Totora boat on the Titicaca lake near Puno, Peru

Things to do in  Puno

Ancient traditions by the lake

Hailed as the birthplace of Inca civilization, Puno is a traditionally Peruvian city perched on the shores of Lake Titicaca—the world’s highest navigable lake. Folkloric tradition is everywhere in this lakeside city, where crumbling colonial buildings serve as the backdrop to brightly colored costumes and energetic dances dating back to Inca times. Top things to do include exploring the islands of Titicaca—straight from the pages of a fairy tale, the Uros Islands are made entirely from reeds, while the island of Taquile harbors the region’s rich weaving heritage.

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Top 8 attractions in Puno

#1

Lake Titicaca

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Lake Titicaca, glistening atop the Andes Mountains, is a tourist attraction, spiritual oasis, and cultural hub all in one. It is also South America’s highest (at 12,507 feet/3,812 meters) and largest (at an astounding 3,230 square miles/8,366 square kilometers) lake, as well as the highest navigable lake in the world.More
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#2

Uros Floating Islands (Islas Uros)

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The unusual 40-plus floating Uros Islands are the most photographed attractions on Lake Titicaca. Constructed with springy totora reeds and anchored to the lake bed, the fragile islands must continually be built and rebuilt, changing in shape, size and even number over time.More
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#3

Taquile Island (Isla Taquile)

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Tiny Taquile Island in the middle of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, has a dramatic, rocky topography topped with windswept pre-Columbian ruins. The island has become a tourist haven due to its famous knitwear and textiles, designated as elements on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.More
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#4

Abra La Raya Pass

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The rugged Andean terrain of La Raya Pass has gorgeous sloping hillsides, purple peaks, and fresh water pools. A popular route between Lake Titicaca and Cusco, the pass is full of tourist trains making a quick photo stop 14,150 feet (4,313 meters) above sea level.More
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#5

Sillustani Tombs

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Looking out to the stunning Lake Umayo, about an hour outside Puno, is one of Peru’s more enigmatic pre-Inca archeological wonders. Sillustani is a burial ground marked by perfectly hewn stone towers (called chullpas) that stretch toward the high-desert sky were built by the local Aymara-speaking Colla people, around 1300 AD.More
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#6

Amantani Island (Isla Amantani)

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Amantani Island on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca has been communally owned since shortly after Peru’s independence from Spain. Less touristic than the Uros and Taquile islands, Amantani is still operated as a type of commune, with families welcoming travelers for overnight stays.More
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#7

Sun Island (Isla del Sol)

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Sun Island (Isla del Sol) is the largest of the lake islands on Lake Titicaca, and with welcoming guest houses and hostels, travelers have many options to stay overnight to maximize the experience. With dramatically sculpted terrain, some 800 families live here amongst 180 pre-Columbian ruins, ancient hiking trails, and a small museum with fascinating artifacts.More
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#8
Suasi Island (Isla Suasi)

Suasi Island (Isla Suasi)

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Of all the magical islands on Lake Titicaca, privately-owned Suasi Island offers luxury-seekers a stay in a sumptuously-appointed ecolodge amongst the island’s stunning vistas, rocky outcroppings, and cascading bougainvillea. Still quite remote, this tiny (106 acres, 43 hectares) island relies on simple rustic pleasures and renewable energy sources.More

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Top activities in Puno

Uros and Taquile Islands on New and Comfortable SpeedBoat

Uros and Taquile Islands on New and Comfortable SpeedBoat

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163
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$63.99
3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno

3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno

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53
From
$37.99
Full-Day Tour of Uros, Taquile and Sillustani from Puno

Full-Day Tour of Uros, Taquile and Sillustani from Puno

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19
From
$139.70
Lake Titicaca (Day Trip) Uros & Taquile Islands

Lake Titicaca (Day Trip) Uros & Taquile Islands

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168
From
$51.29
Private Day Tour of the Uros Floating Islands and Taquile Island

Private Day Tour of the Uros Floating Islands and Taquile Island

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2
From
$351.29
Lake Titicaca (2 Days)

Lake Titicaca (2 Days)

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161
From
$74.00
Uros Amantani Taquile Full Day tour

Uros Amantani Taquile Full Day tour

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3
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$219.97
Bus Ticket from Puno to Cusco with Stop.

Bus Ticket from Puno to Cusco with Stop.

