Lake Titicaca & Puno Travel FAQ

1. What is the altitude of Puno and Lake Titicaca?

Puno is perched at about 12,420 feet (3,860 meters).

2. What is the population of Puno?

There are about 120,300 inhabitants living in the city of Puno. The people who live in Puno are called Puneños.

3. How do I get to and around Puno?

A little more than 1 mile (2 km) southeast of the Plaza de Armas is the Terminal Terrestre, which houses Puno’s long-distance bus companies. There is a departure tax of $0.30 USD for all passengers. Bus fares vary depending on the destination and comfort level of the bus—for example luxury buses will be significantly more expensive than local buses.

The roads to other main cities are now paved, and fast and efficient services run to Lima (18-21 hours), Arequipa (5-6 hours), and Cusco (6-7 hours).

The nearest airport is located in the nearby city of Juliaca, about 28 miles (45 km) and a 1-hour ride away from Puno. Several travel agents in Puno sell tickets and provide a direct shuttle service to the airport for about $3 USD per person, though these services can be slow. LAN is currently the only airline with an office in Puno, and has daily flights to Lima and Cusco. The flights to Lima usually stop in Cusco. Star Peru also operates flights to Puno from Lima, with a layover in Arequipa.

A short taxi ride anywhere in town costs about $1 USD. Moto-taxis are a fun and inexpensive way of getting around, but make sure that the negotiated fare is per ride, not per person. You are likely to be staying in the center of Puno, which is rather small so you can easily walk to any of your destinations. This is also a good way to get a sense of what the city and its inhabitants are like.

4. What is the train ride between Puno and Cusco like?

The train ride, operated by Peru Rail last 9h50 hrs and is slightly longer than the bus (about 9 hrs). However, the first-class accommodations available on the train are very opulent with lounge-chair seating, fine china and silverware used for first-rate, delicious meals (included), and a lookout car, where guests can leisurely enjoy the scenery of the Peruvian highlands. There are also activities scheduled on board to the train to keep you entertained, including music shows, a fashion show and bar-tending lesson.

5. What are the benefits of taking the bus from Puno to Cusco?

The bus from Cusco to Puno takes between eight and nine hours and makes various stops along the way at archaeological sites, as well as at rest-stops and restaurants.

Guests traveling by bus will enjoy bilingual guided stops at the following locations:
Andahuaylillas: Called the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas,” this church features an exhibition of colonial artwork dating back to the 15th and 17th century. (Entrance fee: $1.50 USD per person)
Raqchi: This is the temple dedicated to god Wiracocha, supreme god of the Incas. (Entrance fee: $2 USD per person)
Sicuani: Here guests will be able to rest and enjoy an Andean buffet lunch (included).
La Raya: This is the highest point of the trip, where guests will be able to appreciate snow-peaked mountains, alpacas, and the amazing scenery of the Andean countryside.
Pukara: This is an ancient archaeological complex constructed in a grand pyramidal shape dating as far back as 4,000 B.C. (entrance fee $2 USD per person)       
The bus tour also includes snacks, on-board hostess assistance, and a private station in both cities.

6. Where to eat, drink, and shop in Puno?

• Restaurants: Peru is famous for its excellent cuisine. In any city you can find a wide range of restaurants offering some of Peru´s finest dishes at very reasonable prices. Check out our Puno Restaurant – Travel Guide for a selection of places to taste local specialties.
• Bars/cafés: Although Puno is not famous for its nightlife, several festivals take place throughout the year and you can find a few bars/pubs to enjoy a drink downtown. See our Puno nightlife – Travel Guide for some suggestions on where to go out in Puno.
• Shopping: You can find very inexpensive Peruvian artwork (especially textiles) in Puno. Look at our Puno Shopping – Travel Guide for recommended places to shop.

7. When is the best time to visit Puno?

The weather in Puno and Lake Titicaca varies widely during the day and night, so make sure to bring both summer clothes for the daytime and sweaters to keep you warm during the chilly nights. The best time to visit the area is from May to October, when days are sunny and rain showers infrequent.

8. What are the main festivities in Puno?

There are several celebrations and festivals held in Puno throughout the year. Several are listed below according to the month in which they are celebrated.

• February: The Virgen de la Candelaria Festival is the most important religious celebration in all of Peru, and includes numerous religious services, banquets, dances, contests, and a colorful procession that brings together hundreds of the faithful. 
• March: Inhabitants of Peru gather on the main square and streets of Puno to celebrate the Carnival. Although not as grandiose as in other cities of Peru or other Latin American countries, it’s a great time to mingle with locals and, if you are not afraid of catching a cold, participate in the water fights that take place in the center of town.
• May: The Alacitas y las Cruces Festival is a unique event where locals make and sell miniature artisan handicrafts in diverse fairs located on the main streets of each city.  The handicrafts are modeled after various objects of desire: houses, cars, money, and so on. Bolivian artists also participate in this festival.
• November: The Founding Anniversary of Puno is characterized by civic manifestations  and school dance exhibitions held in the city’s streets.

9. Should we bring gifts for our host family?

A gift for your host family will be much appreciated. Pencils, coloring books, and crayons are great examples of gifts you could bring. The kids really appreciate what to you may seem like simple things.  However, what is most important to them are staple foods—a nice surprise would be sweets, granola, or cookies. Even fruits and vegetables (which don’t grow on the island) are well received. Postcards from your home town are also warmly welcomed. Please be careful not to be too generous, because this could result in locals becoming overly depend on the fluctuating generosity of tourists (not all of whom are as generous as you may be).

10. What are the best lookout points?

For a superb view of Lake Titicaca and a vantage point over the city, there are two look-out points atop a steep hill about 10 minutes southwest of the main square: Mirador Kuntur Wasi and Huajsapata Park.

11. What local products/souvenirs can I purchase in Puno?

Puno is probably the best place in Peru to buy generally inexpensive woolen and alpaca goods, including hats, gloves, scarves, shawls, and blankets. They are usually cheaper than in other cities, but the quality found is often not the same as in some upscale shops found in Cusco and Arequipa.

12. Where are the best spots to buy souvenirs?

The open-air market just beyond the railroad tracks (between Jr. Melgar and Av. Titicaca) has a couple dozen stalls specializing in alpaca and woolen goods. There is a cluster of souvenir and clothing shops along Jr. Lima, the pedestrian-only main drag, as well on Jr. Grau (just off Lima). A place worth seeking out is the nonprofit Fair Trade Store (La Tienda de Comercio Justo) in the patio of La Casa del Corregidor, Jr. Deustua 576. Fifty percent of the purchase price of alpaca and wool scarves and ponchos from this store goes directly to the artisans in rural communities.

13. What is a nice excursion around Puno, apart from Lake Titicaca?

If you want a more authentic experience of the Puno region, you can go to Juli, one of the coastal villages south of Puno. It is about an hour and a half away from Puno by bus. On Sundays there is a local market where you can browse about. There are also several gorgeous churches to visit.