Lake Titicaca Travel Guide
One of the most impressive lakes we can see on the planet (let alone in just South America), Lake Titicaca is legendary for many reasons.
Not only can we meet indigenous cultures and see ancient ruins whilst island hopping here, we can also enjoy some surreal high altitude views too.
Things to do in Lake Titicaca
In this guide we’ll explore Lake Titicaca, what to see and do, the best places to stay as well as our own top tips for a backpacking trip here.
Why Travel to Lake Titicaca?
This giant, high-altitude lake is one of the most impressive sights you can visit when traveling through Bolivia and Peru.
On boat tours we can head out to remote islands such as the Isla de Sol and Taquile Island, both of which have incredible ruins and views over the alpine lake.
Of course it’s important to know which highlights are in which country (as there’s a launching-off spot for tours in each), however we’ll cover these later on in this guide.
Another awesome reason to visit Lake Titicaca is for the local culture. Whilst some sights like the Uros can feel quite touristy nowadays, there’s still no denying how impressive these creations are – as well as the fact that locals are walking the talk every day of their lives here.
We’ll also find many opportunities to try amazing Andean foods too, and especially in the local restaurants that line the shores of Copacabana (on the Bolivian side).
Lake Titicaca of course has its logistical benefits too, which serves as an ideal border crossing for travelers heading between Cusco and La Paz.
The Kasani border crossing is ideally located between the Peruvian and Bolivian shores of Lake Titicaca, so is quite easy to get to and from.
It’s much better heading through this border compared with Desaguadero (I, George, have done it multiple times and always preferred Kasani).
How to Get to Lake Titicaca
As I just mentioned in the last section, you’ll most likely come from one of the big Andean cities in either Peru or Bolivia. The two main basecamps to visit on Lake Titicaca are Puno (Peru) as well as Copacabana (Bolivia).
Peru: Getting to Puno is simple by bus if you’re already in the Andes, which is roughly a 6 hour ride from Cusco. If in Lima, you’ll want to fly to the airport in Juliaca which is then just an hour ride away.
Bolivia: Copacabana is easiest to get to from the capital of La Paz. The bus ride here takes roughly 4/5 hours, which includes a brief ferry ride over the river. You can also come here after visiting the Uyuni Salt Flats, although you’ll first want to connect in La Paz.
Where to Stay in Lake Titicaca
Overall the best two destinations to stay in and around Lake Titicaca are in Puno (Peru) and in Copacabana (Bolivia).
In Puno we can find many affordable hostels, which are really cheap even by Peruvian standards. Urpi Wasi Backpackers is a great option for dorm beds, which also includes breakfast in the room rate.
If you’re looking for a more comfortable private room stay, then we highly recommend the Kaaro Hotel which has hot showers and a complimentary breakfast included.
Within Copacabana we’ll also find room rates to be quite affordable. Travelers who want to keep things cheap will want to stay at the Backpacker Nexus Mirasol, which has comfortable dorm beds and is located on the busy Avenida 16 de Julio.
If you’re looking for an upgrade then we suggest staying at the Estrella del Lago, which is close to the lake and has comfortable private rooms (as well as a really cool building decor style).
Best Time to visit Lake Titicaca
Overall the best season to visit Lake Titicaca is from September to November, which marks the Spring season for Peru and Bolivia. This is because temperatures aren’t as freezing as they are in the winter, whilst the summer rains have yet to arrive.
The winter months run from June until August, with average temperatures of 42-44°F, highs of 59°F and nighttime lows of down to 25°F. As little as 0-0.1 inches of rainfall are predicted to fall within each of these winter months.
The summer season starts in December and runs through until February. Average temperatures increase to around 50-51°F, with highs of 60°F and warmer lows of 41-42°F. Rainfall also increases, where we can expect anywhere from 1.5-2.5 inches falling throughout each month.
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Best Things to do in Lake Titicaca (The Peruvian Side 🇵🇪)
Explore the stunning Uros Islands
By far the most famous highlight of Lake Titicaca (which you’ve probably already seen photos of), the Uros Islands really are a sight to behold.
Essentially they are floating man-made islands, which are made out of the local Totora Reed which grows wild around the lake’s edges. From Puno you can head on a day trip to explore these islands, where local indigenous communities still live here to this day.
Visit the Sillustani Ruins
We can often see many different types of ruins around Peru that really leave a lasting impression, such as those of Machu Picchu and Kuelap.
However the tombs of Sillustani are quite different, given these unassuming towers house the remains of the elite members of the ancient Qulla culture.
Again getting here is simple from Puno, and most travelers will spend a day exploring these ruins (and another on the Uros) before heading to the Bolivian side.
Best Things to do in Lake Titicaca (The Bolivian Side 🇧🇴)
Hike up to the Cerro Calvario
By far one of the most underrated attractions in Lake Titicaca has to be the Cerro Calvario. Looming over the town to the east, this peak is the best place for some insane panoramic shots over the lake.
After getting your Caldos in for the afternoon on the lake shores, we recommend you start walking up here around 4:00pm to be ready for the epic sunset.
There’s a stone path leading the way, and it will take around an hour – although it’s best to take it slow given we’re already at a decent altitude here.
Explore the Isla del Sol
From Copacabana there are plenty of memorable day trips to take, and the highlight has to be to the Isla del Sol. Here we can walk along the farmlands and ridges around the island, with the top boasting some great views over the blue lake.
They also do some really tasty Bolivian dishes here too for those who need an extra top-up. Usually on day tours you’ll also make a short stop on the Isla de la Luna, which has its own awesome stone ruins.
Lake Titicaca Backpacking Tips
Now we’ll share some of our best tips for exploring Lake Titicaca, based on our own experience here.
- We recommend spending between 5-7 days on Lake Titicaca (between both countries). In general Puno needs less time, unless you are planning on doing an overnight homestay experience on Amantani Island. Copacabana is usually a better option to spend more days, where the town itself is more pleasant when chilling out for the day between tours.
- It’s important to keep reapplying sunscreen here, even if leaving early whilst temperatures are still freezing. This is because the Andean Sun can get really intense around midday, and even a couple of hours can burn unsuspecting travelers with ease. I (George) have burnt more time than I care to mention in these regions – and take it from when I say it isn’t pretty!
- When traveling between both lakeside towns (via the border), it’s best to start leaving around 6:30am. There are local colectivos that head to the Kasani border around this time, where you can pass much quicker and smoother before hordes of locals begin to queue up. Remember that in total you’ll need between 4-6 hours to make the trip in either direction.
Things to do in Lake Titicaca
And that’s all for our backpacking guide to Lake Titicaca.
The world’s highest altitude lake is one of the true bucket-list items to visit in South America, and most itineraries around Peru and Bolivia should include a stop here.
Not only can we visit cultural islands and take in the views, we can also see some pretty spectacular pre-Hispanic ruins too.
In this guide we’ve covered everything you’ll need to know about Lake Titicaca. This includes the best things to see and do, the best time to visit, where to stay and much, much more.
We hope you enjoyed reading this guide! If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
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