Lake Titicaca: Should You Visit the Peruvian or Bolivian side?

Last Edited: September 2026

Lake Titicaca sits at approximately 3,810 metres above sea level and covers more than 8,000 square kilometres, straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia.

Over the years, Lake Titicaca has become a very popular destination for visitors to the continent and has arguably become somewhat “over touristy”. However, it’s still worth seeing and there are still enjoyable ways to experience it.

Because Lake Titicaca straddles the border between two countries, Peru to the west and Bolivia to the east, you can visit the lake from both of them. Ideally, you’ll have enough time on your holiday to do just that. Both sides are different and both are worth seeing. But if you’re short on time and can only visit one, which side should you choose?

We’ve visited both and have a favourite. So, we’ve put together some information to help you decide which side to see. Read on to learn which we preferred and why.

The most popular side of Lake Titicaca: Peru 

The majority of people visit Lake Titicaca from the Peruvian side. In general, Peru is a lot more touristy than Bolivia, thanks to the World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu, which attracts millions of visitors each year. Cusco (the gateway to Machu Picchu) is only an overnight bus ride away from to Puno, so it’s easy enough to combine the two.

Puno: The Gateway to Lake Titicaca – Peru side 

The city of Puno is located right on the shores of the lake. It’s the main gateway to Lake Titicaca on the Peruvian side. You might think this would make it an exciting city to visit but we found Puno to be less than inspiring. Other than the lake itself, there is very little else to do there.

How to explore Lake Titicaca from Puno?

There are three different ways to explore Lake Titicaca from Puno. 

A two-hour boat tour 

If you’re very short on time, you can simply hop on board a two-hour boat tour to the Uros floating islands. This will, however, be rather rushed; and you’ll miss out on the highlights of the Peruvian side. 

A one day boat tour 

If you can spare a whole day, take a tour that includes the Uros Island and the much quieter and more authentic island of Taquile.

A two-day boat tour 

If time is no issue, book the overnight tour which first takes you to the Uros islands, then lets you stay overnight with a local family on the island of Amantani; and finally takes you to Taquile island on the way back to Puno. 

We choose the third option and, if you have time, it’s the best one to take on the Peruvian side. That’s because you’ll visit some of the less touristy parts of the lake.

The Uros Islands 

We were rather disappointed with the Uros floating islands. Although they’re the islands you see in all the photos of the lake, they are not at all what we expected.

I liked the sound of it all, the Uros indigenous people living on artificial islands that they built themselves with Totora reed plants.

But I’m sad to say that it has turned into a complete tourist trap. Our time on the islands consisted of a quick demonstration (5 minutes max) on how they build the islands. Next, we were ushered into a “local” house, where they gave us a spiel about how they need money to buy solar panels, before taking us straight over to browse their “homemade” souvenirs. Of course, they sold the same souvenirs you’d find anywhere else in Peru, at twice the price.

Twenty minutes later we hopped on a reed boat for a ten-minute ride to another floating island where there were, you guessed it, more souvenirs!

Amantani Island 

Our time on Amantani was different. This natural island is inhabited by the indigenous Aymara people. The Aymaras are separate from the Uros and have their own customs and traditions. Amantani Island also offers some amazing views from the top of its two ancient sites, Pacha Mama and Pacha Papa.

A visit to Amantani is part of a two-day tour of the lake. This is where you stay overnight with a local host family. You arrive on the island just in time for lunch, provided by your host. Lunch consisted of soup and different types of potatoes with grilled cheese. Nothing fancy but definitely traditional.

After lunch, we hiked to the temples up on the hill. Reaching them can be tough because you’re at high altitude. We made it up there just before sunset, in time to enjoy the spectacular views over the lake as the sun was setting. It was incredible, even more so because of the dramatic storm clouds rolling in toward the island.

After another traditional dinner with our host family, we were taken to the local disco hall. There we dressed up in traditional costumes and danced with our hosts to traditional music. Although it was made just for the tourists, it was still good fun.

Bear in mind that the local families have a different lifestyle to us. There is absolutely nothing luxurious about a stay on Amantani. The room we slept in was very basic, electricity was scarce and the toilet had to be flushed with the help of a bucket. There was no heating and it was really cold at night. However, there were enough Llama wool blankets to keep us warm!

Taquile Island 

Taquile Island is another natural island that you can visit on the lake. The locals of Taquile live similarly to those on Amantani but have different traditional outfits. Their traditional outfits’ are colour-coded and change according to their marital status.

Taquile Island was the most beautiful island we visited on the Peruvian side of the lake. The views over the deep blue lake reminded us so much of our time in Greece.

Copacabana: The Gateway to Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side 

Copacabana is a four hours bus ride from La Paz or three hours from Puno including time at the border crossing. In comparison to Puno, which wasn’t exciting, Copacabana was just the opposite. We loved our time in Copacabana! Although it’s a lot smaller than Puno, there was much more to do and it was way prettier.

