Isla del Sol: 2024 Updated information about the Isla del Sol in Copacabana Bolivia from how to get there, prices, and FAQs!
The Isla del Sol is located in the middle of Lake Titicaca. The only way to access the Isla del Sol is via Copacabana in Bolivia. Copacabana is 2 hours from Puno in Peru, which is the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca (floating islands). If you are crossing the border between Peru and Bolivia, you MUST pass through Puno and Copacabana as Lake Titicaca is shared between Peru and Bolivia. All Peru Hop and Bolivia Hop passes operate via Puno and Copacabana, making Isla del Sol very accessible.
There is a lot of Inca related history behind the stunning Isla del Sol. According to Incan legend the principal God, Inti (the Sun God), lived on one of the islands on the Bolivian side of the lake, the Isla Del Sol (Island of the Sun). Legend goes that the island is where Inti created his son and daughter, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, the very first Incas who later travelled north to found Cusco at the heart of what would become the Inca Empire!
Below we have created our extensive guide to the Isla del Sol based on our expert local knowledge having helped to transport over 140,000 travellers here since our formation in 2013.
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Isla del Sol is located on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, a boat ride away from Copacabana.
If you are looking for information on the best buses to take to Copacabana, visit our passes page. Select your departure city, the countries you want to visit, and amount of time you have to travel. Then browse our passes to see which include your desired stop in Copacabana.
To get to the island itself take Peru and Bolivia Hop’s private boat service to and from the island. For more information about prices, departure times and locations, and our recommendations see the tab Isla del Sol Boat Service Information below. Our boats are safe and secure, and very importantly they contain 2 motor powered engines unlike public boats and the ferry that only have 1. This means our boats are faster and more powerful, meaning they get you to and from Copacabana quicker and thus giving you more time on the Island. Bask in the sunshine on the top deck, relax and take in the stunning surroundings.
Peru and Bolivia Hop operate a private boat service to and from the stunning Isla del Sol every day.
Price: $10 USD (INCLUDED in the Bolivia Hop pass La Paz – Copa – La Paz)
Times:
– Departs Copacabana: Daily at 13:00pm and daily at 14:00pm
– Departs Isla del Sol: Daily at 15:30pm and daily at 16:30pm
How to book: On-board the bus with your Bolivia Hop guide on the way to Copacabana
Duration: 4 hours if you return the same day to Copacabana. You can opt to stay the night on Isla del Sol
Meeting Point: White Anchor in Copacabana
Detailed Instructions for Peru/Bolivia Hop Passengers:
Passengers travelling from Puno to Copacabana to La Paz:
08:30am – 13:30pm: Bus Puno to Copacabana.
14:00pm: Boat leaves for Isla del Sol.
You can choose to spend the afternoon or stay the night on the island.
16:30pm: Boat departs from Yumani Port on the island. Whether you only stay the day, or spend the night, simply arrive on time to the port, show your wrist band and enjoy the ride back to Copacabana.
18:00pm: Boat arrives back to Copacabana (White Anchor)
18:00pm: Bus departs Copacabana to La Paz (if you are returning on OUR boat the bus waits for you)
NOTE: If you choose to stay the night on the island make sure you update your Peru/Bolivia Hop bus itinerary in advance with your HOP LOGIN, Wi-Fi is hard to access on the island. Bring cash, there are NO ATM machines on the Island or card payment facilities.
Passengers travelling from La Paz to Copacabana to Puno:
07:00am – 11:30am: Bus La Paz to Copacabana
13:00pm: Boat leaves for Isla del Sol.
You can choose to spend the afternoon or stay the night on the island.
15:30pm: Boat departs from Yumani Port on the island. Whether you only stay the day, or spend the night, simply arrive on time to the port, show your wrist band and enjoy the ride back to Copacabana.
17:00pm: Boat arrives back to Copacabana (White Anchor)
17:00pm: Bus departs Copacabana to Puno (if you are returning on OUR boat the bus waits for you)
NOTE:If you choose to stay the night on the island make sure you update your Peru/Bolivia Hop bus itinerary in advance with your HOP LOGIN, Wi-Fi is hard to access on the island. Bring cash, there are NO ATM machines on the Island or card payment facilities.
The 4 hour round trip will take you to the southern part of the island – the Pilkokaina Pre-Inca Sun Temple, the Inca Stairway and Fountain of Youth, and the southern port of Yumani. The journey time to/from the island itself is around 1h 20mins (weather dependent) so you enjoy at least an hour on the island itself. Our private boat will dock at the ancient sun temple Pilkokaina where you can hop off and walk the length of the southern coast to the southern port of Yumani, passing by some of the very best viewpoints of the island! Public boats arrive and depart from Yumani itself, which does not allow enough time to get up to these amazing photo spots!
Wish to see more of the island? If you have time, we thoroughly recommend to stay overnight and trek the length of the island for the best panoramic views of Titicaca.
I see from the timetable that the bus leaves at the same time the boat returns. Can I arrive to Copacabana, do the 4hr round trip to Isla del Sol and continue the very same day?
Yes. Our buses and private boats are scheduled around one another to allow you to do all this in one day as required. The Bolivia Hop bus will be waiting at the port to pick you up after the boat trip to continue your travels.
I will doing the day trip to Isla del Sol and continuing the same day to my destination. Do I need to take my bags with me on the boat trip?
If you are not hopping off to stay in Copacabana, then you can leave your bags on the bus. The bus will be locked and bags will be safe until you take your onward journey that same afternoon.
Does the price include the island entry fees? Do I need to take extra money?
No, entry fees are not included in the price.
Does the boat go to the north side of the Island?
No, within 4 hours it is only possible to visit one of the islands and Isla Del Sol is much better to visit.
I want to stay overnight on the island can I return back on the boat on another day?
Yes, you can take the boat out one day and return on another no problem –we have boats DAILY! The boats depart from Yumani town port twice daily 15:30 and 16:30 (except Saturday – just 16:30 boat on a Saturday) arriving back into Copacabana at 17:00pm and 18:00pm respectively should you want to catch the 17:00pm bus to Peru directly or the bus to La Paz.
I will be staying the night on Isla Del Sol. Do I need to take my bags with me on the trip?
You must take all your luggage from the bus but if you are staying in Copacabana you can ask your hostel to store your big bags until you return. Remember that the lake is at high altitude so it is advisable to plan ahead and go with only what you need.
If I wish to stay a night on Isla Del Sol do I need to book a hostel there in advance?
There are lots of choices for accommodation on the island which vary in price and luxury. The majority are basic lodging that the local families have built as extensions to their family homes. The higher you go up in the village of Yumani the better the views, so it is worth the extra leg work. There is no internet on the island so it is not possible or necessary to reserve in advance. Just take a look when you arrive and choose what suits you best!
Can weather conditions affect the tour?
Yes. This is something beyond our control. Very occasionally it is too windy and the lake can be too rough to travel. In such instances, the Navy closes the port for safety reasons and NO operators are permitted to leave. Unfortunately this is not easily predicted and the decision is made at the port that day. If your tour gets cancelled at the last minute due to weather conditions and you have already paid for it, you will be given a full refund in one of our Peru Hop offices or in our Bolivia Hop office in La Paz.
I do not feel well and wish to cancel my tour for the next day?
If cancellation is made the day before the trip, a full refund can be provided in one of our Bolivia Hop or Peru Hop offices. If you cancel less than a day before, no refund is given.
