Puno
Photo by Persnickety Prints on Unsplash
1 / 1Peru · Highland city
Puno sits high in the Peruvian Andes on the shore of Lake Titicaca, a city shaped by Quechua and Aymara traditions and famous for its colorful festivals. With 29 hotels ranging from lakeside resorts like GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca to central options near Plaza de Armas, it works well as a base for exploring the lake.
Known for: Culture · Nature · History · Outdoors
GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca
5Isla Esteves s/n Lago Titicaca, Sesquicentenario
(1,719 reviews)
The best time to visit Puno is from May to August, when rain is scarce and days are sunny and mild, with highs around 15°C. June and July are the driest months, with almost no rain, though nights can be cold. The rainy season runs from December to March, with January and February being the wettest. September and October offer a good balance of drier weather and warmer temperatures.
Stay in the city center around Plaza Mayor for easy access to the cathedral, Plaza Mayor de Puno, and dining. The waterfront near Lake Titicaca suits those wanting lake views and quick boat access. The area around the university is quieter and more residential. Hotels like Tierra Viva Puno Plaza, Sol Plaza Hotel, and Hotel Hacienda Plaza de Armas are in the center.
Start at Plaza Mayor de Puno, the city's main square and natural meeting point. Nearby, the Pino Park offers a green escape, and the Arco Deustua is a historic arch worth a look. Don't miss Sillustani, a pre-Inca burial tower site outside the city, and climb Mirador Puma de Puno for lake and city views. The Puno Cathedral, on the plaza, is also a key landmark.
You can take full-day tours to the Uros and Taquile Islands, where you'll see floating reed islands and traditional island life. The Aymara Route tour visits lakeside villages and archaeological sites. A day trip to Copacabana and Isla del Sol in Bolivia offers lakeside scenery and Inca ruins. The Puno to Cusco scenic day trip follows the Route of the Sun through highland landscapes.
Plan 2 to 3 days in Puno. In two days, you can see the Plaza Mayor de Puno, Pino Park, Puno Cathedral, and the Mirador Puma de Puno, plus take a full-day tour to the Uros and Taquile Islands. Add a third day for a day trip to Sillustani or the Aymara Route, which needs an extra day beyond the city sights.
