Lake Titicaca from La Paz

I realize that none of this may be ideal, but unfortunately I have a time limitation as I will only be in La Paz for 3 days. I've done quite a bit of searching (I can use Google well, etc.), but I haven't really found a clear answer to my question.

Since I will be so close, I'd really like to see Lake Titicaca. It's fascinated me (maybe the name, maybe its reputation as the highest navigable lake) since elementary school. It may seem silly to some, but at this point, I'd just be happy to have seen it in person. So my question is this: what's the easiest way to see it in a day trip from La Paz?

I realize that there are overnight tours to Copacabana/Isla del Sol. I'd do this if I had more time. I already have accommodation in La Paz, so this is not a viable option this time around at least. I've read that there are minibuses (or vans?) to Copacabana leaving from near the cemetery in La Paz. It's unclear to me whether or not this is viable option for a day trip. The tour company websites (that I've seen) don't list one-day tours from La Paz. I don't know if there are tour possibilities not listed online. I don't need to be wined, dined, and entertained. I don't need a hike on Isla del Sol. I don't need to even go all the way to Copacabana if I don't have to.

Has anyone here gone to the lake from La Paz in a day trip? If so, how? Or does anyone have specific suggestions re: how it could be done? Or if you really think it's just not viable, that would be helpful too.

Thanks in advance for your time!

I wouldn't recommend it, but it is certainly possible. The lake is certainly a beautiful place.

Minivans/Trufis leave regularly to Copacabana from the Cemetery district in La Paz. They take around 3 hours to get there.

The trick is that the Cemetery district in La Paz can be very unsafe on the way back. I personally know three people that have been robbed on the way back from Copacabana/Titicaca/Desaguadero, two of which were lured into fake taxis with confidence trick.

Strongly avoid get back into La Paz after sunset, and NEVER share a taxi with ANYONE, even if they were on the bus from Copacabana. If you do get there after dark, take any public transportation that gets you into the city, the bus terminal, or anywhere safer first.

Thanks, adealy, for the warning re: taxis. I'll definitely be cautious about the cemetery area.

#1:
Let's not get carried away here, adealy - you're scaring the innocent tourists.

While the Cementerio certainly isn't amongst the nicest places in La Paz, it doesn't turn into the above mentioned hellhole at sunset either. As long as there's a good number of people around doing their shopping or getting on or off transport at the improvised 'bus station' that are the streets around there, you'll be fine. As long as you take usual precautions of course, which means things like not getting into shared taxis (which you shouldn't do anywhere in La Paz) or getting lured/ordered into a waiting car by fake 'tourist police', in spite of the fake tourist that just picked a conversation with you before the fake policemen came along is doing and urging you to do as well.

Usually there's a good number of shoppers and transmuters around until at least 9pm, and most likely until after 10 pm. Your safest way of getting back to the center of town is to simply hop on a regular minibus, but make sure that there's a few Bolivians filling up the seats as well. If you're carrying a bunch of heavy bags or suitcases around you should call a radiotaxi to pick you up of course.

When the streets start emptying at the Cementerio, adealy's warning does hold true.

I stand by my comments. Perhaps the tone was a bit stern, but this is a risk that should be avoided.

A friend was lured into a fake taxi at 3pm by a woman she had conversed with all the way from Puno. Another, similarly was robbed by a woman traveling all the way from Copa. It's things like this that make me give that warning.

If it's your first time going through, if you're Spanish isn't great, if you're not comfortable on public transport in Bolivia, it can be a dangerous trap. Plus, it's a maze and really difficult to navigate on foot.

Now that I've been through the cemetery several times, I don't mind it. I'm assuming you have too Peter. You're right, it doesn't become a hellhole after dark. The area is certainly much more intimidating than it is actually dangerous.

But, my first inclination in a situation like that is not to walk around, and take a taxi. This is NOT the way to go in the cemetery district. The most dangerous place you can be in La Paz is in the back seat of a suspect taxi.

Keep this in mind, and you'll be fine.

Anyway... if you are not comfortable arriving at night, I believe there exist some turist companies that arrives to the main terminal. However, almost all the bus arrive in el Cementerio.

Altough I have to agree with Peter, el Cementerio is not like the "land of no one", there are many people arriving from Copacabana everyday, so you just need to be prudent, that's all.

On the other hand, you don't need to go to Copacabana to see the lake, there are closer towns where you can still enjoy the lake as well, like Huatajata or Tiquina. Besides there exist many restaurants in the road in front of the lake, so it may be as well an alternative.

cheers!

Thanks for the safety tips. It'll be my first time in Bolivia, so it's good to be aware of my surroundings.

I'm actually interested in those towns that you said are closer to La Paz than Copacabana. How do you reach them?

You can take a taxi or go with the minivans and stop whenever you want.

I recommend that you stop in Huatajata because there exist many restaurants and places to walk and enjoy the lake. If you take this option a taxi would be the best option because you can return in the same taxi, while in a minivan you will have to wait for one on your way back (it doesn't exist a terminal in Huatajata).

Of course taxi will cost much more than a minivan.

Thanks, traveler_guide.