Tourism on Isla del Sol has transformed significantly in recent years, and visitors can now explore both the northern and southern parts of this captivating island without restrictions.
The previous blockade that limited access to the northern side has ended, allowing tourists to experience the island’s rich cultural and natural offerings.
This updated guide provides insights into what to see and do on Isla del Sol, showcasing both its iconic sites and lesser-known gems.
How to visit Isla del Sol? – Quick answer
Here are the 3 main ways to visit isla del sol. I will detail the different hikes and places to see afterwards. So make sure to keep reading!
Visit the southern part only – 1 day trip
For a quick visit to Isla del Sol, focus on the southern part of the island. Ferries from Copacabana make the journey in about 1.5 hours, dropping you off at Yumani, the main settlement in the south. Here, you can explore key sites like the Inca Steps and the Fountain of Eternal Youth, which are steeped in local legends.
Take in the breathtaking views of Lake Titicaca and the surrounding mountains before enjoying a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant. This option is perfect for those with limited time who want to get a taste of Isla del Sol’s charm.
Hike from south to north or vice versa – 1 day trip
If you’re up for a bit of adventure and wan to see a maximum of the island in just one day, the hike from the south to the north of Isla del Sol (or vice versa) is a rewarding one-day experience. Starting in Yumani or Cha’llapampa, the trek takes around 3-4 hours and offers stunning panoramic views of Lake Titicaca and the Andes.
Along the way, you’ll pass archaeological sites like the Temple of the Sun and ancient Inca terraces. Be prepared for some uphill climbs, but the incredible scenery and serene atmosphere make it worthwhile. Ferries connect both ends of the island to Copacabana, making it easy to plan your route.
Visit the norther side only – 1 to 2 days
If you’re drawn to Isla del Sol’s archaeological wonders, focus your visit on the northern side. Take a ferry to Challapampa, the starting point for exploring sites like the Sacred Rock (believed to be the birthplace of the Incan sun god) and the Chinkana Ruins, an intricate labyrinth of stone structures.
With its quiet, less-touristy vibe, the north offers a more peaceful experience. Stay overnight in a local guesthouse to enjoy a stunning sunset over Lake Titicaca and explore further at your leisure.
Extended trip – overnight stay
For a more relaxed and in-depth experience, plan an overnight stay on Isla del Sol. Start your trip with the morning ferry from Copacabana to Yumani, the southern part of the island, giving you plenty of time to explore landmarks like the Inca Steps, the Fountain of Eternal Youth, and nearby terraces.
If you’re short on time, the 1:30 pm ferry will still get you there by 3 pm, leaving enough daylight to enjoy the area. Spend the night in a local guesthouse.
On the second day, begin your hike from south to north, following trails that wind through the stunning highland scenery of Lake Titicaca. Visit key archaeological sites such as the Temple of the Sun and the Chinkana Labyrinth along the way. The hike takes 3-4 hours, allowing for plenty of stops to appreciate the incredible views. Once you reach Cha’llapampa in the north, take the afternoon ferry back to Copacabana, completing your Isla del Sol adventure.
A brief history of Isla Del Sol: Inca Legends
According to the legends of the Inca dynasty, the region of Lake Titicaca dropped into darkness after a great flood. A few days later, Viracocha, the supreme God of the Incas, arose from the deep waters of the lake to create the God of the sun, Inti, and ordered the ascent of the sun. There are more than 80 ruins and sacred spaces related to this event on the island.
But Isla Del Sol is much more. In fact, when Viracocha saw that humans lived in caves and had no tools to hunt, he sent to Earth his son Monca Capa and his daughter Mama Ocllo. These two came out of Lake Titicaca and travelled towards the Andes, teaching humans how to build houses and hunt for food.
They are the founders of the Inca Empire and the capital Cusco (Peru), making Isla Del Sol and Lake Titicaca the cradle of the Inca civilisation.
How to Get to Isla del Sol
There are a few ferry companies offering the crossing from Copacabana. The boats to the south south leave at 8:30 am and 1:30 pm. Those to the north leave at 9:30am.
It is easier to buy return tickets directly on the pier for 30 Bs but make sure they are an “open” ticket so you can come back whenever you want (same day or the next depending if you are planning an overnight trip).
If you prefer to buy a one-way ticket from Copacabana, no worries, there will be someone at the Pier in Yumani selling tickets before the ferry leaves the island. The ferry is about 1h30 one-way from Copacabana to the south of the Isla del Sol and 2 hours to the North.
Once you arrive at the pier of Isla Del Sol, you will immediately be asked to pay an entrance fee of 10 Bs to the community. It is mandatory and should be the only one fee requested by locals during your stay on the island. If somebody else asks you to pay more money, show them the ticket you have been given and you will be fine.
