Top places to visit in Puno

• Lake Titicaca

  lake · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  The highest navigable lake in the world at 3812 m, shared by Peru and Bolivia, and the centrepiece of all Puno excursions to the Uros, Taquile and Amantani islands.

• Uros Floating Islands

  floating islands · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Man-made islands woven from totora reeds on Lake Titicaca, home to the Uros people for centuries. Reached in about 30 minutes by boat from Puno port; visitors learn how the reed islands are built and maintained.

• Taquile Island

  cultural island · 4.6 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Quechua-speaking island famed for its UNESCO-recognised textile art, terraced hillsides and sweeping lake views. Around 2.5-3 hours by boat from Puno; men knit the famous chullo hats and women weave.

• Amantani Island

  homestay island · 4.4 rating · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate

  The largest island on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, best known for overnight homestays with local families and the twin peaks of Pachatata and Pachamama with their pre-Inca temples.

• Sillustani Chullpas

  archaeological site · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Pre-Inca funerary towers (chullpas) up to 12 m tall built by the Colla and later Inca cultures, set on a peninsula above Lake Umayo about 34 km from Puno.

• Puno Cathedral

  cathedral · 4.3 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  Baroque cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, completed in 1757, with an ornate carved stone facade blending Spanish and Andean motifs.

• Plaza de Armas Puno

  square · 4.2 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The main square and social heart of Puno, framed by the cathedral and colonial-era buildings, a hub for festivals and folklore events.

• Yavari Steamship

  museum ship · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The oldest single-propeller iron ship on Lake Titicaca, built in England in 1862, shipped in pieces and reassembled here. Now a floating museum moored near the GHL hotel.

• Mirador Kuntur Wasi

  viewpoint · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Hilltop viewpoint crowned by an 11-metre metal condor sculpture, reached by a long staircase 2 km from the Plaza de Armas, offering panoramic views over Puno and the bay of Lake Titicaca.

• Mirador Huajsapata

  viewpoint · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Hill park topped with a statue of Manco Capac, the legendary first Inca, offering close-up views over the rooftops of Puno and the lake.

• Casa del Corregidor

  colonial house · 4.2 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the oldest colonial houses in Puno (17th century), now a cultural centre and cafe with courtyard, exhibitions and fair-trade crafts.

• Coca Museum and Customs

  museum · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Small museum on the history and cultural role of the coca leaf and a colourful display of traditional Puno festival costumes.

Things to do

• Uros and Taquile Full-Day Boat Tour Boat · 8 h · from PEN 90 per person
• Uros Half-Day Boat Tour Boat · 3.5 h · from PEN 45 per person
• Uros, Amantani and Taquile Overnight Homestay Cultural · 29 h · from PEN 260 per person
• Sillustani Chullpas Afternoon Tour Cultural · 3.5 h · from PEN 55 per person
• Puno City and Mirador Walking Tour Sightseeing · 3 h · from PEN 40 per person
• Lake Titicaca Kayaking on the Uros Adventure · 5 h · from PEN 150 per person
• Puno Folklore Dinner Show Cultural · 2.5 h · from PEN 90 per person

Day trips and tours

• Uros and Taquile Islands Full Day 9 h · from PEN 90
• Sillustani Funerary Towers Half Day 3.5 h · from PEN 55
• Amantani Homestay 2-Day Overnight 30 h · from PEN 260

Where to stay in Puno

• Centro / Malecón about PEN 45 per night

  Puno's central grid near Jirón Lima pedestrian street and the lake port for Uros/Taquile boats.

Hotels

• GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca 4-star · PEN 420 to PEN 720 per night
• Casa Andina Premium Puno 4-star · PEN 450 to PEN 780 per night
• Tierra Viva Puno Plaza 3-star · PEN 280 to PEN 420 per night
• Intiqa Hotel 3-star · PEN 200 to PEN 320 per night
• Hotel Hacienda Puno 3-star · PEN 230 to PEN 360 per night
• Conde de Lemos Inn 3-star · PEN 150 to PEN 250 per night

