Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nemos
Av6deAgosto,next toLa Posta.
This popular Anglo-Bolivian-run barisacool, low-
lit space, with great sounds and drinks - both of the alcoholic variety, and coffees and hot
chocolates. Drinks Bs10-25.
La Posta
Av 6 de Agosto and Cabo Zapana.
Partly Argentine-owned with a vague tango
theme and sometimes a Carlos Gardel soundtrack, this joint is usually crammed with Argen-
tine travellers, especially if there's a football match on TV. The pizzas (from Bs30) are the
town's best.
Sujma Wasi
Jáuregui 127 02 8622091.
Charming cobbled courtyard with textile-topped
stone tables, one block from Plaza Sucre. Veggie options are plentiful, as are the assiduously
described breakfasts. Should you run out of high-factor sunscreen you can retreat to the rustic
little bar, which doubles as a
peña
at weekends. Mains Bs25-50.
FIESTAS IN COPACABANA
Copacabana's main religious fiestas are the
Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria
(Feb 2)
and the
Coronación de la Virgen de Copacabana
(Aug 5), which attract thousands of pil-
grims from across Bolivia and southern Peru. The Virgin's statue is paraded around town
accompanied by brass bands and dance troupes and several days of festivities culminate
in bullfights in the ring on the town's northern outskirts.
Semana Santa
(Easter) is more
solemn. Many pilgrims walk to Copacabana from as far away as La Paz in penance, and
thousands more take part in a candlelit nocturnal procession up Cerro Calvario, where they
pray for the forgiveness of their sins and success in the coming years. Far more mysteri-
ous, distinctly non-Christian ceremonies are staged on the night of June 21 to celebrate the
winter solstice and
Aymara New Year
, when small crowds led by traditional Aymara reli-
gious leaders gather to perform ceremonies at the Horca del Inca and Intinkala, two ancient
shrines on the outskirts of town.
DIRECTORY
Banks and exchange
There's no international ATM in town but Prodem (daily except Mon)
on Av 6 de Agosto can usually service Visa and Mastercard transactions at a hefty charge
of five percent. The Casa de Cambio Copacabana, at the eastern end of Av 6 de Agosto,
changes dollars and travellers' cheques.
Books
The Spitting Llama ( 02 2599073,
thespittingllama.com
), Av 6 de Agosto,
sells, exchanges and loans books (and travel and camping equipment). It also stores luggage
(Bs3/day/item) and recycles plastic bottles and used batteries.
El Condor and the Eagle Café
also has a small selection of, predominantly spiritual, books.
La Cúpula
restaurant has a
good book exchange.
