Puno.- Today, the city of Puno is the folklore capital of Peru and home to the Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria. It lies on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.
Where is Puno?
Location: South of Lima
Capital: City of Puno
Distance: 1,324 km from Lima
Altitude: 3,827 m above sea level
Population: 1,245,508 inhabitants
Climate: The city of Puno lies on the shores of Lake Titicaca and has a cold, semi-arid climate. The average annual maximum temperature is 14°C (58°F) and the minimum is 3°C (37°F). The rainy season is from October to April.
How do I get to Puno?
By Land: Lima-Arequipa-Juliaca-Puno: 1,324 km (18 hours by car).
By Air: Regular flights to Juliaca from Lima (1 hour 45 minutes, with a layover in Arequipa) and from Arequipa (25 minutes).
Inca Manco Cápac International Airport. Av. Aviación s/n Urb. Santa Adriana
By Rail: Puno – Cusco 384 km (10 hours)
What activities can be done?
Titicaca National Reserve
A protected natural area, created in 1978 to preserve the natural resources of the Lake Titicaca ecosystem and the puna grasslands. It covers an area of 36,180 hectares. The reserve is home to dozens of species of birds, fish, and amphibians, with over 60 species of birds, including flamingos, Andean geese, seagulls, Andean coots, Andean gulls, and Andean lapwings (some of which are endangered). The lake’s flora is represented by twelve varieties of aquatic plants, most notably the totora reed and the llacho plant.
Lake Titicaca
5 min. from the Plaza de Armas. This lake is very important in Andean mythology because, according to legend, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, children of the Sun god and founders of the Inca Empire, emerged from its waters. Peru and Bolivia share sovereignty over this navigable lake, the highest navigable lake in the world (3,810 m). It has an area of 8,559 km² and a maximum depth of 283 meters.
Tours to the Floating Islands of the Uros
5 km west of the port of Puno (20 minutes by boat).
The Uros Islands (3,810 m above sea level) are located in the Bay of Puno and comprise approximately 20 communities. Each island is inhabited by 3 to 10 Uro-Aymara families, who build and thatch their houses with totora reed mats. Some have replaced their traditional roofs with corrugated metal sheets. The main island communities include Tupiri, Santa María, Tribuna, Toranipata, Chumi, Paraíso, Kapi, Titino, Tinajero, and Negrone.
Amantaní Island Tours
36 km northeast of the port of Puno (3 hours and 30 minutes by boat)
Located at 3,817 meters above sea level, Amantaní covers an area of approximately 9 km². The island’s flora is characterized by shrubby plants such as muña, cantuta, sage, tola, and patamuña. Eight communities inhabit the island, primarily cultivating potatoes, corn, oca, quinoa, broad beans, and peas. Their most representative crafts are textiles and stone carving. Among its natural attractions are two viewpoints at the highest point, offering panoramic views of the lake, as well as some pre-Hispanic ruins, ceremonial centers, and a mummy cemetery.
Taquile Island Rural Tourism
35 km east of the port of Puno (3 hours by boat)
Its approximate area is 6 km² at an altitude of 3,950 meters above sea level. During the colonial period and until the early 20th century, the island was used as a political prison, but since 1970 it has been the exclusive property of the Taquile people. Taquile is characterized by its friendly inhabitants, who preserve their customs, traditions, and clothing. The locals are known for their intricate and fine textiles with symbolic symmetrical decorations in vibrant colors, reflecting their way of life, customs, and Andean beliefs.
Tours: Sillustani Archaeological Complex
34 km north of Puno (35 minutes by car).
This complex is located on the shores of Lake Umayo. It is famous for its chullpas, circular stone towers built to house the funerary remains of the principal authorities of the ancient inhabitants of the Collao region. Some reach up to 12 meters in height and are characterized by their base being smaller than their upper section. A short distance from the archaeological complex is the Site Museum, which houses various artifacts from the Colla, Tiahuanaco, and Inca cultures.
Llachón Rural Tourism
74 km northeast of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca (2 hours by car).
This community of approximately 1,300 inhabitants still preserves its native customs and cultural expressions. Its main activities are agriculture, livestock farming, fishing, and handicrafts. Llachón can be reached by boat from the port of Puno and from the islands of Taquile or Amantaní, or by land from Puno and Juliaca. Here, visitors can experience experiential tourism, spending time with the families of this community. Where to sleep?
There’s accommodation for all budgets, from