Huatajata travel guide

At Huarina, 25 km north of Batallas, the road forks: north to Achacachi (with a branch to Sorata) and Puerto Acosta; and west along the lakeshore to the Staits of Tiquina. The next town on the latter route is Huatajata, home to the Yacht Club Boliviano. Its restaurant is open to non-members Saturday and Sunday for lunch only, sailing is just for members. Many restaurants serve trout, the local specialty, popular with paceños on weekends.

Of greater interest are homespun exhibits of the reed boats that were once such a common site on the lake but are now reserved for tourist displays. Featured are the stories of several long-distance expeditions, on the lake, the Amazon River and even the world’s oceans, all in great reed vessels built by local craftsmen. The exhibits of Máximo Catari (at Hostal Inti Karka, page) and Paulino Estéban (along the highway at the east end of town, T7196 7383) are both recommended. They both also offer lake trips in regular boats for about US$15 per hour, cruising near the shore or to visit the islands of Huiñamarca. On the island of Suriqui, one hour from Huatajata, you can see and buy reed artesanías. On Kalahuta there are chullpas (burial towers), old buildings and the uninhabited town of Kewaya. On Pariti there is Inca terracing and the Museo Señor de los Patos with textiles and Tiahuanco-era ceramics.

Also in Hutajata is Crillon Tours’ dock and their Inca Utama hotel (page). Beyond Huatajata is Chúa, where there is fishing, sailing and Transturin’s catamaran dock (page).