically. So if you plan to visit Lake Titicaca between June and August, it is advisable to bring enough warm clothes to make your stay as pleasant as possible.

The best time to visit Lake Titicaca is during the months of October, November and December, as rainfall decreases and the temperature is a little warmer.

🍀 Our trip was at the end of July, so in the photos throughout this article you can see how we were dressed with my friends.

How to get to Lake Titicaca?

– Travel from La Paz to Titicaca lake (Copacabana)

Copacabana is one of the main towns located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, so many travelers decide to make a base in this small tourist town to later visit the most important islands of the lake.

The town of Copacabana is located halfway between La Paz (Bolivia) and Puno (Peru), making it easily accessible from both cities. It all depends on your travel itinerary.

In case you want to travel to Lake Titicaca from La Paz, you can take a bus from the main terminal of the city.

The trip is about 160 kilometers long, takes approximately 4 hours and is a direct route to Copacabana. That is, you should not make transfers.

Some of the tour companies that make this trip are: TransTiticaca, Turisbus, Vicuña Travel and Diana Tours.

If you want to travel with a little more comfort, there is the possibility of hiring a one or two-day tour from the city of La Paz.You will be taken to visit Copacabana and either the Island of the Sun or the Island of the Moon, depending on the excursion you prefer to take.

📷 You can do a 1 day tour from La Paz or a 2 day tour if you have more time. See here:
– 2 day Lake Titicaca tour from La Paz.
– Catamaran excursion to Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol from La Paz (day trip).

– Travel from Cusco to Titicaca Lake (Puno)

Cusco is one of the most important cities in Peru and, therefore, one of the most visited by travelers who decide to tour the Inca lands.

So, if you are visiting Peru, you may be interested in knowing how to get to Lake Titicaca from Cusco.

The main gateway to Titicaca on the Peruvian side is the city of Puno. Therefore, in order to visit this lake, you will have to travel from Cusco to Puno.

For this you have 4 options.

The first is to take a commercial bus from the Cusco terminal that will take you directly to Puno, taking approximately 6 hours.

The second option is to take a tourist bus that runs along the famous Ruta del Sol. This tour includes stops at tourist sites such as Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Pukará and Juliaca. The trip takes about 10 hours.

There is also the possibility of taking a plane from Cusco to Juliaca (Peru) and from there take a cab or bus to Puno (42 kilometers) or to Copacabana (190 kilometers).

We traveled by plane from Cusco to Juliaca and from there we had hired a private transport to go to Copacabana. It is about 4 hours of travel and there is a border in between. The scenery during the trip is beautiful.

Finally, the last option is to take a train from Cusco to Puno. It is an incredible experience where you can travel comfortably while enjoying amazing views of lakes, snow-capped mountains, vegetation and all the landscapes that the Peruvian altiplano has to offer.

📷 Do you dare to go by train from Cusco to Puno? Be surprised by the landscapes and live a unique experience. Reserve your place here.

📷 You can also undertake the beautiful Ruta del Sol from Cusco to Puno, with stops in Andahuaylillas, Racchi and Pucara (by bus).

🔝 Traveling to the historic city of Peru? Here we tell you things to do in Cusco in 3 days.

– Travel from Lima to Puno

To travel to Lake Titicaca from Lima, you must also pass through the city of Puno.

This tour can be done by plane or bus.

If you decide to go by air, you can take a flight from Lima to Juliaca airport and from there, a cab or bus to Puno.

In case you prefer to travel by bus, you can go to the Lima terminal and take a 16-hour bus ride to Arequipa and from there a 6-hour bus ride to Puno.

🔝 If you are going to travel to the Peruvian capital I recommend you to read our article where we tell you things to do in Lima in 1 or 2 days.

How to visit Lake Titicaca from Puno or Copacabana?

Both Puno, in Peru, and Copacabana, in Bolivia, are two of the most important towns on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

From the Port of Puno or from the Port of Copacabana, boats leave daily to the different islands of the lake.

So, these cities are a strategic point if you wish to visit Lake Titicaca and its floating islands.

There are also many lodgings that offer these tours, including the transfer from the lodging to the pier and the boats to the islands.

If you are traveling in high season, it may be advisable to book these tours in advance through the Internet.

📷 Are you in Puno (Peru) and want to visit the famous Sun Island (Bolivia)? Check out this complete 1 day tour!

Things to do in Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is not only characterized by its immensity and beauty, but also by the communities that inhabit it.

Throughout the length and breadth of Titicaca you will find several islands that you can visit and even stay in some of them and learn about the customs of the cultures that inhabit them.

Below, I will share with you some of the best things to do in Lake Titicaca.

1) The Island of the Sun

Isla del Sol is the largest island in the lake and also one of the most visited by tourists who choose to visit Lake Titicaca.

