Puno Travel Guide (+ Map) – Gateway to Lake Titicaca
TL;DR
Explore Puno’s floating islands, historic streets, and vibrant markets with our insider guide to make the most of Peru’s gateway to Lake Titicaca.
Dreaming of visiting Lake Titicaca, South America's largest freshwater lake? Then Puno, Peru, should undoubtedly be on your radar! Often considered as a transit point to and from Bolivia, we're here to tell you that this vibrant city is 100% worth visiting in its own right. Puno offers an unforgettable blend of unique experiences, from navigating the incredible floating Uros Islands – a definite highlight of our Peruvian adventure – to exploring its charming historical centre.
We know that planning a trip to a high-altitude city can raise its own questions and concerns, but fear not! In our comprehensive guide, we'll share everything we learned during our visit – from navigating the city and where to stay to the best things to do and essential tips to make your Puno experience truly spectacular. Get ready to dive into the heart of Andean culture – you won't regret it!
Puno Travel Guide
Puno Map
Is Puno Worth Visiting?
Puno is 100% worth visiting. Not only is it the gateway to Lake Titicaca, the biggest freshwater lake in South America. It is also the perfect stopover to Bolivia (Copacabana and the Isla del Sol are only a day trip away).
Our visit to the floating Uros Islands was one of our highlights during our time in Peru. We also highly recommend setting aside some time to explore the historical centre of Puno.
Where We Stayed in Puno
We opted to stay both in Puno itself and on one of the floating Uros islands. In Puno, we opted for Hotel Andenes del Titicaca, which was super convenient because of its central location. The staff was lovely, the water in the shower was hot, and the included breakfast was a nice start to the day.
For the Uros islands, we opted for an Airbnb, but there are also plenty more options on booking.com.
How to Get to Puno
Puno is well connected by bus to other popular Peruvian destinations like:
Puno is also a popular stopover to catch a bus to or from Copacabana in Bolivia (~ 4 hours).
The most fun (and efficient) way to travel from Cusco to Puno or vice versa might be a sightseeing transfer on the Ruta del Sol, where you’ll stop at
- Andahuaylillas: Church of Saint Peter the Apostle
- Raqchi: The Temple of Wiracocha
- Abra La Raya
- Pucara Museum
If budget is not an issue, the route Cusco - Puno is also one of the few in Peru where you can catch a train.
How to Get Around Puno
The centre of Puno is very walkable.
If you want to take a taxi (e.g., to the bus terminal), we recommend the app inDrive. You negotiate a price in advance (a bit like an auction) and pay in cash. Uber was not available at the time of our visit.
Things to Do in Puno
1. Lake Titicaca
The main reason to visit Puno is to take a boat tour on Lake Titicaca. There are three main options:
- A half day tour that only visits the floating Uros Islands.
- A full day tour that visits the Uros Islands as well as Taquile Island.
- A 2-day tour that visits the Uros Islands and Taquile Island with an overnight stay on Amantaní Island.
2. Puno’s Historical Centre
While Lake Titicaca is the undisputed star of Puno, don’t miss out on the historical centre. Here’s a list of the main sights which are also pinned on our map:
- Plaza de Armas de Puno – The heart of Puno with the statue of General Bolognesi and the obligatory “Puno” sign.
- Cathedral of Puno – Built between 1669–1757 in the Baroque style with a beautiful ornate façade.
- Conde de Lemos Balcony – Named after the viceroy who quelled the rebellions in 1667.
- Carlos Dreyer Museum – Art & artefacts from pre-Inca to colonial.
- House of the Corregidor – 16th century colonial mansion that is now an art and culture venue.
- Jirón Lima – Pedestrian street with restaurants, cafés & shops.
- Church of San Juan Bautista – Home of the Virgin of Candelaria, the patroness saint of Puno.
- Parque Pino – Honouring hero Manuel Pino, nowadays a popular local meeting spot.
You can either visit Puno’s sights on your own or join a guided walking tour.
3. Puno’s Viewpoints
The hike to Mirador Kuntur Wasi, also known as the Condor Viewpoint, is frequently mentioned as one of the best things to do.
To be honest, we felt quite altitude sick (Puno sits at an altitude of over 3,800 meters [30,000 ft]), so we made the decision to skip the 1-hour hike.
Alternatively, the Puno walking city tour visits Huajsapata Hill, which seems to be a much easier hike.
4. Puno’s Markets
Like all around Peru, the central market in Puno is a great place to see local life and eat an affordable menu del dia.
Alternatively, you can visit the Laykacota or Witches’ Market, where herbalists and ritual-goods vendors sell muña, coca leaves, amulets, and offerings central to Andean healing and devotion. In case you don’t want to venture there on your own, the Puno walking city tour makes a stop here.
Where to Eat in Puno
We didn’t spend a whole lot of time in Puno, so the only places to eat we can recommend are Cappuccino Caffe and the central market.
How Many Days in Puno Do You Need
Depending on your time constraints, one full day is enough to see the highlights of Puno and Lake Titicaca.
If you have the time, we think two days is the sweet spot because we highly recommend you spend one night on the lake.
Puno Tips
ATMs in Puno
There’s a variety of ATMs from different banks in the centre of Puno.
Supermarkets in Puno
There’s a big supermarket at the Plaza Vea Mall next to the train station.
Internet in Puno
The mobile internet with our eSIM card was fine in central Puno, and we had great WiFi both at our accommodation and at Cappuccino Caffe.
As soon as we got out on Lake Titicaca, the internet connection was spotty at best.
Is Puno Safe
The central area around the Plaza Major seems to be reasonably safe, especially during the daylight hours.
We arrived by bus after dark, and the area around the bus terminal seemed a bit dodgy, so we opted for a taxi (inDrive) instead of the short walk.
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