Travel to Bolivia from Puno
Since Bolivia is just on the other side of Lake Titicaca, a trip to the Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna via the Copacabana peninsula can be planned quite easily. There are several ways to get there: either by Yunguyo or Desaguadero, the two overland routes, or by boat across the lake. Many travelers take the route from Puno to the islands and then continue on to La Paz, a popular way to get to what is known as the city in the clouds. US and European citizens are allowed to stay in the country for 90 days without a visa. The Bolivian consulate is located in Puno at Arequipa 136 and the Immigration Office at Ayacucho 240.
Yunguyo Route:
A convenient way to cross into Bolivia by the south shore is by taking a cross-border tour bus. All Ways Travel and Edgar Adventures have daily early morning departures from Puno. They make a stop in Yunguyo so travelers can have a chance to exchange money and tour operators will also assist with visa entry formalities.
All Ways Travel Website
Edgar Adventures Website
From there the trip to Copacabana takes three hours, but the scenery of the journey is often the best part. Some tourists go even further to La Paz, which takes 8 more hours. Once in Copacabana boats and tours are offered daily to Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna, the cradle of Inca civilization. Piramide Tours have trips to the islands of Lake Titicaca and Sillustani as well as transport to/from Cusco, Arequipa, and Bolivia.
Piramide Tours Website
For the more adventurous and thrifty, the trip can also be taken independently, which is cheaper. Buses leave daily from Puno to Yunguyo. Once in Yunguyo you can change over your money and cross into Bolivia. Then you can catch another bus that departs for Copacabana, which is 10km away. Buses run more frequently on Sunday, which is market day in Yunguyo.
By Boat
Desaguadero Route:
A shorter, less scenic route is also possible via Desaguadero, a shanty border town on the other side of the lake, but the views aren't as impressive as the Yunguyo Route. The town is located south of Yunguyo between Zepita and overlooking Lake Huinawarca. Buses leave daily from Puno for Desaguadero, which takes 2 and 1/2 hours. There are hotels near the border that provide basic accommodations, such as the Hostal Panamericano. You can enter Bolivia between 8am and 8pm, but Bolivia is an hour ahead of Peru, so make sure you cross the border before 7pm Peru time. If you leave Puno early you might have time to stop at the archaeological site of Tiahuanaco after crossing into Bolivia.
By Boat
It is also possible to get to Bolivia by water. Crillon Tours/Arcobaleno offers a cruise in a hydrofoil boat, which is a wing-like structure that works on the hull of the boat by causing an aerodynamic lift that results in less friction and greater speeds.
Crillon Tours Website
The cruise departs from Puno and arrives at Copacabana Peninsula at the other end of the lake. On the way there will be a stop in Huatajata for a quick meal and to see the reed boats at the native fishing grounds. Then the boat will continue on until it stops at Tiquina Straits, which divides the large Lake Chucuito from the smaller Wuinay Marka Lake.
The boat then stops off at the Isla de la Luna and the Isla del Sol to see the important temples. Then, finally the boat will reach its destination, Copacabana, where the trip will conclude with a tour of the Pilcocaina Sun Temple. The company also offers the option to continue on to La Paz, the city of clouds.
Once in Copacabana there are several options for getting across the lake to the islands. For independent travelers, launchas, which are small passenger boats, can be rented by the hour. Although this is the cheapest way to get across the lake, the boats are painfully slow. Travel time is about two hours compared to the one hour in a hydrofoil boat. Besides the lower price it also has the advantage of giving the traveler exclusive control of the boat.
Map of Lake Titicaca
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