Is Copacabana safe?
Small, tourist-oriented, with low violent crime. Blockades, theft from hostels and altitude and cold affect visitors more than crime.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-04-27.
- Homicide rate in Bolivia: 4.4 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Bolivia: 21.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 119.
Safety in Copacabana at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft from hostels and bags left on boats, and occasional bag snatching; violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | The town is quiet and safe after dark; bring a headlamp for the steep, unlit streets and trails. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women; harassment is mild. Use daylight boats and busy trails on Isla del Sol. |
| Other risks | Altitude of 3,840 m; Freezing nights and strong UV; Rough boat crossings in wind and rain |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Boat touts selling cheap 'Isla del Sol' tickets without clear stops
- Exchange houses giving poor rates on dollars or Peruvian soles
- Extra 'entrance fees' charged in different parts of Isla del Sol
Take care
- Unlit steps and roads at night: uneven ground, stray dogs
- Isla del Sol trails alone late in the day: cold and few people
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Any amount of illegal drugs counts as trafficking; the minimum sentence is eight years
- Prison tours are illegal and unsafe
- Coca leaves are legal in Bolivia but illegal to carry into most other countries
How Copacabana compares in Bolivia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Uyuni | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sucre | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Copacabana | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Rurrenabaque | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Potosí | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| La Paz | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Santa Cruz | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Copacabana safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women; harassment is mild. Use daylight boats and busy trails on Isla del Sol.
Is Copacabana safe at night?
The town is quiet and safe after dark; bring a headlamp for the steep, unlit streets and trails.
What is the crime rate in Copacabana?
Petty theft from hostels and bags left on boats, and occasional bag snatching; violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Bolivia records 4.4 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Copacabana?
Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 119.
More about Copacabana
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia
- Entel Bolivia
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.