Note: If you wish to visit Isla De La Luna as well, the ferry to the south will first go to Isla Del Sol. It will drop you off at the Isla de la Luna after and will wait for about an hour. Then, the ferry will head back to Isla Del Sol before sailing back to Copacabana.
It is not recommended to do this if you only have only day. This trip represents a lot of back and forth which will make you spend most of your day on the ferry and won’t have the time to visit both islands.
Walking the southern side of Isla del Sol
1. Ferry to Yumani village & the Inca Steps
From the dock, there is no other choice than hiking up the Yumani steps to reach the village. It is a very tiring walk even if the steps don’t look that impressive. Wel, do not forget you are at 4,000 masl and any exercise is a massive pain!
Tip: Pack light, even if you spend the night here. Why not leave your big packpack in your hostel in Copacabana? If you cannot leave your bag behind, take it easy or rent a donkey to bring your bag to your accommodation on the island.
2. Walk to Cerro Queñuani
The walk to Cerro Queñuani takes you onto a little forest (the only one on the island) which then opens to a beautiful 360° view of the southern side. From here you can see the small island “
As we were taking a break to catch our breath (this altitude is killing us!) a Cholita walked pass us and sat in the field. Not sure if she was taking a break or was meditating but she seemed to take as much as possible of this incredible landscape. We mimicked her and sat silently for a few minutes. Peaceful.
Yumani to Cerro Queñuani – 10/15 min walk one-way. Flat
Our Tip: Start walking as soon as you get on the island. Those who stay the night will be busy checking in or having breakfast. Start quick and you will have the trails and the views to yourself for a few hours.
3. Walk to Cerro Palla Khasa
As you come back into the village, pass by the restaurants and cornfields towards the North. You should see a few signs “Mirador”. They will lead you to Cerro Palla Khasa the highest peak in this part of the island. The path goes slightly up then gets a bit steeper which once again at this altitude makes you breathless easily.
At the top of the Cerro, there is a ruin of a house from which you can sit, relax and have your packed lunch while admiring the view. This time, you can see the entire village of Yumani, and the deep blue waters of the lake Titicaca that seems to extend forever.
Yumani to Cerro Palla Khasa – 25/30 min walk one-way. Steep
4. Walk to Piko Kaina
Piko Kaina is the only Inca Temple that can be seen on this part of the island. We absolutely recommend any visitor to take this beautiful walk. Not that Piko Kaina is worth the effort, but the entire walk is absolutely mindblowing. Everywhere you look the deep blue waters of the lake contrast with the dry yellow herbs of the soil. You even pass white sand beaches that are calling you for a swim…
You’ll probably have the chance to meet farmers and their Alpacas. Keep in mind that if you are seen taking pictures of the locals or of their animals, you might be asked to give a “propina” (tip)…
Despite relatively low levels of begging across Bolivia, this type of request is common on the island. This really surprised us at first but we guessed that it might have to do with the proximity with Peru where this is quite frequent (certainly too much for us though).
Yumani to Piko Kaina – 1 hour walk one-way. Flat
Visit the North part of Isla del Sol
In the last 2 years, the conflict between the southern and northern community (the Challa) has been resolved and the north part of the island (about 80%) has finally reopened to visitors!
Walking from South to North on Isla del Sol
The hike from the southern village of Yumani to the northern settlement of Cha’llapampa is one of the most rewarding experiences on Isla del Sol. This 3-4 hour trek, covering approximately 8 kilometres, weaves through this ancient trails, offering breathtaking views of Lake Titicaca, terraced hillsides, and the distant Andes mountains.
From Yumani, the trail ascends steadily, taking you past small farming communities, grazing sheep, and llamas dotting the landscape.
One you pass the checkpoint (entering the Challa community – see photo above) the trail will follows the Ruta sagrada de la eternidad del sol (Willka Thaki) which means Sacred Route of the Eternity of the Sun.
Along the way, you’ll encounter traditional stone walls and terraces, some of which date back to pre-Columbian times and are still used by locals today. The final stretch of the hike descends gently into Cha’llapampa, a quaint village with a quiet beach and a small museum showcasing local artifacts.
What to see on the norther side?
If you decide to spend some time exploring the Challa Community here are some great spots to visit.
1. Chinkana Labyrinth : This ancient stone complex, also known as the “Labyrinth of the Inca,” is a fascinating site to explore, though it is located quite north, so allow some time to get there. Believed to have been a ceremonial centre or a storage area, its maze-like design offers an intriguing glimpse into Inca engineering. Walking through its narrow passages, you can imagine the rituals and gatherings that may have taken place here.
2. Sacred Rock (Titi Qala): One of the most significant spots on Isla del Sol, the Sacred Rock is tied to Incan mythology as the birthplace of the sun god, Inti. This large, weathered stone holds spiritual importance for the Andean people, and it’s easy to sense the reverence it commands. Standing here, you’ll have a striking view of Lake Titicaca and the surrounding hills.
