Copacabana

Copacabana launches from Ceroka hill at about 4,180 m beside Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, working purely northwest wind that comes off the lake breeze and tends to hold favorable all day during the winter months. The flying season runs roughly March to November, with some additional flyable days possible from December through February despite that stretch being the rainy season. Getting to launch is manageable: a good dirt track climbs from Copacabana town, about 6 km and roughly 20 minutes by four-wheel-drive vehicle. There's no formal flight regulation at the site yet, so it runs on local knowledge and common sense rather than official rules. Landing is down around the beach area at about 3,810 m, with an alternative, more prepared landing spot also near the beach for days when the primary zone isn't ideal. The one thing to watch for is timing: wind here tends to blow noticeably stronger in August and September than the rest of the season, so those months call for extra caution before committing to a flight.

Launch & conditions

Launch is on Ceroka hill, at about 4,180 m.

Getting there & local rules

A good dirt track climbs from Copacabana town, about 6 km and roughly 20 minutes by four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Local rules & hazards

Wind can get strong in August and September — treat those months with extra caution.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Copacabana, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Copacabana with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.