Copacabana

An obligatory step to reach Titicaca Lake on the Bolivian side is the small town of Copacabana. Nothing to compare with Rio de Janeiro, apart from the name, given by a seaman who was lost and who promise to the Virgen of Copacabana (Bolivian) to name the land on which he would arrive, preferably alive – a beach in Rio, that consequently took the name. The main attraction of this town, with peaceful aspects, is the miraculous Virgen, patroness of Bolivia, protecting the wonderful Moorish cathedral made of white and green bricks (it really worth to see). For the most part of the year, the small streets are calm and touristic, peaceful to walk along the port and wander during an afternoon. But when it is time to host the Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria (the Virgen mentioned above), by early February and around August 5th, they celebrate continually during 3 days, with traditional dances, music, and beer. There also is an entire pilgrimage organized from the city of La Paz, from where thousands of cars, horses and even walking persons travel (155 km, anyway!). Similarly, for Saint Peter and Saint Paul, on June 29th, people arrive from all the country (and from Peru) to get their car or newly acquired beasts blessed. Finally, Copacabana is a regular crossing point between Peru and Bolivia, and in direction to the islands present on the Bolivian side of the Lake.