3. Mesa Ceremonial: Located near the Sacred Rock, this flat stone table is thought to have been used for Inca rituals and sacrifices. Its position high on a hill offers stunning vistas of the lake, adding to its spiritual and historical significance.
4. Museo del Oro (Gold Museum): Located in Cha’llapampa, this small museum showcases artifacts recovered from underwater excavations near Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna. Items include pottery, gold pieces, and tools, offering insight into the island’s long history and its significance to pre-Columbian cultures.
Where to stay on Isla del Sol
Ecolodge La Estancia: eco-friendly lodging with panoramic views of Lake Titicaca. The lodge features traditional Andean architecture and offers comfortable rooms with private bathrooms.
Hostal Phaxsi: A beachfront accommodation in Yumani, offering rooms with balconies overlooking Lake Titicaca, a restaurant, and proximity to the main ferry port for easy access.
Inti Wasi Lodge: Also in Yumani, this lodge offers small independent room with bathroom and a great view on the lake and the mountains.
Utasawa: A family-run inn located on the eastern side of Isla del Sol, offering comfortable rooms with exceptional views of Lake Titicaca, a garden, wifi and a restaurant.
Hostal Margarita: A modest hostel in the northern community of Challapampa, providing basic accommodations with easy access to the island’s northern attractions, such as the Sacred Rock and Chinkana ruins.
Take a tour to visit Isla del Sol
If you don’t have the time to spend a few days in Copacabana or organize everything yourself, we can recommend you a couple of tours from La Paz or Puno (Peru). These are long day trips but they will allow you to see the Copacabana, Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol in a day! Here is a selection of tours you may want to look into:
- Full Day Guided Tour from La Paz to Copacabana and Isla del Sol – 5 stars out of 5 – great reviews!
- 2 Day Trip From La Paz: Copacabana & Isla del Sol – 4.5 stars out of 5 – spend the Night in Isla del Sol
- All Day Tour to Copacabana and Isla del Sol from Puno – 4.5 stars out of 5 – Cross border from Peru
Find out all our favourite Experiences in South America you can book on Viator! We hand picked the most popular and well rated tours on the platform that we would recommend, so you know you are booking an top-notch activity without any stress…
Where to Stay in Copacabana?
– Hostal La Academia – 60 Bs (€7.60) – Private Room
There are a lot of offers in Copacabana, but they fill up very quickly. So if like us, you can’t book in advance and find out every only decent place is fully booked, make your way down the main avenue (6 de Agosto), and visit the few hotels. You will easily find a cheap double bedroom. Don’t forget to ask to see the room and if they can keep your luggage when you are visiting Isla del Sol. They more than likely won’t have a kitchen.
– Joshua Hostel – 80 Bs (€10) – 4 bunk beds
If you are looking for a place with a kitchen, you need to know those babies are not that easy to find in Bolivia. But it is ok, it is cheap to eat out. Your best bet will be to check out hostels, but during our visit, they were all fully booked. So if you know when you are going to Copacabana we would recommend booking ahead. The Joshua Hostel seems to be the preferred one for budget backpackers for it comfort, location, great staff and kitchen.
– La Cupula – 175 Bs (€22) – Private room
If you book in advance you can have an amazing price for this gorgeous place. If there was only one to choose from, we would recommend this place. Located on the edge of the Cerro El Calvario, the view of the lake is impressive and the rooms so beautiful and comfy. The architecture is inspired by the Arabic style with Pre-Colombian touch. We loved this place but it was unfortunately fully booked when we arrived. We wished we had a reservation. To not make the same mistake as us, have a look at the Cupula availability here. They have a kitchen too!
– Ecolodge Copacabana – 360 Bs (€45) – Private room
For those with a higher budget and looking for a place to get away from it all & relax, this is for you! It looks fantastic and was recommended by friends. Click here to check the prices.
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About the Author
Jen is the Funder, Author & Photographer behind Talesfromthelens.comJen has lived for the past 15 years across Oceania and Ireland while also travelling in Latin America, North America, and Europe. She has visited more than 65 countries and set foot on every continent in the world! She is a coffee nerd, passionate about photography, wildlife, and outdoor activities.
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These blog entries are so professionally done. Makes me wish I was travelling South America again. Keep up the great work you two!
Thank you Sam. Really appreciate the message. South America is a gem, which part did you visit?
Thanks for the good advice!! Only thing I’m wondering is when does the ferry go back to Copacabana again? We want to take a bus that evening.
Cheers
Josh&Julia
Hi Josh,
It will depend on the company you book your ferry with, they all have different times. The one we went with returned at 4pm. Where are you heading to after?
Steven