Copacabana has a small fishing village vibe to it and even though it has become more touristy in the last few years, it still felt rather quiet. It also offers some incredible sunsets over the lake, which you can enjoy with a cocktail in hand from one of the waterfront bars. 

We only stayed overnight in Copacabana and, unlike Puno, we wished that we’d stayed there for at least one more night. 

Read more about Copacabana here. 

Isla del Sol 

From Copacabana, you can hop on a boat to Isla del Sol (the Island of the Sun). It’s just over an hour’s boat ride from Copacabana and supposedly was the birthplace of the sun and home to the first Incas.

Once on the island, take some time to explore the ruins of the Temple of the Sun and to enjoy the stunning views of Lake Titicaca and the Andes mountains, far in the distance. The views from the top of the island alone are worth the price of the trip.

You can also stay overnight with a local family on Isla del Sol.

So which side of Lake Titicaca is best? 

We preferred the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca for two reasons. 

1. The Bolivian side is so much less touristy and it feels more authentic. Yes, there were souvenir shops but no-one made you feel like you had to buy from them. They just left you alone to browse in peace.
2. Copacabana is so much nicer than Puno. Plus, you can very cheaply stay in a hostal right on the foreshore, with incredible views of the lake. The town has a much nicer feel to it and you could easily spend a few days just relaxing and enjoying the views of the lake.

However, if you are visiting both Peru and Bolivia on your trip, seeing both Puno and Copacabana is still the best thing to do. Both sides have their highlights and after all, everyone is different; you may prefer the Peruvian side!

Best Time to Visit Lake Titicaca

The best time to visit Lake Titicaca is generally during the dry season from May to October. You’ll have a better chance of clear skies and sunshine, making this a great time for boat trips, hiking and enjoying the incredible views across the lake.

However, because of the high altitude, temperatures can drop considerably at night, particularly during the winter months of June, July and August. The wetter season runs roughly from November to April, with January and February generally receiving the most rain.

How Many Days Do You Need at Lake Titicaca?

We recommend allowing two to three days for Lake Titicaca. On the Peruvian side, this gives you enough time to visit the floating Uros Islands and spend time on Taquile or Amantani.

If you’re planning to visit both Peru and Bolivia, allow longer. We spent time on both sides of the lake and found them quite different, so if your itinerary allows, experiencing both is worthwhile.

How to Get to Lake Titicaca

On the Peruvian side, the main gateway to Lake Titicaca is Puno. The nearest major airport is in Juliaca, around an hour’s drive away. Puno can also be reached by bus from destinations such as Cusco and Arequipa, and there are tourist buses that make sightseeing stops along the route from Cusco.

On the Bolivian side, the main gateway is Copacabana, which can be reached by bus from La Paz. If you’re travelling overland between Peru and Bolivia, buses also connect Puno and Copacabana, making it easy to experience both sides of Lake Titicaca on the same trip.

Altitude at Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca sits at approximately 3,810 metres above sea level, so the altitude can make even simple activities feel much harder than usual. Walking uphill or climbing steps can leave you surprisingly breathless, especially during your first few days at altitude.

Take things slowly, stay hydrated and give yourself time to acclimatise. If possible, spend some time at altitude before tackling any longer walks. We certainly noticed the altitude while hiking on Amantani Island, what would normally have been a relatively straightforward walk felt much harder at that elevation.

Where to stay in Puno? 

Best reviewed: Hotel Hacienda Plaza de Armas or Amalia Titicaca Lodge

Good Value: Tierra Viva Puno Plaza or Hotel Hacienda Puno

Where to stay in Copacabana? 

Our pick: Hotel Lago Azul

Best reviewed: Hotel La Cupula 

Good value:  Hotel Utama 

Lake Titicaca FAQs

Is Lake Titicaca Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Lake Titicaca offers beautiful scenery, fascinating local culture, hiking and the chance to visit unique islands on both the Peruvian and Bolivian sides.

Can You Visit Lake Titicaca From Cusco?

Yes. Puno, the main gateway on the Peruvian side, can be reached from Cusco by bus or train. Tourist buses are also available and stop at attractions along the way.

Is Lake Titicaca Safe to Visit?

Lake Titicaca is a popular tourist destination, but you should take the usual precautions with valuables and check current travel advice before your trip, particularly if crossing between Peru and Bolivia.

Do You Need to Worry About Altitude at Lake Titicaca?

Lake Titicaca sits at around 3,810 metres above sea level, so you may feel the effects of altitude. Take it easy when you first arrive and give yourself time to acclimatise before doing strenuous activities.

Read More

Crossing the Border from Peru to Bolivia

A Quick Guide to La Paz Bolivia

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