07 Nov 2022
We were looking forward to this trip but it turned out to be a disappointing experience. The listing omitted important details, mentioned things that didnt happen and sold us something we didn't get.
The trip never mentioned the journey time of 4 hours each way. When they mention shared boats/buses they mean public transport. All travel took place on public transport which had continual stops.
The trip listed 2 hours at Copacabana. This actually consisted of 1 hour lunch , 10 minutes at the church and a 5 minute walk to the boat - that isn’t two hours.
The description said we would spend 3 hours in total on the Isla del Sol. We spent 1 hour only.
The day consisted of
4 hour bus ride to Copacabana on the public tourist bus from the bus station in La Paz
10 minutes standing outside the church
1 hour lunch
1 hr 20 minute boat ride on literally the slowest boat on the island (boats leaving after us were overtaking us) If was being cynical I could say the slow boat padded out the day.
An hours walk across Sun Island (which i’ll agree was nice)
Another painfully slow 1 hr 20 minute return boat ride to Copacabana
A 4 hour public bus ride back to La Paz
If I allow for the pleasant (but slow) outgoing boat ride to sun island it’s essentially 9 hours of travelling for a 1 hour walk and lunch. Not worth it.
While the guide explained things quite well we had trouble understanding everything he said and he as well often didn’t understand what we were asking him.
A couple of other points:
We had to be pay to leave the bus station - not mentioned at all
The guide met and left us at Cobacabana - the rest of the time you’re on your own on publc transport.
The listing says "speedboat". Speed was not a feature of the boat we were put on as we were transported to Sun Island on literally the slowest boat on the island (boats leaving after us were overtaking us) Its almost like the slow boat was used to pad out the day.
Not sure what he visit to the magnificent Pilkokaina Palace was meant to be. A palace was never mentioned/seen..
To pay so much for using public transport for all parts of the trip feels like a rip off. For us the value was not there and might explain why we were the only two people on it. If you do consider a day trip to Sun Island worth the effort you should compare costs with doing this yourself before booking.
If I allow for the pleasant (but slow) outgoing boat ride to sun island it’s essentially 9 hours of travelling for a 1 hour walk and lunch. Not worth it - and good luck trying to get a refund from Viator.