Your stay — Hostel La Academia
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The Property — Hostel La Academia
Hostel La Academia is a no-frills backpacker spot in a converted 19th-century courtyard house, two blocks from Copacabana's main square. The lobby feels more like a communal living room than a hotel reception: mismatched sofas, a noticeboard plastered with trekking offers, and a faint smell of eucalyptus from the gardens. It suits budget travellers and Inca Trail walkers who want a clean bed and a social vibe without paying for lake views. The USP is the rooftop terrace with a direct line of sight to the Cerro Calvario hill and the basilica dome.
Chronicles of Copacabana
Copacabana was a pre-Columbian pilgrimage site for the Incas, later becoming a colonial settlement founded by Dominican friars in 1541. Its basilica, built in 1619, houses the dark-skinned 'Virgen de Copacabana' statue, Bolivia's most venerated religious icon. The town grew as a staging post for traffic between La Paz and Peru, and its current lakeside identity is a 20th-century invention driven by tourism. Today Copacabana remains Bolivia's primary religious destination, with a busy market and ferry port, though its lakeside promenade and whitewashed buildings give it a sleepy resort feel outside festival weeks.
Best Time to Visit
Full Copacabana guide →Best months
April and October offer clear skies, calm lake waters and daytime temperatures around 15–20°C, with far fewer tourists than June–August; May is also solid for hiking the Isle del Sol before winter crowds.
Peak / festival surge
August's Fiesta de la Virgen de Copacabana (early August) and Semana Santa (March/April) flood the town with pilgrims, inflating hostel prices by 50–80% and filling rooms months ahead; the procession and fireworks are the big draws.
Budget shoulder season
November and March combine mild weather (lows around 5°C, highs 18°C) with lower room rates and empty ferry queues; expect occasional rain but far cheaper beds.
Weather & packing
Copacabana sits at 3,800m altitude, so the sun is fierce even when air temps are cold — you'll need SPF 50 and a fleece. Pack for four seasons in one day: a waterproof jacket and a warm hat are non-negotiable from July onward.
Live City Briefing — Copacabana
- The new Puno–Copacabana hydrofoil service launched in early 2026, cutting the Lake Titicaca crossing time to 90 minutes — check if it's running on your departure date.
- The main market square is undergoing repaving until September 2026, so expect some morning noise and detours around the vendors' stalls near the basilica.
- Local tuk-tuk drivers have raised short-haul fares by about 2 bolivianos due to fuel price hikes; agree the price before getting in.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostel La Academia, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the back of the building (away from Avenida 6 de Agosto). Higher floors minimise street noise, and the rear orientation is quieter because the avenue carries daytime traffic and occasional buses.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room facing Avenida 6 de Agosto. Ground floor picks up lobby noise and foot traffic from guests arriving late. Front-facing rooms get direct street noise from early morning until evening.
Best views
Front-facing rooms on upper floors have a view of Avenida 6 de Agosto and the commercial stretch. The rear overlooks neighbouring rooftops and the Cerro Calvario hill to the east—a more pleasant, less traffic-focused outlook.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors. The hotel is a three-to-four-storey building; upper floors are further from street level and common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Avenida 6 de Agosto carries local bus traffic, taxis, and motorbikes from around 6am to 10pm. Copacabana’s narrow streets mean sound bounces off buildings. The hotel’s own entrance and reception area can be a source of late-arrival chatter.
Insider tips
If you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs even with a back room—the avenue noise is persistent. Check in early (before 4pm) to have more choice of floor and orientation, as the reception staff can usually accommodate room requests if they know ahead.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hostel La Academia
Free, decent speed (approx 10 Mbps) with a single login per device, no time limit.
No lift. All rooms on first and second floors via stairs.
No complimentary newspapers. Building is a converted 19th-century colonial house with original adobe walls and courtyard.
Standard check-in from 13:00. Early bag-drop from 10:00 free. Late check-out until 15:00 costs BOB 30 per person.
Free for check-out day until 18:00 in reception area.
No step-free access: two steps at main entrance, no ramps or elevator. Not wheelchair-accessible. Limited assistance available.
No on-site parking. Public car park 'Estacionamiento Copacabana' 200 m away, BOB 15 per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full payment required at booking via bank transfer or PayPal. At check-in, a BOB 50 incidental hold per person (card or cash).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Copacabana (609 m · ~8 min walk)
- Place of worship: Pastoral Social (687 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Capilla de Velas (725 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Capilla del Señor de la Cruz de Colquepata (822 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza Eduardo Avaroa — 338 m · ~4 min walk
Museo del Poncho — 390 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
banco bisa — 561 m · ~7 min walk
Su Tienda Amiga — 322 m · ~4 min walk
Trans Titicaca Bus — 373 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Bolivian Boliviano, BOB
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist agencies on Avenida 6 de Agosto—they give poor rates.
Most supermarkets, restaurants and hotels accept Visa/Mastercard, but cash is king for street food, taxis and small shops; contactless is not common.
