Puno

Puno is the city on Lake Titicaca's western shore where almost every trip to the lake begins. There are eleven tours on this page: boat trips to the islands, day trips by road from the city, the two-day crossings to Arequipa and to the Uyuni salt flats, and the transfers that get you to Puno.

On the lake

The Uros floating islands tour takes 25 minutes by boat to the reed islands in the Bay of Puno and has you back at your hotel four hours later, with departures at 9:00, 12:00 and 3:00. 23 dollars.

The full-day tour adds Taquile, two hours further out, with its terraces and its textiles knitted by the men. 44 dollars. The Amantaní homestay spends a night with a family on Amantaní, climbs Pachatata at sunset and visits Taquile the next day. 67 dollars.

Every lake trip, including the ones from Cusco and into Bolivia, is compared on our Lake Titicaca tours page.

Day trips from the city

The Aymara Route follows the southern shore for a day, from Chucuito's carved stones to Molloco's burial towers, the old raised fields by the lake, the carved doorway of Aramu Muru and Juli's four stone churches. 40 dollars, 8:00 to about 5:30.

The Uros and Sillustani day spends the morning on the reed islands and the afternoon at the tower tombs above Lake Umayo. 60 dollars. Or see the towers on their own: the Sillustani half-day leaves at 2:00 for the afternoon light. 26 dollars.

On to Arequipa or Bolivia

Puno and Arequipa are a long day apart, and the best way between them is through the Colca Canyon. Puno to Arequipa crosses the Patapampa pass at 4,910 metres, sleeps in Chivay near the hot springs, and is at the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint for the condors the next morning. 114 dollars.

The same trip from Arequipa is 130. The Uyuni salt flats tour goes through La Paz on night buses and spends a full day on the salt. Three days, buses and border included, 481 dollars.

Getting to Puno

From Juliaca airport, our transfer is 45 dollars for the car and takes about an hour.

From Cusco, the night bus is 45 dollars and arrives before the boats leave, the Route of the Sun day bus is 55 with five stops and lunch, and a private car is 350 for the vehicle, door to door. Every option is compared in how to reach Lake Titicaca from Cusco.

Puno itself

The city sits at 3,830 metres on the Bay of Puno, with about 135,000 people. It calls itself the folklore capital of Peru, and in February the Fiesta de la Candelaria fills the streets with thousands of dancers for two weeks.

In the first week of November, Puno celebrates its founding in 1668 and the legend of Manco Cápac rising from the lake.

In town, climb the steps to the Kuntur Wasi condor viewpoint for the view over the bay, and visit the Yavari, a steamship built in Britain in 1862 and carried to the lake in 2,766 pieces by mule. More ideas are in what to do in Puno.

How long to stay

Two nights is the minimum: one full day on the lake, and a morning or afternoon for Sillustani or the Aymara Route. Three nights lets you sleep on Amantaní.

Altitude and weather

Puno is higher than Cusco, so come from Cusco rather than straight from the coast if you can. Our note on Cusco or Puno first explains why. May to October is dry and clear, with nights below freezing in June and July. From December to March it rains, mostly in the afternoon. The Puno climate guide goes month by month.

Is Puno worth visiting?

Yes, if you are coming for Lake Titicaca. Puno is a working city rather than a pretty one, but it is the base for the islands, Sillustani and the Aymara shore, and in February it hosts one of the biggest festivals in South America.

How many days do you need in Puno?

Two nights for the lake and one land trip, three with a homestay on Amantaní.

How do you get from Cusco to Puno?

By bus (about seven hours on the direct day bus, or overnight), by the PeruRail train or by private car. There is no direct flight from Cusco to Juliaca, Puno's nearest airport; flights connect through Lima.

For the town, the lake and the wider area in one place, read our Puno and Lake Titicaca travel guide.