This island is located on the Bolivian side, is about 10 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide and is divided into three communities; Yumani (to the south), Challa (in the central coastal area) and Challapampa (to the north).

Although Isla del Sol can be visited for a day, since it is a two-hour sailing trip from Copacabana, the ideal is to stay there for at least one night to be able to visit it in depth.

The tour along the island can be done in a walk of approximately three hours.

Along the way, you will find archaeological ruins and pre-Hispanic constructions such as the Fountain of Life and the Temple of the Sun. Every corner of the island is worth visiting.

❤️ We did a north-south tour of Isla del Sol and then stayed there. The rest of the islands we have not visited, but to illustrate this article we will include some photos of this island that we loved!

2) Moon Island

Moon Island, also known as Koati Island, is located 8 kilometers from Sun Island and can be accessed by boat from there or from Copacabana.

Its main attraction is the Palace of the Virgins (Iñak Uyu), a place where young women were taken to be educated and prepared in case they were chosen as wives.

The Island of the Moon has been a place of worship of women for the Incas.

Today it is inhabited by some families of the Quechua and Aymara cultures.

3) The Floating Islands of Uros

The Floating Islands are an artificial archipelago made up of islands that have been created by the Uros, one of the oldest cultures of the continent.

The Uros built these islands from totora reeds, a plant that they collect directly from the lake.

They wove and stretched the reeds over another layer of reeds to build the surface of each island and anchored them with logs that reach the bottom of the lake to keep them immovable.

Here is a little more information about the information about the Uros and the construction of their floating islands in case you want to learn more about it.

Visiting this floating village is one of the most enriching activities in Lake Titicaca, as you will be able to learn about the culture and traditions of one of the first civilizations of the Andean highlands.

In order to access the excursions to the Uros islands, you can buy tickets on the street that leads to the pier. There you will find several agencies offering different types of boats.

4) Suasi Island

Suasi Island is located about 4 hours of navigation from the city of Puno (by boat). It is the furthest from the options mentioned.

It is a private island that offers extraordinary natural beauty.

In Suasi, you will find a hotel with rustic architecture, thatched roofs, breathtaking views and a great variety of flora and fauna.

If you are going to visit Lake Titicaca, I assure you that spending a night on this island will be a great choice.

5) Taquile Island

Taquile Island is located on the Peruvian side of the Titicaca, about 3 hours by boat from the Uros Islands.

This island is an ideal place for experiential tourism, as you can stay in the homes of the locals and learn about their customs while sharing their daily tasks.

In Taquile, you will also find a beautiful beach where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the imposing Andes Mountains.

To get to this beach you will have to take a short hike.

6) Amantani Island

Amantani Island, also known as“Isla del Amor” (Love Island), is located 3 hours from the port of Puno.

This place is considered one of the most authentic islands of Lake Titicaca, since, being the least visited by tourists, its essence has not been so manipulated to attract visitors and offer commercial tourist activities.

On Amantani Island, like Taquile Island, there are no lodgings such as inns and hotels, but it is possible to spend the night in the homes of the families who live there.

Things to do in Puno

Surely before embarking on your trip on Lake Titicaca, you will make a stop in one of the two most important cities on the shore. If your choice is Puno, we recommend a stroll through its streets and discover its most authentic corners.

In Puno, you have to see:

• The Cathedral in front of the Plaza de Armas.
• The balcony of the Count of Lemos, the founder of the city.
• The Church of San Juan and the Virgin of Canderlaria.
• Independence Arch.
• Puma Uta viewpoint, to see the city and the lake from above.
• The Puma sculpture.

📷 Take a tour around Puno.

Things to do in Copacabana, Bolivia

If you choose Copacabana, you will see that it is a small and colorful town that has a special charm. What you have to see in Copacabana is:

• Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana (it is impressive, do not miss it).
• Cerro Calvario viewpoint, where there is a Stations of the Cross (recommended!)
• Mirador de la Horca del Inca, for other views of the city and lake.

Where to stay in Lake Titicaca and surroundings?

One of the most important things to consider before visiting Lake Titicaca is lodging.

There are multiple options and your choice will depend on how long you are in the area and your preferences.

For example, some travelers decide to base themselves in Copacabana or Puno and from there take day trips to visit the different islands.

Others prefer to spend more time in the area and take advantage of the opportunity to stay on the different islands.

🏨 Find here the best lodging in Puno, Peru.
🏨 Find here the best lodging in Copacabana, Bolivia.

If you are going on your own to Isla del Sol (i.e. you don’t have any excursion contracted) and you want to stay overnight on the island, check out these accommodations:

🏨 Find here the best accommodation in Isla del Sol.

Now we have reached the end of this super complete guide to visit Lake Titicaca.

We hope we have done our bit to help you plan your trip to this incredible place.

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