Restaurants: 10% service charge often included, otherwise optional 5-10%. Taxis: round up to nearest boliviano. Hotel staff: 5-10 BOB per bag or per day for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple black coffee or café con leche from a street-side bakería or café de la esquina costs around 5-8 BOB.
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main and drink) at a local comedor runs 15-25 BOB.
A main course like salteña or pique macho at a no-frills local restaurant costs 20-35 BOB.
The area around Avenida 6 de Agosto has stalls selling salteñas, anticuchos and empanadas for 5-15 BOB each.
Supermercados like Hipermaxi or Ketal are common in Copacabana; they're reliable for basics and local produce.
The main market (Mercado Campesino) a few blocks away offers cheap everyday clothing; avoid tourist stalls near the lake.
Minibuses (micros) cost 1.50-2.50 BOB per ride within Copacabana; from the airport, take a shared taxi to the bus terminal (15 BOB per person) instead of tourist shuttles.
Buy salteñas and fruit from the morning street market near the football stadium. Always negotiate taxi fares before getting in, and skip bottled water—use a reusable bottle with filtered water from your hotel.
Emergency Contacts
CopacabanaWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Copacabana, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostel La Academia
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · banco bisa — 561 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Copacabana bus terminal (Terminal Terrestre) → Hotel Chasqui del Sol (Av. 6 de Agosto s/n)
💡 Taxis at the terminal are a bit fixed—10 BOB is the going rate for short hotel trips. For a late arrival after 10pm, expect to pay 15 BOB. No Uber here; just hop in the white-and-green ones with a taxi sign.
Copacabana bus terminal (Terminal Terrestre) → Hotel Chasqui del Sol (Av. 6 de Agosto s/n)
💡 Minibuses run along Av. 6 de Agosto—just flag one down. Tell the driver 'Chasqui del Sol' and they'll drop you near the cathedral. It's a 20-minute walk if you prefer, but uphill after the terminal.
El Alto International Airport (LPB) → Hotel Chasqui del Sol (Av. 6 de Agosto s/n)
💡 Negotiate the price before getting in; 250 BOB is the standard for a direct ride. Confirm the driver knows the hotel by name—most locals will, as it's near the cathedral. Cash only.
El Alto International Airport (LPB) → Hotel Chasqui del Sol (Av. 6 de Agosto s/n)
💡 Buses leave from the airport's main parking lot; buy tickets at the booth near the exit. For the hotel, ask the driver to stop at the Copacabana bus terminal, then it's a 5-minute walk to the hotel on the main strip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostel La Academia?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the back of the building (away from Avenida 6 de Agosto). Higher floors minimise street noise, and the rear orientation is quieter because the avenue carries daytime traffic and occasional buses.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostel La Academia?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room facing Avenida 6 de Agosto. Ground floor picks up lobby noise and foot traffic from guests arriving late. Front-facing rooms get direct street noise from early morning until evening.
Is Hostel La Academia noisy?
Avenida 6 de Agosto carries local bus traffic, taxis, and motorbikes from around 6am to 10pm. Copacabana’s narrow streets mean sound bounces off buildings. The hotel’s own entrance and reception area can be a source of late-arrival chatter.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostel La Academia?
Front-facing rooms on upper floors have a view of Avenida 6 de Agosto and the commercial stretch. The rear overlooks neighbouring rooftops and the Cerro Calvario hill to the east—a more pleasant, less traffic-focused outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostel La Academia?
If you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs even with a back room—the avenue noise is persistent. Check in early (before 4pm) to have more choice of floor and orientation, as the reception staff can usually accommodate room requests if they know ahead.
What time is check-in at Hostel La Academia?
Check-in at Hostel La Academia is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostel La Academia have Wi-Fi?
Free, decent speed (approx 10 Mbps) with a single login per device, no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostel La Academia?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostel La Academia?
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main and drink) at a local comedor runs 15-25 BOB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostel La Academia?
Minibuses (micros) cost 1.50-2.50 BOB per ride within Copacabana; from the airport, take a shared taxi to the bus terminal (15 BOB per person) instead of tourist shuttles.
When is the best time to visit Copacabana?
April and October offer clear skies, calm lake waters and daytime temperatures around 15–20°C, with far fewer tourists than June–August; May is also solid for hiking the Isle del Sol before winter crowds.
Top Attractions in Copacabana
💡 Visit on a Sunday morning to see local Aymara dancers in feathered costumes performing in the square outside.
💡 Ask the caretaker to open the locked display case with the gold-and-silver model of the lake—he will if you're polite.
💡 Buy a paper cone of tostado (roasted corn with salt) from any vendor—costs under a dollar and is the best snack in town.
💡 Go at sunset for best light; bring water and wear trainers. Locals sell coca leaves at the base to leave as offerings at the summit.
💡 The walk up is unshaded—go early morning before 10am. No signage on site, so download the 'Atlas Obscura' offline entry beforehand.