Cha'llapampa

Maybe the most charming of the three island communities, Challapampa, Isla del Sol's most northern settlement is situated on a small penisular with bays of water on both sides. The views, although from lake-level, are amazing, and the litter of pigs and piglets running around, can deservingly be called quaint. Challapampa lacks the tourism infrastructure that Yumani boasts, but if you are looking to escape this may be the place for you. With just a couple of hostels and even fewer restaurants, Challapama does serve for a night's stay or even just a long afternoon of sun-sitting. The community hosts a local museum, (supposedly open 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., entrance $1.45 / 10 Bs.) with interesting island and off-shore artifacts from the Incas and Tiwanakus. If the place looks closed, search around for the attendant (a.k.a. a small boy with keys) who will let you in. Also, paths heading up from the beach and then towards the south lead to some of the island's best ruins, including El Santuario (The Sanctuary) and El Chincana (The Labyrinth).

If you plan to sleep here, consider the following accommodations: Hotel Pachama (12 rooms, right on the beach, the cheapest of the bunch), Inca Uta Hostal (popular with tour groups), or Hostel San Francisco (small cabana-type houses around central garden), all decent options, priced between $2-5 (15-35 Bs) per person. If properly equipped, camping is a possibility along the shore. For food, try Restaurant Willkalita, indoor and outdoor seating at a pleasant straw house, well located directly behind the dock. Willkalita serves fish, omelets, and some simple but extremely tasty soups and sandwiches for $0.70 - 3 (5-20 Bs.) Breakfasts costs ($3 / 20 Bs.). Another option is the restaurant attached to Inca Uta Hostal (02-715-15246), recommended by locals, as it is run by a Chilean cook and is the most likely spot to serve options beside trout.

Although there are not many services in Challapampa, there are basic shops, public bathrooms and in the unlikely event you should need to make a phone call, there's a Punto Entel pushed back opposite the main pier. See Getting To and Away Isla del Sol for more details on arrival and departure.

Other neighborhoods in Isla del Sol: Cha'lla, Challa and Yumani.