Copacabana sits on a peninsula on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca, three to four hours from La Paz by bus with a short lake crossing at the Strait of Tiquina. The town is Bolivia's main pilgrimage destination — the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana holds a famous dark-wood statue of the Virgin, and car-blessing ceremonies (blessings of vehicles at the church steps, complete with garlands and champagne) take place daily. The combination of genuine religious life and backpacker infrastructure makes for an unusual atmosphere.
Copacabana is also the departure point for boats to Isla del Sol — the Island of the Sun — where Inca ruins are spread across a hilly island with no motorised vehicles and some good walking. The standard circuit takes a full day from Copacabana. Most visitors who combine La Paz and Lake Titicaca do an overnight in Copacabana, though a long day trip is possible if you take an early bus from La Paz.