Isla del Sol lies on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, off Copacabana. At 9.6 km long and 4.6 km wide, it is the largest island on the lake.
The island's original name was Titikaka, or “Titi Khar'ka”, which in Quechua means “Rock of the Puma” — a name later given to the lake itself.
In Inca times, the island was home to a sanctuary where the Virgins of the Sun paid homage to Inti, the Sun god.
Isla del Sol still holds a few remnants of this Inca period. There you will find the ruins of the Palace of Pilkokaina, a two-storey building on the south of the island whose construction was ordered by Tupac Yupanqui.
Many say the Incas' gold was hidden on Isla del Sol or thrown into Lake Titicaca during the Spanish conquest. Commander Cousteau even led a search there, but nothing was ever found.