Where to eat

• Mojsa Restaurant Peruvian, Andean, International · about PEN 55 per person
• La Table del Inca French, Peruvian, Fusion · about PEN 95 per person
• Balcones de Puno Peruvian, Andean · about PEN 70 per person
• Colors Restaurant Lounge International, Peruvian, Cafe · about PEN 50 per person
• Mboje Restaurante Peruvian, Andean, Contemporary · about PEN 60 per person
• La Casona Restaurant Peruvian, Andean · about PEN 55 per person
• IncaBar Peruvian, International, Cafe · about PEN 50 per person
• Tulipans Peruvian, International, Cafe · about PEN 35 per person

Getting to Puno

Airport: Juliaca (JUL)

How visitors arrive in Puno

• Bus from Cusco By road from Cusco · common

  Direct and tourist buses run between Cusco and Puno's Terminal Terrestre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Flight to Juliaca, then road transfer By air from Lima · common

  The nearest airport is Juliaca; Puno is reached by road from there. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus from Arequipa By road from Arequipa · common

  Regular buses connect Arequipa to Puno; no passenger rail runs on that line. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train from Cusco By train from Cusco · possible

  A scenic tourist train runs between Cusco and Puno several times a week. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus from La Paz via Desaguadero or Copacabana By road from La Paz · possible

  Buses come from Bolivia either overland via Desaguadero or around Lake Titicaca via Copacabana. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Pre-arranged transfer from Juliaca unconfirmed

  Juliaca airport is north of Puno by road. The guide advises hiring the transfer through a reputable tour operator. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Taxi or walk from Terminal Terrestre

  The bus terminal is a walk from the Plaza de Armas; a taxi is easier with bags. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Boat

  Tour boats leave the dock for the Uros floating islands, and Taquile on Lake Titicaca can be visited by boat as a day trip or overnight stay.

• Taxi

  Taxis and mototaxis handle rides within Puno, which helps because many hostels sit on a hill above the main square.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Island tour overpricing

  Puno port and street agencies

  Touts and unlicensed agencies sell Uros/Taquile boat tours at inflated prices, sometimes with crowded boats and rushed island stops that give little money back to local communities.

  How to avoid it: Book with a reputable agency, compare a couple of quotes and confirm exactly what is included before paying.

• Fake homestay agencies

  Around the port and Plaza de Armas

  Some operators advertise authentic Amantani homestays but pocket most of the fee, leaving host families underpaid and the experience disappointing.

  How to avoid it: Use community-based or well-reviewed operators and ask how much of the fee goes directly to the host family.

• Taxi overcharging

  Juliaca airport and Puno streets

  Drivers quote tourists several times the normal fare, especially on the 45-minute run from Juliaca airport, or claim there is no change.

  How to avoid it: Agree the fare in advance, carry small notes and ask your hotel what a fair price should be.

• Altitude pressure sales

  Bus terminal and hotels

  Newly arrived travellers feeling the 3812 m altitude are pushed into buying overpriced same-day tours or remedies while disoriented.

  How to avoid it: Rest and acclimatise for a few hours before committing; nothing needs to be booked the moment you arrive.

• Bracelet and photo charges

  Plaza de Armas and on the islands

  Vendors or costumed locals place a bracelet on you or pose for a photo, then demand payment; on islands children may ask for money after photos.

  How to avoid it: Politely decline if you do not want to pay, and always ask permission and agree any tip before photographing people.

Best time to visit Puno

• Jan 16°C
• Feb 16°C
• Mar 16°C
• Apr 16°C
• May 16°C
• Jun 15°C
• Jul 15°C
• Aug 16°C
• Sep 17°C
• Oct 17°C
• Nov 18°C
• Dec 17°C

More in Peru

• Cusco
• Lima
• Aguas Calientes
• Arequipa
• Ica
• Iquitos

Frequently asked questions about Puno

What are the top-rated places to visit in Puno?

The highest-rated places in our Puno guide are Lake Titicaca, Taquile Island, Uros Floating Islands, Sillustani Chullpas, Yavari Steamship.

Where should I stay in Puno?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Puno: Centro / Malecón.

How do I get around Puno?

Ways to get around Puno covered in our guide: Boat, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Puno?

Scams reported to us for Puno include Island tour overpricing; Fake homestay agencies; Taxi overcharging. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Puno?

Average daytime highs in Puno run from 15°C in Jun to 18°C in Nov.

Which airport is nearest to Puno?

The nearest airport to Puno has the code JUL.