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7
From
$108.00
Lake Titicaca (Half Day) - Uros Island

Lake Titicaca (Half Day) - Uros Island

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20
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$25.65
Cultural Tour to Uros Floating Island

Cultural Tour to Uros Floating Island

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13
From
$59.97
Private Transportation from Airport to Puno or Viceversa

Private Transportation from Airport to Puno or Viceversa

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1
From
$69.99
per group
2-day Tour: Puno To Chivay And Canyon Of Colca

2-day Tour: Puno To Chivay And Canyon Of Colca

From
$195.00
Overnight Luquina Island Homestay Experience from Puno

Overnight Luquina Island Homestay Experience from Puno

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10
From
$86.00
Uros Floating Islands

Uros Floating Islands

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8
From
$9.00
Full Day Tour Of Lake Titicaca And Uros & Taquile - A.m

Full Day Tour Of Lake Titicaca And Uros & Taquile - A.m

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2
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$50.00
Half Day Tour in Sillustani

Half Day Tour in Sillustani

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13
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$26.00
Sillustani Tombs Excursion

Sillustani Tombs Excursion

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$13.16
Floating Island of the Uros

Floating Island of the Uros

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2
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$10.89
Sillustani / 4-hour tour from Puno

Sillustani / 4-hour tour from Puno

From
$24.62
Kayaking at Lake Titicaca - Uros and Taquile
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Kayaking at Lake Titicaca - Uros and Taquile

From
$44.17
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All about Puno

When to visit

Puno’s extreme elevation—it sits at 12,555 feet (3,827 meters) above sea level—means it has a cool, refreshing climate year-round. The warmest time to visit is in November and December, however these more humid months get regular downpours. For clear skies and conditions ideal for hiking around Lake Titicaca, arrive April–October. To see the city at its most celebratory, visit at the start of February for the Festivity of the Virgin of Candelaria, in honor of Puno’s patron saint.

Getting around

The city of Puno itself is easy to explore on foot, particularly the compact downtown area. There are plenty of taxis at the bus station—into which buses from Lima, Cusco, and La Paz and Sucre in Bolivia arrive—but it’s only a 10-minute walk from downtown. Boats out to Lake Titicaca and the islands of Uros and Taquile depart from dawn until dusk from Puno Harbor.

Traveler tips

A short boat ride away on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, you’ll find the magical Sun Island (Isla del Sol). Characterized by the rugged, dramatic landscapes typical of Titicaca, this tiny island features almost 200 pre-Columbian ruins and terrain ranging from sandy beaches to mountain peaks. There are plenty of guesthouses, and it’s worth staying overnight to see the spectacular sunset over the lake.

Local Currency
Peruvian Sol (PEN)
Time Zone
PET (UTC -5)
Country Code
+51
Language(s)
Spanish
Attractions
8
Tours
171
Reviews
1,325
EN
48d76076-4186-48ca-802c-e52b772f5cf9
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People Also Ask

Is it worth visiting Puno?

Yes, it is worth visiting Puno—the city is on the shores of the world's highest navigable lake, and it’s a rich cultural hub. It serves as a convenient launchpad for exploring Lake Titicaca and islands such as Uros, Taquile, and Sol, plus archeological sites such as the Sillustani Tombs.

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How do you spend a day in Puno?

With one day in Puno, head first to the Cathedral of Puno and grab breakfast at a main square café. Then, head to the harbor to take a boat to the Uros Islands, made entirely of reeds. Spend the afternoon exploring Sillustani Tombs, dating back to AD 500.

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How many days should I spend in Puno?

Spend at least two days in Puno—longer if you’re coming directly from a lower altitude town or city, to allow for time to acclimatize. Two days lets you experience the city’s gritty charm and explore the Inca and pre-Colomnbian sites and sail to the islands that dot the lake.

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Is Puno or Copacabana better?

That depends on what you’re after. Puno is a larger city with a better infrastructure for exploring Lake Titicaca; it’s easier to reach Uros and Taquile from here. Copacabana in Bolivia is a smaller town with a hippie, laid-back atmosphere and is best if you want to explore Sun Island.

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How do I get to the floating islands from Puno?

Boats depart for the floating islands of Lake Titicaca from Puerto Puno (Puno Harbor) daily from early morning throughout the day—it’s a 20-minute boat ride. The easiest way to explore is on a guided tour, as these take care of transport between each island and provide cultural context.

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What should I wear to Lake Titicaca?

Lake Titicaca has a cool climate, and the temperature drops even more at night. Bring layers, as it can feel hot when you’re in direct sunlight—the high altitude makes sunscreen and a hat even more important. A fleece jacket will be your best friend in the chilly evenings.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
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