Before you go

Your trip to Puno.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Puno – Puno Capital

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional Inca Manco Cápac (JUL) Juliaca · 45 km
Terminal Terrestre de Puno 2 km
Estación de Puno (trem para Cusco) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. The Aeropuerto Internacional Inca Manco Cápac is in Juliaca, 45 km from Puno, about a 1‑hour transfer or taxi, with flights from Lima and from Cusco. Buses from Cusco and Arequipa arrive at the Terminal Terrestre, and the train from Cusco arrives at Puno station in the center.

How many days

Two to three days. One day for the city, taking it easy, and Sillustani in the afternoon; another for the Uros and Taquile; and, if you want, a night in Amantaní in a family home. The first day should be light because of the altitude.

When to go

The dry season usually runs from May to September, with clear skies and nights below freezing. From December to March it usually rains in the afternoons. In February, the Fiesta de la Candelaria fills the streets and the stadium; in November the city celebrates the legendary founding of the Incas, with Manco Cápac emerging from the lake.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The center is walkable, and taxis and moto‑taxis take you to the port and the lakeshore. For the islands, boats depart from the port operated by agencies or by the boatmen's associations. For Sillustani there are half‑day tours with agencies.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Puno

Morning
Plaza de Armas and Cathedral
Start slowly at the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, with its carved stone façade, then continue along the pedestrian street Jirón Lima.
Afternoon
Uros
Go to the port and take the boat to the Uros floating islands, about 30 minutes, to see the totora houses and reed boats.
Late afternoon
Sillustani
Go with an agency to Sillustani, 34 km away, and see the funerary towers on the shore of the laguna de Umayo in the late‑day light.
Evening
Dinner in the centre
Dine on rua Lima: lake trout, quinoa and Andean soups. At altitude, opt for a light meal.

2 days in Puno

Day 1

Morning
Center
Plaza de Armas, Catedral and rua Lima; take it easy because of the altitude.
Afternoon
Sillustani
Half-day tour to the funerary towers of Sillustani.
Late afternoon
Viewpoint
Return and take a taxi up to the viewpoint of Cerrito de Huajsapata or Kuntur Wasi to see the bay.
Evening
Dinner
Dinner downtown and rest after the day on the lake.

Day 2

Morning
Uros
Leave the port early for the floating islands of the Uros.
Afternoon
Taquile
Take a boat to Taquile, climb up to the community plaza and have trout for lunch with a view of the lake.
Late afternoon
Return across the lake
Return by boat to Puno with low light over the lake and the Cordillera Real of Bolivia on the horizon.
Evening
Last night
Dinner in the town centre.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Puno higher than Cusco?

Yes. Puno is at about 3,800 meters, roughly 400 meters higher than Cusco. Travelers coming from Cusco or Arequipa usually notice it less.

How do you get to the islands of Titicaca?

By boat from Puno's port. The Uros are about 30 minutes away; Taquile and Amantaní take several hours. Agencies and associations of boatmen sell the tours at the port and in town.

Is it cold in Puno?

Yes, at night: on the Altiplano early mornings often drop below freezing between May and August, and the rest of the year it's also cold after sunset. By day the sun is strong. Bring layered clothing, a warm hat and sunscreen.

What to eat in Puno?

Lake trout and pejerrey, quinoa soups, chairo (an Andean broth), and potatoes of many varieties, including chuño, the potato dehydrated in the Altiplano's cold.

Back to Puno